The Enigmatic Jamaican Hit and Its Lyrics
For anyone in their late thirties or early forties, “Informer” is a song that conjures up immediate recognition in terms of tune, melody, and lyrics. “Informer” is a reggae hit performed by Jamaican-Canadian singer Snow, released in 1992. The song, which features an eclectic mix of Jamaican patois and Canadian English, angered many listeners amid allegations of cultural appropriation that escalated into an international incident between the two nations. Despite this, “Informer” captured significant attention and topped the American music charts, remaining a symbol of early 90s youth culture. Throughout this blog, we will take a closer look at the lyrics of “Informer,” seeking to decipher their hidden meanings and offer essential insights about the song.
The Making of “Informer”
The story behind “Informer” is anything but ordinary. To begin with, the song’s success is all the more fascinating given that it was created by a White reggae singer from Canada. Snow, although not a Jamaican native, grew up in the inner city of Toronto, surrounded by reggae music. He started his career at a young age, rapping with local DJs and making street music. He often collaborated with local reggae musicians, and it was through these collaborations that Snow met producer MC Shan, who supported him throughout his rise to fame. The idea for “Informer” was born when Snow spent time in jail for assault charges in Toronto while he was still an aspiring artist. Incarceration led Snow to gain a deeper appreciation of the spoken word, which would later play a large role in his music.
Despite the controversies surrounding the song’s lyrics, “Informer” is a unique piece of music and a remarkable feat of production. It features samples of some classic reggae tracks, such as Aswad’s “Mystic Revelation.” Snow layers his raps on top of these samples and records his melodies in an apparently effortless manner. However, a closer look reveals a great care and attention to detail in the song’s production. For instance, the percussion arrangement for “Informer” follows a complex rhythmic pattern that syncopates with the lyrics and creates an underlying sense of tension throughout the song.
What are the Lyrics of “Informer” Really About?
The lyrics of “Informer” remain one of the most discussed and controversial aspects of the song. Snow emulates a Jamaican patois, a dialect spoken in Jamaica and the Caribbean islands, mixed with the Canadian English he grew up speaking. This combination created a unique melodic structure in his music, which the listeners found both intriguing and frustrating to decipher. What follows are some essential aspects of the song, and our attempt to unravel their meanings:
– “Informer, you no say daddy me Snow me, I’ll go blame” – This line is often cited as the most significant and controversial phrase in the song. Informer refers to someone who informs others about illegal activities or transgressions; in this case, Snow himself. What Snow is saying in the lyrics is that someone has informed the authorities about him. He then goes on to distance himself from the event, stating that he is innocent and that he did not commit the crime.
– “A licky boom-boom down” – This line has also provoked discussions, with many people misunderstanding its meaning. It refers to the sound of a gun, a common motif in Jamaican music. This line is one of the many elements in the song that fuse Jamaican culture with Canadian life.
– “Detective mon, come quickly” – With this line, Snow is parodying the stereotype of the Jamaican detective who comes to the aid of people in distress. The line also suggests that the authorities are on their way to investigate an illegal activity.
– “Police charge me for a felony” – Here, Snow is acknowledging his legal troubles. He was charged for an assault, which led to his short incarceration and became a formative experience.
Conclusion
“Informer” remains an iconic piece of music that continues to arouse interest and discussion decades after its release. Through the song’s discussion, we glean a deeper understanding of Jamaican culture and its impact on the world of music. Despite its early missteps, Snow worked to create a sound that bridged cultures and broke essential barriers that enabled him to continue making music. The lyrics of “Informer” provide a window into cultures that Snow grew up surrounded by, blending Canadian and Jamaican cultures in a way that few other artists have done. Anyone interested in the history of reggae music would benefit from analyzing the lyrics of “Informer” and understanding its contribution to early 90s culture.
