One of Lee 'Scratch' Perry's amazing Black Ark Sound Productions of 1979 was Kiddus I's "Too Fat".
It came at a time when rock music and particularly reggae had vitality and relevance to a young generation deeply alarmed by society. In the UK there were riots on the streets, poverty and distrust of society's leadership.
Music was a demonstration in it's own right. Punk and Reggae led the march. New record labels sprang up carrying their message.
- "We wasn't too interested in dealing with much of the producers who were taking advantage of artists, Y'know, misusing and abusing and lying and everything.
So let us do the music ourselves, press it ourselves, market and promote it ourselves, and find people like ourselves who we can work with"
Kiddus I interviewed by reggae-vibes.com
The 12inch vinyl single had come of age but many of these limited editions runs of maybe 2000 or less have now disapeared into history. But search hard enough and occasionally you might just find a lost gem. Still sounding original, still relevant.
-
Kiddus I reflects on "Too Fat" in 2013.
"I'm talking about over population, global warming, disease like aids, terrorism, the leaders are to be blamed because they wanted it all"
30+ years later the lyrics remain relevant.
Some words are missing due to the undecipherable Jamaican accent when sung at speed.
That does not stop the understanding of the song. Maybe you can fill in the blanks.
TOO FAT (Kiddus I)
You ****** and you reason here
Acting like you know
You don't know,
You don't know,
You don't know
What hour the clock just struck
I chat you a chat
I chat your chat
talking about the *********
chat chat chat
if only the city **********
they are to be blamed
for they won't get it on
Mr Too Fat and their friends
yes they licked the platter clean
and they never thought about
A little little little Tom(my) boy
Outside waiting for some scraps
hey Mr Too Fat, your too fat,
and you've been too fat for too long,
they want fat and can't get too thin
them guys are outside,
a knock a knock a knock knock knocking at your door
and they won't stop oh no sir,
until they get some of your fat.
You hear that Mr Too Fat,
Them guys won't stop.
Why why why
Them guys won't stop.
Why why why
Think you better share some
It won't do you no good
if you don't do the right
