This might seem like a weird title for a post, what possibly could Reggae music have in common with Cryptocurrency as a philosophy. Now I'm not necessarily talking about how Crypto is right now, but the ideals and goals of many in Crypto.
From what I have seen, many people involved in crypto are anti-establishment. We feel that Governments control and the mainstream institutions control the population to keep their power and wealth. A lot of us are hoping to break free of the fiat system, and find an increased level of freedom - particularly financially. That's my take anyway, the idealism of crypto beyond the get-rich-quick speculators and bandwagon jumpers is a new, more secure and decentralised financial system without government or big bank/business control.
What got me thinking about this link to Reggae is a theme I have found since starting to learn about it and the culture around reggae. I was looking for some new Australian music to share, and came across this song by Nattali Rize. Nattali has been around the Australian Reggae scene for a number of years as part of the Blue King Brown band. Lately heading off on a solo career, her music is polished, and very political in nature.
Here is the song that triggered this thought process for me: Nattali Rize - One People
The concept of "Babylon" features strongly here. I didn't really understand, so did some background reading. Basically, my understanding is that it refers to the Governments and institutions controlling people. The concept stems from the Rastafarian religion, but the theme is familiar. Corrupt governments controlling the population with distraction and financial slavery is my understanding of the concept.
Anyway, here are the Lyrics to this song, sourced from YouTube
Keep wakin' up now now, Rizing Up Yeah Yeah....
babylon you hypocritic enemy u create more problems
than you've got the remedy.
You're misleading and deceive My People endlessly
then you wonder why mi neva want you next to mi.
Your civilians are like slaves locked in servitude
and the only way you keep them is to keep them from The Truth.
While your institutions keep indoctrinate The Youth,
We hear you speak of Hope and change then you leave no proof.
babylon you're smart now this is more than true,
but when The People wake on up they'll come straight after you.
There's no escapin' from the plans we got set out for you,
you'll see all Men Women and Children comin' after you!
Life with you is illusion not reality and for anyone who wants some peace you name insanity.
You subdue My People with stories and fantasies, false governments,
false courts, false authorities in this...
Iration, All Nations, One People, One Destiny, Iration, All Nations, One People, One Destiny...
babylon you are a sickness to society, there is no other that could claim more
notoriety, with all your chemical concoctions of variety, what you really seek is
for My People to go quietly. But what They're really getting ill from is your mind control,
it has diminished our Intelligence and numbed our souls.
Manipulation of the masses is your only goal,
u may have succeeded but the difference is now we know!
So what u gonna do without our energy,
cause now we're using it to make a brand new Energy.
Yeah We infuse our meditation, our philosophy,
learning to transcend beyond the Realms of this Reality yeh.
so babylon it's over now it's time you go
When one foundations are rotting you can go no more
so lift your eyes and set your sights upon that door
and get the f**k out our lives don't come back no more
in this
Iration, All Nations, One People, One Destiny, Iration, All Nations, One People, One Destiny...
Music's the healer
The healer
It is the healer
Music the healer
The healer
She is the healer
Oh the healer
In this
Iration, All Nations, One People, One Destiny, Iration, All Nations, One People, One Destiny...
So, let me just Highlight one section there:
so babylon it's over now it's time you go
When one foundations are rotting you can go no more
so lift your eyes and set your sights upon that door
and get the f**k out our lives don't come back no more
Isn't that exactly what many of us in crypto are here for - to get Babylon (government, banks, institutions) the f**k out of our lives?
I'd highly recommend listening to this song, and following the lyrics, with an understanding of "Babylon" as being the current "fiat" system - government, banks, big business.
Pretty deep for a Sunday morning, I know, but something to think about - is Rastafaria the religion most closely resembling cryptocurrency ideals?
The song featured above was released in January 2017. It is by Australian artist Nattali Rize from the album "Rebel Frequency"
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed my thoughts today.
Enjoy your Sunday everyone (or Saturday night depending where you are.)
JK