Like-minded artists, Wormbass, Cedric Myton and Derajah share more than similar tastes in music. They also take stock of current affairs in their native Jamaica and much of what they see is disturbing.
The trio lament the lack of civility in their homeland on ‘Where Is Our Culture’, a song produced by Wormbass. It was released on May 30. Derajah, a chanter best known for the song ‘Oh Yeah Yeah’, is concerned that Jamaican youth fail to display even common courtesy, although they are from good homes.
“They sey dat (type of behavior) started in di ‘80s, because children before dat time were grown different. But even in di ‘80s yuh still had youth who were properly instilled with great principles, morals and certain qualities, but being vulgar, loud and disrespectful has become di order of di day,” he said.
‘Where Is Our Culture’ is not limited to falling standards in decorum. In it, Myton, a member of roots-reggae group The Congos, recalls an incident in 1976 when Jamaican police cut his locks in west Kingston.
Forty-nine years later, the Rastafarian singer is peeved at the violation of his human rights.
An established bass guitarist, Wormbass has recorded and produced songs as a singer. He has toured with Myton as a member of Inna De Yard, a roots collective that also includes Winston McAnuff and Kiddus I.