Lead Belly - "Black Betty"

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  • Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
  • This video features Lead Belly's "Black Betty" from the 2015 box set 'Lead Belly: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection'. For more information about this album, click here: www.folkways.si... and for more information about Smithsonian Folkways, the non-profit record label of the national museum, click here: folkways.si.edu....

КОМЕНТАРІ • 213

  • @jeremywiste8367
    @jeremywiste8367 7 років тому +306

    Amazing the number of relatively modern hits that were remakes from Lead Belly!
    Lot's of talent

    • @rionthemagnificent2971
      @rionthemagnificent2971 5 років тому +13

      I thought Lead Belly sang blues / folk songs that weren't recorded till he covered em.

    • @thereverendepi_gee565
      @thereverendepi_gee565 4 роки тому +13

      He did the same thing as the modern artists... adaptations of older songs... but he is an important link in the chains of musical history.

    • @normbograham
      @normbograham 4 роки тому +5

      Leadbelly wrote this song.

    • @michaelg7601
      @michaelg7601 4 роки тому +16

      It's actually a much older marching cadence. Black betty is a rifle. It's wild baby is the bullet, the gun is blind, can't shoot straight.

    • @dnash2131
      @dnash2131 4 роки тому +2

      @@michaelg7601 yes, I was just reading up about this

  • @sausagefinger8849
    @sausagefinger8849 8 років тому +216

    He claps on every 3 &1/2 beat love this song

    • @kevinyoungblood6410
      @kevinyoungblood6410 5 років тому +2

      Right on 👍 👌

    • @NefariousDreary
      @NefariousDreary 4 роки тому +7

      I know, it's crazy. I would have gone off beat lol but be keeps it consistent

    • @parkerwoodlouse5030
      @parkerwoodlouse5030 4 роки тому +6

      He learned this from a tradition going back to American Indians, the banning of talking drums led to a fusion of this music rather than the afro-cuban one, the Blues ... and Led Zep-belly is an update of the new/old genre.

    • @parkerwoodlouse5030
      @parkerwoodlouse5030 4 роки тому +6

      Check out the Northwest Coast Indians in BC to really hear some wild polymeter ...

    • @macmillanhodges5307
      @macmillanhodges5307 3 роки тому +6

      It took me a while to figure out where the clap was... I've never heard this beat!

  • @alanche13
    @alanche13 4 роки тому +25

    black betty was the feared carriage that took men from the prison to solitary confinement. It was feared/ all they had was their togetherness.

    • @HTJB60
      @HTJB60 3 місяці тому

      Thank you for that explanation.

  • @jdlives8992
    @jdlives8992 4 роки тому +61

    My grandfather used to sing this just like that. It was something else cause the timing was insane.

    • @jdlives8992
      @jdlives8992 2 роки тому

      @GameHackGirl ua-cam.com/video/zZYryyA28go/v-deo.html

  • @FishNFreshWater
    @FishNFreshWater 3 роки тому +23

    The Goat!!!! Give this Man all the credit. He could play 6 different instruments!!! He changed the world.

  • @danunderwood6240
    @danunderwood6240 8 років тому +169

    Everyone should research how Lead Belly got his start... it's pretty amazing. His music literally saved his life. Awesome song.

    • @docbailey3265
      @docbailey3265 7 років тому +4

      Dan Underwood Yep. Read about it on Wiki. Good thing he had musical talent.

    • @janisbaumrucker3431
      @janisbaumrucker3431 5 років тому +3

      Amazing life story. Almost too good to be true. Everyone should check out Leadbelly's outstanding journey!

  • @ResinRat2
    @ResinRat2 Рік тому +17

    Great to hear this one. RIP Lead Belly. You are a Legend!

  • @HigherWaysWoman
    @HigherWaysWoman 2 роки тому +12

    June 10 2022 I JUST NOW LEARNED ABOUT THIS SONG BY LEAD BELLY FROM THE 30'S...!!!! HOW INCREDIBLE IS THIS....WOW...!!!!!!!!!!! Who would've thunk this could have ever come from where it did...just blows me away. It's a real shame Lead Belly didn't put this w/at least a guitar w/it. real shame. Thank You Smithsonian' for making this available for all generations to find & enjoy. Seek n Ye Shall Find...!!!

  • @michaelcooper1194
    @michaelcooper1194 8 років тому +50

    lead belly, the patriarch of modern music.

  • @yodude43090
    @yodude43090 6 років тому +44

    Taking some bong hits listening to true classics today is Leadbelly and scrolling through his songs it's amazing how many artists throughout the years took inspiration and even full songs from Leadbelly. Some iconic songs came from this man right here it's ashame he lived in such racial time he'd of been a legend in today's world

  • @PEEL2000
    @PEEL2000 11 місяців тому +4

    Funny how society generally tries to deny leadbelly did all of these songs, since major label Artists and bands covered many of them in the 1969s and 70s
    I guess its due time for giving credit where it's due, for a change
    Fancy label lawyers for the majors involved do nothing but suppress the facts, and leadbelly songs are being unacknowledged and refused, time and time again
    Thanks for sharing

  • @manuelrocha9254
    @manuelrocha9254 5 років тому +16

    First time listening to leadbelly instant fan 2019

  • @hellmutseifferth884
    @hellmutseifferth884 6 років тому +11

    Best Blues singer I ever listened too and still do

  • @DebB-c2h
    @DebB-c2h 4 місяці тому +3

    Been listening to this song for years and never knew Ledbelly wrote it!
    Oh Spike Kitty...😊

    • @luvuyomgenge6312
      @luvuyomgenge6312 4 місяці тому +1

      It wasn't written by LeadBelly either it, it's James "Iron Head" Baker.

    • @suzannewinz1099
      @suzannewinz1099 2 місяці тому

      Just learned this today. Thanks to Tom Jones. :D

    • @suzannewinz1099
      @suzannewinz1099 2 місяці тому

      @@luvuyomgenge6312 oh. oops

  • @GWNBF
    @GWNBF 7 років тому +13

    Very glad someone could educate us on Black Betty.

  • @robertcreighton4635
    @robertcreighton4635 4 роки тому +6

    Ram jam brought me here 👌

  • @Alan_Page
    @Alan_Page 7 років тому +126

    My job is so shitty, I'm going to start singing work chants at my computer checking my email, etc.

    • @purplecabbage4406
      @purplecabbage4406 5 років тому +9

      I was cooking and started singing it. Then my 8 year old was like, "mama what are you singing??" So here I am lol

    • @selenieg9532
      @selenieg9532 5 років тому +8

      Omg hilarious! That should be like an SNL skit or something.

    • @googleisretarded7618
      @googleisretarded7618 4 роки тому +3

      Somebody has written your anthem already, The White Collar Holler ua-cam.com/video/rsDkmVo2fg4/v-deo.html

    • @Blueguitar007
      @Blueguitar007 4 роки тому +2

      Exactly!

    • @JStarStar00
      @JStarStar00 4 роки тому +15

      My job is so shitty
      I gotta work in the city
      Bam a lam
      I get paid a little bitty
      My checkbook ain't pretty
      Bam a lam

  • @kidcalabria
    @kidcalabria 3 роки тому +9

    It should be "Leadbelly", one word. His name was Huddie Leadbetter, nicknamed "Leadbelly" because once he was shot in the belly (he spent years in prison for murder) and the bullet was never removed. First "bluesman" (Leadbelly was a "songster" rather than a "bluesman") who played in Europe...

  • @joyhughes9625
    @joyhughes9625 Рік тому +6

    That was awesome! This has always been on of my favorites from Ram Jam. I love hearing and reading about the origins of the song!

    • @bradsbrain
      @bradsbrain 9 місяців тому

      This has always been ONE of your favorites from RamJam?

  • @miken.2847
    @miken.2847 Рік тому +3

    Never heard this before. Rick Beato sent me here. I literally got chills.

  • @oxbloodpeacock8455
    @oxbloodpeacock8455 Рік тому +2

    I just got blown away. Wow is all I can say.

  • @angelmesstanoffski6242
    @angelmesstanoffski6242 8 років тому +57

    Now, i know where that 1970's band Ram Jam got their "Black Betty" song from. Lead Belly!!!!

    • @kierenpeverley6200
      @kierenpeverley6200 7 років тому +20

      but the very first people to sing this song were slaves. so ram jam got it from lead belly, and lead belly got it fro. the slaves

    • @kierenpeverley6200
      @kierenpeverley6200 7 років тому +1

      from*

    • @terilefevers6189
      @terilefevers6189 6 років тому +1

      Ikr. I had not a clue till now. Have a great day/night.

    • @toxicrick5394
      @toxicrick5394 5 років тому +2

      Not just ram jam... EVERYONE stole from him

    • @livedandletdie
      @livedandletdie 4 роки тому +2

      Toxic Rick, it's not really theft, a lot of Artists liked his songs, and wanted to popularize them. Sure it wouldn't make sense for Ram Jam to make a worker's chant, but turning it into a rock song, they did very well. Nirvana was the truest with their rendition of In the Pines(Where did you sleep last night), The Animals did a beautiful rendition of House of the Rising Sun, and these songs were recorded by Lead Belly, not written by him.

  • @markuscurillious
    @markuscurillious 4 роки тому +4

    love how simplistic it is

  • @knowledgegizmo7934
    @knowledgegizmo7934 7 років тому +76

    lmao the genius!! a classic with only vocals and clapping 😂😂

    • @radical-dude
      @radical-dude 5 років тому +3

      They instruments in 1933 because it was the several war

  • @Pottsy1981
    @Pottsy1981 7 місяців тому +13

    Change playback speed to 1.5x and you got a jam!

  • @hectorwalkins9483
    @hectorwalkins9483 6 років тому +6

    I guessed if that music is from ram Jam, wow, Leadbelly is a legend,

  • @garethsuddens6659
    @garethsuddens6659 8 років тому +9

    legend

  • @robertnowak9650
    @robertnowak9650 4 місяці тому +2

    As i got older, i was wondering who else did this song!! O'l Lead Belly, it was great. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

    • @kenyapressley6706
      @kenyapressley6706 3 місяці тому

      Wasn't it George Harrison who said that without Leadbelly there would have been no beatles

  • @jesslovedatea4348
    @jesslovedatea4348 5 років тому +3

    2019...still here...o my

  • @captainzoll3303
    @captainzoll3303 5 років тому +43

    wait, so spiderbait's song was a cover of ram jam's, which was a cover of Lead belly's?

    • @jasonphelps2914
      @jasonphelps2914 4 роки тому

      Check out the Mason Rack, it beats em all!

    • @dnebdal
      @dnebdal 4 роки тому +1

      Which, again, was probably a version of an old marching song, yes. :)

    • @videondn171
      @videondn171 4 роки тому +3

      Which is an old-timey chain gang, work crew song originally.

    • @philingram9281
      @philingram9281 3 роки тому +2

      And Leadbelly's 1939 version was a cover of James "Iron Head" Baker from 1933

    • @matthewbeatty6248
      @matthewbeatty6248 3 роки тому +1

      I don’t know what “spiderbait” is, but welcome to your musical consciousness raising, my friend. Nothing is really new, and you’ll have a much deeper experience with art if you dig into and understand the roots and antecedents of the things that are being sold to you. 😊 Humans are so interesting, and the art they make can be universal, essential, and timeless.

  • @JaRule6
    @JaRule6 Рік тому

    I leaned about him in an English class in college. I hated the class and I couldn't stand the teacher but one good thing was he introduced us to Leadbelly 💕🤷

  • @jojomcgee3430
    @jojomcgee3430 4 роки тому +4

    All music that is "American " is based of black cadence work songs. These songs are the basis of a mod American blues, rock, pop, country, country-western, hip hop, etc. It all started here

  • @vivian4949
    @vivian4949 Рік тому +2

    I first heard this song from RamJam. 1970's were my teen years, I've been very confused about the lyrics for many years, last night I decided to look up the original song and found this first OFFICIAL recording fromm 1933, in this original version LeadBelly sings about Black Betty having a baby, other stories are around saying that Black Betty was 2 things.
    1) that ugly whip
    2) the vehicle that delivered the prisoners to that ugly prison
    I'm still confused, I'm trying to understand as my father was a racist and didn't know it, I didn't turn out like him simply because I was born to listen to what my soul and my guardian spirits ALWAYS told me, the clapping kind of sounded like an ugly whip in a strange way I'd love to be wrong about that.

  • @kronikkronolov9793
    @kronikkronolov9793 4 роки тому +4

    I love how no.one in the comments relatea this to general feel of punk all through the years.

    • @jamesstaggenborg3537
      @jamesstaggenborg3537 2 роки тому

      What these Folk singers did for Working Class Punx is phenomenal.

  • @cosmicman621
    @cosmicman621 4 роки тому +1

    Mr hip with the out time claps..too cool for school

  • @DinorwicSongwriter
    @DinorwicSongwriter 4 роки тому +2

    Had no idea Lead Belly was still cuttin albums in 2015

  • @dawnstone1708
    @dawnstone1708 7 років тому +5

    Oh Damn this is epic

  • @timmotel5804
    @timmotel5804 10 місяців тому

    2023: Excellent. Thank You

  • @That_AMC_Guy
    @That_AMC_Guy 2 місяці тому

    Amazing sound for a recording that pre-dates magnetic tape.

  • @jacquelinefox2632
    @jacquelinefox2632 2 роки тому +1

    Who's Black Betty now..... 🎶🎶🦊💖💖. Ces't Moi xxxxx 💕🎤🎸🎼🎵

  • @erictalkington5674
    @erictalkington5674 3 роки тому +3

    I found this a few years back, but it's always cool to find a song that you think is one groups song just to find out it was a cover like Train Kept A-Rollin from Aerosmith, blew my mind that it was a Yardbirds song. I know a shit load of old music too, 10's of thousands of songs, and I still keep finding stuff that was the original that someone else covered and I thought the band covering it that it was there song. I heard SRV playing Commit A Crime live and I thought it was his for a while and then I ran into the Howlin Wolf version and love it too!

    • @mattb90210
      @mattb90210 2 роки тому

      To supplement your education:
      ua-cam.com/video/VkZhJJ8sPmw/v-deo.html

    • @yelastava6417
      @yelastava6417 Рік тому

      Which was a cover johnny burnette song that was also a cover of a r&b song! (The train kept a rollin)

  • @ignacioalvarez7174
    @ignacioalvarez7174 7 років тому +11

    still listening in 2016.

  • @jamess.8223
    @jamess.8223 10 місяців тому

    Incredible

  • @andrewharris7517
    @andrewharris7517 2 роки тому

    My Big Mamma use to sing this song and others while she was work’in Dat MoJo in her Kitchen… I miss you Ethel Mae…

  • @Grynslvr2
    @Grynslvr2 5 років тому +12

    I was just wondering if anyone had any more information on this song. To me it sounds like a "work" song. Something used to synchronize the efforts of a work crew. I think I heard something like this in a video showing an all black crew straightening a stretch of railroad tracks with nothing but steel bars. Similar to the sea chanteys that were used to get sailors in sync when pulling on lines to raise sails. Does anyone know?

    • @deemeacham7397
      @deemeacham7397 5 років тому +2

      supposedly it started as a british marching song, Black Betty being their guns at the time, named for the black stock, which got succeeded by the Brown Bess/Bessie depending on who you ask, which failed to have much accuracy, resulting in the backlines shooting the frontline soldiers by mistake somewhat often. That's mostly word of mouth though as we have no recordings of this obviously, but it can be later traced to work songs possibly sung by slaves and definitely sung by prisoners. if you look up "black betty original" on here, surely one or two tracks will come up as sung by black prisoners on the railroad tracks they worked on.

    • @elizamichael2386
      @elizamichael2386 2 роки тому

      @@deemeacham7397 I found the original from a Texas Railroad workers crew. :)

  • @TheMrZif
    @TheMrZif 5 років тому +1

    Old Shreveport boy. Well mooringsport. Close enough.

  • @raysgr
    @raysgr 6 років тому +4

    enjoyed that sooo much. thanks for posting

  • @gladtobealoser5305
    @gladtobealoser5305 8 років тому +5

    damnit!so great

  • @ShamayaDevi
    @ShamayaDevi 7 років тому +13

    If you're happy and you know it klap your...

  • @angieclark767
    @angieclark767 Рік тому

    I remember my Grannie singing this song 🎵

  • @confeiteiromarxista
    @confeiteiromarxista 7 років тому +1

    rly like this

  • @Blueguitar007
    @Blueguitar007 4 роки тому +5

    Why isn't Lead Belly considered the father of rock and roll?

    • @rgsultracomedy2867
      @rgsultracomedy2867 4 роки тому +1

      He wasn't white like Elvis. Sad but true

    • @jackcrabb2672
      @jackcrabb2672 4 роки тому +4

      @@rgsultracomedy2867 Elvis was called the King of Rock and Roll, not the father of it. All Rock aficionados understand that Rock came from a combination of the Blues and Country.

    • @rgsultracomedy2867
      @rgsultracomedy2867 4 роки тому +2

      Elvis is the king of rock and roll. Irrelevant point.

  • @louiesamuel9189
    @louiesamuel9189 3 роки тому +1

    Who are the 28 dead people that gave a thumbs down to Leadbelly.

    • @michaelshaw3911
      @michaelshaw3911 2 роки тому

      Maybe people who don't like the style? I acknowledge the artistic creativity of it but it's not really that entertaining to listen to in my opinion, lyrics are kind of rambling and no instrumentals plus the off beat clapping just doesn't work for me. I think this is one of those instances where I prefer the cover, like all along the watchtower. Bob dylan for sure wrote it but Hendrix' version is just better. Same here.

  • @dankjaycobi3257
    @dankjaycobi3257 4 роки тому +1

    Even though what we think of "black betty" isn't exactly the same its so interesting how influential lead belly really was

  • @juniourst3ven596
    @juniourst3ven596 4 роки тому +2

    I'm still waiting for MOBY to sample parts if this song!

  • @ryanbutler6832
    @ryanbutler6832 Рік тому +1

    Anybody know Lead Belly?
    1930's original Black Betty!

  • @Meehowski
    @Meehowski 3 роки тому

    Epic.....

  • @SuperFerrazzi
    @SuperFerrazzi 8 років тому +1

    super !!

  • @startervisions
    @startervisions 7 років тому +25

    Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Leadbelly

    • @startervisions
      @startervisions 6 років тому

      James Brown

    • @born2lose803
      @born2lose803 6 років тому

      @@trevorcorcoran5007 Little Richard

    • @emporax
      @emporax 5 років тому

      Dead Kennedys

    • @alex_belmont
      @alex_belmont 5 років тому +1

      Soulja Boy

    • @emporax
      @emporax 5 років тому +3

      Alex P soulja boy? Excuse me what the fuck

  • @kansascityshuffle8526
    @kansascityshuffle8526 6 років тому +5

    2018

  • @IMadeThis123
    @IMadeThis123 3 місяці тому +1

    Ain’t the internet great.

  • @FatherOfStupidMeow
    @FatherOfStupidMeow 3 роки тому +3

    Amazing. Never thought Huddie Leadbelly resembled Wesley Snipes but their he is.

    • @THESUPERDOOLEY
      @THESUPERDOOLEY 2 роки тому

      Quit reaching... Smfh

    • @edelgyn2699
      @edelgyn2699 Рік тому

      LOL Apart from them both being dark skinned adult men - they don't look alike!

  • @lensperspective9753
    @lensperspective9753 8 місяців тому

    Black Betty id public domain, you are welcome, young film makers

  • @abril8915
    @abril8915 3 роки тому

    ♥️♥️♥️♥️

  • @mississippiblackberries6622
    @mississippiblackberries6622 Рік тому +1

    ☀️☀️☺️☺️💗💗 ...

  • @philipgreenfield188
    @philipgreenfield188 5 років тому

    Wow...Well done

  • @JohnKuhles1966
    @JohnKuhles1966 Місяць тому

    Sounds perfect at 1.4 speed (using custom option)

  • @JReed7560
    @JReed7560 4 роки тому +2

    This is great, around what time was this?

  • @kewward3741
    @kewward3741 5 років тому

  • @oreally8605
    @oreally8605 Рік тому +1

    Is there nothing pop rock musicians didn't steal from Lead Belly?

  • @jefersonleytondavila569
    @jefersonleytondavila569 4 роки тому

    Americana good, Ty :D

  • @jonathanclaassen5273
    @jonathanclaassen5273 Рік тому

    One man jukebox

  • @chavruta2000
    @chavruta2000 Рік тому

    Lots of confusion on this song. It's in 4/4 fast tempo and the clap is on 4, which is unusual. Or you can say he is superdividing a moderate tempo 4/4 and clapping on and-of-2.

  • @EmeEos
    @EmeEos 5 років тому +20

    *AMERICAN GODS?*

  • @AccurateCrabLegs
    @AccurateCrabLegs 3 роки тому +1

    My neighbor sings this song while raking leaves in his yard. Completely nude except for a red, sequined top hat.

  • @ehoffman796
    @ehoffman796 8 років тому +2

    Vernon any where you have found him in motion, thanks

  • @jacquelinefox2632
    @jacquelinefox2632 2 роки тому +1

    Over yourself. Ha. 💖👍🎶

  • @mocha9072
    @mocha9072 5 років тому +7

    When snooty older people tried to tell you that Ram Jam was the original.

  • @chillmaster2866
    @chillmaster2866 3 роки тому

    American gods Brought me here

  • @sleepyjean4275
    @sleepyjean4275 Рік тому

    What would Lead Belly think of RamJam, and Spider Bait?

  • @Largeportion1000
    @Largeportion1000 5 років тому

    instrument free lady's n gents.

  • @youngrios
    @youngrios 2 роки тому

    When u heard spiderbait first and never knew it was remade twice 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

  • @Geoff_G
    @Geoff_G 2 роки тому

    Great cover! Like House Of The Rising Sun, it'll never be known who first did it.

  • @myyoutube887
    @myyoutube887 Рік тому

    Black Eyed Susans Show

  • @tookurjaerbs
    @tookurjaerbs 4 роки тому

    I'm enraptured

  • @jliz6435
    @jliz6435 5 років тому +2

    The clapping is really hard to do, try it

    • @INSOMNIACification
      @INSOMNIACification 5 років тому +1

      It’s on the offbeat isn’t it? Tricky

    • @assassinmanx6128
      @assassinmanx6128 3 роки тому +1

      It’s really not. He put his heart and soul into it and is mimicking the timing of a whip.

    • @dirtybluevoice
      @dirtybluevoice 2 роки тому +1

      I thought it was just me when I found impossible to clap where leadbelly clapped. I’m glad it really is musically difficult. So is a yard whip-

    • @dirtybluevoice
      @dirtybluevoice 2 роки тому +1

      Thanks big time to the person who said to clap on the “a” of bam a lam. Saved me from total madness.
      But it’s still hard to do

  • @LucasWildwolf0
    @LucasWildwolf0 5 років тому +1

    VALHALLA?

    • @PHHorlock
      @PHHorlock 5 років тому +1

      Ain't nobody going to fucking Valhalla!

  • @Pinkangelinmenard
    @Pinkangelinmenard 5 років тому

    So Ram Jam did not write this? But thier own version. So did Tom Jones

  • @angusrocks939
    @angusrocks939 3 роки тому

    ive allways been told black betty was a british musket. her child is the lead ball that exited her barrel. it then proceeded to go blind, wild, and crazy.

  • @ynesbarrow
    @ynesbarrow 4 роки тому +1

    He sounds like he could be someone's granpa.

  • @pascalvalera6829
    @pascalvalera6829 5 років тому

    Brought here by American Gods and Caravan Palace.

  • @larrywoolridge5359
    @larrywoolridge5359 Рік тому

    Ram Jam ripped him off

  • @mirahsan2
    @mirahsan2 Рік тому

    Man, sampling needs to be outlawed

  • @WillAnderson3rd
    @WillAnderson3rd 3 роки тому +7

    Why did he steal this song from Lynyrd Skynyrd?

  • @Lordoftheflyfilms
    @Lordoftheflyfilms 5 років тому

    sounds like ram jam just made up their own lyrics.

  • @Kurt007
    @Kurt007 5 років тому

    ?

  • @GangrelDj
    @GangrelDj Рік тому

    Incierto sorewa burning hell awaits led Kashmir little illusion postmortem Tsuki Du cáncer shikari subliminal drain pay to win numb Green universe dream surprises anything goes spaces

  • @THE_BRAVE_LITTLE_TOASTER
    @THE_BRAVE_LITTLE_TOASTER 2 роки тому

    Ram jam is better

  • @karenleeM
    @karenleeM 3 роки тому

    Sounds worse than my singing,hurry up n belt Ram jams out