Joseph “Culture” Hill is still one of the most prominent and relevant figures in roots reggae culture. As a member of the trio Culture, Joseph Hill wrote, sang and recorded the legendary and historically significant song “Two Sevens Clash.” The song was released in the seventh month of 1977, a time when a religious and superstitious Kingston, Jamaica came to a standstill due to a prophecy by Marcus Garvey. Garvey predicted that there would be chaos when the Two Sevens came together. Hill had a vision about the prophecy, and came up with the lyrics for the apocalyptic song that so captured the imagination of reggae fans in Jamaica that schools and businesses closed for the day and many people stayed indoors on 07/07/77.

Joseph “Culture” Hill’s Career

Hill was a prolific musician, singer, and a songwriter who worked with nearly every big name in the reggae scene including Dennis Brown, Burning Spear, Anthony B, and Buju Banton. He was also the Keeper of Zion Gate for the Rastafari community, was inducted into the Jamaican Reggae Walk of Fame, and was awarded the Independence Award presented by the Prime Minister of Jamaica in 2005. He started off as a soundsystem deejay and went on to record 22 albums during his career, which ended suddenly when he took ill during a tour of Europe in 2006 and died in Berlin. His son, who had served as Culture’s sound engineer since he was 15 years old, agreed to step up and fill his father’s shoes for the rest of the tour.

Kenyatta Hill

Kenyatta Carries His Father’s Fire, And His Voice

Filling Joseph Hill’s shoes is a daunting task for even the most experienced veteran of reggae music, and it was nerve-wracking for a man who had never sang before. Kenyatta Hill describes the situation saying, “It was a challenge, because I never knew I could sing. I was a nervous wreck. There was pressure because I had a big role to fill.” Not only can the boy sing, he sounds exactly like his father. But Kenyatta Hill also knew that he was specially prepared to accept the challenge: “Since he is no longer around to do the work himself, I feel it is my duty to carry on the work. I know that he was preparing me for this.” This experience was filled with personal loss, strong emotions, and an inner fire to carry his father’s torch. Kenyatta Hill was able to channel all of these qualities into his own songwriting after his father’s passing and has come up with his first solo effort - a tribute to his father Joseph Hill, a song titled “Daddy.” I bet the boy had little trouble finding musicians to back his vocals, with Sly Dunbar and Dean Frasier filling the powerful role. I haven’t heard this song yet, but from my experience with the artists involved, I have no doubt that it will be powerfully moving, with a bass guitar that thumps your heart and a voice that croons your saddest moments out of memory. But as always, roots reggae music has the power to soothe, to heal those wounds with its uplifting lilt and the breeziness of better days to come. I will definitely be on the lookout for the audio for “Daddy” and will share it when I find it. Kenyatta will be releasing a full-length album on Tafari Records later this year.

Culture and Kenyatta Hill Links

YardFlex report on Kenyatta Hill’s new single
Jamaica Gleaner report on Kenyatta Hill filling his father’s shoes
Joseph “Culture” Hill wiki

Two Sevens Clash Again On 07/07/07

As for the apocalyptic album, the second clashing of the Two Sevens has reanimated the legendary Culture album as a 30th Anniversary Deluxe Re-issue. Two Sevens Clash was re-released on 07/07/07 and you can check it out Amazon if you’d like to listen to it or buy the new edition. Just click on the album to listen/learn more:

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