‘Yaad N Abraad’ is the powerful lead single on Monkey Marc’s Yaad N Abraad riddim. It features roots reggae artist Dre Island, one of the most exciting young musicians to emerge out of Kingston, Jamaica.
Revival, resurgence and revitalization: words used to describe the new wave of reggae music and young consciousness-raising, spiritually awakened artists.
Dre Island, the mystic and rebel, showed a strong interest towards music from a young age, and knew that music would be his means of sharing his message. Nurtured and encouraged by his grandmother, Dre Island’s natural talents developed early with piano lessons that honed his craft and musical ear. Outspoken and often misunderstood, Dre Island worked on his musical skills while chronicling his transformation to Rastafari in song.
Dre Island started out at as a studio engineer and musician, observing the ins and outs of the music industry and soaking up every aspect of studio life and operations. He spent many of his formative years creating rhythms for many celebrated reggae and dancehall artists such as Sizzla, Junior Reid, Jah Cure and Julian Marley.
Dre Island made his transition to recording artist in 2008. His socially conscious messages, strong musical foundation and distinctive voice have driven his meteoric rise at the forefront of the roots and culture movement.
On Yaad N Abraad, Dre Island's raw, impassioned lyrics describe a country racked by widespread poverty, corruption and violence, where “blood still a flow just like the River Nile”. Jamaica has endured decades of crippling foreign debt, austerity measures and economic policies that destroy opportunities for the poor and protect the wealthy elite.
Dre Island laments that political and social injustice is found all around the world: “Same ting weh happen a yard gwaan abraad”. He calls on his people to stay strong and defiant: “Physically, mentally you affi strong. Can’t weak heart when you out inna Babylon. Got to stay focused and know your direction.”
lyrics
* LYRICS *
Same thing weh happen a yaad, it gwaan abraad
Same thing weh happen a yaad, it gwaan abraad
Oh lord! I say
Same thing weh happen a yaad gwaan abraad
Same thing weh happen a yaad gwaan abraad
Well we no mix up, we no mingle with no guy we no know
Straight family man par wid so watch your approach
I nah tun off from the mission
King Selassie is I gold
I’m begging every ghetto youths no sell out your soul
and repatriate your mind
Africa is the goal
Straight like an arrow, Rasta never lean - oh no!
I nuh want not a spliff from a guy me no know - watch it!
Nuh go hear Dre Island drunk or parrow
Live inna glass house, them say you no fi throw stone
So I know we haffi trod out a Rome and know the road code
CHORUS
Light bill, water bill, everybody cry
Gas rate, land tax gone sky high
Corruption, destruction, political cry
More guns than shelters for the homeless child
Diseases have yuh wheezing and yuh don’t know why
Coughing till yuh throat sore, no cure in sight
Oppression, depression make gunshot fly
Worst when pickney want food and that cyaan find
Blood still a flow just like the River Nile
Daytime colder than the nighttime
Policemen a roam street say them a fight crime
Still no truth cyaan read pan the primetime
So physically mentally you affi strong
Can’t weak heart when you out inna Babylon
Got to stay focus and know your direction
'Cause outta Rome full up a nuff demon
CHORUS
I hear youths crying for justice, for justice
Yet you give them religion injustice
Just justice, just justice, just justice
Yet you bring I division, not justice
Same thing weh happen a yaad gwaan abraad
