Babylon City
Vybz Kartel · Other Songs - Vybz Kartel
Way too much ghetto youth madda mi see bawl
Politician nuh gi wi nothin at all
Dem time soon come check da clock deh pon di wall
Ghetto youth, dem wah see we crawl
But jus like Dunns River blessing haffi fall
Police man kill out di dancehall
Nuff youth weh go school, dem madda have a stall
[Chorus]
Ghetto youth naw stop try
Blood sweat and tear on di black soil
Mr Chin family done rich already
Where is the love for the black child
Suh we hustle in the street, hustle in the street
Youth haffi go school, food haffi eat
Suh we hustle in the street, hustle in the street
Dats the way the garrison a dweet
Society, neva provide a betta way for you and me
Suh we hustle in the street, yuh see it suh we hustle in the street (mhmmm)
Tell mi wah next dem a go try
Employment suh low, and di price dem suh high
Jus like the desert a suh mi pocket dry
A grand inna mi billfold a weh dat a go buy
Dats why dem build di embassy wall high
Cause dem know every youth want a visa fi fly
Marcus high-high, highly Selassi-I philosophy
Dat mi wah fi see
Scully
[Chorus]
Ghetto youth naw stop try
Blood sweat and tear on di black soil
Mr Chin family done rich already
Where is the love for the black child
Suh we hustle in the street, hustle in the street
Youth haffi go school, food haffi eat
Suh we hustle in the street, hustle in the street
Dats the way the garrison a dweet
Society, neva provide a betta way for you and me
Suh we hustle in the street, yuh see it suh we hustle in the street (mhmmm)
Babylon City - Vybz Kartel
Released in 2006, "Babylon City" stands as a defining track in the evolution of modern dancehall, blending traditional rhythms with a distinct, gritty production style that became a hallmark of Vybz Kartel's later career. The song explores themes of urban struggle and the cyclical nature of poverty, using the metaphor of Babylon to critique societal decay and the relentless pursuit of material success. Its raw energy and repetitive, hypnotic beat helped solidify Kartel's status as a leading figure in the genre during the mid-2000s, influencing a generation of artists who sought to merge lyrical depth with high-energy performance. The recording captures the authentic sound of Jamaica's streets, offering a stark contrast to the polished pop productions dominating global charts at the time.