Hugh English is, in Jamaican parlance, a ghetto youth. Raised in Trench Town and Waterhouse, two of Kingston’s grittiest communities, he has experienced the good and bad of inner-city life.
The Rastafarian singer bares his soul on Youths Inna Streets, a rocking song produced by Josh Harris for Big Feet Records, a California independent label. It is currently number two on the Foundation Radio Network Top 30 Reggae Chart.
Released early this year, Youth Inna Streets is a comeback of sorts for English, whose hit songs include a cover of The Beatles standard, Hey Jude, and Guns In The Hands Of Fools.
His current single captures the turmoil in areas like Trench Town where he lives.
“A lot of areas under pressure ’cause yuh have a lotta people who don’t mean di community any good. Dem jus’ rape di place an’ wi jus’ talking truth,” he said.
Hugh English learned the tenets of Rastafari and roots-reggae living in Trench Town and Waterhouse. The communities have similar characteristics in terms of demographics and artistry, with most residents from a working-class background.
They have produced some of reggae’s finest acts including The Wailers, Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, Black Uhuru, and Junior Reid.
Youths Inna Streets is Hugh English’s first song for Big Street Records which has recently released songs by Luciano and Turbulence.
Written by Clinton Lindsay