First look: Rusangano Family’s new ‘Lights On’ video conceived by Rubberbandits’ Blindboyboatclub

This Friday, Rusangano Family, who are God Knows, MuRli and MynameisjOhn, the Limerick-based rap trio will cement their status as Ireland’s finest rap group with the release of their second album Let The Dead Bury The Dead, the follow-up to their blistering debut.

Here we have the band’s new video for the track ‘Lights On’ directed by Steve Hall and conceived by Blindboyboatclub of the Rubberbandits. It’s a song about embracing your new surroundings and being yourself – in Rusangano’s case – being African, Irish, Limerick, Clare, repping the culture they’re experiencing whether that’s Giveamanakick, Chicken Fillet Rolls, trad, grime, Congolese music and GAA. The video celebrates that multiculturalism.

Rusangano killed it at SXSW in Austin, Texas last month and they are playing shows to launch the album in Cork (Friday), Dublin (Saturday including this Banter talk) and then Limerick and Clonakilty in the following weeks. Don’t miss them.

Rusanagano Family tour dates

Cork – Kino – 8th of April.
Dublin – Sugar Club – 9th of April
Limerick – Dolans – 22nd of April
Clonakilty – De Barras – 23rd of April.

Previous single ‘Heathrow’ is also on the album.

Rusangano Family – Let The Dead Bury The Dead tracklist

1. Kierkegaard
2. Blabber Mouth
3. Lights On
4. Love In A Time Of War
5. Wisdom Teeth
6. Heathrow
7. We All Need A Break SomeTimes
8. Politricks
9. Soul Food
10. Surviving The Times
11. Losing My French
12. Isn’t Dinner Nice feat. Denise Chaila
13. Bon Voyage
14. Let The Dead Bury The Dead
15. Eyedentity

Rusanagano Family – ‘Lights On’ Lyrics

[Chorus]
So you gotta turn the lights on, Leave the light on for the life that he lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, leave the light on for the life that she lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, leave the lights on for the life that they lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, let it shine one in the life that you live
So you gotta turn the lights on, Leave the light on for the life that he lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, leave the light on for the life that she lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, leave the lights on for the life that they lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, let it shine one in the life that you live

[Verse 1] – God Knows
I landed in Ireland in 2001
About the same time that Dre dropped 2001
Thirteen years later the album’s done
Rusangano presents Non-national With an Attitude Volume One
I’m disrespectful I spit on beats
I got my voice back I’m D.O.C
I’m G.O.D.K.N.O.W.S but my peers look at me like I’m their O.G
I stick to myself no PVC
Used to play my riddims on PS2 before we got played on BBC
Where would I be without JME?
Without knowing he helped me see that I couldn’t be anything else but me
Half Yoruba, half Igbo
Lyrics like that freed my soul
Thought I had to be American, thought I had to be English, everything else but Irish,
Before it’s the black boy from Caimans school surrounded by white like my Iris
I just wanted to be Harlem, I just wanted to be London
I just wanted to be Trench Town, now it’s time to be Shannon
Now it’s time to be Limerick, get used to my surroundings
Where would Limerick be without GAMAK?

[Chorus]
So you gotta turn the lights on, Leave the light on for the life that he lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, leave the light on for the life that she lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, leave the lights on for the life that they lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, let it shine one in the life that you live
So you gotta turn the lights on, Leave the light on for the life that he lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, leave the light on for the life that she lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, leave the lights on for the life that they lived
So you gotta turn the lights on, let it shine one in the life that you live

Shine on!

[Verse 2] – MuRli
A graceful loser at making up my mind
I’m certain my dome would have been empty without the generous ones
That had preceded my time left me a treasure to find
I put the smile on your pretty faces but the pleasure is mine
For what’s MuRli if Ren and DMC never rhymed?
Or even Wiley across the pond the godfather of grime
My grandfathers have died before I discovered their arts
Broken my hearts, and school couldn’t keep me in line
But I finished it so my people have a reason to brag
For we’ve been hated and loved before the Game had a ….
Coz my mother had a dream I’m still trying to make real
So the passion you feel whenever I’m gracing a stage or a field
Is an extension of everything Koffi made me feel
A Magic System, got me travelling time to Prince Nico
Prompted my best impression at 7 like Luis Figo
Since then my poise remains undefeated like Steven Seagal
Turn the lights on