Sugar Minott spent his youth hanging around the legendary "Studio 1" listening to the artists that recorded there, such as Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, The Heptones, Dennis Brown and others.
Sugar began his career with the formation of the African Brothers, along with Tony Tuff and Derek Howard (and later Triston Palmer) in the early 1970s. The African Brothers were a harmonious roots act, of which Sugar became the most popular member. By 1979, Sugar had been invited by Studio 1 to record a solo album.
When recording at Studio 1, he chose not to use a backing band as in conventional recording, but elected to sing over instrumental versions of old Studio 1 classics. This is considered to be the birth of "dancehall," which lead to countless artists making new hits out of old classics, a tradition that continues in Jamaica today.
Sugar was also well-regarded for hard work on his Youthman Promotion sound system and Black Roots & Youthman Promotion labels into the 1980s, which brought forth such artists as Tenor Saw, Nitty Gritty, Yami Bolo, Junior Reid, Tony Rebel, Garnett Silk, and many more to the industry. Up until his death, he was still working with young artists both in Jamaica and the US, including his daughter Pashon Minott.
Hang on Natty
Sugar Minott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On this night
My people
Conno nagidet conna
Conno nagidet conna
Conno nagidet conna
Let us live forever
Let us live together
Chacha live forever
Babylon oponynatty you really don't know
Babylon oponynatty you really don't know
Babylon oponynatty you really don't know
Don't know, don't know
Fall wood natty that I wouldn't know
Fall wood natty that I wouldn't know
Fall wood natty that I wouldn't know
Who journey that I say
Oh no no no
Oh no no no
Some people don't missing out
Some people
So com bam babylan coda
Uudan babylan coda
Uudan babylan coda
All you need is I say
Hang on natty that hang on in it
Hang on natty that hang on in it
Hang on natty that hang on in it
That in it, in it, in it
So with the
Long long time no I'm no Einstein
Long long time no I'm no Einstein
We live together
Live together
Live forever
Live forever
Skip together
Right now
Let it dead I compolitte too
We stand we live together
Yeah, yeah
The lyrics of Sugar Minott's song "Hang On Natty" convey a message of hope and unity in the face of oppression. The opening lines, "Come at my people on this night, my people," suggest a call to arms, a rallying cry for those who are oppressed to stand together and fight back against their oppressors. The repeated refrain, "Conno nagidet conna," is a phrase in a language called Tigrinya, spoken in Eritrea, which means "let us be united." This is a clear message of solidarity and a reminder that strength comes from unity.
The song also references Babylon, a term used in Rastafarian and reggae culture to refer to oppressive societal structures. The lines "Babylon oponynatty you really don't know, don't know" suggest that those in power are ignorant of the suffering they cause and the struggles of the oppressed. But despite this, the lyrics offer hope for a better future, urging listeners to "hang on natty," or hold onto their faith and hope, and to "live together" and "live forever" in a world free from oppression.
Overall, "Hang On Natty" is a powerful and uplifting song that encourages listeners to stand up against oppression, stay united in the face of adversity, and hold onto hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
Come at my people
Addressing listeners to hear the message of the singer, Sugar Minott.
On this night
Indicating darkness or trouble.
My people
Other Rastafarians, followers of Jamaican movement advocating black pride.
Conno nagidet conna
Pleading to the spirit of Jah, conquering all evil forces.
Let us live forever
Aspiring to eternal life in the eyes of Jah.
Chacha live forever
Pleading for Jah's mercy, asking Him to spare Rastafarians.
Babylon oponynatty you really don't know
Addressed to Babylon, which Rastafarians consider a corrupt system that opposes Jah. It shows rebellion and the singer's disgust towards the authorities.
Don't know, don't know
Reinforces the message of not knowing any better and being ignorant.
Fall wood natty that I wouldn't know
Expressing that the struggles of Rastafarians, particularly Natty (a term used for the dreadlocked men), are beyond the singer's personal experience and knowledge.
Who journey that I say
Pondering about the spiritual journey that every Rastafarian undertakes in the belief system.
Oh no no no
A refrain that indicates worry and hopelessness.
Some people don't missing out
Suggesting that some people are not missing out on anything in life as they are on the spiritual path.
So com bam babylan coda
Invoking Jah to come and help Rastafarians against Babylon's cruelty.
Uudan babylan coda
Continuation of the plea to Jah to come and save Rastafarians.
All you need is I say
Implying that all a Rastafarian needs is Jah's blessing and nothing else.
Hang on natty that hang on in it
Encouraging Natty to persevere in the fight against Babylon and wait for Jah's mercy.
That in it, in it, in it
A catchphrase in Jamaican patois, reinforcing the idea within the sentence.
So with the
Introducing the next sentence.
Long long time no I'm no Einstein
Admitting that the singer, unlike Einstein (who was intelligent), is not capable of understanding the deeper spiritual messages of Rastafarianism.
We live together
Sharing the bond and loyalty that Rastafarians feel for each other.
Live forever
Again, expressing the desire to be in Jah's presence eternally.
Skip together
Visualizing a utopian scenario where Rastafarians are happy and free, hopping and dancing together in a field.
Right now
Urging for an immediate change.
Let it dead I compolitte too
Accepting the finality and inevitability of death.
We stand we live together
Reinforcing the importance of unity and brotherhood in the Rastafarian culture.
Yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement and enthusiasm.
Writer(s): L. Minott
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.