With the hustle and bustle of life sometimes it takes music to help you relax and put things into perspective. A lot of people listen to Chill-out, Ambient music or maybe even Classical music, but being a Reggae lover I like to chill out to sounds with a little more ‘oomph.’ One of Reggae’s primary functions is to promote positive vibrations, feature motivational lyrics and/or prompt deep thought. Here are a few of my favorite tunes to ‘Hold a Medz’ to when I’m feeling rundown and need some positivity or just want to relax! WARNING: These songs may leave you feeling seriously good!
G Whizz – Life
“My life soon sort out so mi nuh worry, mmm my life’s too happy” goes the chorus to G Whizz’s tune on the Mood Swing riddim. Lyrics wise it is a very uplifting song and the beat is mellow. Other cuts on the riddim from Bugle and Black Ryno also have a similar flavour. The sentiment to this one: Keep striving, things will get better!
Konshens – The Realest Song
Another riddim that features an abundance of positive songs is the Better Life riddim produced by Cashflow Records. Vybz Kartel and his then right hand man Black Ryno put in good showings with their singles ‘Life We’re Living’ and ‘Take Control’ and if it wasn’t for Konshens version Ryno’s would probably be my favorite. However, ‘The Realest Song’ has to be one of my favorite tunes of all time – a real song it certainly is. “Keep badmind out of mi heart, keep negative out of mi thought, I know seh it easy to pree the wrong way so Jah Jah please guide me every day.” Definitely uplifting words, and it will sound even better in your headphones!
Tarrus Riley – Never Leave I
Gold voiced Tarrus Riley certainly has made his fair share of thought provoking music in his time. ‘Never Leave I’ recorded on the Island Vibes riddim is one of my favorite Tarrus songs. There’s a heavy religious reference in the song and the lyrics “In my going out and coming in never leave I Jah Jah” is very reminiscent of the book of Psalms.
Tarrus Riley – Marcus Garvey/Marcus Teachings
More Tarrus and with this one you’re spoilt for choice! There are two versions of the track, one recorded three years ago on the Jah Live riddim, which was better known to me for Duane Stephenson’s ‘August Town’ and is another uplifting track. The newer version was released earlier this month and is featured on Riley’s latest set ‘Mecoustic.’ The main difference being that the album version has a much slower acoustic sound. I love both! But for me I think the album version just pips the older version for superiority, as the slower tempo really allows the words to hit home. “Nuh tell me I have a paradise in the sky when that’s a lie and nuh tell me I was born in sin and shaped in iniquity, when love created I.” Deep stuff.
Vybz Kartel – Thank You Jah
No your eyes are not deceiving you, Vybz Kartel does make positive music! If you’re a fan of Jamaican music you probably knew this already but you’d be excused for thinking that all of Kartel’s material was about gyal, daggering, cake soap and tatoos. ‘Thank You Jah’ is a gem and illustrates Kartel’s versatility, the lyrics are heartfelt and real with an appeal to those who are struggling “Ghetto ute we go on and on.” Need some motivation for your day listen to that one yah!
Mavado – Nine Life
OK this one’s not really Reggae, BUT it is a very worthy mention, not least because it is my favorite Mavado song of his career so far. I’m not even going to say much about it, I’ll let the lyrics and song speak for itself. “God Of Peace Angel Of Death Every Ghetto Yute Don’t Fret, From Yu Have Life You Have Everything, Dem Couldn’t Stop My Breath, Dem Cyaan Tek My Life, Jah Love Me So Cyaan Tek My Soul, I’m Going Back For Everything And More I’m Unstoppable.” Turn it up!
Jah Vinci – Soul to Keep
The song opens powerfully: “Them ask me why mi nuh care? Why mi nuh fear? And why mi guh anywhere? Yes true mi no Jah deh near and he will be there Jah love is outclear!” Later on it plays on the popular prayer asking God to guide us while we sleep, heartfelt sentiments…Plenty lighters on this one!
Jah Cure – Sticky
Another song I consider to be one of my favorites of all time and probably one of the greatest Reggae songs of recent times. Positive vibrations are intrinsic of this one: “Father we seek your blessings every day our children cry, although some of us are missing restore life upon I.” You probably know this one right?
Nas & Damian Marley – Africa Must Wake Up
Nas and Damian Marley’s ‘Distant Relatives’ – a Reggae/Dancehall/Hip-Hop fusion album is full of awe inspiring lyrics and music. To be honest I was spoilt for choice in picking one for this list, but I’ll go with ‘Africa Must Wake Up’ because of the sentiment behind it. Somalian artist K’naan also features on the track, spitting a verse in Swahili, giving the track an authentic flavour. If you like this track the ‘Distant Relatives’ album is definitely worth a listen as well as Damian’s solo albums.
Richie Spice – Earth a Run Red
Richie Spice’s ‘Earth a Run Red’ is full of observations about the ills of society and is full of the artists advice to avoid pitfalls: “politricks” and “di crack and di guns that a mash up di ute them heart.” Laced over a classic culture riddim, ‘Earth a Run Red’ is a timeless Reggae anthem.
If you liked these picks check out the promotional mix from Raz & Biggy entitled ‘Songs With Feelings’ here.
