Si Wi Dem Nuh Know We

"Si Wi Dem Nuh Know We," also known as Si We... (Charged For Murder), is a 1994 reggae dancehall single, only released as a 12-inch maxi, featuring Snow, Ninjaman, and Junior Reid. Recorded in Jamaica and produced by Junior Reid's One Blood production company, Si Wi Dem Nuh Know We also served as the first track on Snow's second album, Murder Love.^[2] Ultimately, "Si Wi Dem Nuh Know We" earned Snow a Juno nomination for Best Reggae Recording in 1996 and reached number one on the Jamaican reggae charts.^[3]

Production

After the success of "Informer", Snow began touring Jamaica and developed a friendship with dancehall legend, Ninjaman. The two began recording tracks in Jamaica and their joint efforts led to the opportunity to record a track with Junior Reid, one of Snow's musical idols.^[4]

Plot and Lyrical Analysis

Si We Dem Nuh Know We is performed entirely in Jamaican Patois and features a heavy base line. Like Informer, all three artists describe a "son" falsely charged with murder. Unlike Informer, Si We Dem Nuh Know We is not a biographical song. Rather, the inspiration for the song came from murder charges levied against Snow's Uncle Patty. As Snow explained, "It's about an innocent man being charged; anybody who gets falsely accused of a crime." ^[5]

Reception

Larry Flick gave the tune a positive review, writing "The 'Informer' returns in good company and familiar territory. The three masters of the mike take a jab at keeping pace with bouncy synthesizer stabs and deep bass beats. Despite the crowded bill, the sound remains bare-boned, wicked, and guilty-as-charged of a good beating."^[6]

References