Here are some thoughts & reflections on “Pirates’ Anthem” by Cocoa Tea featuring Shabba Ranks (and Home T):

“Pirates’ Anthem” is a rebellious anthem celebrating underground radio, musical freedom, and resistance to censorship. The “pirates” in the title refer to pirate radio stations — usually unlicensed broadcasters who operated during times or in places when mainstream radio wouldn’t play certain styles or messages. In the song, Cocoa Tea, Shabba Ranks, and Home T pay tribute to those DJs and stations who broke the rules to keep “real music” alive, even in the face of suppression. (13th Street Promotions)

In the lyrics, there’s a bold defiance of authority: the song asserts that no matter how many times the pirates are shut down, they’ll return again. This is mirrored in the chorus and vocal interplay — the singing and the toasting combining to emphasize resilience, resistance, and a belief in the power of voice. (13th Street Promotions) Cocoa Tea’s smoother melodic lines ground the message emotionally, while Shabba Ranks’ rough voice adds bite, edge, and that sense of confrontational urgency.

Production‑wise, “Pirates’ Anthem” is credited to the legendary Augustus “Gussie” Clarke and was released in 1988 under Music Works and Anchor Records. (13th Street Promotions) The riddim backing is typical of late 1980s reggae/dancehall fusion — steady basslines, electronic flourishes, and space for the vocals to shine. The balance of instrumentation ensures the message is not drowned out but instead propelled. (mymusic365.co.uk)

Historically, “Pirates’ Anthem” occupies an important place. It speaks to an era when Jamaican and diaspora broadcast systems were heavily regulated, and the artists and listeners who wanted more diverse, grassroots music turned to pirate radio. The song is almost a manifesto: it honors that tradition of musical insurgency. (mymusic365.co.uk) Because of that, it resonates as more than nostalgia — it reminds us of music’s power to resist gatekeeping.

As part of Cocoa Tea’s body of work, it joins with other combinations he did with Shabba Ranks and Home T (like “Who She Love,” “Holding On”) to show how reggae and dancehall voices can come together in shared purpose — equally romantic, spiritual, or political. (PopMatters) Today, “Pirates’ Anthem” still surfaces in DJ sets, reggae retrospectives, and radio tributes — for its message, its groove, and the chemistry of its performers.

Pirates Anthem by Cocoa Tea Ft. Shabba Ranks & H from Reggae Hits Vol 34-Proper Reta on VP Records Records # BPM 02:58 Reggae