Bus Baboon "Untold Stories" Bus Baboon, a Jamaican born master of lyrics, was able to rebound himself, in 1995, with the release of his album Tilt Shiloh, his fourth album, which demonstrated his move from typical danceable themes to one that more seriously toned, focusing on social issues affecting his homeland. His release of "Untold Stories" perfectly displays this change in the direction of the lyrical content of Baboon's music. "Untold Stories" is lyrically refreshing, when we consider Bus Baboon's earlier works, which focused evilly on explicit topics, sex and violence usually most prominent.This song, fits perfectly into Baboon's desire to release an album with more lyrical depth and social relevance.
The song, as well as "the album had a large impact on danceable music and proved that danceable audiences had not forgotten the message that Roots Reggae expounded with the use of "conscious lyrics". L Keeping in mind Baboon's new found faith, that is Rationalism's, at the time of the release, explains his desire to display a different type of danceable, one that could be compared to reggae or conscious music.Untold Stories" is introduced with special attention to the "most high", which immediately indicates that there is a greater respect for a higher being by the artiste. This is definitely a positive indication in my opinion, as it shows that the artiste is aware of a greater power, which in the norms of Trinitarian society is an indication that a person is 'decent'. It is my opinion that the lyrical content of this song truly makes it one that is worth an individual's time, since it highlights issues that are pertinent to not only the Jamaican individual but the Caribbean individual.
In this instance it is presented creatively through song which is attractive to a target audience of youth. Baboon was able to utilize his lyrics, in dialect, and told in an almost conversational manner, to achieve his goal of enlightening others about issues that exist within his homeland - something I believe to be quite effective. According to the Inter American Development Bank, "alcohol and drug abuse, early and/or unprotected sex, low academic performance, school desertion, crime, delinquency and violence are all examples of what is known today as risky behavior", with Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica being emphasized.It is interesting that the challenges stated in that report are paralleled to those mentioned in Baboon's, "Untold Stories". The chorus of the song is extremely important and echoes, verse after verse, Baboon's desire to highlight the "Untold Stories". It is my opinion that the chorus is well suited for the purpose that Baboon may have intended and further emphasizes his introduction to a supreme being through the line "l am living, while I am living, to the father I will pray, only him know how we get through everyday'.
This iris line of the chorus shows that Baboon believes that it is important to pray to the "Father" despite what may be happening in one's life. Interestingly enough, this may be linked back to Baboon's newfound interest in Reconfirmations, that is, at the time that the song was released. The lines "With all the hike in price, arm and leg we Haifa pay, while our leaders play' take on a different tone from the previous lines of the chorus and act to emphasize that there are real problems existing, and that there seems to be little care or attention given to these by those with power to make hang.Due to personal experience, I believe this to be an extremely valid point, since in Trinidad and Tobago the same trend seems to be prevailing amongst politicians. Baboon has spread his "Untold Stories" over four verses, which highlight mainly theft, out of control youth, lack of education and lack of opportunities to people. In each verse he paints a very 'real' image of what happens in his homeland by saying things such as "The clothes on my back have countless Lowell".
This is an indication of a degree of poverty or hardship since he is not able to afford proper looting.We see further evidence of this lack of funding when Baboon sings "Full up on education yet no own a payroll", proving that there is lack of a steady income. In verse one, Baboon begins by saying "All I see people a rip and a rob and a grab" which is the first issue that Baboon portrays through song, that is, theft. We can see from the US State Department that, "The primary criminal concern for tourists is becoming a victim of theft"4, therefore Baboon does in fact shed some light on an issue that is extremely pertinent to his homeland.The verse goes on to indicate that hives are always extremely envious of other people's belongings and are unconcerned with who they steal from; their main goals is to have as much as they possibly can.
He indicates that it is those unforgiving thieves who steal from "people who a suffer real bad". It is important to note that there is mention of God, who Baboon indicates is the way the suffering people can be helped, which links directly to the chorus where he emphasizes the need to pray no matter what the circumstance.It is in fact a relatable aspect, not necessarily as extreme as theft, but ore so that life may at times be unforgiving and sometimes only God can help in a particular situation. Listening to the verses of this song, we notice that each verse ends with the line "l could go on and on the full has never been told", which is a very powerful repetition made for emphasis, showing that there are many 'Untold Stories' and that the story may really be endless and continually written.When we consider happenings in our own country, and the difficulties faced by many citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, and other Caribbean islands, we are able to put Baboon's words onto perspective and understand the depth at which his lyrics speak. Baboon, interestingly, repeats verse one as verse three further accomplishing his desire to emphasize the reality of life for many persons.
The second verse, also repeated as the fourth verse, highlights another familiar challenge faced not only in Jamaica, but the Caribbean, that being the lack of opportunity for those who aren't financially fortunate.The first line of the verse is very frank, and honest stating, "who can afford to run will run, but what about those who can't, they will have to stay'. This particular nine struck me, whilst listening to the song and reading the lyrics, because of how much truth exists. It states bluntly that there is a clear distinction between those who are financially fortunate and those who are not, and that there is simply nothing that can be done for those who must stay and deal with the problems existing, beside doing Just that, staying and suffering.The second verse goes on to speak about yet another relatable issue, that being "scarce commodity'. This indicates that there is a lack of opportunity for those who are not fortunate, and as such the suffering always mess to continue.
As Patricia Anderson of Columbia University indicates, "the presence of extensive unemployment is also a major predictor of economic hardship". 5 This therefore shows that the lack of employment opportunities may result in the suffering faced by the less fortunate.Baboon, by offering advice to youth in this verse, amplifies the importance of this song. In verse two he sings "In these time I say when mama spend her last and send you go class, never you ever play' which is marvelous advice targeting the younger generation. He basically states that education is no game, and that the sacrifice of our parents must be acknowledged, appreciated and put to good use.
This line may be one of the most important pieces of advice presented in the song and stands out most to me.The latter part of verse two deals with the hardships faced by those who must survive in the world whilst living on minimal income, as a result of the lack of opportunities and the high cost of living. This idea is further enforced by an article published in the Jamaican Observer, indicating that "27 per cent (of persons interviewed) cited unemployment, lack of Job opportunities or Joblessness as the principal issues" facing the Jamaican public. 6 This particular issue is evident amongst several Caribbean nations who are faced with an increased cost of living and minimal wage increase. Bus Baboon's song is one that I believe to be extremely interesting and relevant to Caribbean, despite the fact that it was released in 1995.
I believe Joy-Anne Green, describes it best in her review of the song "It's a true sufferer's song, delivered with a sharp eye and a heart full of understanding and sympathy'. I believe that this song has great lyrical depth ND helps us to realize how much happens right under our noses, yet we are unaware.Baboon is accurate when he says "l could go on and on the full has never been told" and helps us to realize that we need to take advantage of whatever opportunities are presented to us, while remembering that some supreme being can always be sought for help.
