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."
Long Time
Sud Sound System Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think meh mafiosbut call my "gentiluomo"
I'm the original lover "latino"
Yes babe girl meh say "bella ti amo"
Proprio like "Rodolfo Valentino"
Inna the style "mediterraneo"
I sing "in salentino"
But now me come in "jamaicano"]
Becà/ah long time the ragga dem ready/i know that from roots and rocksteady/ the great bob marleyan the one Scrack Perry/ nahfiget dennis brown yes the revolutionary/ wine yuh "bacino" an move up yuh body/ anytime yuh see meh man yuh know see meh ready/ real compact an yuh know see meh heavy/ pop of the lirics dem just like a uzi/ ra ra ra every body get busy/ some ah smoke marijuana an some drink frizzy/ salento jamaica and new york city/ yuh see raggae music every body love it/ don rico meh name an meh come from salento/ the land where we have big movimento/ lot of soundcrew an whole gal/ have inna the mind the heart only one sentimento/ dem love this dem wont this/ dem naw love see the mafia work with the police/ ca te first push drogs an shoot an second oppresses people in the street/ but meh original ganjaman an shoot dem pan the beat/ big up to the foundations big up to all the artist dem/ listen meh words pan the riddim again
[when meh say "sono italiano"/you think meh mafios but call my "gentiluomo" / i'm the original lover "latino"...]
Listen some vers in my patois pan this "suono"
Be sienti la lirica moi a quai de stu dj/ ca dopu tanti anni ca mpunna ormai tene nu style/ memba sud sound system quannu schiacci play/ ogne cosa ete appostu ogne cosa ete ok
(Grazie ad *Annina89* per questo testo)
The lyrics of Sud Sound System's song Long Time are a perfect representation of the fusion of different cultures and genres. The song starts with the singer saying that when he says "sono italiano" (I'm Italian), people often associate him with the mafia, but he refers to himself as the original lover "latino," showing that his identity is a mix of different cultures. He compares himself to a famous Italian actor Rodolfo Valentino, who was known for playing romantic roles in Mediterranean-style films.
The song then transitions to a tribute to reggae music and its roots, with references to iconic artists like Bob Marley and Dennis Brown. The lyrics describe the universal love for reggae music, saying that everyone enjoys it, regardless of where they are from. The singer also shows his pride in his origins, mentioning Salento, the region in Southern Italy where he comes from, and how it is related to Jamaican music.
In the last verse, the singer switches to singing in his local dialect, Salentino, adding another layer of identity to the song. The lyrics talk about the evolution of music and how new styles emerge over time, just like he has developed his own style. The message of the song is one of acceptance and embracing cultural diversity, showing that even though we are all unique, we can come together through music.
Line by Line Meaning
when me say "sono italiano"
When I say "I am Italian"
You think meh mafios but call my "gentiluomo"
You might assume I am in the mafia, but please call me "gentleman"
I'm the original lover "latino"
I, myself, am a true Latino lover
Yes babe girl meh say "bella ti amo"
Yes, my love, I will express my feelings in Italian - "beautiful, I love you"
Proprio like "Rodolfo Valentino"
Just like "Rodolfo Valentino" - the renowned Italian actor and sex symbol
Inna the style "mediterraneo"
My style is distinctly Mediterranean
I sing "in salentino"
I sing in the Salentino dialect - the traditional language of Salento region in Italy
But now me come in "jamaicano"
Now I am blending my style with Jamaican music
Becà/ah long time the ragga dem ready
For a long time now, the Ragga music and its fans are ready
i know that from roots and rocksteady
I can tell this from the music's roots in Reggae and Rocksteady genres
the great bob marleyan the one Scrack Perry
The great Bob Marley and Scratch Perry are among the influences of this music
nahfiget dennis brown yes the revolutionary
And let's not forget Dennis Brown, one of the musical revolutionaries
wine yuh "bacino" an move up yuh body
Move your body to the rhythm, and let's dance sensually
anytime yuh see meh man yuh know see meh ready
Whenever you see me, you know I am ready to entertain and perform
real compact an yuh know see meh heavy
My style is tight, and you can feel its weight and intensity
pop of the lirics dem just like a uzi
My lyrics are explosive, just like a deadly Uzi gun
ra ra ra every body get busy
With my music, everybody gets energized and excited
some ah smoke marijuana an some drink frizzy
Some people in the crowd smoke weed, while others drink frizzy (a type of soda)
salento jamaica and new york city
In this moment, we represent Salento, Jamaica, and New York City - all brought together by this music
yuh see raggae music every body love it
As you can see, everyone loves Reggae music
don rico meh name an meh come from salento
My name is Don Rico, and I come from Salento, Italy
the land where we have big movimento
Salento has a big music scene and cultural movement
lot of soundcrew an whole gal
Many sound crews and beautiful women can be found in Salento
have inna the mind the heart only one sentimento
We all share the same emotions and passion for the music
dem love this dem wont this
People really love this music and want to hear more of it
dem naw love see the mafia work with the police
However, they don't want to see the mafia and police working together
ca te first push drogs an shoot an second oppresses people in the street
The mafia first pushes drugs and bullets, then the police oppress the people on the streets
but meh original ganjaman an shoot dem pan the beat
But I am an original ganjaman - I shoot them down with my music
big up to the foundations big up to all the artist dem
Let's pay tribute to the foundations and all the artists who made this music possible
listen meh words pan the riddim again
Listen closely to my words and feel the rhythm once more
Listen some vers in my patois pan this "suono"
Listen to some lines in my patois (Jamaican dialect) on this rhythm
Be sienti la lirica moi a quai de stu dj
Listen to my lyrics as I speak to this DJ
ca dopu tanti anni ca mpunna ormai tene nu style
I have developed my own style after many years of honing my craft
memba sud sound system quannu schiacci play
Remember the Sud Sound System when you hear their music play
ogne cosa ete appostu ogne cosa ete ok
Everything is in its right place, everything is okay
Contributed by Juliana C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.