Jah Big

The Roots Reggae Library brings to you Reggae music in unique collections. This edition features Jah Big, a Reggae artist from Richmond, Virginia.

Gathering information on Jah Big was made easy by getting in touch with Tommy Rock, who had been along side Jah Big during his lifetime. Randolph Douglas Brown was born in Richmond, Virginia, and later moved to San Francisco, California, where he had many shows on stage. His other two band members were Vince Black and Hamu Yaropa. Big struggled with weight issues and passed away at the age of 34. Another one of his nicknames was Reggae's Hardest. He is one of those artist who has only recorded a single vinyl. As Raufu Bhonopha once wrote, his presence as well as his voice remind of Jacob Miller. Acoording to Consuelo Levi, Miller was one of his idols, together with Bob Marley, Prince Fari, King Tubby, Michael Smith, Tenor Saw and Alton Irie.

Jah Big - Music So Hot

01. Music So Hot

02. Now's The Time

03. What A Bam-Bam

04. We Won't Forget You Soma

05. Stop Apartheid Now

06. Festival Time

07. Since I Found Reggae

08. Isis

09. Boom She Boom

Music So Hot is the only album recorded by Jah Big. I was immediately sold after I first heard 'Music So Hot'. As I then told Tommy Cook, I became a Jah Big fan overnight. Picture me in East Java driving from tobacco field to tobacco field on my motorbike blasting Music So Hot in my earphones. Big's voice, the chorus, the guitar playing, it all combines so well. "You can't stop Reggae music in this time, 'cause it's hot, so hot, oh so hot". I always have to argue with myself whether I like 'Music So Hot' or 'Now's The Time' better. Having said that, I do believe that Music So Hot is a better album title, but 'Now's The Time' get's me going every single time. "Them say they love Jah but they don't know Jah" so realise that "now's the time to stand up strong, fight Babylon 'cause we know they're wrong, Jah love me and lead me". Originally there is also a 'Now Dub' on the album. 'What A Bam-Bam' begins with Big remembering the words of Marcus Garvey, "some will rise and some will fall, some people don't know themselves 'til their back's up against the wall". He stretches more wisdom in the rest of the song. His dedication is strong in 'We Won't Forget You Soma'. According to Tommy Rock, Soma was a friend and mentor of Jah Big in San Francisco. Big seems passionate about him, devoting this song to him. "Apartheid a wicked thing you know Rasta", so let us 'Stop Apartheid Now'. "Some wicked people they support it", so Jah Big asks "" who are these people" and answers with "English and Dutch, there to oppress I, we know that much". I think it must be noted that neither England or the Netherlands supported the Apartheid regime of South Africa, but that the white minority in South Africa originally came from the Netherlands and England. These countries distanced themselves from the Apartheid regime. Nevertheless this is a very strong militant Reggae song by Jah Big. "In their heart they know that they're wrong" he sings. "Every day is a racial conflict", and ends once more with "Apartheid a wicked thing you know Rasta". From militancy into 'Festival Time'. "Festival time is here" and it "brings out the good in folks". He calls for justice, equal rights and prosperity. Put your anger aside and enjoy the festival time. "Give thanks and praises unto the most high", let us "feel irie". Jah Big sings he hasn't got time for the Blues, 'Since I Found Reggae'. Can't blame Jah Big for it. I know that must of us feel the same way. "It is the healing of the nation" so "let the music flow through you". 'Isis' is Big's version of a love song for a girl, named Isis. "No love could compare, only Jah Jah know how much I care". The song 'Boom She Boom' is also called 'Icy Boo' and is a lot more raw than the other tracks on this album. 

Studio Albums

««««« (1986) Music So Hot

Original Date Of Publishing: February 2017