Culture

Culture is a Jamaican roots reggae group formed in 1976, originally called the African Disciples, consisting of Joseph Hill, Albert "Ralph" Walker, and Roy "Kenneth" Dayes. They gained early acclaim with their debut album Two Sevens Clash (1977), which included the apocalyptic title track that predicted events on 7 July 1977. The album became influential both in Jamaica and abroad, especially in the UK, where it reached number 60 on the charts. They followed with Baldhead Bridge (1978) and signed with Virgin Records’ Front Line label, releasing Harder Than the Rest (1978) and International Herb (1979), along with dub and alternate versions of their work. In the 1980s, the original lineup disbanded, and Joseph Hill continued under the Culture name, recording Lion Rock and performing at festivals like Reggae Sunsplash. Hill’s leadership kept the group active, while Walker and Dayes pursued smaller projects. The original members briefly reunited in 1986 to release Culture in Culture and Culture at Work. Throughout the 1990s, Culture collaborated with Sly and Robbie, producing albums on Shanachie and Ras Records and undergoing further lineup changes with new members joining. Joseph Hill remained the face of Culture until his death in 2006 during a tour in Berlin. His son, Kenyatta Hill, took over as lead singer, preserving the band’s roots reggae legacy, with Walker and Telford Nelson continuing as backing vocalists. In 2011, Live On was released, featuring Kenyatta performing his father’s iconic songs, including "Two Sevens Clash" and "International Herb." Culture is celebrated for its socially conscious and prophetic lyrics, sustaining its influence on both Jamaican and international reggae music.