The use of local dialect is an integral part of Sud Sound System's music. Such a use is not a choice: you can choose to sing in English, considering it to be an appropriate language for music, but you can't choose something which is part of your character, part of your daily vocabulary. The local dialect is not the only linguistic expression used in Salento reggae, but it is however the most natural choice because it is part of the artists themselves.
In June 1991, the 12" "Fuecu/T'a sciuta bona" was released and its impact on the Italian music scene was certainly noticeable; this record, like few others in that period, had something new to say. It was a unique record for its musical freshness due to its use of the Salento dialect combined with reggae rhythms. It consequently met with great success.
1992 saw the release of two 12" records: one with the tracks "Reggae Internazionale" and "Punnu Ieu," the other with "Turcinieddhri" and "Chiappalu." These new tracks immediately became popular and were constantly requested at the numerous concerts which followed. A long series of appearances began with foreign exponents of the roots, reggae and raggamuffin scene: Macka B and Mad Professor, Little Owie, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Asher D, Chunny Rankin, Daddy Freddy, Thriller Jenna, Sweete Irie. In 1993 and 1994, various tours took S.S.S. to different European countries, including France, Germany, Switzerland and Britain.
In the first few months of 1994 they christened their label Ritmo Vitale (Vital Rhythm) with a production called Salento Showcase '94,a compilation CD comprising many of the singers who were constantly appearing on the Salento reggae scene at that time. The album was successful and brought along a certain consolidation of the reggae and raggamuffin movement in that region.
In 1995 and the first few months of 1996 Sud Sound System was absorbed by the intense production of the album "Comu na petra," a fine piece of work that uses the Salentine tambourine players to lay down the basis for the type of raggamuffin they are known for; a raggamuffin with a certain sting which has always been an important part of the nature of the group. The tracks which most feel that 'sting' are: "Afro ragga mtaranta jazz" and "Crisce."
"Comu na petra" was preceded by a compilation entitled "Tradizione" which complied the group's recordings during the 1991-1996 period. Both records were produced in conjunction with the newspaper "Il Manifesto."
Italiano Jamaicano
Sud Sound System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niente po fermare quiddrha ca ete la realtà
'ntra lu munnu comu in Italia
Tanta ete la gente ca ole sente verità
Lu raggamuffin nu se paura
Cu bene cu mpunna e cu te cunta nà
Storia de vita vera
Affrontala con dignità.]
Cu sta musica tie danzi e rifletti
Lu ritmu pe primu face ballare a tutti
Lu dj parla chiaru mpunna schettu e cunta fatti
Nu sulu quiddrhi belli ma puru quiddrhi brutti
De vita, de amore, de gua, de quiddrhu ca tie ùei
De pace giustizia lealtà ca a ddu ieddrhi tie ttrei
De lu desegnu ca tene la gente sempre de chiui
Cu troa l'armonia ntra stu munnu quai
All real raggamuffin shoot fuecu fueco
Accendino high burn ever lasting fire
Esco fabio rico fuecu fuecu
Real raggamuffin in italiano jamaicano
Worldwide we are fuecu fuecu
Music we a push in to di worl like pretty girl
No stop burn di fuecu fuecu
No stop burn di fuecu
Me nhu tell dem say dem can stop we
Run the streets like taxi
In your face like oxy
Now raggamuffin dem say make autopsy
Real jameican man a no nazi grazi
Me nhu tell dem say dem can stop we
Run the streets like taxi
In your face like oxy
Now raggamuffin dem say make autopsy
Real jameican italiano
[Lu raggamuffin crisce ancora
Niente po fermare quiddrha ca ete la realtà
'ntra lu munnu comu in Italia
Tanta ete la gente ca ole sente verità
Lu raggamuffin nu se paura
Cu bene cu mpunna e cu te cunta nà
Storia de vita vera
Affrontala con dignità.]
De la strada ete lu risultato
Face de mie nu soldatu
De orgogliu e microfono armatu
Lu sudore e lu sangu versatu
De ci pe mie a lottatu
E sempre riconosciuto
Pan di high, di bass, up pan di drum
The people dem a jump dem a skunk and galang
Up on di wall down di flor inna su sound session
I see de gal dem a dance whit dem brand new fashion
Poi ieu sullu microfono
Mpunnu e dau lu massimu
Sappi ieu nu recitu
Su fiaccu quando è lecito
Sappi ieu nu mentu ieu cantu e nun infamu
Real raggamuffin in italiano jamaicano.
(Grazie a puke per questo testo)
The lyrics to Sud Sound System’s song “Italiano Jamaicano” are about the power of music and the way that it can unite people across different cultures and backgrounds. The song celebrates the Italian raggamuffin scene, which has deep roots in Jamaican music and culture, while also acknowledging the challenges and struggles that come with being part of this community. The song speaks to the importance of facing these challenges with dignity and strength.
The opening lines of the song establish this theme, with the lyrics “Lu raggamuffin crisce ancora / Niente po fermare quiddrha ca ete la realtà” (“Raggamuffin still grows / Nothing can stop what is reality”). The song then goes on to talk about the transformative power of music, with lines like “Cu sta musica tie danzi e rifletti / Lu ritmu pe primu face ballare a tutti” (“With this music, you dance and reflect / The rhythm first makes everyone dance”). The song also references the political and cultural issues that are often addressed in raggamuffin music, with lyrics like “De pace giustizia lealtà ca a ddu ieddrhi tie ttrei” (“Of peace, justice, and loyalty, which are three things that belong to you”).
Overall, “Italiano Jamaicano” is a powerful celebration of the raggamuffin scene in Italy and the way that this music brings people together across cultures and boundaries. The song is a testament to the strength and resilience of this community in the face of adversity and the power of music to inspire and unite people.
Line by Line Meaning
Lu raggamuffin crisce ancora
The raggamuffin continues to grow
Niente po fermare quiddrha ca ete la realtà
Nothing can stop what is reality
'ntra lu munnu comu in Italia
In a world like Italy
Tanta ete la gente ca ole sente verità
So many people only hear the truth
Lu raggamuffin nu se paura
The raggamuffin is not afraid
Cu bene cu mpunna e cu te cunta nà
With good and bad, tells its story
Storia de vita vera
A true story of life
Affrontala con dignità.
Face it with dignity
Cu sta musica tie danzi e rifletti
With this music, you dance and reflect
Lu ritmu pe primu face ballare a tutti
The rhythm makes everyone dance first
Lu dj parla chiaru mpunna schettu e cunta fatti
The DJ speaks clearly, tells the truth and facts
Nu sulu quiddrhi belli ma puru quiddrhi brutti
Not only the beautiful things, but also the ugly things
De vita, de amore, de gua, de quiddrhu ca tie ùei
Of life, of love, of war, of what you have
De pace giustizia lealtà ca a ddu ieddrhi tie ttrei
Of peace, justice, loyalty, that you hold dear
De lu desegnu ca tene la gente sempre de chiui
Of the design that always keeps people together
Cu troa l'armonia ntra stu munnu quai
With finding harmony in this world here
All real raggamuffin shoot fuecu fueco
All the real raggamuffins shoot fire
Accendino high burn ever lasting fire
Lighting up a high and everlasting fire
Esco fabio rico fuecu fuecu
Fabio Rico exits on fire
Worldwide we are fuecu fuecu
Worldwide, we are on fire
Music we a push in to di worl like pretty girl
We are pushing music into the world like a pretty girl
No stop burn di fuecu fuecu
Don't stop burning the fire
Me nhu tell dem say dem can stop we
I'm telling them that they can't stop us
Run the streets like taxi
We run the streets like taxis
In your face like oxy
In your face like oxygen
Now raggamuffin dem say make autopsy
Now they say to perform an autopsy on the raggamuffin
Real jameican man a no nazi grazi
Real Jamaican men are not Nazis, thanks
De la strada ete lu risultato
The result is from the street
Face de mie nu soldatu
I am a soldier of the face
De orgogliu e microfono armatu
Armed with pride and a microphone
Lu sudore e lu sangu versatu
Sweat and blood shed
De ci pe mie a lottatu
For this, I have fought
E sempre riconosciuto
And always recognized
Pan di high, di bass, up pan di drum
Bread of highs, of lows, up to the drum
The people dem a jump dem a skunk and galang
The people are dancing and having a good time
Up on di wall down di flor inna su sound session
Up on the wall, down on the floor in a sound session
I see de gal dem a dance whit dem brand new fashion
I see the girls dancing with their brand new fashion
Poi ieu sullu microfono
Then I'm on the microphone
Mpunnu e dau lu massimu
I give my all
Sappi ieu nu recitu
Know that I am not acting
Su fiaccu quando è lecito
I'm weak when it's allowed
Sappi ieu nu mentu ieu cantu e nun infamu
Know that I don't lie, I sing and don't defame
Real raggamuffin in italiano jamaicano.
Real raggamuffin in Italian Jamaican style.
Contributed by Kayla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Wiz Man
Supporto da Milano! <3
OOcarlit
BLESSSSSSSSSSSSS
Maria Teresa La Via
Miticiiiii oggi 25 aprile a corigliano calabro, siete super
Andrea Laporta
atupendo
Paolo
Il top ..... lu salentu lu meju
thestrake97
Di cosa soffri??
Alessandro De Padova
oggi avetrana