Tag: Tafari

Little Roy "Columbus Ship" on 13thStreetPromotions.com #Jamaica #Reggae #Music #13thStreetPromotions #LittleRoy #ColumbusShip #Copastetic #1981 #Tafari #OldiesSunday #Oldies #OldSchool #Caribbean #IndigenousPeoplesDay

OLDIES SUNDAY: Little Roy – Columbus Ship (1981)

Posted on by swadedavillain

Every year around this time for the past few years, we aim to put down the name of the once-famed Italian Explorer, Christopher Columbus. Whether through playing music that spoke against him, renaming locations that once shared his name, and getting rid of statues made in his likeness, people are doing more to put down a wicked Man who has been celebrated for so long. Tomorrow (Oct. 13) is celebrated as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in North America, which was originally “Columbus Day“, and we salute the original natives. Today’s “Oldies Sunday” selection comes from Little Roy, and we check out, “Columbus Ship“.

Released through Tafari/Copasetic in 1981, Little Roy sheds light on the experience of the Black Man during Slavery in, “Columbus Ship”. The song speaks on his experience from being held in captivity against his will, taken to new lands on a Ship belonging to Christopher Columbus, and being forced to slave on Plantations, and suffer through it all. The song is just one of many that pulled the wool from over the vision of the people who idolized figures who exploited nations, oppressed people of colour, and committed various crimes of Humanity. “Columbus Ship” was featured on Little Roy’s 1981 album of the same name, and was well-received by listeners over the years.

Since the release of “Columbus Ship”, Little Roy continued to have a successful music career, releasing more music, and performing on stages around the world. He is still active in some parts of the World, where tracks like “Columbus Ship” is still played to this day. Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day when it comes.

Thank You Little Roy For This Tune!

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter, TikTok, Threads, and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

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OLDIES SUNDAY: Little Roy – Tribal War (1974)

Posted on by swadedavillain

It’s Election time again in Jamaica! Despite the world getting rocked back and forth thanks to the Covid 19 pandemic, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced the dates for the Island’s 18th General Election on August 11 in Parliament. While Election time in Jamaica is usually a “Silly Season“, it was pretty different in the era of our Oldies Sunday selection. Today, we highlight Little Roy’s “Tribal War“.

Produced by Earl Lowe and released through Roy’s Tafari label in 1974, Little Roy provides some social commentary here as he speaks out against the various conflicts happening in the world especially during Election time in Jamaica in 1972. In that year, the Michael Manley led People’s National Party (PNP) emerged victorious over the Hugh Shearer (who held the position during Alexander Bustamante’s absence due to illness) led Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). Election time in Jamaica is usually met with a lot of tension, and found supporters on opposing sides attacking each other to the point where it gets violent. Little Roy’s track asked for all those acts to cease, rival gangs get together in the name of peace, and everyone promoting living in love and harmony. “Tribal War” became a very popular song for Little Roy, but despite the popularity, it never received much airplay until other versions were made years later. Regardless of the opposition, he found a lot of success with it as he sold thousands of copies of the track by hand.

Since the release of “Tribal War”, it has been covered by various artists including John Holt, Ronnie Davis, and George Nooks, and has been sampled by Nas and Tony Rebel. The track is still an important one, and we’ll always thank Little Roy for it. Check it out below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.

Editor’s Note: I can’t believe Little Roy’s original “Tribal War” is not available for streaming, but John Holt and George Nooks’ versions are.
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