Buju Baton - "Love My Browning" & Nardo Ranks - "Them A Bleach"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the Dancehall Reggae records "I Love My Browning" and "Them A Bleach". This post serves as a companion piece to the pancocojams post http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-redbone-yellowbone-and-browning.html "What Redbone, Yellowbone, and Browning Mean".

The content of this post is presented for sociological, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES

Example #1: Buju Banton - Love Me Browning



browningbbw, Uploaded on Nov 8, 2008

It's only right that I upload my signature tune from The Gargamel.

When originally released it sparked controversy over Buju's apparent preference for "Brownings".

Some accused Banton of promoting a colonialist attitude and denigrating the beauty of black women.

In response, he released "Love Black Woman" which spoke of his love for dark-skinned beauties, which just shows that he loves all ah we!
-snip-
"Browning" means a Black person with light skin.

LYRIC EXCERPT
"Me love me car Me love me bike
Me love me money and ting
But most of all, Me love me browning
Love me car Me love me bike
Me love me money and ting
But most of all, Me love me browning...

Pamela and Dawn, Suzette and Karen
I wonder what the whole tribe uh dem thinking
Dem a plan and dem a plan and dem a scheme
'Cause dem waan mash up me and mi browning
But all the rumors dem a spread anna pack up her head
My Lorna not listening
'Cause you know when she alone, ah mi must come back home
Anytime me touch evening
'Cause me ah knowledge very close, how me love her the most
And me not hurt her feelings
But no matter what dem say, but no matter what dem do
My Lorna not leaving..."
-snip-
Click http://www.lyricstime.com/buju-banton-love-me-browning-lyrics.html for the complete lyrics for this song.

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Example #2: Nardo Ranks - Them A Bleach



Browningbbw Uploaded on Dec 28, 2008

Originally released in 1992 on the 'Murder She Wrote' riddim. Words speak for themselves. Stop that nonsense and be proud of who you are, however you are.
-snip-
The 'Murder She Wrote' riddim is also called "the Bam Bam riddim". Those names refer to the Chaka Demus and Pliers Reggae song “Murder She Wrote”.
-snip-
LYRICS EXCERPT
"Dem ah bleach out dem skin
Dem ah bleach
Dem ah bleach out dem skin
Gal me honour you!
A you nuh bleach out yuh skin
You nuh use no chemical fi look like a brownin.
Gwan black girl
because ah you run de place
Look how you nice
With you beautiful face
Ah true you not brown. That is no disgrace
So tell dem girl
That ah you win de race.
Gal me honour you!
A you nuh bleach out yuh skin
Gal me honour you!
A you nuh bleach out yuh skin
You nuh use no chemical fi look like a brownin."
-snip-
This is my transcription of portions of this song. I've not been able to find the complete lyrics for this song. It would be great if someone would post those lyrics.

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RELATED LINK
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCC31oD0rrs
Buju Banton - Love Black Woman
[Here's the summary that was written by browningbbw, the publisher of that soundfile:
"Following the controversy sparked by 'Love Me Browning', Buju comes back with this response that shows that he loves all black women, whatever the complexion!"

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Thanks to the vocalists/composers who are featured in this post. And thanks to browningbbw for publishing these showcase examples.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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What Redbone, Yellowbone, and Browning Mean

Edited by Azizi Powell

Yesterday as I was YouTube searching through classic Dancehall Reggae songs, I happened upon two records - Buju Banton's "I Love My Browning" and Nardo Ranks "Them A Bleach".* Both 1992 songs from Jamaica include the word "browning". From the lyrics to both of those songs I understood that "browning" refers to a person or people with a particular skin color. However, as an African American, I thought that "browning" meant a Black person who has a brown skin color which was lighter than dark chocolate. I was wrong. That's what "brown" means in the United States, but the very similar term "browning" ("brownin") doesn't have that meaning in Jamaica, and therefore is an example of how a skin color referent can mean different things in different parts of the world.

*Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/08/buju-baton-i-love-my-browning-nardo.html for a pancocojams post that features those two Dancehall Reggae songs.

It turns out that in Jamaica, and it seems in some or most other Caribbean nations, "browning" means a Black person who is light skinned (fair complexioned). Here are some definitions of "browning" from several online sources:

Definitions
(These definitions are presented in no order of preference.)
1. From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Browning
Browning
"Word from the West Indies & Jamaica
meaning: Light skinned girl
red bone

Eh Yute, yu see di browning gyal a deh?

tags: red bone, red boned, light skinned, mulato, ciara"**
by Audience May 11, 2006

**Commas, and the word "tags" are added for clarity. The word "ciara" in this entry refers to the African American vocalist whose name is Ciara. That name is given as an example of a person who the contributor believes has this particular skin color.

**
2. From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=red+bone&page=2
"brownin
A term derived in Jamaica which is used to describe a person of African descent who is light skinned.

That gyal deh ah brownin

tags: lightskin, yellow bone, red bone, yellow, red**
by Kelera Nov 21, 2007

**
3. From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwvaCeoMv84 **
Buju Banton: Browning [I Love Me Brownin]
"4 those of yu who dnt kno wat he means wen he says 'brownin' he means 'red skin' its a common term used by jamaicans instead of sayin 'red skin' we say 'brown skin' or 'brownin'
“fair skinned” what African Americans call “light skinned”
-jodijonas26, 2012
** WARNING - Many of the comments in this YouTube viewer comment thread include profanity, sexually explicit language, racist language, and other offensive language.
-snip-
Notice that each of these definitions or their accompanying tags refer to "red skin" or "redbone". A comment posted on the YouTube viewer comment thread given above for the Buju Banton song (definition #3) indicates that "interesting. I'm trini and i always thought 'red-skin' was light skinned, 'brownin' was brown/caramel."
- "Tamikha Figaro", 2009
-snip-
"Trini" is an informal referent for the Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago & those who are from Trinidad. That comment suggests that "browning" may have different meanings for some West Indians outside of Jamaica. But what I think is more significant is the repeated referent to "redbone" or "red skin" in definitions for "browning" or "a browning".

Here's the eight definition (to date) of "redbone" that's posted on urbandictionary.com from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=red+bone&page=2
Disclaimer - The fact that I quote definition from urbandictionary.com does not mean that I agree with every point made in those comments or that I like all of the phrasing those commenters use.

"Red Bone
A reddish-Brown African American or someone mixed with 2 or more of the following afican american, naitive american,Asian,middle eastern and northern european.

Redbone is often confused with Yellowbone which is a Light skinned African American.

Red bones: Ashanti, Chilli from TLC, Amerie, pillar sanders, Queen latifah, Li' Romeo,

Yelowbones: Ludacris, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Lisa Raye, Raven Symone,Alicia Keys, Tia and Tomara mowry

byTchic, Apr 24, 2008
-snip-
All of the previously posted urbandictionary.com definitions of "redbone" basically say the same thing as the definition given above, although some also erroneously indicate that “redbones” refer only to females.

Some of those other definitions of redbone that are posted on urbandictionary.com also erroneously indicate that, in addition to a particular skin complexion, “redbones” means a female who is “thick” (“well built”; “stacked”) and/or has other attributes that are thought to be attractive by males. Furthermore, those definitions limit themselves to African Americans. However, from the online comments I've read, the term "redbone" appears to be known- if not regularly used -in at least some Caribbean nations.

Here's a definition of "yellow bone" from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Yellow%20Bone&defid=4185020
"Yellow Bone
"A Yellow Bone is the lightest type of light skinned black female. They can often be very rare to see in comparison to other blacks because there are not as many of them in the general black population. They are usually mixed with white, something similar, of multiple races including black, or may just have another race mixed into their family tree which causes them to be very very light. Their skin usually has a yellow-tan, yellowish-red, or yellowish(almost caucasion- white) look to it.They usaually have hair texture ranging from the typical black female hair texture to natural tight curls, loose curles, wavey, or even caucasion-white looking hair textures. They are can many times have lighter hair and eyes.

Many mixed, multiracial, and bi-racial females are often called Yellow Boned in the black community due to them fitting this discription. Many times a light skinned black can be considered to be both Yellow Boned and Red Boned if she is light enough to be Yellow Boned but still can fall into a tan or redish complextion catagory.So alot of Yellow Bones can also be considered to be Red Bones but not many Red Bones can be considered Yellow Boned. ( yes this can sound complicated if your not familiar to it) They can often even look some what like spainish females but they ARE black.

*** Some examples are MARIAH CAREY (her father is a BLACK hispanic), ALISHIA KEYS( who is light enough to be considered Yellow Bone but can also be called Red Boned because she often appears yellowish red, or sometimes reddish-tan), BEYONCE's mother is Yellow Bone( Beyonce is Red Bone), and Kimora Lee Simmons (founder of Baby Phat)

Man dont worry if you dont know which one is her.You wont have a hard time knowing when you see her- she's the Yellow Bone.

Yeah she is a Yellow Bone but no she aint mixed(her mom and dad look black). I think maybe her grandma was half white or maybe it was her great granddad that was white- I dont remember.

tags yellow bone, yellow boned, yella bone, mixed" **
- byReal Right, Aug 18, 2009
-snip-
This definition is reformatted for clarity & included other examples of the use of that term.

Disclaimer - The fact that I quote this definition doesn't mean that I like all of the phrasing that the commenter used - for instance "They are usually mixed with white, something similar" or "half-white".

To correct any misconception, as is the case with "redbone", the term "yellow bone" (yellowbone) can also refer to males.

****
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Given that in Jamaica, and probably in other Caribbean nations, "browning" refers -at least in part- to Black people who have a reddish brown complexion, it's interesting that the "brown" part of that definition appears to be emphasized more than the "red" part of that definition.

Also, it should be noted that the term "browning" as well as "redbone" and "yellow bone" carry with it certain connotations which are usually positive. For instance, check out this definition of "browning" from http://www.speakjamaican.com/glossary/
"Browning- Complementing a black person of light skin, and good complexion."
-snip-
I wonder if "good complexion" in that definition means having skin that is healthy. I doubt that. Instead, given issues of colorism*** among Black people, I think that the inference is that a browning's skin is considered to be good because it is light.

*** "Definition - Colorism is a practice of discrimination by which those with lighter skin are treated more favorably than those with darker skin. In the African-American community, this traditionally played out via the paper bag test. Those lighter than the standard paper lunch bag were allowed entry into fraternities, sororities and other realms of black upper class life, while dark-skinned blacks were excluded. The Spike Lee film “School Daze” is an exploration of colorism.

Examples:
Colorism mirrors white supremacy in that those with lighter skin are awarded privileges their dark-skinned counterparts aren't--strictly based on skin color."
http://racerelations.about.com/od/understandingrac1/g/definitionofcolorism.htm
-snip-
As a friendly amendment, I'd insert the word "certain" into the sentence about "fraternities, sororities and other realms of black upper class life" that excluded darker skinned Black people.

Although that definition of "colorism" refers to African Americans, unfortuantely colorism as it relates to Black people and other People of Color is found worldwide.

Buju Banton's now classic 1992 song "I Love My Browning" was composed to honor that vocalist's light skinned girlfriend. However, that song probably increased the amount of skin bleaching to obtain a lighter skin color that occurred in Jamaica prior to that record's release and that song probably still influences skin bleaching that continues to be done in Jamaica and in other parts of the Caribbean.

Furthermore, "Controversy erupted over "Love Me Browning" which spoke of Banton's penchant for light-skinned women: "I love my car I love my bike I love my money and ting, but most of all I love my browning." Some accused Banton of promoting a colonialist mindset and denigrating the beauty of dark skinned black women. In response, he released "Love Black Woman" which spoke of his love for dark-skinned beauties: "Mi nuh Stop cry, fi all black women, respect all the girls dem with dark complexion"."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buju_Banton
-snip-
Disclaimer - I don't agreee that Buju Banton song "Love Me Browning" spoke of Banton's penchant for light-skinned women [plural].

Nardo Ranks song "Them A Bleach" addressed the issue of Black females bleaching their skin to lighten it:
"Dem ah bleach out dem skin
Gal me honour you!
A you nuh bleach out yuh skin
You nuh use no chemical fi look like a brownin"
-snip-
That video's YouTube viewer comment thread includes profanity, sexual explicit, racist, and other offensive comments. That comment also refers to Black male celebrities who bleach their skin.

Hopefully, the time will come when no positive or negative value is placed on any skin color and people realize that "it's all good".

****
Thanks to all of those who I quoted in this post.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

The content of this post is presented for sociological, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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One Two Three Four Colon Man He Come (with lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcase the Jamaican Mento song "One Two Three Four Colon Man He Come." This post also includes background information about that song, a sound file, and two versions of lyrics for that song.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights belong with their owners.

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BACKGROUND TO THE SONG "ONE TWO THREE FOUR COLON MAN HE COME"
From "Brown Gal In De Ring: 12 Jamaican Folk-Songs Collected & arranged for schools by Olive Lewin: Oxford University Press 1974
"Colon is another name for Panama. Many Jamaicans who went there to help build the Panama canal were therefore called Colon Men. With the money they earned some of them were able to buy watches, and this song makes fun of the Colon Man who is showing off his watch on his return home. In some cases, however, there was no watch on the end of the chain! When his neighbours suspected this they would tease him by asking him to take it out and tell them the time."
-snip-
Hat tip to Nigel Parsons for posting this information & the lyrics to that song [the first verse of which is the same as the first verse found below] on http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=40845
-snip-
Several Jamaican Mento songs refer to the Panamanian town of Colon, to Colon Bay, or to Colon men. Click http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=40845 for lyrics to three of those songs: "Me Lover Gone A Colon Bay", "Isaac Park gone a Colon", and "One, Two, Three, Four, Colon Man A Come".

This comment was posted after the lyrics to the song "Isaac Park gone a Colon":
"Colon was the port of disembarkation for labourers on the Panama Canal.

In 1888, the French De Lesseps company began with 20,000 laborers, most of them Afro-Caribbean. Over 22,000 died in the 1880s. The United States took over in 1904, the year Jekyll's book was published.

The deaths took place because of yellow fever, and the work of assassination squads who murdered any 'wooly-haired man" in the camps. "Straight-haired Coolies, that is to say East Indians, were allowed to go unharmed."
Walter Jekyll, 1904, Jamaican Song and Story, CXII"
[This quote is reformatted with the source credited at the end.]

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FEATURED VIDEO:
Cedella Booker Marley Colon Man



G4nJa4LiFe, Uploaded on Apr 6, 2011

Cedella Booker Marley - Smiling' Island of Song (1992)- Silvanio Rockers
-snip=
This song is found beginning at 1:30 & ending at 4:12 of that sound file.

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LYRICS:
Example #1:
1 2 3 4 Colon man a-come (3x)
With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum.

Ask him what the time and he look upon the sun (3x)
With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum.

One two three four Colon man he come (3x)
With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum.

One two three four Colon man he come (3x)
With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum.

So hee glance there upon the sun (3x)
With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum

One two three four Colon man he come (3x)
That’s me.[This is said between each repeat of the first line]
With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum.

So fast he leave the island so quickly he come back
With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum.

One two three four Colon man he come (3x)
With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum.

One two three four Colon man he come (3x)
That’s me [This is said between each repeat of the first line]
With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum.
[ending line] With his brass chain a-lick his belly bum bum bum
-snip-
Lick = hit (strike)
-snip-
This is my transcription of this song from the sound file that is found above. Additions & corrections are welcome.

****
Example #2

1 2 3 4 Colon man he come (3x)
And his watch and chain hit the belly bum bum bum.

I asked him for a dollar he gave to me a dime (3x)
And his watch and chain hit the belly bum bum bum

One two three four Colon man he come (3x)
His watch and chain hit the belly bum bum bum.

I ask him for the time, he look up at the sun (3x)
His watch and chain hit the belly bum bum bum.

I think I go to Colon and get some money too (3x)
My watch and chain will hit the belly bum bum bum.
-snip-
Source:
http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=138570#3184427 posted by Kendell

The information that Kendell wrote that he was told about this song appears to be inaccurate. Here's his comment:
"The story, as told to me was the Colon man was a boss in the sugar cane fields of Barbados, and he was illiterate, knew nothing about money or even how to read a watch. He went to Colon, Columbia and came back with a fancy pocket watch and gold chain. The field hand he was talking to saw right through him and made a fool out of him by asking for money and the time."

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RELATED LINK
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/08/panamanian-calypso-get-ready-for.html

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Thanks to the unknown composers of this song and thanks to the vocalists who are featured in this video. Thanks to those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the producer of this showcased video.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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The Wailers "Downpressor Man" and Peter Tosh "Downpressor Man" (with lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a rendition of the song "Downpressor Man" by the Wailers (Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, and Bunny Wailer) and a later performance of that song by Peter Tosh. Information aboout this song and lyrics to those versions are also included in this post.

The song "Downpressor Man" are Jamaican versions of the African American Spiritual "Sinner Man". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/07/nina-simone-sinnerman-with-lyrics.html for a pancocojams post that provides information about "Sinner Man" and showcases a full version of Nina Simone's rendition of that song.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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INFORMATION ABOUT "DOWNPRESSOR MAN"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinner_Man
"Peter Tosh and the Wailers versions

Sinner Man" has also been recorded as ska and reggae versions several times by the Wailers.

It was first recorded by the group at Studio One in Kingston, Jamaica in early 1966; Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer shared lead vocals.

A different version entitled "Downpressor" was recorded by Peter Tosh & The Wailers in 1970 ("downpressor" meaning "oppressor" in Rastafarian vocabulary). The song featured Tosh on lead vocals and Bunny Wailer on background. An instrumental version was also released. Songwriting credit for this version is sometimes given to Tosh.

Another version was recorded in 1971 as Oppressor Man. This version was billed as a Peter Tosh solo single, and the B Side of the single featured an instrumental version. It was one of the rarer songs from the period before being included, along with its version, on JAD's Black Dignity compilation in 2004.
Tosh recorded the song again as "Downpresser Man" for his 1977 solo album Equal Rights and released a live recording of the song in a medley with "Equal Rights" on his 1983 album Captured Live."

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FEATURED EXAMPLES (with Lyrics)
Example #1: Downpressor Man - Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer



Vldmaiden, Uploaded on May 30, 2011

First recorded by the group at Studio One in Kingston, Jamaica in early 1966; Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer shared lead vocals. A later version was recorded by Peter Tosh & The Wailers in 1971 ("downpressor" meaning "oppressor" in Rastafarian vocabulary)

LYRICS
Mercy lord when judgement come
Mercy lord when judgement come ...
Mercy lord when judgement come
All along that day, sad day

Downpressor man where you gonna run to
Tell me
Downpressor man where you gonna run to
Downpressor man where you gonna run to
All along that day, ...

You run to the rocks, rocks will be melting
You run to the rocks, rocks will be melting
When you run to the rocks, rocks will be melting
All along that day, sad day for you

And when you run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
You run to the sea, the sea will be boiling
All along that day, ...

So you gonna run to the lord, lord will you hide me
Run to the lord, lord would you hide me
Run to the lord, lord would you hide me
All along that day, sad day for human

Mercy lord when judgement come
Mercy lord when judgement come
I said
Mercy lord when judgement come ...
All along that day

I wouln't like to be a flea in your collar man
I wouln't like to be a flea inna your collar man
I wouln't like to be a flea inna your collar man
All along the day

You can run but you can't hide (...)
You can run but you can't hide

Source: http://www.chartlyrics.com/DOGWwgoRA0Ged0e_67f7Lg/Downpresser.aspx

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Example #2: Peter Tosh - Downpressor Man ( Live ) ( High Quality )



dreadlocke12, Uploaded on Apr 15, 2010


LYRICS - DOWNPRESSOR MAN
(Songwriter: Peter Tosh)

DownPresserMan
Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
(3x)
All along that day
(CHORUS)
You gonna run to the sea
But the sea will be boiling
When you run to the sea
The sea will be boiling(2x)
All along that day
You gonna run to the rocks
The rocks will be melting
When you run to the rocks
The rocks will be melitng(2x)
All that day
So I said
CHORUS
You drink your big champagne and laugh(3x)
All along that day
I wouldn't like to be a flea
Under your collar man
(3x)
All along that day
You can run but you can't hide(3x)
Telling you all along that day
You gonna run to the Lord
Beggin' to hide you
(2x)
You gonna run to Jah
Beggin' to hide you
All, all along that day
And I said Downpresser Man
Where you gonna run to
Where you gonna run to Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
I said all along
All along, along that day Downpresser man(4x)
Wait, Downpresser man
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
I don't know where you gonna run to
All along that day
Downpresser man
You can't run, you can't bribe Jah-Jah
Can't call him in a bar
Fe can drink some
Devil soup
Can't bribe him to run a car now
Can't test him faith
Downpresser man(5x)
Where you gonna run to
Downpresser man
You can't bribe no one
Them no want no money
Them run'f money
That money get funny
Downpresser Man...
S here"

Source: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/p/peter+tosh/downpressor+man_20191736.html

*****
Thanks to the composer/s of this song and thans to the Wailers & Peter Tosh (soloist) for their musical legacy, including their renditions of this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, the transcribers of these lyrics, the publisher of the sound file, and the publisher of this video.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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How Biggie Smalls "Killed It" On Supercat's "Dolly Me Baby" Remix

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part series on the African American derived slang meanings & uses of the phrases "killing it" and "killed it".

Part II provides examples of "killing it"/"killed it" and its synonyms that are used in selected YouTube comments about Hip-Hop artist Notorious Big's (Biggie Smalls)' performance on Jamaican Dancehall Reggae artist Supercat's 1993 remix
of his song "Dolly Me Baby".

Part I provides definitions for the American slang phrases "killing it" and "killed it". Synonyms & antonyms are given for these phrases and and I share my speculations about why "killing it" and its synonyms came to be used that way.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-killing-it-means-how-it-got-those.html for Part I of this series.

****
The content of this post is presented for folkloric & cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Disclaimer- I'm not a linguist. Nevertheless, I'm interested in how words & phrases have different meanings among populations in the same country. I'm also interested in how the meanings of words & phrases may change over a period of time and how clusters of slang terms may have the same or similar meanings.

I welcome comments about the conclusions that I've presented in this post.

****
Part II

SUMMARY OF THE SLANG DEFINITION FOR "KILLING IT" (in the context of this post)
"Killing it"/"killed it" and its synonyms mean to do something very very well.

****
NOTORIOUS BIG (BIGGIE SMALLS) -"I LOVE IT WHEN THEY CALL ME BIG POPPA" RAP*
i love it when you call me Big Poppa,

the show stoppa, the rhyme droppa

Supercat pass the glock, UH, I see you shivering

check the flavor Biggie Smalls is delivering

lyrical lyrics that's blowing lyrics out my larynx

chubby competitor, quick to kick a chump in the chest

yes, it's Bad Boy, hard to the core

LAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWD, me can't take it no more!
-transcribed by kimeBaksh, 2012 [from video link found below]

*This rap is not the same as the Biggie Smalls song "Big Poppa".

WARNING: Supercat's "Dolly Me Baby" and Biggie Smalls' "Big Poppa" contain language and references that may not be appropriate for children.

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE YOUTUBE VIDEO VIEWER COMMENT THREAD
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u5m_LfiXzM
Supercat - "Dolly Me Baby" remix

These reposted comments refer to Notorious Big [Biggie Smalls]' rap which begins at 3:18 of that video.

None of the comments posted in this post include any profanity.
However, a considerable amount of profanity is found on that YouTube comment thread.

I've refrained from adding any editorial comments about these postings, except for my comment below about "killed them" and
my comment about the difference between "ripped it" and "R.I.P.".

KILLED IT
biggie killed it."
-CJThaSavage, 2010

"Someone needs to edit Sean 'Dirty Dummy' out of this; Meth should have had a verse on this, he would have KILT it...yeah, KILT with a 'T'....
-Ghettoscott, 2010

**
"Biggie had only 30 seconds of flow but he killed it more than Puff or Super Cat"
-Markan269, 2011

**
"dis song was hot...everyone killed it except pUFF"
-TreRell71, 2011

**
"classic joint right here....puff, the other dude and biggie killed it...yes even puff, (i said it)"
-Monarch730, 2011

**
"too short for biggie smalls should of had more time
killed it tho"
-Sam Clue, 2012

**
"Biggie killz it!"
-flthomas33, 2012
**
"Biggies verse was short because he said "Lord me can't take it no more" he knew he killed it R.I.P. The Notorious B.I.G. best rapper ever p.s. diddys hat is pretty hot"
-adrian subia, 2012

****
KILLING THEM
"They should have just let biggie carry the rap portion on his own and diddy and the other guy shouldn't have said one word. biggie was killng them with his lyrics!!!"
-JDAVIS4LIFE, 2011
-snip-
"killing them = "besting his collaborators/competitors" because of the quality of his rap.

****
RIPPED IT
"Biggie ripped it"
-bobbgee1, 2010

**
na biggie ripped his verse lol.
-Walt Poitevien, 2010

**
"biggie ripped it as usual"
-royalnash1, 2011

**
"Big ripped it. There are no growing pains with his style or delivery. Hit the ground spittin' fire until he he was buried back in it."
-subtletiger. 2013
**
"BIG RIP IT"
-Tyrone Hill, 2011
-snip-
["RIP" = Rest In Peace [written in commemoration of someone who is deceaseed]. This is not the same as "ripped it" which means did so well he or she tore the performance up. Read more on "rip it" in Part I of this series.

****
MURDERS
"biggie smalls murders this beat. the best rapper ever!"
-nene12989, 2010

****
CRUSHED
"biggie crushed his verse"

****
WRECKED
"Puff Daddy was wack on this song and I thought he was garbage back then. Notorious BIG wrecked it once again! RIP to the great one!"
-patattacprod1, 2011

****
ASSAULTED
"big assaulted this track"
-Caveman1006, 2010

****
TWO RELATED SLANG TERMS
RAW
"Biggie's tiny verse was raw!"
-BabatundeW, 2011

****
BEAST
"BIGGIE, what a BEAST!!!"
-kostadino29, 2010

****
Thanks to all of the performers on this record. Special thanks to Notorious Big [Biggie Smalls].

Thanks to all the commenters who are quoted in this post.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

Two Examples of "Shine Eye Gal" ("Shine Eye Girl") with lyrics

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases two Reggae versions of the Jamaican folk song "Shine Eye Gal" ("Shine Eye Girl"). The lyrics to the versions by Barrington Levy & by Black Uhuru are also included in this post. In addition, I've included my American English "translation" of the Jamaican patois lyrics that are found in the Black Uhuru version of this song.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "SHINE EYE GAL" ("SHINE EYE GIRL")
"Shine Eye Gal" ("Shine Eye Girl" is a Jamaican folk song. Another way of saying "shine eye gal (girl) is a girl with shiny eyes. In this song, the man laments that his shiny eyed woman is demanding and hard to please.

Click http://www.timeinjamaica.com/jamaican_folk_songs_lyrics for a folk song version of "Shine Eye Gal" which is sung in Jamaican patois. That website provides general information about Jamaican folk songs and includes lyrics to other examples of those songs.

****
FEATURED VIDEOS & LYRICS
(These videos are presented in chronological order based on the date of their YouTube posting, with the oldest dated videos posted first.)

Example #1 Barrington Levy - Shine eye girl


BonJamTelevisionUploaded on May 25, 2008
-snip-

LYRICS - SHINE EYE GAL
(As sung by Barrington Levy)

a shine eye girl,a shine eye girl
a shine eye girl,a shine eye girl
a shine eye girl,a shine eye girl
a shine eye girl,a shine eye girl

Shine eye girl is a trouble to a man
she want uptown, she want downtown
she want fancy car, she want superstar
an'a tell me whey you really want
I say to tell me, I say to tell me,
tell me whey you want

you want uptown, you want downtown
you want fancy car, you want super star
you want black silk, you want wedding gown
now whey you really want?
a for me real whey you want, you still want more
you want husband, you want boyfriend
you want security guard, you want whole yard
you want soldier man, you want badman
now whey you really want?
tell me whey you really want, now
tell me whey you really want, oh yeah

I say to tell me, I say to tell me,
tell me whey you want
a for you want Jah Thomas, you want ???
you want Dominic, you want Barrington
now whey you really want?
tell me whey you really want, gal
tell me whey you really want, oh yeah

Source: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858756665/

****
Example #2: Black Uhuru - Shine Eye Gal Live Essen 1981



gmizafac, Published on Oct 26, 2009
-snip-

LYRICS - SHINE EYE GIRL
(As sung by Black Uhuru)

Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man

I arise early looking some tea, rise early
Looking for the daughter but she noh on ya
I take a walk down the street
De gal deh pan corner weh push mouth lorna??
And her bed no spread

Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man

The next day she want I to take a route
Take her to the beach party
Feeling everything would be irie
Wrinkles on her face
Like the things Ive done she dont appreciate

Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man

She wants wants have noh when she really really getty
Rastafari Know she cant take it
She said natty turn off your light
Give me dreadlock whe you give me first night
So I say

Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man
Shine eye gal is a trouble to a man

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdcR0tdAnDE
Shine Eye Gal 12" Mix - Black Uhuru [posted by VanillaFresh76]
-snip-
Here's my interpretation of the verses of Black Uhuru's version of "Shine Eye Gal" into Standard American English:
Verse #1:
I arise early looking some tea, rise early
[I get up early and looked for some tea]
Looking for the daughter but she noh on ya
[I looked for that woman but she wasn't here]
I take a walk down the street
De gal deh pan corner weh push mouth lorna??
[I asked a woman on the corner where is pouty mouth Lorna]
And her bed no spread
[And her bed isn't even made]

Verse #2:
The next day she want I to take a route
[The next day she wants me to take her on a trip]
Take her to the beach party
Feeling everything would be irie
[I thought that everything would be really great]
Wrinkles on her face
[But she spent the time frowning]
Like the things Ive done she dont appreciate
[Like she doesn't appreciate all the things I've done for her]

Verse #3:
She wants wants have noh when she really really getty
[She's never satisfied with what I give her; She continually wants more even though she gets alot (from me)]
Rastafari Know she cant take it
[God knows she can't take it with her (when she dies)]
She said natty turn off your light
[She said "You fine looking (handsome) man", turn off the light (in the room)]
Give me dreadlock whe you give me first night
["Dreadlock, give me what you gave me the first night we first met]
-snip-
"Interpretation" by Azizi Powell. Additions & corrections are welcome.

****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Beu1kbo2oK8for an example of "Shine Eye Girl" by Shabba Ranks with Mykal Rose.

Click http://www.timeinjamaica.com/jamaican_folk_songs_lyrics for lyrics to a folk song version of "Shine Eye Gal" and for lyrics of other Jamaican folk songs.

Click this page of my cultural website for examples of other Caribbean folk songs: http://cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-songs

****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Barrington Levy & thanks to Black Uhuru for their musical legacies. Thanks to the publishers of this sound file and video and thanks also to the transcribers of these songs.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

Jamaican Children's Song "Jump Shamador" (Good Morning To You, Mother)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases two text versions of the Jamaican children's song "Jump Shamador" (also known as "Good Morning To You, Mother.)"

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, entertainment, inspirational, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

INFORMATION ABOUT "JUMP SHAMADOOR" ("GOOD MORNING TO YOU, MOTHER")
Note: I prefer the title "Jump Shamador" to "Good Morning To You, Mother" because the title "Jump Shamador" distinguishes this Jamaican children's song from other songs with "Good Morning To You" titles.

The song "Good Morning To You, Mother." is included in Walter Jekyll's 1904 collection Jamaican Song and Story Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes. In 2011 that manuscript was published online as a Project Gutenberg EBook. The link for that book is given below with the song's lyric. In that song the term "jump shamador" is also given as "jump shamadir".

In that same collection by Walter Jeykll, the game song "Black Boy In A Ring"* (CIX, page 207) is given with the "jump shamador" phrase:
"Wheel an' take you pardner, jump shamador!
(3x)
For he like sugar and I like plum."
-snip-
* This is the same song that is now known as "There's A Brown Girl In The Ring".
-snip-
Walter Jekyll noted that the first half of "Black Boy In A Ring" was sung in one of the Anancy (spider) stories which he included in his collection (Annancy and Screech-owl (No. XIX.).

Jekyll also wrote "Shamador" is possibly a corruption of "camerado."

However, some information about "jump shamador" and a related term is included in the Dictionary of Jamaican English edited by Frederic Gomes Cassidy and R. B. Le Page (University of West Indies Press, 2002; Originally published by Cambridge University Press in 1967, and revised as a second edition in 1980):
"SHANDELAY sb dial; etym unknown — perh no more than a nonsense refrain: cf jump shamador. Some kind of dance or caper. 1924 Beckwith 172 (Song:] "Massa Puss and Massa Rat a jump shandalay, jump shandalay".
http://books.google.com/books?id=_lmFzFgsTZYC&pg=PA404&lpg=PA404&dq=jump+shamador&source=bl&ots=N7MtvgUrre&sig=D_gXWYPCsKpeaF1w6bhe047MWTk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=NYVIUeKIKKzi4AOso4HIAQ&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=jump%20shamador&f=false, p. 404.

The song "Jump Shamador" is also included in the American published 1989 children's song by Shake It To The One That You Love The Best: Play Songs and Lullabies From Black Musical Traditions (collected and adapted by Cheryl Warren Mattox) under the title "Jump Shamador". Cheryl Mattox indicates that "Jump Shamador" is a ring game from the "West Indies".

Whatever the actual meaning of the phrase "jump shamador", my sense is that this song is an example of purposeful play. This game teaches children to be self-assured and to perserver in the cace of obstacles - to their career choice or otherwise.

This song is particularly poignant if we reflect on how difficult conditions in the early 20th century were for Black people in Jamaica (and in the United States and other nations) who wanted to be a doctor or a teacher or some other profession. What is equally sad is that there are still stories today in the United States and elsewhere of Black children, other children of Color, and poor children of any race or ethnicity being discouraged by their teachers from striving to be a doctor, teacher, business owner, scientist, and other "white collar" professions.

That is why songs like "Jump Shamador" ars so important as they can help children reinforce their self-esteem and help them strengthen their will to achieve, without the children even realizing that they are being taught such valuable lessons. That's why I'm showcasing this song.

****
MP3 SAMPLE
Here's a brief Mp3 sample of "Jump Shamador" from the 1978 Smithsonian Folkways album Caribbean Songs and Games for Children
Various Artists FW07856

http://www.folkways.si.edu/TrackDetails.aspx?itemid=19879
song #106


That song is also included on Cheryl Warren Mattox's tape cassette of her book Shake It To The One That You Love The Best songs. If I recall correctly, while the tune was the same as the tune of that Mp3 sample, the tempo seemed to be a little bit faster.

In both of those renditions, the word "shamador" was pronounced "sha-mah-DOOR".

FEATURED TEXT EXAMPLES
Example #1: GOOD MORNING TO YOU, MOTHER

Good morning to you, mother;
Good morning to you, daughter;
What is your intention?
I want to be a teacher.
You shan't be a teacher.
I bound to be a teacher.

Jump shamador, me darling.

What is your intention?
I goin' to be a doctor.
You shan't be a doctor.
I bound to be a doctor.
You shan't be a doctor.
I will be a doctor.

Jump shamadir, me darling.

There is no dancing here. The mother walks round inside the ring, the various members of which she addresses in turn. "You shan't" is emphasized by an uplifted arm swept vigorously downwards and a stamp of the foot. The answers go through the various professions until it is felt that there is a want of something more exciting, which is supplied by:-"....."
-snip-
Source: Walter Jekyll Jamaican Song and Story
Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes The Project Gutenberg EBook of Jamaican Song and Story
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/35410/35410-h/35410-h.htm (With musical score. CXII p. 211)

****
Example #2: JUMP SHAMADOR

Good morning to Joseph.
(Good morning to you too).*
What is your intention?
(I want to be a doctor.)
You can't be a doctor.
(I will be a doctor).

Well, jump shamador, my darling.
Jump shamador my dear.
jump shamador, my darling.
Jump shamador my dear.

Jump shamador
Jump shamador
Jump shamador, my darling.

Jump shamador
Jump shamador
Jump shamador, my dear.

Jump shamador
Jump shamador
Jump shamador
Jump shamador
-snip-
*The lines by the person responding are given in parenthesis.

Here are the notes that Cheryl Warren Mattox included with this song's musical score:
West Indies

Ring Game

This song has an important message-if you believe in yourself, you ca be whatever you want to be. Each player chooses a profession. When your name is called, go to the middle of the ring. Respond to the question -"What is your intention?" - by naming your choice of profession. Show how determined you are bu being very forceful when you sing the line, "I WILL be a ______!"

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the unknown composers of this song. Thanks also to the Walter Jekyl for collecting & publishing this song, and Cheryl Warrren Mattox for adapting, publishing, and recording this song.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Bob Marley - Redemption Songs & Chant Down Babylon

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcase videos of & lyrics for two Reggae songs by Bob Marley.

The content of this post is presented for entertainment and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

FEATURED VIDEOS & LYRICS

Example #1: Bob Marley - Redemption Song



Screamadelica66, Uploaded on Apr 29, 2008
Bob Marley Legend live...Redemption Song - a great song from Bob Marley and the Wailers - enjoy!
-snip-
Lyrics: Redemption Songs
(Bob Marley)

Old pirates, yes, they rob I;
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fullfil the book.

Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom-
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.
---
/Guitar break/
---
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fullfil the book.
Won't you have to sing
This songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.


Lyrics from http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bob+marley/redemption+song_20021829.html

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Example #2: bob marley chant down babylon



TheFred8300, Uploaded on Oct 5, 2010
chant down babylon from the confrontation album

the content in this video belongs to the respective owners

lyrics:
Come we go burn down Babylon one more time
(Come we go burn down Babylon one more time);
Come we go chant down Babylon one more time
(Come we go chant down Babylon);
For them soft! Yes, them soft! (ah-yoy!)
Them soft! Yes, them soft! (ah-yoy!)
So come we go chant down Babylon one more time
(Come we go chant down Babylon)!

Men see their dreams and aspiration-a
Crumble in front of their face,
And all of their wicked intention
To destroy the human race.

And how I know - and how I know - and that's how I know:
A Reggae Music, mek we chant down Babylon;
With music, mek we chant down Babylon;
This music, mek we chant down Babylon;
This music, come we chant down Babylon.

Come we go chant down Babylon one more time
(Come we go chant down Babylon one more time);
Come we go chant down Babylon one more time
(Come we go chant down Babylon);
For them soft! Yes, them soft! (ah-yoy!)
Them soft! Me say, Them soft! (ah-yoy!)
So come we go chant down Babylon one more time
(Come we go chant down Babylon)!

Me say, Music you're - music you're the key,
Talk to who? Please talk to me,
Bring the voice of - of the Rastaman,
Communicating to - 'cating to everyone.

How I (know) - how I know, how I (know) - how I know -
And that's how I know:
A Reggae Music, chant down - chant down - chant down Babylon,
Chant down Babylon, chant down Babylon,
Chant down Babylon!
Reggae Music, chant down Babylon!
Reggae Music, chant down Babylon!
Reggae Music, chant down Babylon!
Reggae Music! (chant down Babylon) /fadeout/

****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the Bob Marley for his music & his messages. Thanks also to the transcribers of these songs and the uploaders of these videos.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Dancehall Reggae - Bam Bam Riddim

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a samplying of Dancehall Reggae songs that have the Bam Bam riddim (rhythm). This post also includes information about the meaning of the Jamaican Patois term "riddim".

The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE TERM "RIDDIM"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riddim

Riddim is the Jamaican Patois pronunciation of the English word "rhythm," but in dancehall/reggae parlance it refers to the instrumental accompaniment to a song. Thus, a dancehall song consists of the riddim plus the "voicing" (vocal part) sung by the deejay. The resulting song structure may be taken for granted by dancehall fans, but is in many ways unique. A given riddim, if popular, may be used in dozens—or even hundreds—of songs, not only in recordings, but also in live performances..."Riddims are the primary musical building blocks of Jamaican popular songs.... At any given time, ten to fifteen riddims are widely used in dancehall recordings, but only two or three of these are the now ting (i.e., the latest riddims that everyone must record over if they want to get them played in the dance or on radio).... In dancehall performing, those whose timing is right on top of the rhythm are said to be "ridding di riddim"...

African in origin (see clave (rhythm) and bell pattern),riddims can generally be categorized into three types. One of the oldest types of riddim is the classical riddim providing roots reggae, dub and lovers rock with instrumentals, such as Bam Bam, produced by Sly & Robbie. The second type is the ragga riddim backing raggamuffin and dancehall songs, such as the Juice riddim, produced by Richard "Shams" Browne. The third type is the digital riddim, such as Sleng Teng, produced by King Jammy.

So-called digital riddims refer to riddims created around the time that Jamaican producers incorporated drum machines and synthesizers into reggae-music production. Nowadays, however, most dancehall and soca riddims are created by electronic instruments, so, in essence, almost all are digital.

****
FEATURED SOUND FILES
Example #1: Bam Bam Riddim



raggabeats, Uploaded on Feb 3, 2010

Bam Bam Riddim
Producer: Lowell Charles "sly" Dunbar & Robert "Robbie" Shakespear
Label: Taxi

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Example #2: Chaka Demus & Pliers - Bam Bam



lmfrade, Uploaded on Feb 28, 2008

****
Example #3: Sister Nancy - BAM BAM



johnreign Uploaded on Dec 7, 2007

I heard this song while playing skate and decided to upload

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Example #4: Bam Bam Mix (Chaka Demus/Pliers etc..)

BootCampWuTang•110 videos

Uploaded on May 28, 2008


Bam Bam Mix (Chaka Demus/Pliers etc..)
-snip-
A song list was provided in this sound file's viewer comment thread by Mayapaszek, 2011
Play list: 1. Faith Evans - Love like This Before
2. Pliers - Bam Bam (Original Toots and The Maytals – Bam Bam) 3. Chaka Demus & Pliers - Murder she wrote
4. Nardo Ranks - Them a bleach (and no Buju Banton haven't made a number like this. Nardo do say Buju in his song, but not that he is Buju. He is saying "Buju Banton tell di gyal dem bout browning." He's referring to Buju's song "Browning."
5. Red Rat – That Girl (Oh no remix?) (Originally Red Rat – Shelly-Ann)

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Example #5: Bam Bam - Shaggy & Toots



geejamrecordings, Uploaded on Dec 1, 2010

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the producers/composers of these songs, as well as the vocalists, and musicians, and dancers featured in these sound files and video. Thanks also to the uploaders of the sound files and video.

Finally, thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Dancehall Reggae Murder She Wrote (Song & Riddim Mix)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a sound file of the 1992 Dancehall Reggae song "Murder She Wrote" which was recorded in 1992 by the Jamaican vocalists Chaka Demus & Pliers. This post also showcases a sound file of a selection of songs with that riddim (rhythm).

The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
FEATURED SOUND FILES

Example #1: Chaka Demus & Pliers - Murder She Wrote (w/ Lyrics,click more info)



ONEONECOCOA, Uploaded on Nov 5, 2008

NO MUSIC,NO LIFE
KNOW MUSIC,KNOW LIFE!
-snip-
The complete lyrics are included with this sound file at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLuL5slr304

Here's an excerpt of the lyrics for "Murder She Wrote":
I know this little girl, her name is Maxine
Her beauty is like a bunch of rose
If I ever tell you bout Maxine
You ought to say I don't know what I know (but)….
Murder she wrote
Murder she wrote
Murder she wrote (Na nana)
Murder she wrote…
Yuh pretty face an bad character
Dem the kinda livin cant Hold Chaka (Follow me!)
Yuh pretty face an bad character
Dem the kinda livin cant Hold Chaka

Seh girl yuh pretty,
yuh face is pretty
But yuh character dirty
Gal yuh just a have to flirty, flirty
Yuh run to Tom Dick an' also Harry
An when yuh find yuh mistake
Yuh talk 'bout yuh sorry, sorry, sorry...
-snip-
Here's a link to a video of Chaka Demus & Pliers singing "Murder She Wrote" in a community setting & with some dramatized scenes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-av7F1JBmj4

I found that video to be a little bit too much for my sensibilities, though it's not really explicit.

****
Example #2: Murder She Wrote Riddim Mix



runitselectah, Uploaded on Dec 29, 2008
► Skullman - Je T'aime
► Nardo Ranks - Them A Bleach
► Mackie Ranks - We A Soldier
► Daddy Woody - Bangara
► Anthony Red Rose - Run Them Out
► Brent Dowe - Rivers Of Babylon
► Fragga Ranks - Thanks & Praises
► Pliers - Bam Bam
► Chaka Demus & Pliers - Murder She Wrote
► Sly, Robbie & The Taxi Gang - Version

A classic Sly & Robbie production, released on the Taxi label in 1992.

Enjoy!

****
Editorial Comment:
The lyrics to the Dancehall Reggae song "Murder She Wrote" have nothing to do with the American television detective series with the same name.

****
BONUS VIDEO
Editor: I'm including this video that I happened upon because it presents information about Jamaican lifestyles that isn't easy for non-Jamaicans to learn about. And the beginning of this video includes the song "Murder She Wrote".

You Know You're Jamaican When... Celebrating JAMAICA's 50th



RONNiiGODlovesME, Published on Aug 6, 2012

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE JAMAICA
THank You LORD for giving me the everything for this video
#PROUDJAMAICAN
#BLACKGREEN&GOLD
Big Ups to my sister for helping me on this one...

****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composers of these songs, as well as the vocalists, and musicians featured in these songs. Thanks also to the uploaders of the sound files and videos.

Finally, thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Video Examples Of Jamaican Nyabinghi Drumming

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases five video examples of Jamaican Rastafarian Nyabinghi (Niyabinghi) drumming. This post also includes general information about Nyabinghi culture and "Grounation Day".

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT NIYABINGHI MUSIC
From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansions_of_Rastafari#Niyabinghi_music

Niyabinghi are considered the strictest mansion of the Rastafari movement in Jamaica, preaching the ideals of a global theocracy to be headed by Emperor Haile Selassie I, whom they proclaim to be the promised Messiah and incarnation of Jah, the Supreme.

They have also been known to be very anti-racist, especially toward black and white people. They also express that opressors towards anybody will be punished by Jah. People of the Nyabinghi faith often (but not always) affiliate themselves with pacifism…
The Niyabinghi resistance inspired a number of Jamaican Rastafarians, who incorporated what are known as niyabinghi chants (also binghi) into their celebrations ("groundations"). The rhythms of these chants were eventually an influence of popular ska, rocksteady and reggae music...

Niyabinghi drumming is not exclusive to the Niyabinghi order, and is common to all Rastafarians. Its rhythms are the basis of Reggae music, through the influential ska band, the Skatalites. It is said that their drummer revolutionized Jamaican music by combining the various Niyabinghi parts into a 'complete' "drum kit," which combined with jazz to create an entirely new form of music, known as ska. Niyabinghi rhythms were largely a creation of Count Ossie, who incorporated influences from traditional Jamaican Kumina drumming (especially the form of the drums themselves) with songs and rhythms learned from the recordings of Nigerian musician Babatunde Olatunji...

**
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyabinghi_drums

Nyabinghi drums are membranophones played at a groundation ceremony in rasta culture. Nyabinghi music is played in 4/4 time on three drums:
Thunder: It is a double-headed bass drum, played with a mallet. The strokes are an open tone on 1 and a dampened stroke on 3. Occasionally, the thunder player will syncopate the rhythm.

Funde: The funde is the middle drum. It maintains the dominant heartbeat rhythm as the funde player makes steady, dampened strokes on 1 and 3.

Repeater: The repeater or keteh, is the smallest and highest pitched drum. The drummer tends to play around 2 and 4, with a syncopated feel. It is seen as the carrier of spirit and fire of the music..

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
(These examples are posted in no particular order.)

Example #1: Rastafari Nyabinghi Grounation & CELEBRATION JAMAICA 1994 or 1995



Marleyites, Uploaded on Sep 18, 2009

"Totally "IRIE" vibration. Rastafari sing, dance & give thanks and praises to the Most High. H.I.M. Haile Selassie I the Firs'. King of Kings. Conquering Lion of Ethiopia, 225th in an unbroken line of Kings from Soloman & Sheba. Leader for peace & livity of all the people.

Born Ras Tafari - which means "Prince" Tafari, HIM took the name "Haile Selassie" upon coronation, meaning Power of the Trinity. Yes-I, alot of power from His Majesty. Look at all the inspiration he inspires. Irie! Jah bless one & all.

Bob Marley says that there is only one truth and that truth is the truth of Rastafari. Who feels it knows it."
-snip-
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grounation_Day for information about the meaning of the word "grounation".
Here's an excerpt from that page:
"Grounation Day" (April 21) is an important Rastafarian holy day, and second after Coronation Day (November 2). It is celebrated in honor of Haile Selassie's 1966 visit to Jamaica...

When Haile Selassie's Ethiopian Airlines flight landed at the airport at 1:30 PM, the crowd surrounded his plane on the tarmac...

After about half an hour, the door swung open and the emperor appeared at the top of the mobile steps. A deafening tumult was heard from the crowd, who beat calabash drums, lit firecrackers, waved signs, and sounded Abeng horns of the Maroons.....Selassie waved from the top of the steps.... He then returned into the plane, disappearing for several more minutes. Finally Jamaican authorities were obliged to request Ras Mortimer Planno, a well-known Rasta leader, to climb the steps, enter the plane, and negotiate the Emperor's descent... When Planno reemerged, he announced to the crowd: "The Emperor has instructed me to tell you to be calm. Step back and let the Emperor land". After Planno escorted the African monarch down the steps, journalists were puzzled by Selassie's refusal to walk on the red carpet [hence "grounation", dialectal equivalent of "grounding" in the sense of "making contact with the soil"] on the way to his limousine."

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Example #2: House of Judah Nyabinghi Rastafarian Grounation



Uploaded on Jul 10, 2009

House of Judah Nyabinghi Rastafarian Grounation in Knysna South Africa

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Example #3: Rasta Medley - Nyabinghi Drumming JAFSP 2011



JAFSProject, Uploaded on Apr 30, 2011

Suga and friends performing a medley of traditional Rastafarian songs. FIlmed in St. Elizabeth Jamaica during the March trip of the Jamaica Field Service Project. The JAFSP is a study abroad program which brings university students to volunteer in Jamaica for college credit. To learn more about this service learning abroad program go to http://www.jafieldservice.com.

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Example #4: Luciano - No Night In Zion (Ras Tafari Nyabingi Prayer)



RootsDaughter41926, Uploaded on Jul 23, 2009

http://www.lucianoreggae.com

In rememberance and celebration of the earthday of H.I.M Emperor Haile Selassie I - 23rd July 1892.

'No Night In Zion' is one of the earliest and most well-known Ras Tafari Nyabingi prayers/hymns.

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Example #5: Morgan Heritage Live In London (full concert)



reggae page, Published on May 16, 2012

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to all those who composed and performed this music.
Thanks also to the producers and uploaders of these videos.

Finally, thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

The Real Meaning Of The Jamaican Folk Song "Cudelia Brown" ("Cordelia Brown")

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post provide information & comments about as well as lyrics and sound files of the Jamaican Mento song "Cudelia Brown" (also known as "Cordelia Brown").

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, sociological, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MENTO MUSIC
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mento:
"Mento is a style of Jamaican folk music that predates and has greatly influenced ska and reggae music...

Mento is often confused with calypso, a musical form from Trinidad and Tobago. Although the two share many similarities, they are separate and distinct musical forms...

Mento uses topical lyrics with a humorous slant, commenting on poverty and other social issues. Sexual innuendos are also common. Mento was strongly influenced by calypso, the musical traditions of the Kumina religion and Cuban music. During the mid-20th century, mento was conflated with calypso, and mento was frequently referred to as calypso, kalypso and mento calypso; mento singers frequently used calypso songs and techniques.

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CUDELIA BROWN
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcUNWfxCfko for a sound file of Cudelia Brown sung by Louise Bennett.
[embedding disabled]
-snip-
ZACK MATALON & THE SONNY BRADSHAW QUARTET - Cordelia brown (MRS Uk press)



Published on Sep 19, 2012 by mightydoctorbird
MORE ON
http://mightydoctorbird.blogspot.fr
-snip-
LYRICS - CUDELIA BROWN
(Jamaica Mento [folk song], no known composer)

O Cudelia Brown,
Wha mek yu head so red? (Yu head so red!)
O Cudelia Brown,
Wha mek yu head so red? (Yu head so red!)
Yu si' dung eena di sunshine wit' nut'n 'pon yu head,
O Cudelia Brown,
Wha mek yu head so red? (Yu head so red!)
On a moonshine night, on a moonshine night,
I met Missa Ivan, an' Missa Ivan tol' me,
Sey dat 'im gi Neita di drop, Jamaica flop, and di moonshine drop,
Ee-hee-aw, haw; Ee-hee-aw, haw; Ee-hee-aw, haw.
-from Noel Dexter and Godfrey Taylor: Mango Time: Folk Songs of Jamaica (Ian Randle Publishers ; 2007)
-snip-
Editor: This version of "Cordelia Brown" was included in Louise Bennett's 1954 record Jamaican Folk Songs", an LP on the Folkways label [F-6846]... http://www.akh.se/lyrics/cordelia_brown.htm

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CORDELIA BROWN

Cordelia Brown



Uploaded by Cupa42 on Mar 7, 2010
-snip-
LYRICS: CORDELIA BROWN
(Traditional folk song adapted by Mento composer Lord Burgess)
Oh, Cordelia Brown, although' you never tell,
Oh, Cordelia Brown, still I know your secret well
Yes you fell in love with Ned
And when he left, your head turned red
And right well you know,
That what I say is true

Oh, Cordelia Brown, what make your head so red
Oh, Cordelia Brown, what make your head so red
You say you come out in the sunshine
With nothing on your head
Oh, Cordelia Brown, what make your head so red

Oh, Cordelia Brown, yes I've been far and wide
Now I'm telling you, every girl wants to be a bride
So I know what happen to you
And please strike me down if it isn't true
He said he never would wed,
And that when your head turned red

Oh, Cordelia Brown, what make your head so red
Oh, Cordelia Brown, what make your head so red
You say you come out in the sunshine
With nothing on your head
Oh, Cordelia Brown, what make your head so red

Oh, Cordelia Brown, Saw you waiting' at the train,
Yes, he's gone away, might never return again
Now miss Brown may I confess,
I've yearned this long for your caress
Since your head so red
I think I'll marry Mabel instead

Oh, Cordelia Brown, what make your head so red
Oh, Cordelia Brown, what make your head so red
You say you come out in the sunshine
With nothing on your head
Oh, Cordelia Brown, what make your head so red

Reposted from http://www.nomorelyrics.net/harry_belafonte-lyrics/176355-cordelia_brown-lyrics.html
-snip-
* This version was popularized by Harry Belafonte in 1957.

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COMMENTARY: HOW CUDELIA BROWN'S (CORDELIA BROWN) HAIR BECAME RED
Traditional Version
From http://dianebrowneblog.blogspot.com/, an excerpt from an April 17, 2011 post by Diane Brown about her award winning children's book Cordelia Finds Fame and Fortune*:

O Cordelia Brown whe mek you head so red?
O Cordelia Brown whe mek you head so red?
For you siddung ina de sunshine
Wid nuttin' pon you head
O Cordelia Brown dats why you head so red.

...The story is about a little girl who is teased because she has red hair, in a village where everyone else has chocolate coloured skin like her, but they do not have red hair. She survives the teasing, and in fact, her red hair becomes something of importance in her 'fame and fortune'. It stands out...

It’s a diss [a snap, a rip, a taunt] The other children are “rippin on” (teasing Cordelia Brown in an unkind way) by saying that her hair is red hair because she stood in the sunshine when they actually know her hair is that color because of her mixed racial heritage...

Mento draws on musical traditions brought over by African slaves. The influence of European music is also strong, as slaves who could play musical instruments were often required to play music for their masters. They subsequently incorporated some elements of these traditions into their own folk music. The lyrics of mento songs often deal with aspects of everyday life in a light-hearted and humorous way. Many comment on poverty, poor housing and other social issues. Thinly-veiled sexual references and innuendo are also common themes. Although the treatment of such subjects in mento is comparatively innocent, their appearance has sometimes been seen as a precursor of the slackness found in modern dancehall.

* The book Cordelia Finds Fame and Fortune was first published in Jamaica in 1990 and was also published in the USA in 1994.
-snip-
Diane Brown's conclusions about how Cudelia (Cordelia) Brown's came to have naturally red hair is the same conclusion that I reached. The singers taunt a female named Cordelia because her hair's naturally red hair color is different from the hair color of others in her village. They ask her "What makes your hear red?" knowing that it is because she is mixed race. The second verse of that traditional version of "Cudelia Brown" gives an account of Mr. Ivan (a White man) "having relation" with Cordelia's mother Neita (Nita").

I believe that the singers' suggestion that Cudelia's hair is red because she stood out in the sun too long [and thus got sunburnt] was given derisively and would have been met with a scornful "Yeah, right" response. A light skinned or White person's face can turn red due to sunburn, and brown hair may get reddish tinges due to the sun. But I think the people who offered an explanation that Cordelia's hair is red due to her hair being burnt by the sun would have done so for taunting reasons since they know that that's not the real reason for that hair color.
Click http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=76631#3159758 "Lyr Req: Cudelia Brown / Cordelia Brown" to read my comments and other comments about that song.
-snip-
Lord Burgess Version (popularized by Harry Belafonte)Version
This version of "Cordelia Brown" gives the implausible explantion for Cordelia's hair being naturally red* because she is embarrassed that the man she wanted to marry left her. In my opinion, if anyone would have actually suggested that explanation, they would have done so in a tongue in cheek, taunting manner because they would have known that the real reason that Cordelia's hair is red is that she is of Black/non-Black ancestry.

*The word "naturally" is emphasized here to distinguish hair color that is natural to a person from hair color which is changed due to the hair being chemical treated.

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RELATED LINKS
Here's a link to an instrumental version of "Cudelia Brown" ("Cordelia Brown"):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5utpgUFUeE
Dennis Haynes / Ooh cudelia brown

**
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordelia for information about the origin and meanings of the female name "Cordelia".

**
Click http://www.mentomusic.com/edricConner.htm for information about & text examples of Mento music.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS
Thanks to the unknown composer of "Cudelia Brown". Thanks to those who performed that song and its adaptation "Cordelia Brown". Thanks also to those whose quotes I featured in this post and to the uploaders of the sound files that are showcased in this post.

Finally, thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcomed.

Read More

Two Jamaican Mento Songs That Mention John Crow

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a three part series about the Jamaican character/symbol "John Crow". This post provides excerpts of two Jamaican mento songs that mention John Crow.

Part I of this series provides information about the cultural meaning of "John Crow". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/09/john-crow-part-i-what-john-crow-means.html for that post.

Part III of this series features the Jimmy Cliff song "John Crow".
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/09/jimmy-cliff-john-crow-lyrics-video.html for that post.

The content of this post is provided for folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES

LONG TIME GAL [excerpt]
Dis long time, gal, me never see yu,
Come mek me hol your han.
Dis long time, gal, me never see yu,
Come mek me hol your han.
Peel head John Crow sid upon tree-top
Pick off de blossom,
Mek me hold your han, gal, mek me hol
your han.

Reposted from http://www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org/themes/journeys/gallery/resource/?id=488&resource_id=488

Also, click http://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=2856&c=113 for similar Jamaican words and a standard American English "translation" of those words.
-snip-
I believe that "peel head" means "bald headed" (having no hair on your head).

Here's a video of the Jamaican mento song "Long Time Gal":

"Long Time Gal":



uploaded by BajanBloom on Jan 13, 2011

"Miss Lou -- Dr. Louise Bennett Coverley has made a distinguished contribution to the development of Arts and Culture in both in Jamaica and the Caribbean region at large. Through her skillfully penned prose in Jamaican patois, Miss Lou has been able to raise the folk dialect to an art level now accepted and appreciated by all Jamaicans."

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ONE SOLJA MAN
Verse 1
One solja man come fe court me,
Me sey me no ha' nobody,
Him gimme one shillin' an' quatty.
Me tek i' buy silk an' satin.

Verse 2
Me wash i' me starch i' me iron i',
Me pred i' pon pingwing macka,
An one ole un-conscionable John Crow
Come fling i' eena crevice an' corner...

Verse 3
No tear i' Jeremiah, no tear i',
No tear i' Jeremiah, no tear i',
No tear i' Jeremiah, no tera i',
No tear up me silk an' satin.

Verse 4
A weh yuh dah weel an' tun me,
A weh yuh dah weel an' tun me,
Yuh mussa wan' me fe go fall dung,
An' lick me belly pon tambourina.

Solja- Soldier
Ha'- Have
Quatty- Penny halfpenny
Pred- Spread
Pingwing macka- Cactus
John Crow- Jamaican scavenger bird, but here used in a derogatory sense, alluding to 'Jeremiah'.
Eena- In
Weh- Why
Mussa- Must
Fe go fall dung- To fall down
Tambourina- Tambourine

Also sung as 'One Bungo Man', Bungo meaning an African.
*May be sung as: 'Him gimme one cock-y'eye fourbit', 'fourbit' being one shilling and sixpence.

Pp. 58-59, With music for voice and piano.

Tom Murray, Ed. and arr., 1951, Folk Songs of Jamaica, Oxford University Press.

[These lyrics & notes are were posted on http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=40845 by Q on October 4, 2011]
-snip-
In Jamaican tradition "John Crow" is commonly referred to as a "disgraceful" bird. The adjective "unconscionable" means the same thing as "disgraceful".

In the context of this song, "John Crow" in this song is used as a derogatory referent to a dark skinned Black man,The phrase "An one ole un-conscionable John Crow" doubles down the derogatory meaning of the description (an unconscionable dark skinned Black man"). That meaning is substantiated by the note that the song is also sung as "One Bungo Man", Bungo meaning "an African." For another Jamaican mento that refers to "bungo", click http://cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-songs for the song "Bungo Moolatta".

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the unknown composers of these two songs. Thanks also for those who collected these songs, and those sand them, and those who posted them online.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Byron Lee & The Dragonnaires (Selected Soca Songs)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases four sound files & one video of selected soca songs performed by the Jamaican band "Byron Lee & The Dragonnaires".

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

My thanks to Byron Lee & the Dragonnaires for their musical legacy. My thanks also to the composers of these songs, as well as to the producers & uploaders of these sound file and this video. All copyrights remain with their owners.

INFORMATION ABOUT BYRON LEE & THE DRAGONNAIRES
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_Lee_and_the_Dragonaires:

Byron Lee and the Dragonaires (known as Byron Lee's Dragonaires since Lee's death) are a Jamaican ska, calypso and soca band. The band played a crucial pioneering role in bringing Caribbean music to the world...

Years active: 1950 to present
Genres: Ska, mento, reggae, calypso, soca...

From 1979, the Dragonaires output was heavily concentrated on calypso, soca, and mas, regularly performing at Trinidad & Tobago's carnival, and also touring the Caribbean and North America.[1] Throughout the 1990s they were also regulars at Jamaica's carnival, and their "Dance Hall Soca" hit (recorded with Admiral Bailey) was credited with starting the ragga-soca craze of the late 1990s...

Byron Lee died on 4 November 2008...

The band has continued since Lee's death, with the name slightly altered to Byron Lee's Dragonaires.

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FEATURED SOUND FILES AND VIDEOS
[These songs are presented in no particular order.]

Video #1: Byron Lee - Dollar Wine



Uploaded by fetetv on Jan 31, 2008

Byron Lee is in the fete. Juck Juck Juck...See you in the Caribbean.

-snip-
A number of bloggers on this sound file's viewer comment thread debated which Caribbean nation this song came from. Here are two comments from that comment thread http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=QUQ_nZSJ6g8:

"It doesn't matter who want to claim this song this was an intercaribbean effort, colin lucas from trinidad sing it first, byron lee remade it with a lead singer who was definitely not a jamaican so in conclusion stfu and enjoy the music and be proud to be west indian and if your not west indian come and have a good time anyhow."
-rmsutherland; 2011

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"Collin Lucas composed and performed song in 1991. It won road March Titles in England, Canada and South Florida that year. He also recorded it with the Trinidad Band called Taxi in 1994. Byron Lee covers music and plays mostly Calypso and later Soca music already made popular by original artists for each year that the song he plays came out since the 1960's. Easy to check original recordings. Please refer to Album credits on CDS and records if you have them ."
-bujudoug1 ; 2011

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Video #2: Byron Lee & The Dragonaires - Tiny Winey.mp4



Uploaded by DJManquin on Dec 11, 2011

This is the official clip of this song

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Video #3: Byron Lee - Doh Rock It So



Uploaded by trinigyal15 on Jul 11, 2008

Old soca.

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Video #4: Soca Butterfly-Bryon Lee



Uploaded by GuyanaBaboo247 on Aug 9, 2009

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Video #5: Byron Lee - Walk & Wine (Conga Line) [SOCA]



Uploaded by TheSocaMan on Feb 27, 2009

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

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Bob Marley, Black Uhuru, & Ziggy Marley - Songs About Natty Dreadlocks

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases three videos & one sound file of songs that include the phrases "natty dread" or "natty dreadlock". This post also includes information about the meaning of the terms "natty dread" and "natty dreadlock" as well as information about the history & significance of the dreadlock hairstyle.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to the composers, vocalists, and musicians who performed this music. My thanks also to the producers and uploaders of these videos & sound file, as well as the authors of the quoted information.

FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: Bob Marley - Natty Dread



Uploaded by nixthethalo on Aug 20, 2008

"Natty Dread captures Bob Marley's decisive transition from Wailers band member to auteur... his singing and writing now front and center, and the revamped band securely reined in to his defiant, Rastafarian worldview...; [1975]
-snip-
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natty_Dread for information about the song "Natty Dread."

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Video #2:♫ ♕ Bob Marley ♕ Natty Dread Dortmund Live 1980 HD ♫



Uploaded by maurittos on May 4, 2011

♕ Bob Marley ♕ https://sites.google.com/site/maurittosnaturalmystic/

♫ King Of Reggae ♕ Bob Marley ♕ The Wailers Natty Dread Dortmund Live 1980 HD ♫

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Video #3: Black Uhuru - Guess Who's Coming to Dinner [12'' Version]


Uploaded by RastaChaka on May 16, 2009

"Recorded in Kingston,JA
12"single,B-side of "Sinsemilla," released 1980
Produced and arranged by Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespear".

-snip-
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Uhuru for information about the Reggae group "Black Uhuru". [Note: The word "uhuru" is Swahili for "freedom".]
The title of this Reggae song is a reference to the 1967 American movie "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner". "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" was the first American movie to positively portray interracial marriage. Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guess_Who's_Coming_to_Dinner for information about that movie.

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Video #4: Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers - Natty Dread - Central Park New York 1996



Uploaded by hemi2k6 on Feb 20, 2009
-snip-
"Ziggy Marley is the oldest son of famed reggae musician Bob Marley". Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziggy_Marley for more information about Ziggy Marley

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COMMENTARY: THE MEANING OF "NATTY DREAD"
http://niceup.com/patois.html

Natty, Natty Dread, Natty Congo:
1. dreadlocks 2. a person with dreadlocks

-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natty_Dreadlocks:
Natty Dreadlocks (synonyms "Natty Dread", "Natty", "Dready" or "Dread") is a Rastafarian term used to describe a member of the Rastafari community. The term is often used in reggae music and elsewhere to represent an idealised personification of the Rastafari movement as a whole. It combines the term "natty", which means knotted (from knotty), a characteristic of the Rastafarian hair style, "dreadlocks".

-snip-
From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=natty:
natty:
originating from rastafarian culture. meaning 'good',' cool' and most importantly, 'elite'.

"hey, natty dreads mon"
- :D ; Mar 30, 2003

-snip-
It's possible that the Jamaican patois word "natty" has its source in the word "knotty" and has nothing to do with the English word "natty" meaning "neat, "elegant", "dapper". However, it's also possible that "natty" also had those complimentary meanings as well as the "knotty" meaning.

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COMMENTARY: THE HISTORY & CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DREADLOCK HAIRSTYLE
From http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/rasta/dreadlocks.shtml:

History of Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks are not unique to Jamaica and Rastafarians. The dreadlocks hairstyle originated in Africa and was worn by various tribes there. The earliest tribe this hairstyle can be attributed to is the Masai tribesmen of Kenya. Many of the warriors of this tribe wore this hairstyle. These men sometimes dyed their hair red with root extracts.

Dreadlocks in Jamaica
The dreadlocks hairstyle first appeared in Jamaica during post emancipation. It was a means of defiance for ex-slaves to rebel against Euro-centrism that was forced on them. The hairstyle was originally referred to as a "dreadful" hairstyle by the Euro centric Jamaican society. It later evolved to the term now used: Dreadlocks. Jamaicans also use the term Natty Dreadlock

Dreadlocks and Rastafari
Rastafarians grow their hair into dreadlocks because it is a part of the Nazarite Vow. (Also their dietary rules are part of the law) All Rastafarians take this vow and claim it is commanded by the Bible (Leviticus 21:5 "They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard nor make any cuttings in their flesh").

-snip-
This article further states that the dreadlock hairstyle is tied to the Biblical story about Samson who grew weak because his hair was cut. In addition, this article indicates that dreadlocks are associated with the lion's mane, and symbolizes the kingship of the lion over other animals. Also, the lion's mane symbolizes Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia (ruled 1930–1974). In part this is because Haile Selassie I had a number of lions as pets, but it is also because Haile Selassie I was and is worshipped by most Rastafarians as God incarnate, the Second Advent, or the reincarnation of Jesus.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastafari_movement. Therefore, the lion's mane therefore suggests all of this.

-snip-
It should be noted that dreadlocks are not a traditional hairstyle among males or females in Ethiopia.

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OTHER RELATED LINKS
http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=100728 Natty Dreads
This is a link to a discussion thread that I started in 2007 includes the lyrics to Bob Marley's song "Natty Dreads". That discussion thread includes information about the etymology of the word "natty" and also includes information about the word "nappy" (because of my initial mistaken belief that "natty" was a Jamaican way of saying "nappy"). That thread was started because of the controversy over radio host Don Imus' infamous comment about "nappy headed hos" and therefore includes comments about the afro hairstyle.

**
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/videos-of-african-american-males-music_1192.html Videos of African American Males (Music & Natural Hairstyles), Part 3
This post features videos of African American male music performers with braids, cornrows, or dreadlocks.

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

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