ENTITY · GROUP
Culture
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Culture were a Jamaican roots-reggae vocal trio formed in 1976, fronted by lead singer and songwriter Joseph Hill alongside Albert Walker and Kenneth Dayes. They are best known for the apocalyptic 1977 album and single "Two Sevens Clash," produced by Joe Gibbs and Errol Thompson, which became a landmark of Rastafarian roots reggae. After Joseph Hill died in 2006, his son Kenyatta Hill took over lead vocals to continue the group.
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In the news
Recent coverage referencing this record, linked back to its original source.
Jamaica's People's National Party issued a statement mourning the passing of reggae icon Fantan Mojah, recognizing his contribution to conscious reggae and Jamaican culture.
Read at Jamaica Observer ↗Veteran dancehall dancer Shelly Belly reflected on the central role dancers play in dancehall culture and their contribution to the genre's global spread.
Read at Jamaica Gleaner ↗Debate & reception
How people argued about the music — praise, criticism and public debate. See all debate & reception →
commentary
Two Sevens Clash: Rastafari prophecy or superstition?
Culture's 1977 'Two Sevens Clash', led by Joseph Hill, drew on Marcus Garvey-linked prophecy that catastrophe would strike when the sevens met on 7 July 1977. The single's grip on Kingston — where accounts describe shops shuttered and streets quiet in anticipation — became a debate in itself: was roots reggae's apocalyptic, Bible- and Garvey-steeped imagination a profound spiritual and political vision giving voice to Rastafari eschatology, or, as more secular and respectability-minded observers saw it, fear-driven superstition amplified by a hit record? The episode is frequently cited as a case study in reggae's power to translate Rastafari prophecy into mass public mood.
Stance: Rastafari prophecy as authentic spiritual/political vision vs. millenarian superstition stirred up by a pop record