Cutty Ranks, to this day, remains one of the best Dancehall artists to grace the mic. His output in the late 80s and early 90s in particular is fairly unsurpassed.
Almost the entire 1991 Retreat album is flawless, and ‘Live Up’ is one of my personal favourites.
Originally released in 1989 on Redman International records, the simple, smooth swells of the bassline are complimented by a relaxed drum track and garnished with classic 90s Dancehall staccato stabs.
And Cutty Ranks himself adds the magic vocals. His flow is effortless, his voice iconic.
The song is about living conscious, rejecting violence and respecting black culture.