MARCUS ``MOSIAH`` GARVEY
"A race without authority and power is a race without respect."
MARCUS GARVEY’S INFLUENCE ON REGGAE MUSICANS
Reggae musicians feel that music is a way to spread consciousness to their
listeners. The sounds and lyrics of reggae music have a very profound meaning to
every individual listener. Music is a way for people to express their feelings,
for black people the oppression they have been through has lead to this deep
meaning behind reggae music. It is what opened their voices to the world and let
other people hear their message. "The music of Rastafarians is not only an
artistic creation in the Jamaican society, but an expression of deep-seated
social rage." (Barrett, 197) It is also about remembering the past, this is why
many reggae musicians speak of the prophet Marcus Garvey. They do not want his
memory to fade away with history, even though he has passed away many years ago
his wisdom is constantly being spread.
Burning Spear (also known as Winston Rodney) was born in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica
the same town Marcus Garvey grew up in. He is known as one of the originators of
roots reggae.
Throughout his illustrious career, Spear has spread love and peace through his
music and has endeavored to educate and provoke free thought. His music is
infused with a philosophy that combines roots, the idea that we are all one with
each other and with nature; culture, the tie that binds us to the past, and
history, the spiritual record of our quest for divine consciousness.
Burning Spear is an artist that is determined to empower his listeners and has
three main themes in his music, which are the oppression of the black race,
Marcus Garvey, and the repatriation of Africa. (Rough Guide, 86)
Marcus Garvey had a large affect on Burning Spears music, mind, and life.
Burning Spear got the motivation from Garvey to have direction in his music.
This is why Burning Spear knew that he did not want to only sing to his
audience, but be a teacher to them. Burning Spear spoke with many elders in his
town and knew he needed to spread Marcus Garvey’s word to as many people as he
could. Many musicians felt they should not speak of Garvey because it was to
philosophical, but once Spear opened the door by releasing an album in
dedication to Garvey more artists started speaking of him in their songs.
(Nazareth, pg. 1-2) Burning Spear expresses this feeling in his song "Old Marcus
Garvey,"
No one remember old Marcus Garvey,No one remember him, no one
they been talking about Paul Bogle,They been talking about William Goddon
They been talking about Norman Washington Manley,including Bustamante
Noone remember old Marcus Garvey ,Noone remember old Marcus Garvey
Children, children, children, children,Humble yourself and become one day
somehow
You will remember him you will
The end of the song shows that it is important for the youth to keep in mind the
struggles that Garvey had to go through and the accomplishments he made for the
black race.
Spear also entitled one of his songs "Marcus Garvey." This song was written to
show the dedication Garvey had to his people. The lyrics to this song started
out by stating the fact that at one time Rasta’s were lacking the essentials to
life, such as money and food. Then goes on to state:
Son of Satan, First prophesy,
Catch them, Garvey old
Catch them Garvey, catch them
Hold them Marcus, hold them
Marcus Garvey, Marcus
I feel these lines can be interpreted in two different ways. One way is that
Marcus Garvey tried to "catch and hold" the white race and not let them take
over the black race and suppress them any longer. Another way I think one can
interpret these lyrics is Marcus was trying to "catch" the black race and "hold"
them together and unit the race as one. The important aspect of this song is the
thought it provokes, it forces the listener to think of Garvey and the actions
he pursued to fully understand the meaning behind the lyrics.
Burning Spear is not the only reggae artist that refers to Marcus Garvey in
their music. There are many examples where reggae artists are referring to
Marcus Garvey as a prophet. For example, Max Romeo,
Bob Marley,Culture, Macka B, and
Mutabaruka are a few artists that have written songs on Marcus Garvey. Max
Romeo’s song "War in A Babylon refers to Garvey as a prophecy along with
Culture’s song "Two Sevens Clash." Culture’s song shows Garvey’s power, ability
to influence a group of people, and expressed the feeling many Rasta’s have
towards him, that he is a divine prophet. This shown in Culture’s lyrics:
Marcus Garvey was inside at Spanish Town district prison
And when they were about to take him out He prophecied and said:
As I have passed through this gate No other prisoner shall enter and get through
And so it is until now The gate has been locked, so what?
Many reggae artists speak of the back to Africa movement throughout their songs,
some specifically talk about Marcus Garvey and others only focus on Africa.
Marcus Garvey had an enormous affect on many reggae musicians and showed many
black people that they have the strength to express their feelings and spread
consciousness to a wide range of listeners. Marcus Garvey is displayed as a
prophet in the eyes of many reggae musicians. Although Marcus Garvey has passed
away, his spirit will live on through the many reggae artists that are
expressing the importance of his movement.