Uncover the Hidden Meanings behind the Lyrics of Snow’s “Informer”
When Snow released “Informer” in 1992, it quickly became a sensation. The song’s unique blend of reggae and hip hop, coupled with its catchy melody, made it an instant hit. But what really caught listeners’ attention were the lyrics. Despite the song’s upbeat tempo, its lyrics told a darker story of crime, poverty, and injustice. Over the years, many have tried to decipher the hidden meanings behind the lyrics of “Informer.” In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the lyrics and explore the hidden messages within.
The Background
Snow was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1969. He grew up in the city’s notorious Allenbury Gardens housing project, where poverty, crime, and drug addiction were rampant. Snow himself got involved in the drug trade at a young age, and by his early teens, he was writing and performing music as a way to escape the streets.
In 1988, Snow was discovered by MC Shan, a famous rapper and producer. Shan was impressed by Snow’s unique style, which blended reggae and hip hop, and signed him to his record label. Over the next few years, Snow released several singles and performed with other famous rappers, but it wasn’t until the release of “Informer” that he became a superstar.
The Lyrics
At first glance, the lyrics of “Informer” seem like a simple story about a man who gets arrested and goes to jail. But upon closer inspection, the lyrics reveal a deeper meaning. Let’s take a look at some of the key lines:
“Informer, you know say daddy me snow me, I’ll go blame. A licky boom boom down.”
These opening lines set the stage for the rest of the song. “Informer” is a song about betrayal and injustice. Snow is saying that he’s been falsely accused of a crime and that someone has betrayed him. The phrase “licky boom boom down” is Jamaican slang for a gunshot, which implies that violence and crime are a part of the story.
“Police them come and now they blow down me door. One him come crawl through, through my window. So they put me in the back of the car at the station.”
Here, Snow describes how the police have come to arrest him. The line “one him come crawl through, through my window” suggests that the police have used excessive force to capture him. This line is particularly poignant given the context of police brutality and racism that still exists today.
“Bigger they are, they think they have more power. They’re on the phone me say that one hour. Me for want to use the bathroom.”
These lines highlight the abuse of power and lack of basic human rights that people face when they enter the criminal justice system. Snow is saying that the police and the justice system are more concerned with exerting their power than with treating him like a human being.
The Message
The hidden message behind “Informer” is that there are two sides to every story. Snow is using his personal experience of being falsely accused of a crime and mistreated by the police to highlight the larger issues of injustice and inequality in society. The song’s message is that we need to speak out against injustice and hold those in power accountable for their actions.
Conclusion
The lyrics of “Informer” are more than just catchy words set to a beat. They tell a story of betrayal, injustice, and abuse of power. Snow’s use of reggae and hip hop, combined with his personal experience growing up in poverty and dealing with the criminal justice system, makes the song a powerful message against inequality. The hidden meanings behind the lyrics of “Informer” may be hard to decipher, but the message is clear: we must fight against injustice in all its forms.
