The World of Reggae Music Collection: Roots and Cultrue Political Reggae Often reggae carries a strong political message wrapped inside its intoxicating vibes. Reggae superstars Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh
, Yellowman
, Eek-A-Mouse
, and Bob Marley
and The Wailers
have a broad knowledge of the plight of the poor people around the world. In turn these reggae artists have fashioned brilliant protest songs that bring attention to international social injustice. From Jimmy Cliff’s “Vietnam
” to Ziggy Marley And The Melody Makers
performing “Namibia
” decades of reggae artists have expressed their political viewpoints through music. One of my favorite American musicians that often drenches his original music in reggae sounds, Michael Franti
, leads the California-based band Spearhead
with hard-hitting lyrics. His message of love trumps the political message, but his songs are filled with deep knowledge of social, economic, and political issues. Micheal Franti & Spearhead
are a must in this edition of Roots and Culture. From modern dancehall artists like Busy Signal
, Mavado
, I-Wayne
, Perfect, Sizzla
, and Alborosie
to the classic reggae bands like the The Mighty Diamonds
, Steel Pulse
, and Black Uhuru
the mainstream political worldview often comes into question in these great reggae tracks. And there were strong positive-minded individuals from Jamaica like Hugh Mundell
and Jacob Miller
that pointed out the of the hypocrisies of these bad-minded politicians. Some reggae artists even called for social revolution in their music. Peter Tosh
said it best in his song “Equal Rights
” “I don’t want no peace. I want equal rights and justice. Gotta to get it. Equal rights and justice.”
Jimmy Cliff – Vietnam
Yellowman – Leave Iraq Alone
Bob Marley and the Wailers – Zimbabwe
Peter Tosh – Equal Rights
Michael Franti and Spearhead – Crime To Be Broke In America
Dennis Brown – Revolution, Pt. 1
Gregory Isaacs & the Upsetters – Mr. Cop
Eek-A-Mouse – Politics
Bob Marley & the Wailers – I Shot The Sheriff
Horace Andy – Materialist
Horace Andy – Poor Man Style
Cocoa Tea – Barack Obama
Tony Rebel – I Can’t Recall
Yellowman – CNN News
Gregory Isaacs, Soul Syndicate, & the Heptones – Black a Kill Black
Burro Banton & Cornell Campbell – Pressure
Michael Franti & Spearhead – Time To Go Home
Black Uhuru – Youth Of Eglington
Black Uhuru – Youth (Dub)
Steel Pulse – No Justice No Peace
Cutty Ranks – New World Order
Brooklyn Jungle Soundsystem – Kulture (Dubmatix Rub-A-Dub Revival Remix)
Jacob Miller – Roman Soldiers Of Babylon
Steel Pulse – Taxi Driver
Alborosie – America
Desmond Dekker – Problems
Horace Andy – Leave Rasta
Black Uhuru – General Penitentiary
Busy Signal – Running From The Law
Snoop Lion & Akon – Tired of Running
Esco Levi – Bleaching Shop
Cocoa Tea – Oil Ting
Alborosie – Tax War
Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers – We Propose
Lucky Dube – Soldier
Manu Chao – Politick Kills
Steel Pulse – Global Warning
Michael Franti & Spearhead – Yell Fire!
Alpha Blondy – Apartheid Is Nazism
Barrington Levy – Mandela Free
Alborosie – Police
Snoop Lion & Cori B – No Guns Allowed
Raging Fyah – World Crisis
Cocoa Tea – Mr. Neck Tie Man
Lucky Dube – Victims
Gentleman – It No Pretty
Steel Pulse – Tribute to the Martyrs
Alborosie – Global War
Cocoa Tea – Moving On
Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers – Namibia
Jimmy Cliff – Children’s Bread
J Boog – Change Up Your Evil Ways
Steel Pulse – Earth Crisis
Alborosie – What If Jamaica
Cocoa Tea – Zeeks
Steel Pulse – Black and Proud
Marshel – New World Order
Alborosie – Games
Joe Higgs – Wave Of War
NEED
Papa Levi – Bush & Blair
I-Wayne – Politics And Religion
Yellowman – Aids
Mavado – We Need Barack
Hugh Mundell – Africa Must Be Free By 1983
Big Youth – Political Confusion
Busy Signal – Politics
Black Uhuru – Solidarity
Ranking Trevor & Wailing Souls – War
Perfect – Hanging Day
Bushman – World State
Admiral Bailey – Politician
Hugh Mundell – Run Revolution A Come
Junior Delgado – Hypo
Buju Banton – Immigration Law
No 1 Station – Bush War
Sugar Minott – Nah Go To South Africa
Bushman – World Crisis
Israel Vibration – Racial Discrimination
Sizzla – Black Man In The White House
Israel Vibration – Natty Dread
Jacob Miller – Jolly Joseph
The Mighty Diamonds, Suga Roy, & Conrad Crystal – Police And Bad Boy Strap
Sizzla – The Solution
Sugar Minott – Nah Follow Fashion
Buju Banton – Politics Time Again
Cocoa Tea – Buju
Horace Andy – No Love in the City
Horace Andy – Problems
Peter Tosh – Fire Fire Babylon Burning
The Royals – Sufferer of the Ghetto
Jah Lion – Soldier and Police War
Barry Brown – Politician
Cultural Roots – Thieves, Liars, and Criminals
The Valentines – Stop the Violence
Gregory Isaacs – Lonely Soldier
Joe Gibbs & the Professionals – State of Emergency
Garnett Silk – Cry of my People
Jah Lloyd – Soldier Round the Corner
Max Romeo – Public Enemy Number One
Ranking Joe – Back Wey You Vulutres
Welton Irie – Ghettoman Corner
John Wayne – Call the Police
Scientist – Mass Murder and Corruption
Romain Virgo – Ghetto
Lorenzo – Gun Play
Konshens – War Straight
Perfect – Amerimaka
Dillinger – Buckingham Palace
Peter Metro – Police in England
Lucky Dube – Political Games
Barrington Levy – Soldier
Culture – World Peace