He started in the band Stepacide in 2010 and he was a part of the project No Joke Sound System. He eventually left both of the projects in 2010 so he could focus on his solo career. In 2010 he debuted his first album My path, available for free download and he released an EP in the 6th Optimus Discos series, run by Henrique Amaro.
He became famous with the album "Focused", of which the track "That's How We Roll" stood out and was nominated to the 2013 Golden Globes
In 2012 he began the Tour Focused. His last tour concerts were in Porto and Lisbon, where he recorded Live at Campo Pequeno, which was released in 2014, in Cd and DVD.
On the 4th May 2015, he released, without a previous announcement, his album "In the 876", which reached the ITunes top of sales in only 2 hours. This album was recorded in Kingston and Lisbon. Its name is a reference to the Jamaican phone indicative.
Richie Campbell works and sings live with his band called The 911 Band, which was considered as the best "backing band" reggae in Portugal, and is consisted by elements of bands as One Sun Tribe, Kussondulola, (One Love Family), etc.
911
Richie Campbell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dem should a been here before,
How dem think dem job a just pick bodies off the floor
Someboy call di 911,
Some bwoy a get shot and blood a run run run,
Dial up the 911,
And mek dem send the police dem come.
Bwoy dem late dem should a come a long time before
Dial up di 911
How dem feel dem job a just pick bodies off the floor
Babylon try get the best of me,
All when me need them help its like dem blind and dem nuh see we
Kymani dem a try fi shoot and try fi kill we
Protect and serve? Dem bwoy deh must be crazy
When me call 911 they put me on hold,
Classic music me hear while bodies get cold
Dem should a hurry up and run fast as bolt
But police only run when dem chasing fi di gold
Chorus
(Kymani)
Richie what you telling me?
Babylon those are the enemies?
Fi a small draw of herb dem charge I with a felony,
But dem cyaan win dat bakkle yah,
Ready fi fight come mek we fight dung another war
Please, pass me bible light me chalwa,
Kymani stand firm in the corner of the sufferers,
No 911 for me nah...
Chorus
911 phone already dialed, leave a message after beep but dem neva did reply
(Kymani)
King selassie I is guiding I, bun a fire hotta red trample and paralize
The song "911" by Richie Campbell is a commentary on the corruption and inefficiency of the police force in Jamaica. The lyrics express frustration with the slow response time of the police when called to the scene of a crime, juxtaposed with their quickness to arrest and prosecute individuals for minor drug offenses.
The chorus of the song repeats the urgent plea to "call 911," but also laments that the police are often too late to intervene in violent situations. The verses critique the police for their lack of accountability and loyalty to the citizens they are meant to protect. Campbell's collaborator, Kymani Marley, adds verses that call for resistance to police violence and oppression, invoking Rastafarianism and the symbolic power of King Selassie I.
Overall, the lyrics of "911" reflect a deep distrust and disillusionment with the police force in Jamaica, and a desire for change and justice in the face of systemic corruption.
Line by Line Meaning
Call dem, call dem!
Asking someone to call the emergency services.
Dem should a been here before, How dem think dem job a just pick bodies off the floor
The emergency services should have arrived earlier than they did. They can't just show up and clean up a dead body and leave.
Someboy call di 911, Some bwoy a get shot and blood a run run run, Dial up the 911, And mek dem send the police dem come.
Urgently requesting someone to call the emergency services because someone got shot and is losing a lot of blood. Asking for the police to be dispatched immediately.
Bwoy dem late dem should a come a long time before Dial up di 911, How dem feel dem job a just pick bodies off the floor
Expressing frustration at the emergency services for arriving too late. They should have shown up a lot earlier, instead of just coming in to pick up and dispose of dead bodies.
Babylon try get the best of me, All when me need them help its like dem blind and dem nuh see we Kymani dem a try fi shoot and try fi kill we Protect and serve? Dem bwoy deh must be crazy
The artist feels like the police are working against them rather than for them. Despite needing help, the police seem to ignore them. There are corrupt police officers who try to shoot and kill the people who need their protection instead of helping them.
When me call 911 they put me on hold, Classic music me hear while bodies get cold Dem should a hurry up and run fast as bolt But police only run when dem chasing fi di gold
When the singer calls 911 for help, they are put on hold and forced to listen to music while people are dying. The police should hurry up to the scene but they only run when they are chasing money instead of doing their job.
911 phone already dialed, leave a message after beep but dem neva did reply (Kymani) King selassie I is guiding I, bun a fire hotta red trample and paralize
The singer has already called 911, but they did not receive any reply. They then turn to religion and seek guidance from King Selassie I to help them fight for their cause.
Contributed by Amelia I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ClauDia-yc5ig
Since 2010 for many more to come ❤️
@dragon2001
Que som...como só estou a ouvir agr fg
@tomasmateus17
Obrigado maluco beleza
@MariaSantos-yw8tm
foda se a sério que som do caraças
@PercyFFDX
Richie Campbel é Grande! Adorei ouvi-lo ontem no pavilhão Atlantico.
@11Fromthedark11
Reggae :D Quem ama Reggae é o maior!!! :D
@miguelpaz8175
Parabéns, admiro muito os 2 artistas, graças ao maluco beleza ouvi essa grande música
@gracavicente35
O Richie tem um grande talento! Nasceu com ele. Aos invejosos:temos pena! Aos fãns com eu:sabemos apreciar o bom da vida! Os Free spirit! Ao Richie:Nao tenhas limites!!!You're the Man!
@jezusdiedLOL
ainda me lembro de vir ouvir isto e ter tipo 1 ou 2 paginas de comments. é bom ver q tas a crescer richie, tas de parabéns (:
@Hasse2001
oh my jah , parabéns , dueto com Ky-mani marley , :)