Spice's first Jamaican single "Killing a Sound" was produced by Dennis "Star" Hayes. This was followed by "Shine" by ace Jamaican record producer/musician Clive Hunt. Spice also teamed up with Hunt for his debut album on the Island Jamaica Label from which came his first major hit "Grooving my girl". His sister, Bridgett Bonner for Bonner Productions Ltd, organized his second album. The album produced hits such as "Earth a Run Red", "Living Ain't Easy", Land of Jamaica "Time So Rough", the aforementioned "Grooving My Girl" and many others. This album, renamed UNIVERSAL is contracted to Heartbeat Records for further development and international exposure. Spice currently has a hot new album to be released early summer of 2003 called WORLD ROCK.
Having gained popularity in the mid 90's, Spice has performed at all major shows staged locally namely Reggae Sun Splash (a paid tribute by him to Bob Marley), White River Reggae Bash, Rebel Salute and many others. Spice has opened shows for the likes of Chaka Demus and Pliers, Spanner Banner and Rita Marley on extensive tours of Europe and the United States 1996-1997.
He again toured East North America from June to September 2001. His increased popularity has gained him spots at numerous venues. His most recent projects include performances at Sting held at Jam World St. Catherine (December 26, 2002) and Sting Miami (March 2003).
Richie Spice is a member of the Rastafari movement.
http://www.richiespice.net/
Black Like Tar
Richie Spice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
oh gosh bless
nah nah nah nah nah nah yeh
alright
(chourus)
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
balck and me pround u haffi no who u are
Africa's the mother land big up every black superstar
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
balck and me pround u haffi no who u are
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
Africa's the mother land u have 2 no who u are
1
Dem say wen u c black puss uffi turn bak
dem say nuttin good eva cum outa black
kekacus fat i say him 2 black
i say my complexion an me say me no it
im proud 2 b black an im black 2 b proud
Marcus Gavie lead out 10 million black
im proud 2 b black an im black 2 b proud
so if ya wit me ya haffi shout it out loud
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
balck and me pround u haffi no who u are
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
Africa's the mother land big up every black superstar
2
some bleach out dem skin and tink dem out da wind
some bleach out dem skin until it get????
some bleach out dem skin c dat dem cant hail d King
from ya bleach out ya skin boy ya sin
ima tru rastaman dis is some songs that i sing
imma tru Rastaman i mean Babylon can trim
ima tru Rastaman smoking me herb doing me thing
so Babylon listin 2 da fire wa me a fling
(chourus)
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
balck and me pround u haffi no who u are
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
Africa's the mother land big up every black superstar
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
black and im proud u betta no who u are
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
Africa's the mother land big up every black superstar
3
ill never betray my brothers (Noway, Noway)
Malcom X cum and teach 2 my sister (??, black sister)
4
i say u beta no ya self b ya self
never b anuda 1
so how cud i man cum betrayed
ayy i am who i am
Chourus
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
balck and im pround u beta no who u are
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
Africa's the mother land big up every black superstar
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
black and im proud i haffi no who u are
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
Africa's the mother land big up every black superstar
The song "Black Like Tar" by Richie Spice is an ode to black pride and a rejection of colorism. Through his lyrics, Richie Spice addresses the societal pressures to lighten one's skin and emphasizes the beauty and strength in being black. He uses the metaphor of tar to describe the color of his skin, reclaiming the negative connotations associated with the substance and turning it into a symbol of pride. He acknowledges the historical struggle for black rights and pays tribute to black leaders like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. The chorus repeats the message of being proud of one's blackness and recognizing the greatness of black people around the world.
The first verse addresses the negative stereotypes and discrimination against black people. Richie Spice challenges these ideas and expresses pride in his complexion. He invokes the name of Marcus Garvey, who led the Universal Negro Improvement Association, an organization dedicated to promoting black self-reliance and Pan-Africanism. The second verse refers to the phenomenon of skin bleaching, which is prevalent in some black communities. Richie Spice criticizes those who bleach their skin and encourages listeners to embrace their natural beauty instead. The line "some bleach out dem skin until it get????" may be a reference to the harmful effects of skin bleaching, which can lead to uneven skin tone, scarring, and other health issues.
Line by Line Meaning
nah nah nah nah nah nah yeh
Expression of joy and excitement
oh gosh bless
Expression of gratitude and blessings
alright
Expression of affirmation and agreement
Black like a tar (black like a tar)
Being black like tar signifies being proud of one's blackness and heritage
balck and me pround u haffi no who u are
Emphasizing the importance of being proud of one's black identity and heritage
Africa's the mother land big up every black superstar
Recognizing Africa as the homeland of black people and celebrating the successes of black individuals
Dem say wen u c black puss uffi turn bak
Referring to the negative stereotypes and stigma attached to blackness
dem say nuttin good eva cum outa black
Further emphasizing the harmful stereotypes and stigmas attached to blackness
kekacus fat i say him 2 black
Challenging the stereotype that black people are inferior or ugly
i say my complexion an me say me no it
Affirming one's own identity and skin color
im proud 2 b black an im black 2 b proud
Stating that one is proud of their identity and heritage
Marcus Gavie lead out 10 million black
Referring to Marcus Garvey and his influence on the empowerment of black people
so if ya wit me ya haffi shout it out loud
Encouraging others to also be proud of their black heritage
some bleach out dem skin and tink dem out da wind
Addressing the issue of skin bleaching and criticizing those who engage in it
some bleach out dem skin until it get????
Further criticizing the act of skin bleaching and its consequences
some bleach out dem skin c dat dem cant hail d King
Indicating that those who bleach their skin are not true to their identity and heritage
from ya bleach out ya skin boy ya sin
Stating that skin bleaching is a sin against one's self and community
ima tru rastaman dis is some songs that i sing
Identifying as a true Rastafarian and expressing oneself through music
imma tru Rastaman i mean Babylon can trim
Rejecting the oppressive influence of Babylon on oneself
ima tru Rastaman smoking me herb doing me thing
Expressing oneself through personal interests and practices
so Babylon listin 2 da fire wa me a fling
Calling out Babylon and expressing one's rejection of their influence
ill never betray my brothers (Noway, Noway)
Committing to loyalty and brotherhood within the black community
Malcom X cum and teach 2 my sister (??, black sister)
Praising the teachings of Malcolm X and their impact on black people, especially women
i say u beta no ya self b ya self
Encouraging individuality and authenticity
never b anuda 1
Rejecting conformity and imitation to be unique
so how cud i man cum betrayed
Questioning how a person could betray their own identity and heritage
ayy i am who i am
Asserting oneself and one's identity
black and im proud u betta no who u are
Emphasizing the importance of being proud of one's black identity and heritage
Africa's the mother land u have 2 no who u are
Highlighting Africa as the homeland of black people and encouraging them to know their true identity
Writer(s): Kemar Ricardo Mc Gregor, Richell Bonner Copyright: Jamak Music Publishing, Music by Greensleeves
Contributed by Keira C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@htwtv4657
i just attended the live performance of Richie Spice at KICC Grounds (KENYA) and this is among the many songs he performed. This guy is just amazing. Nuff Respect
@richieshive
Kama kawa
@kalimah94
so beautiful and true! everything richie brings is best! ONE LOVE!
@vernella1
Love it !!!!! Revenge for all who try to make us feel inferior because we are black. I am who I am. Best song Yeah!!!1
@cristelwilliams4063
big up this sound 100% big up Richie spice.
@vincentmatthews5754
KEEP IT GOING RICHIE!
@cyrildavid1286
2022 and still a Boss Song
@abigailbrown2074
I'm black and I'm proud. Black is beauty 😊😊😊
@musasumbundu6742
I'm black like a tar and I'm proud of it
@robbertyorks9992
Zuid-Afrika