Steel Pulse originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, Birmingham, and comprised David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals) and Ronnie McQueen (bass).
However, it is Hinds who, as songwriter, has always been the engine behind Steel Pulse, from their early days establishing themselves in the Birmingham club scene onwards. Formed in 1975, their debut release, 'Kibudu, Mansetta And Abuku" arrived on the small independent label Dip, and linked the plight of urban black youth with the image of a greater African homeland. They followed it with 'Nyah Love' for Anchor.
Surprisingly, they were initially refused live dates in Caribbean venues in the Midlands because of their Rastafarian beliefs. Aligning themselves closely with the Rock Against Racism 1 organisation, they chose to tour instead with sympathetic elements of the punk movement, including the Stranglers, XTC etc.: "Punks had a way of enjoying themselves - throw hordes at you, beer, spit at you, that kind of thing".
Eventually they found a more natural home in support slots for Burning Spear, which brought them to the attention of Island Records. Their first release for Island was the 'Ku Klux Klan' 45 rpm, a considered tilt at the evils of racism, and one often accompanied by a visual parody of the sect on stage.
By this time their ranks had swelled to include Selwyn 'Bumbo' Brown (keyboards), Steve 'Grizzly' Nesbitt (drums), Fonso Martin (vocals, percussion) and Michael Riley (vocals). Handsworth Revolution was an accomplished long playing debut and one of the major landmarks in the evolution of British reggae.
However, despite critical and moderate commercial success over three albums, the relationship with Island had soured by the advent of Caught You (released in the US as Reggae Fever). They switched to Elektra, and unveiled their most consistent collection of songs since their debut with True Democracy, distinguished by the Garveyeulogising 'Rally Around' cut.
A further definitive set arrived in Earth Crisis. Unfortunately, Elektra chose to take a leaf out of Island's book in trying to coerce Steel Pulse into a more mainstream vein, asking them to emulate the pop-reggae stance of Eddy Grant. Babylon Bandit was consequently weakened, but did contain the anthemic 'Not King james Version', which was a powerful indictment on the omission of black people and history from certain versions of the Bible.
Their next move was id Hinds of Steel Pulse to MCA for State Of Emergency, which retained some of the synthesized dance elements of its predecessor. Though it was a significantly happier compromise, it still paled before any of their earlier albums.
Rastafari Centennial was recorded live at the Elysee Montmarte in Paris, and dedicated to the hundred year anniversary of the birth of Haile Selassie. It was the first recording since the defection of Fonso Martin, leaving the trio of David Hinds, Steve Nisbett and Selwyn Brown.
While they still faced inverted snobbery at the hands of British reggae fans, in America their reputation was growing, becoming the first ever reggae band to appear on the Tonight television show. Their profile was raised further when, in 1992, Hinds challenged the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission in the Supreme High Court, asserting that their cab drivers discriminated against black people in general and Rastas in particular.
Drummer Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett (15 March 1948 – 18 January 2018) died in 2018.
The band are still recording and touring.
Born Fi Rebel
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Blood of Malcolm
Goes running through my veins
And Nat Turner's vision
I can see it very plain
Saw William Gordon and Paul Bogle
Hanging from a tree
Come charging into me
[Chorus]
I was born fe rebel
I was born fe rebel
I was born, oh yes I was born to fight
Radical to the bone, trouble won't leave me alone
Radical to the bone, trouble won't leave me alone
Like Hannibal that crossed the Alps
Went on to conquer Rome
Like David slew Goliath
With a sling shot and a stone
Like crazy Horse and Sitting Bull
The great Geronimo
I'll fight with every tooth and nail
And every brick and stone
[Chorus]
Some a seh me too militant
A which part I man come from
Want protect my people
From who doing I and I wrong
[Chorus]
Fight with all my might
Whether day or night
I've got to do what's right
People take advice
Jomo Kenyatta â?? Born Fe Rebel
Kwame Nkrumah â?? Born Fe Rebel
Thomas Sankara â?? Born Fe Rebel
Machel Samora â?? Born Fe Rebel
Nelson Mandela â?? Born Fe Rebel
Patrice Lumumba â?? Born Fe Rebel
Sellassie I soldier â?? Born Fe Rebel
Castro of Cuba â?? Born Fe Rebel
I was born fe fight
Fight with all my might
Got to do what's right
Whether day or night
Alive, Survive, I strive, Survive
Radical to the bone
Trouble won't leave me alone
Radical to the bone
Armed with sticks and stones
The lyrics to Steel Pulse's song Born Fi Rebel are a powerful statement about the influences that have shaped the singer's worldview and a call to action for others to join in the fight for justice. The first verse speaks of the blood of Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Nat Turner running through the singer's veins, suggesting a heritage of rebelliousness and resistance to tyranny. The second verse references the historical figures of William Gordon and Paul Bogle, Jamaican freedom fighters who were brutally executed by the British colonial authorities in 1865. The singer calls upon their spirits to enter into him, indicating a desire to continue their struggle against oppression.
The chorus repeats the phrase "I was born fe rebel," emphasizing the singer's innate rebelliousness and his commitment to fighting for justice. The following verses make reference to other historical figures who fought against oppression, including Hannibal, David, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and Geronimo. The final verses name-check various African leaders who have also fought against colonialism and oppression, including Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame Nkrumah, and Patrice Lumumba. The song ends with a strong call to action, urging the listener to fight with all their might, armed with nothing but their radical spirit.
Overall, the song is a powerful statement about the singer's commitment to fighting for justice and the struggle against oppression. It draws upon a range of historical figures and cultural references to create a sense of long-standing resistance to tyranny and a sense of hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
The Blood of Marcus
I am descended from the revolutionary spirit of Marcus Garvey
Blood of Malcolm
I am also a product of Malcolm X's radical legacy
Goes running through my veins
These ideals are deeply embedded in me
And Nat Turner's vision
I share Nat Turner's dream of liberation
I can see it very plain
I understand the struggle for freedom and justice clearly
Saw William Gordon and Paul Bogle
I have witnessed the brutality of colonial oppression
Hanging from a tree
The price of resistance in the past was extremely high
May their spirits and their souls
I honor those who have laid down their lives for freedom
Come charging into me
Their courage and spirit inspires me to fight on
I was born fe rebel
I came into existence with a spirit of opposition to injustice
Radical to the bone, trouble won't leave me alone
I am fundamentally committed to revolutionary change and face constant opposition because of it
Like Hannibal that crossed the Alps
Like Hannibal, I am determined to overcome the obstacles in my path
Went on to conquer Rome
I will not be satisfied with anything less than total victory
Like David slew Goliath
I believe that even the weakest can triumph over the strongest oppressor
With a sling shot and a stone
Through simple means, like David, I will fight and win against my oppressors
Like crazy Horse and Sitting Bull
Like Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, I will resist oppression with all my might
The great Geronimo
I also find inspiration in the struggle of Geronimo
I'll fight with every tooth and nail
I will fight with everything I've got
And every brick and stone
Even the smallest and quietest resistance can bring about change
Some a seh me too militant
Some say that I am too radical in my beliefs
A which part I man come from
Some want to know where I come from to understand why I fight so hard
Want protect my people
I fight for my community against those who would harm it
From who doing I and I wrong
I resist those who treat me and my people unjustly
Jomo Kenyatta - Born Fe Rebel
Jomo Kenyatta was also born to rebel against colonial oppression
Kwame Nkrumah - Born Fe Rebel
Kwame Nkrumah also emerged with a spirit of opposition to slavery and colonialism
Thomas Sankara - Born Fe Rebel
Thomas Sankara was driven to oppose both capitalist imperialism and African governments that suppressed the people
Machel Samora - Born Fe Rebel
Machel Samora was born in a colonized Mozambique and had a vision to liberate it
Nelson Mandela - Born Fe Rebel
Nelson Mandela emerged as a leader of anti-apartheid movement and became an inspiration to those who fight for freedom
Patrice Lumumba - Born Fe Rebel
Patrice Lumumba fought against the Congolese government in the 1960s to assert the country's sovereignty and national interests
Sellassie I soldier - Born Fe Rebel
Haile Selassie I's struggle against colonialism led to the birth of Rastafarianism and served as inspiration for rebels
Castro of Cuba - Born Fe Rebel
Fidel Castro fought against the US-backed regime in Cuba and sought to create a fairer and just country
Fight with all my might
I will bring every ounce of energy and resolve to the fight for freedom
Whether day or night
I will fight for justice without rest, regardless of circumstances
I've got to do what's right
I am compelled to do what is right and just, no matter the personal cost
People take advice
People should listen to and take notes from those who fight for justice
Alive, Survive, I strive, Survive
I am dedicated to surviving and persevering through the struggle, as long as it takes
Armed with sticks and stones
I will fight for freedom with whatever tools I have at my disposal
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jagroop Bajwa
Give thanks fi the rebel them weh inspire the ranks yah
Fidem home the stars above an riverbanks, yah
Ask we an we gi unu rebel answer
Yo, we a no cancer, but we live we angry lyrics, a no blanks yah
Malcolm X, him no jest, Marcus Garvey, a no prankster
Give the Most High reverence, yah
Hail, that's died for a cause, yah
Honour dem, no trod pon I people, be off yah
Rebel fi a cause, yah
Yuri VS
A lot of people come here from playing THUG2 back in early 2000's.
This just show we all had a great kickstart into music.
I always say how much the Tony Hawk's soundtrack gave the first steps into music for me. Like a older brother, or that cool older cousin that recommended you some great songs.
I still keep my CD of Tony Hawks Pro Skater (the first one) near my vinyl altar. it all started from there, when i was 10 years old and listening to Goldfinger - Superman while doing some slides in the abandoned warehouse level.
Bruno Nardy
That's the good stuff right there
Marcos Paulo Soares de Castro
Verdade!
Jogador Velho
GTA Vice City also had some amazing tracks
MasterMind Play
Some much nostalgia
rogerthat155
+Yuri Vidal yeah man. and as i get older, them lyrics from Superman start making some damn sense lol
jrn
THUG2 had some of the most memorable tunes ever.
Matthew Withers
i might not know much about reggae, but i do know it's some of the best music
Brave Hero Greenleaf
jah bless
Christian de Kool
Tony Hawk's Underground 2 is also the game that introduced me to Steel Pulse and to reggae in general. I love reggae ever since.