Like many successful Jamaican entertainers, Warrior King gained his earliest stage experience in talent shows. "I started out with school concerts at first," he says. "At the time when I just came inna music, I used to do some combinations with a yout' named Likkle Blacks, Marlon Stewart. We used to do Tastee's Talent Show together, so we could really start getting exposed and gain experience." When he first started out Warrior King chatted in a hardcore deejay style, like his original hero, Bounty. A switch to the more holistic "singjay" sound came gradually. "It's a natural thing what just grow inside of me, even without me realizing," the singer reasons. "People started telling me they hear I can sing now. So, really and truly it's just a natural change." Even his name is an extension of this evolution. "I changed my name from 'Junior King' to 'Warrior King' because it have a more spiritual feel to it. Fighting against oppression, fighting against wrong. I'm Jah warrior, yuh know, fighting a war of rootical love.
Warrior King's 2001 debut single, "Virtuous Woman," was an international smash, its righteous lyrics prompting the Jamaica Observer to declare the singer "one of the artistes who made a difference in 2001." Since that auspicious beginning, Warrior King's compositions have consistently charted not only in his native Jamaica, but throughout the entire Caribbean, as well as New York, London, Tokyo and beyond. "A Friend Indeed" is currently getting heavy rotation in Jamaica, while "Jah Is Always There" was a recent summer smash on Atlanta's More Fire chart. The inclusion of "Never Go Where Pagans Go" on VP Records' compilation set "Reggae Gold 2002" further raised the artist's profile. Also included are "Virtuous Woman," "Never Go Where the Pagans Go" and other compositions that have built Warrior King's reputation.
Now the conscious singer has released his first full-length album. His VP Records debut, Virtuous Woman, features production by such heavy hitters as Sheldon 'Calibud' Stewart, Richard "Chabano" Brown, Lion Paw and Penthouse as well as guest appearances by Jahmali and dub poet, DYCR. With titles like "Love Jah and Live" and "Boast Not Myself," the CD's seventeen tracks are designed, says Warrior King, to "uplift people's heart, mind and soul in a positive way. All of the songs are written by me, through inspiration of the Father. Everybody can relate to a song on the album, I'm sure of that." The album opens up with "Power To Chant," a spiritual invocation of Jah that neatly sets the tone for what's to follow. Each song featured on the cd has a different style, but the message emphasizes purity and truth.
Warrior King believes that education is the key to betterment and hopes that his music will serve to convey the teachings of His Imperial Majesty, Hailie Selassie I. "As a Rastafarian you just don't sing music, you sing music with a purpose and a mission. To the four corners of the Earth," says Warrior King, "I carry my music, and the message of the King. And the message of love, to all people of all races."
Photo & text courtesy of VP Records-Walboomers Music.
http://www.reggae-vibes.com/profiles/warriorking/warriorking.htm
What's Going On
Warrior King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today, yea
Father, father
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby
The song "What's Going On" by Warrior King is a cover of Marvin Gaye's legendary song with the same title. The song reflects on the societal issues prevalent at the time of its release and talks about the need for change, understanding, and love in the world. The lyrics specifically address the widespread violence and turmoil during that time, with too many people crying and dying.
The first verse highlights the need for love in this troubled world, insisting that people should find a way to bring some love into the world. The second verse is specifically aimed at fathers, telling them that war is not the answer and that only love can conquer hate. The third verse protests against the use of violence and punishment to suppress dissent and calls for communication and understanding instead.
The repeated lines of "What's Going On" are a plea for people to pay attention to the issues and to understand what is happening around them. The lyrics about picket lines and picket signs refer to the protests that were happening all over the world at that time. The song ultimately calls for unity, understanding, and compassion, an appeal that is still relevant today and for many generations to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother, mother
Addressing all mothers out there.
There's too many of you crying
There are too many mothers in distress.
Brother, brother, brother
Addressing all brothers out there.
There's far too many of you dying
There are far too many brothers losing their lives.
You know we've got to find a way
There is a need for a solution.
To bring some lovin' here today, yea
The solution lies in bringing love and compassion to our society today.
Father, father
Addressing all fathers out there.
We don't need to escalate
We don't need to intensify any situation.
You see, war is not the answer
War will not solve our problems.
For only love can conquer hate
The only way to overcome hate is with love.
Picket lines and picket signs
Protests and demonstrations.
Don't punish me with brutality
Don't use violence against me for my actions.
Talk to me, so you can see
Engage in communication so that you can see from my perspective.
Oh, what's going on
Asking what is happening and why.
In the mean time
While we try to find a solution.
Right on, baby
Encouraging positivity and support.
Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Addressing the fact that many people believe we are in the wrong.
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Questioning the authority of those who pass judgment.
Simply because our hair is long
Because of our appearance or lifestyle choices.
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
Emphasizing the need for a solution.
To bring some understanding here today
The solution lies in understanding and acceptance.
Tell me what's going on
Requesting information about the current situation.
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Expressing readiness to enlighten others.
Right on baby
Encouraging positivity and support.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alfred W Cleveland, Marvin P Gaye, Renaldo Benson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind