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.
Tyrant
Steel Pulse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kick dem out
Hallelujah
Jump and shout
Without a doubt watch out
You better watch out you bad rulers
Never let a politician - oh no
Grant you a favour
He's coming with his plots and schemes after you
To control you for I-ver & ever
Chant Nyahbinghi - Congo drums
Woe to down pressors - yes
Stab through the heart of Babylon
Cause I man no jester when I say
If Dem a Tyrant
Kick dem out
Hallelujah
Jump and shout
Uprising yes!
Without a doubt watch out
You better watch out you bad rulers
You pocketing the government funds
And guilty of deceiving the people
Who worship the ground that you walk on?
How can you be so evil?
And any opposition is thrown into prison
And sentence to an execution
The system is a fraud
In greed there's no reward
Let's eradicate corruption
If Dem a Tyrant
Kick dem out
Hallelujah
Jump and shout
Uprising yes!
Without a doubt watch out
You better watch out you bad rulers
We put you on trial now
For stealing votes
Your life in our hands now
Held down by your throat
Power to the people say we find you guilty
In the name of democracy we burn the city
No more hypocrisy says we have no mercy
So much oppression and repression leads to poverty
If Dem a Tyrant
Kick dem out
Hallelujah
Jump and shout
Uprising yes!
Without a doubt watch out
You better watch out you bad rulers
Down trodden masses get up of your asses
And look at all the trouble
This is what the fact is
We paying too much taxes
We protest cause we know it's a sin
Dem a tyrant
So much violence
Dem a tyrant
Will go down in silence
The chorus of Steel Pulse's song "Tyrant" urges the listener to stand up to power and take action against oppression: "If dem a tyrant, kick dem out, hallelujah jump and shout, uprising yes without a doubt watch out." The song calls out politicians who use their power for personal gain and schemes, warning listeners to be vigilant against their manipulation. Steel Pulse contrasts these corrupt politicians with the Jah Rastafari movement, represented by the chant of "Nyahbinghi" and the sound of Congo drums, which offers an alternative to oppressive systems of governance.
Steel Pulse also criticizes the justice system, which unfairly targets opposition and opposition leaders, and does not hold corrupt politicians accountable. The line "We put you on trial now for stealing votes, your life in our hands now held down by your throat," suggests that the people must take justice into their own hands when the system fails to protect them. The song concludes with a call for the down-trodden masses to take action against their oppressors, citing the high taxes and poverty that result from corrupt governance.
Overall, "Tyrant" is an uplifting and powerful call to action against systems of oppression. Steel Pulse urges listeners to unite against tyrants and corrupt politicians, and to seek justice through direct action rather than relying on corrupt systems.
Line by Line Meaning
If Dem a Tyrant
If they are tyrants, meaning bad rulers
Kick dem out
Remove them from power
Hallelujah
Expressing joy and praise to God
Jump and shout
Expressing happiness and enthusiasm
Uprising yes!
There's a popular revolt against the government
Without a doubt watch out
Be careful, because the people are angry
You better watch out you bad rulers
You, who are the rulers, should be careful if you're abusing your power
Never let a politician - oh no
Don't trust politicians easily
Grant you a favour
Do something good for you out of kindness
He's coming with his plots and schemes after you
He wants to manipulate you for his own interests
To control you for I-ver & ever
To dominate you forever
Chant Nyahbinghi - Congo drums
Sing a spiritual song accompanied by African percussion instruments
Woe to down pressors - yes
Woe to those who oppress others
Stab through the heart of Babylon
Destroy the oppressive system
Cause I man no jester when I say
I'm serious about my words
You pocketing the government funds
You are stealing public money
And guilty of deceiving the people
You are lying to the public
Who worship the ground that you walk on?
Who think you are God-like?
How can you be so evil?
How can you have such bad intentions?
And any opposition is thrown into prison
And anyone who disagrees with you is jailed
And sentence to an execution
And even sentenced to death
The system is a fraud
The political system is not trustworthy
In greed there's no reward
Being greedy doesn't lead to any good outcome
Let's eradicate corruption
Let's get rid of dishonesty and bribery
We put you on trial now
We accuse you and bring you to court
For stealing votes
For cheating during the election
Your life in our hands now
We have the power to punish you
Held down by your throat
Helpless and unable to escape
Power to the people say we find you guilty
We, the people, declare you guilty
In the name of democracy we burn the city
As a protest against your tyranny, we destroy public buildings and infrastructures
No more hypocrisy says we have no mercy
We won't be fake anymore and won't show mercy towards the oppressors
So much oppression and repression leads to poverty
Too much violence and control results in poverty
Down trodden masses get up of your asses
Poor people, don't be lazy and fight for your rights
And look at all the trouble
And see how much injustice there is
This is what the fact is
This is the reality
We paying too much taxes
We are overly taxed
We protest cause we know it's a sin
We demonstrate because we know it's wrong not to speak up
Dem a tyrant
They are acting like dictators
So much violence
There's too much brutality
Will go down in silence
Will eventually be defeated without making a noise
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DAVID ROBERT HINDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@billyrovedas5687
FYAH bun... All of the Wicked Schemers🎓🎓🎓🎓💯💯💯
@Black-Rat
Great song and still describes the reality we're all in, we still have many bad rulers in this world...
Great music from a great band...
@pipa.napalm
I believe that African Holocaust is esasily one of the 3 best reggae albums of the last 20 years. Masterpiece!
@marleyite
No arguments there.
@61reid67
What about True Democracy?has to be up there as well.Your House-what a song,beautiful
.
@CheikhTidianeNDAO
Thanks 😘😘😘 a lot. More fire... Big up
@doctj04
Classic Steel Pulse, luv this track!
@abdullatifsaifullah4599
doctj04
@linuxandretrogamingfan3882
This is a good one here folks. One to cherish.
@zoul3ady
Tyrant.... wow i love that song