Sizzla, along with reggae recording artists such as Capleton, Buju Banton, and Anthony B, are credited with leading a movement toward a re-embracement of Rastafarian values in contemporary reggae music by recording material which is concerned primarily with spirituality, social consciousness, explores common themes, such as Babylon's corrupting influence, the disenfranchisement of ghetto youth, oppression of the black nation and Sizzla's abiding faith in Jah and resistance against perceived agents of oppression. Sizzla has over 40 full completed albums sold in record stores to date, the most popular which have been "Black Woman & Child" and "Da Real Thing" on the Digital B label, "Praise Ye Jah" on Xterminator, and "Rise to the Occasion" on Greensleeves.
Recently, however, he has come under fire for the homophobic content of many of his lyrics, and the advocacy of violence against gays.
I Juvenile
Sizzla Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Emperor Haile Selassie is the almighty, no?
Den again-him tell mih, nah low
Nyabinghi chanting all, one, two... ey! see Kolanji dey
When there's no pain, in the absence of your culture be strong, ow
True people remain, mih youths, never forget where yuh come from, woo, woo
The system make, the system break the heart of those not knowing
The feelings ache, the whole vibes change
Give it ah meditation
Ay, ay, ay, ey juvenile
With yuh black inheritance be satisfied
Ay, ay, ay, therefore be wise, yow
The earth is like possession, see yuh smile
Ay, ay, ay, he juvenile, yow-with the little that yuh gain be satisfied
Ay, ay, ay, therefore be wise, yow-the earth is like
possession of prosperity, umm
The reason for life is to love and share, give thanks & praise
We love to stand with might, the people words are always
in the atmosphere, ow
We're all the same, be on pride and shame
So get ah load ah dat, hot-red hot!
And we will see our face, at the very place
Black people frame like Gibraltar Rock
Ay, ay, ay, hail juvenile-with yuh black inheritance be satisfied
Ethiopia child, be dignified, yow--the righteous fruit never spoil
Ay, ay, ay, tell me why yuh cry, yow--with yuh black inheritance
be satisfied
Ay, ay, ay, he juvenile, yow-ah tell yuh now therefore be wise, Jah!
Speak aloud, oww-say from yuh heart King Rastafari lives
And I know the crowd will love to rejoice and be positive, ey!
What about your child, can't be running wild
So take up tings in ah yuh hand, yow, woman and man
The personal feeling what you have against yuh sisthren-put it away
Ay, ay, ay, he juvenile-with the black inheritance be satiafied
Ay, ay, ay, tell me why youy cry, ey!-the earth is like possession,
see yuh smile
Ay, ay, ay, he juvenile, ey!--the black inheritance be satisfied
Afri-, African child, be dignified, yow! The righteous fruit never spoil
Ah tell yuh now
When there's no gain, in the absence of your culture be strong, ow
To people remain, never forget where yuh coming from
Yhe system break, the system make the heart of those
not knowing where they belong
The feelings ache and now the whole vibes ah change
Tell dem give it ah meditation
Ay, ay, juvenile-with the black inheritance be satisfied
Ay, ay, ay, Ethiopian child, ow,-yeah boy yuh mus' be wise
Ay, ay, ay, juvenile-with the black inheritance be satisfied
Ay, ay, ay, tell me why yuh cry-yeah man [line fading]
Sizzla's song I Juvenile is a call to youth to remember their roots, cultural heritage, and embrace Rastafarianism. The song begins with a reference to Emperor Haile Selassie, who is believed by many Rastafarians to be the Messiah. Sizzla blesses all those who trust in Him, asking them never to underestimate the power of Haile Selassie. He urges everyone to remain true to their culture, to never forget where they come from and to be strong in the face of adversity.
The song then touches on the systemic oppression and heartbreak of those who have lost their sense of belonging. Sizzla advises us to meditate on these emotions, to embrace the little that we gain and be satisfied with our Black inheritance. He encourages Juvenile to be dignified and wise, to understand that the earth is like a possession, one that we should cherish and be grateful for.
Sizzla uses the verse "speak aloud, say from yuh heart King Rastafari lives" to encourage everyone to speak out and praise God. He urges us to put any personal feelings of animosity toward others aside and embrace the unity of all people. The song ends with a reminder to never forget where we come from, remain strong in the face of adversity, and meditate on the beauty of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah man! well I say... blessed are those who trust in him
The singer believes that those who trust in Emperor Haile Selassie, who he believes is almighty, are blessed.
Den again-him tell mih, nah low
Emperor Haile Selassie warned the singer to be careful.
Nyabinghi chanting all, one, two... ey! see Kolanji dey
The Nyabinghi drumming tradition teaches unity and the singer observes Kolanji, a drummer, participating in the practice.
When there's no pain, in the absence of your culture be strong, ow
The singer advises to stay strong when there is no cultural identity to rely on in order to avoid suffering.
True people remain, mih youths, never forget where yuh come from, woo, woo
The singer emphasizes the importance of remembering one's roots and identity.
The system make, the system break the heart of those not knowing where they belong
The system can break the hearts of people who don't know their cultural background or can't find their place in society.
The feelings ache, the whole vibes change
Give it ah meditation
The singer advises to meditate to overcome negative feelings and vibes.
Ay, ay, ay, ey juvenile
With yuh black inheritance be satisfied
The singer advises the African youths to be content with their ancestral heritage.
Ay, ay, ay, therefore be wise, yow
The earth is like possession, see yuh smile
The earth is a precious possession, and the singer advises the African youths to be wise and grateful to live on it.
The reason for life is to love and share, give thanks & praise
We love to stand with might, the people words are always in the atmosphere, ow
The singer believes the purpose of one's life is to love and share with others while giving thanks and praising Emperor Haile Selassie. He also believes in the power of words spoken by the people.
We're all the same, be on pride and shame
So get ah load ah dat, hot-red hot!
Although everyone is equal, people should still take pride in themselves and their heritage. The singer wants people to get hyped and excited.
And we will see our face, at the very place
Black people frame like Gibraltar Rock
The singer believes black people will eventually gain their rightful place in society.
Speak aloud, oww-say from yuh heart King Rastafari lives
And I know the crowd will love to rejoice and be positive, ey!
The singer wants people to speak out loud and declare their belief in Emperor Haile Selassie. He believes the audience would respond positively to such declarations.
What about your child, can't be running wild
So take up tings in ah yuh hand, yow, woman and man
The singer reminds parents not to let their children go astray and to take responsibility for their actions.
The personal feeling what you have against yuh sisthren-put it away
The singer advises people to put aside their personal animosity towards their sisters and brothers.
Ay, ay, juvenile-with the black inheritance be satisfied
Ay, ay, ay, tell me why youy cry, ey!-the earth is like possession, see yuh smile
The singer reiterates that African youths should be satisfied with their black heritage and to appreciate their place on earth.
Ay, ay, ay, Ethiopian child, ow,-yeah boy yuh mus' be wise
Ay, ay, ay, juvenile-with the black inheritance be satisfied
Ay, ay, ay, tell me why yuh cry-yeah man [line fading]
The singer concludes by advising Ethiopian youths to be wise and appreciate their heritage and questions why they might be crying or unhappy.
Contributed by Alexandra I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@zawadiyahb.7982
When I first heard this song I taped it on both sides of a cassette. I rewinded it from West Palm Beach all the way to Miami. I went through some struggles, little did I know that subconsciously the song was really speaking to me on a different level, it was literally saying be who you are no matter how people come against you. I taped another song on the same cassette front and back, it was a song I had been longing to hear for almost 20 years or more and I never heard it played on any radio stations in Miami. Back then I listened to all the stations that played Reggae....reggae addict! I heard that song in West Palm Beach, I jumped all over the place with joy. My son who didn’t have a clue joined in the fun too. Another uplifting song and one letting I know that Children of Jah cannot suffer more than what they can bare. So when a song is playing on your mind, consider why that is so....Jah might be speaking to you through that song. In my case, he used what was probably my #1 or 2nd mode of familiarity or what I used when I was feeling blue.
Message to artists ... keep the music clean and pure to impact people, especially the youths, in a healthy and wholesome way. Protect your Souls! Don’t degrade yourself by making slack songs just to sell records or exploit your sexuality. ❤️☮️
@terranceroberts4596
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@shamortingling4107
One of the greatest messenger across the globe. Big up Sizzla one of my favorite artists love you bro you have inspired me in so much ways.
@londonmaxwell1483
Sizla is de real big man if more young youths listen these song Jamaica would be heaven on earth
@Sammydreddi
Big up the singers but also big up the brethren who make the riddim
@ricocargill2216
Some of the best and most uplifting content in any genre.
@topchefskillz
Nyahbinghi chantin! One of the bess songs ever. I love Rastafari by buju too. Nyahbinghi Congo bongo lawd!
@supermom473
You got to love this tune😘