The Pioneers are a Jamaican reggae vocal trio, whose main period of success… Read Full Bio ↴The Pioneers are a Jamaican reggae vocal trio, whose main period of success was in the 1960s. The trio has had different line-ups, and still occasionally performs.
The Pioneers were formed in 1962 by brothers Sydney and Derrick Crooks, and their friend Winston Hewitt. Their early recordings "Good Nanny" and "I'll Never Come Running Back to You" were self-produced at the Treasure Isle studio using money lent to the Crooks brothers by their mother and appeared on Ken Lack's Caltone label.
Several other singles followed, none of them hits, before Hewitt immigrated to Canada in 1966. Hewitt was replaced for around a year by former Heptone Glen Adams.
The Pioneers' early singles were not successful, and Sydney began promoting concerts, while Derrick took up a job with the Alcoa bauxite company. The group broke up in mid-1967.
Sydney began working at Joe Gibbs' record shop, and through Gibbs, returned to recording. At his first session (to record "Give Me Little Loving"), with the other members of The Pioneers gone, Crooks recruited Jackie Robinson, who he found outside the studio just before recording began. Crooks later said of the encounter:
"When I was about to voice the song I looked outside the studio and I saw a little boy sitting on a stone. I said 'Hey, come here man, you can sing?' He sang the harmony for 'Give Me Little Loving' and his name was Jackie Robinson. After that I said to him 'You are one of the Pioneers from today' and he became the lead singer of the Pioneers".
The new version of The Pioneers enjoyed success with singles such as "Longshot" (a track written and produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry on Gibbs' behalf about a long-lived but unsuccessful racehorse), "Jackpot", "Catch the Beat", and "Pan Yu Machete" (an attack on Perry, who left Gibbs in 1968 to start working on his own productions). Crooks and Robinson also recorded as The Soul Mates in 1967. The group parted ways with Gibbs after an argument and moved on to work with Leslie Kong, the first recording for Kong being "Samfie Man", a song about a confidence trickster, which topped the Jamaican singles chart.

The classic trio, and the move to the UK: 1969-77
After a few further singles with Kong, the group recruited Desmond Dekker's half-brother George Agard to become a trio again. Sydney Crooks and his former Pioneer brother Derrick, along with Winston Bailey also recorded as The Slickers, recording "Nana" for producer Neremiah Reid. The Pioneers scored again with a sequel to "Long Shot", "Long Shot (Kick De Bucket)". When Kong heard that the horse had died (during its 203rd race), he insisted that the group write a song about it; The song was written and recorded quickly and became an instant hit. The band was popular in the United Kingdom, particularly among skinheads. "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was a big hit in 1969, and led to a tour of the UK, during which they resolved to relocate there. Their cover of Jimmy Cliff's "Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" made #5 as a single in 1971.
The band did indeed move to the UK in 1970. Their third UK hit was "Give and Take", which reached #35 in January 1972.
In 1976 the Pioneers teamed up with Eddy Grant for an album for Mercury Records called Feel The Rhythm. Grant preferred to produce them as a soul group and they released a number of singles in that idiom, including "Broken Man", "Feel The Rhythm" and "My Good Friend James"
The change of style was a critical but not a commercial success and the band split up for a time in the late 1970s, with Crooks concentrating on production work and continuing with his brother in The Slickers, while Agard and Robinson continued to record, together on the album George & Jackie Sing, and separately.

The group reformed in the late 1970s and continued until 1989, when they split again to concentrate on separate careers. "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was a minor UK chart hit again in 1980 upon re-issue. At the same time, "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was covered by The Specials on their The Special AKA Live! EP, which was a UK #1 hit in 1980.
The Pioneers song "Starvation" was also covered on the "Starvation/Tam Tam Pour L'Ethiopie" charity single released in 1985, which peaked at UK number 33. The Pioneers shared lead vocal duties on the single with members of UB40, with backing vocals by General Public.
In 1999, the group reformed again and have continued to perform together since.
In 2005, the Pioneers performed at the Maranhão Roots Reggae Festival in São Luís, Brazil before 15,000 fans. The following year they appeared at the Godiva Festival in the War Memorial Park, Coventry, England. "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" was used in the 2008 film, The Wackness.
The Pioneers also had a number 42 UK hit in 1980 with a double-A-side release of "Long Shot Kick de Bucket" and Harry J All-Stars' "Liquidator", and a four-track EP consisting of tracks by The Pioneers, The Maytals, The Skatalites, and Jimmy Cliff reached number 86 in 1989.
The Pioneers track "Jackpot" was covered by The Beat on their 1980 album I Just Can't Stop It. Their song "Starvation" was also covered on the "Starvation/Tam Tam Pour L'Ethiopie" charity single released in 1985.
The Selecter covered "Time Hard" as "Everyday" on their 1980 album Too Much Pressure

Discography

Albums
Greetings From The Pioneers - 1968 - Amalgamated - produced by Joe Gibbs
Long Shot - 1969 - Trojan Records - produced by Leslie Kong
Battle Of The Giants - 1970 - Trojan Records - produced by Leslie Kong
Yeah - 1971 - Trojan Records
I Believe In Love - 1972 - Trojan Records
Freedom Feeling - 1973 - Trojan Records
I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door - 1974 - Trojan Records
Feel The Rhythm -1976 - Mercury Records
Roll On Muddy River - 1977 - Trojan Records
Pusher Man - 1978 - Squad Disco
Pusher Man - 1978 - Trojan Records (different tracks to the Squad Disco release)
What A Feeling - 1980 - Pioneer International
Reggae for Lovers - D.M.C.

Compilations
From The Beginning - 1969-1976 - WWS
Kick De Bucket - Rhino Records
Greatest Reggae Hits - 1979 - Trojan Records
More Reggae For Lovers Vol.4 - 1985 - Vista Sounds
Longshot Kick De Bucket (The Best Of) - 1997 - Trojan Records
Let Your Yeah Be Yeah (Anthology) - 2002 - Trojan Records
Give And Take: The Best of The Pioneers - 2003 - Trojan Records

Singles
"Good Nanny" (196?), Caltone
"I'll Never Come Running Back to You" (196?), Caltone
"Sometimes" (1965), Island (B-side to Theo Beckford's "Trench Town People")
"Good Nanny" (1966), Rio
"Too Late" (1966), Rio
"Give Me Little Loving" (1968), Amalgamated
"Long Shot" (1968), Amalgamated
"Jackpot" (1968), Amalgamated
"No Dope Me Pony" (1968), Amalgamated
"Tickle Me For Days" (1968), Amalgamated
"Catch the Beat" (1968), Amalgamated
"Sweet Dreams" (1968), Amalgamated
"Shake It Up" (1968), Blue Cat
"Give It To Me" (1968), Blue Cat
"Whip Them" (1968), Blue Cat
"Reggae Beat" (1968), Blue Cat
"I Love No Other Girl" (1968), Caltone
"Easy Come Easy Go" (1968), Pyramid
"Pee Pee Cluck Cluck" (1968), Pyramid
"Pan Yu Machete"
"Love Love Everyday" (1969), Amalgamated (B-dside to the Moon Boys' "Apollo 11")
"Don't You Know" (1969), Amalgamated
"Mama Look Deh" (1969), Amalgamated
"Who the Cap Fits" (1969), Amalgamated
"Alli Button" (1969), Amalgamated
"Long Shot Kick De Bucket" (1969), Trojan (UK #21)
"Black Bud" (1969), Trojan
"Poor Rameses" (1969), Trojan
"Samfie Man" (1970), Trojan
"Boss Festival" (1970), Trojan
"Driven Back" (1970), Trojan
"Simmer Down Quashie" (1970), Trojan
"Battle of the Giants" (1970), Trojan
"Money Day" (1970), Trojan
"I Need Your Sweet Inspiration" (1970), Trojan
"Starvation" (1971), Summit
"Get Ready" (1971), Summit
"Land of Complexion" (1971), Summit
"Let Your Yeah Be Yeah" (1971), Trojan (UK #5)
"Give and Take" (1971), Trojan (UK #35)
"I am a Believer" (1971), Hot Shot
"Story Book Children" (1972), Summit
"I Believe in Love" (1972), Trojan
"Roll Muddy River" (1972), Ifusion
"At the Discotheque" (197?), Trojan
"Bad to be Good" (1973), Trojan
"Do It Right" (197?), Trojan
"Hit Me With Music", (197?), Trojan
"Some Livin' Some Dyin'" (197?), Trojan
"Sweet Number One" (197?), Trojan
"World Needs Love" (197?), Trojan
"Honey Bee" (1974), Trojan
"Jamaica Jerk Off" (1974), Trojan
"Feel The Rhythm (of You and I)" (1976), Mercury
"Broken Man" (1976), Mercury
"My Good Friend James" (1977), Mercury
"Mother Ritty" (19??), Beverleys
"Rock My Soul" (1985), Creole
"Reggae in London City" (1986)
"Bad Company" (198?), Pioneer International
"Starvation" (198?), Boss
"Papa Was a Rolling Stone" (1973), Joe Gibbs
"Bring Back the Yester Years" (1997), Joe Gibbs
"Run Run Run" (19??), MGA
"Mettle" (19??), Trojan

I
The Pioneers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yea
Jus bang yo head to this
Niggaz token huntin and we tryna get a million
Strugglin wit pieces niggaz passin billions
Yea they riggin the elections and they knockin down buildings
And im still out here grinding like i didnt even feel it
A nigga gotta pay da mortgage taxes almost due
And the Fall collection droppin so the album almost thru

Bro its long overdue
I felt like i let down my crew
I just wanna do it right and not make any sudden moves
I feel like they fell asleep on
Watched em turn a leaf on me
See me up in public
They dont even wanna speak to me
They tight i stay on 10 and i fuck they bitches easily
Im tryna stay on chill
But like track meets i keep a heat
We can both beef for free or we can beat the beat really
All of PMG is wit me
All my Pioneers got semis
Its the dresscode
Ear, Neck, Wrist Chilly
Yea its the dresscode
Ear, Neck, Wrist Chilly
No gas but im makin the deposits at the bank
A lil blood money never hurt the balance of the game
Got a hollow tip for you if you saucin down my name
Cross me and you aint goin back the way that you came
Im a K.I.N.G King
Im a K.I.N.G King
Im a K.I.N.G King
Come with every Army you can bring
Yea, they treat me a pawn
They think its a game
So its time to get it on
I'm aimin for they brains
Like a zombie
Fuck I'm gettin raunchy
Call me Enola gay for the way that I bomb beats
Bomb g
I was born in a basement
Came up for the bottom
Tired of being patient, where's the doctor better call em
Before I shot call it
They gave me one shot
So I took my shot in that dark and hit my target
Bullseye bitch
What i gotta do next
Like a tie im noosin loose necks
If you got an S on yo chest
I'm got kryptonite in my flesh
And melanin in my blood
If you salty eat on these slugs
From me you gets no love
So what
If I use to be a peasant now I'm comin for that crown
I was born royalty I just got lot in the crowd
Your knights couldn't rook with my castle on your best day
I'll have my Queen knock your off tha board
Checkmate
Im a K.I.N.G King
Im a K.I.N.G King
Im a K.I.N.G King
Come with every Army you can bring
Bitch I'm coming wit the hate now
Dressed up like dang clown
And I'm high than a bihh in the sky like a skrange cloud
Boy my mind is amazing
Hypnotized on a rise and I send it on itz way proud
Lil bitch nigga say sumn
Get the gauge on a rage and decapitate ya face wow
Leave a fuck nigga face down
Hold up turn the base down
I ain't really need a breath but
I'ma go ahead and take one n leave this red beam on ya edge up
And watch where you step cuz
My squad stomping they fuckin feet
That fuckin Pioneer Music G
We walk around wit them shotguns longer than a crocodile at least 10 feet
Move bitch I'm outchea
My rapping style triathlon
I keep it goin, I'm bout dat
Dat king flow ain't been stopped yet
That cooling breeze'll turn into a hot storm
Iceberg wit the hot coals
On gang I'll pull up get it poppin like popcorn
Jiffy pop n sum pop tarts
Once again this is the NBK I'm getting ruthless
Not talkin no Eazy E
But we got sum boyz in the hood wit bazookas
Knock knock at your door
Who's there
All you gon see is a toolbox
A cleaver a hammer sum chucky pajamas a chainsaw blade and a ruler.
Im a K.I.N.G King
Im a K.I.N.G King

Im a K.I.N.G King
Come with every Army you can bring

Overall Meaning

The Pioneers' song "I" is a bold declaration of self-confidence and determination to succeed against all odds. The lyrics suggest that despite the challenges and obstacles faced by the artist, he remains undaunted and determined to succeed. The song touches on various topics such as financial struggles, betrayal, competitiveness, and rise to power.

The artist suggests that he is "tryna get a million" and "strugglin wit pieces" while others are "passin billions." He acknowledges that the system is rigged against him and that "they" are "knockin down buildings." However, he remains relentless and focused on his goals, stating that he is "still out here grinding like he didn't even feel it."

The song also suggests that the artist is no stranger to haters and struggles to maintain his composure in public. The artist points out that people "don't even wanna speak" to him when they see him in public, and that he knows they are "tight" because he has "fucked their bitches easily."

Overall, the song suggests that the artist is a self-made man who is determined to succeed and won't let anyone or anything hold him back.

Line by Line Meaning

Yea
Yes, this is the start of the song

Jus bang yo head to this
Just nod your head or enjoy the music

Niggaz token huntin and we tryna get a million
We are striving to earn a substantial amount of money

Strugglin wit pieces niggaz passin billions
While others possess immense wealth, we are still struggling with smaller portions

Yea they riggin the elections and they knockin down buildings
They are manipulating the electoral process and engaging in destructive acts

And im still out here grinding like i didnt even feel it
I am working hard despite the challenges and obstacles I face

A nigga gotta pay da mortgage taxes almost due
I have financial responsibilities, such as mortgage payments and upcoming taxes

And the Fall collection droppin so the album almost thru
The release of the Fall collection indicates that the album is nearing completion

Bro its long overdue
My album should have been released a while ago

I felt like i let down my crew
I have disappointed my team

I just wanna do it right and not make any sudden moves
I strive to make correct decisions and avoid impulsive actions

I feel like they fell asleep on
I believe they have underestimated my talent or forgotten about me

Watched em turn a leaf on me
They have changed their attitudes or shifted their support away from me

See me up in public
When they see me in public

They dont even wanna speak to me
They don't want to engage in conversation with me

They tight i stay on 10 and i fuck they bitches easily
They are envious because I maintain a confident attitude and attract their partners effortlessly

Im tryna stay on chill
I am trying to remain calm and composed

But like track meets i keep a heat
Just like athletes bring their energy to track meets, I carry a firearm for protection

We can both beef for free or we can beat the beat really
We can engage in a conflict without any cost or we can collaborate and create great music

All of PMG is wit me
All members of PMG (Pioneer Music Group) are supporting me

All my Pioneers got semis
All my team members are armed with semi-automatic weapons

Its the dresscode
This is the fashion style we follow

Ear, Neck, Wrist Chilly
We adorn ourselves with expensive accessories on our ears, necks, and wrists

No gas but im makin the deposits at the bank
I am making significant financial deposits without relying on loans or credit

A lil blood money never hurt the balance of the game
A small amount of money earned through illegal activities doesn't affect the overall balance of the system

Got a hollow tip for you if you saucin down my name
If you disrespect or slander my name, I have a dangerous weapon ready for you

Cross me and you aint goin back the way that you came
If you provoke me, there will be severe consequences and no chance of returning unharmed

Im a K.I.N.G King
I am a king, confident in my abilities and status

Come with every Army you can bring
Face me with all your forces, I am prepared for any challenge

Yea, they treat me a pawn
They underestimate my worth and treat me as a disposable piece

They think its a game
They believe this is all a mere competition or entertainment

So its time to get it on
Therefore, it is necessary to engage in a serious confrontation

I'm aimin for they brains
I intend to target their minds or thoughts with my lyrics

Like a zombie
With determination and relentlessness, similar to the undead

Fuck I'm gettin raunchy
I don't care about being vulgar or explicit

Call me Enola gay for the way that I bomb beats
Compare my skill in destroying beats to the Enola Gay, the aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb

Bomb g
I am an expert in delivering explosive performances

I was born in a basement
I started from a lowly or disadvantaged position in life

Came up for the bottom
However, I progressed and achieved success despite the initial challenges

Tired of being patient, where's the doctor better call em
I am tired of waiting, I need immediate attention or assistance to reach my goals

Before I shot call it
Before I take control or make important decisions

They gave me one shot
They only provided me with a single opportunity

So I took my shot in that dark and hit my target
I seized the chance given to me, even in difficult circumstances, and achieved success

Bullseye bitch
I hit the intended target perfectly

What i gotta do next
What are the necessary steps I need to take now

Like a tie im noosin loose necks
Similar to tying a necktie, I am tightening my grip on those who oppose me

If you got an S on yo chest
If you wear a symbol or sign of strength or superiority

I'm got kryptonite in my flesh
I possess weaknesses or vulnerabilities that can neutralize your supposed strength

And melanin in my blood
My African heritage and identity are ingrained in me

If you salty eat on these slugs
If you are angry or resentful, you will have to face the repercussions

From me you gets no love
I have no affection or positive feelings towards you

So what
I am indifferent to your opinion or actions

If I use to be a peasant now I'm comin for that crown
Although I may have once been considered insignificant, I am now striving for greatness and recognition

I was born royalty I just got lot in the crowd
Deep down, I have always had a regal nature, but it went unnoticed amidst the masses

Your knights couldn't rook with my castle on your best day
Even on your most successful day, your knights or allies cannot rival the strength of my castle or position

I'll have my Queen knock your off tha board
With the power of my queen piece, I will eliminate your chess piece from the game

Checkmate
I have achieved victory in this battle

Bitch I'm coming wit the hate now
I am approaching with negativity or anger now

Dressed up like dang clown
I am disguised or presenting myself as a bizarre or ridiculous figure

And I'm high than a bihh in the sky like a skrange cloud
I am feeling euphoric or intoxicated, like a strange cloud floating in the sky

Boy my mind is amazing
My thoughts or ideas are extraordinary or impressive

Hypnotized on a rise and I send it on itz way proud
I am captivated by success and confidently send my message or talent out into the world

Lil bitch nigga say sumn
If you are a weak or cowardly person, dare to say something to provoke me

Get the gauge on a rage and decapitate ya face wow
I will become extremely angry and use a firearm to cause severe harm to your face

Leave a fuck nigga face down
I will physically or metaphorically defeat an unworthy person and leave them in a vulnerable position

Hold up turn the base down
Pause the music and reduce the volume

I ain't really need a breath but
I don't require a break, but

I'ma go ahead and take one n leave this red beam on ya edge up
I will take a break but leave a laser sight on your hairline as a threatening gesture

And watch where you step cuz
Be cautious and mindful of your actions because

My squad stomping they fuckin feet
My group is aggressively asserting their presence by stomping their feet

That fuckin Pioneer Music G
We are the formidable Pioneer Music Group

We walk around wit them shotguns longer than a crocodile at least 10 feet
We carry shotguns that are longer than a crocodile, measuring at least 10 feet

Move bitch I'm outchea
Get out of the way, I am present and ready to take action

My rapping style triathlon
My rap style is like a triathlon, combining various techniques and elements

I keep it goin, I'm bout dat
I consistently maintain the momentum and continue with my performance

Dat king flow ain't been stopped yet
My style of rapping, characterized by confidence and authority, has not been silenced

That cooling breeze'll turn into a hot storm
A seemingly calm situation can quickly escalate into a chaotic and intense conflict

Iceberg wit the hot coals
I am a symbol of danger or potential catastrophe, hidden beneath a seemingly calm facade

On gang I'll pull up get it poppin like popcorn
With the support of my gang or crew, I will arrive and initiate a lively and explosive situation

Jiffy pop n sum pop tarts
A reference to popular snack foods, emphasizing the excitement or intensity of the situation

Once again this is the NBK I'm getting ruthless
Once again, it's the same ruthless individual from the NBK (Name Being Kept) group

Not talkin no Eazy E
I am not referring to the rapper Eazy E

But we got sum boyz in the hood wit bazookas
However, we have individuals armed with bazookas in our neighborhood or group

Knock knock at your door
There is someone at your door, requesting entry

Who's there
Who is it

All you gon see is a toolbox
When you look, you will only see a toolbox

A cleaver a hammer sum chucky pajamas a chainsaw blade and a ruler.
The contents of the toolbox include a cleaver, hammer, Chucky pajamas, chainsaw blade, and a ruler

Im a K.I.N.G King
Just a repetition of the previous line, reaffirming their status as a king

Come with every Army you can bring
Challenge me with all your forces, I welcome any opposition

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TRACKS