close

Live streaming on Altcast.TV is now available!

Top videos

CANST
40 Views Ā· 2 years ago

⁣Police are looking for a shooter after a smoke shop robbery in North Miami Beach led to the senseless death of a store employee.

The armed robbery happened June 11 at Miami Cloudz Smoke Shop on Northeast 163rd Street and near 20th Avenue.

Surveillance video shows four men at the shop's counter when one man pulls out a gun, points it at 35-year-old Salem Albakri, and orders him not to move.

NBC 6 on Instagram: @NBC6 | www.instagram.com/nbc6
NBC 6 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nbc6southflorida
NBC 6 on TikTok: @NBCsouthflorida | www.tiktok.com/@nbcsouthflorida

Get breaking news, First Alert weather updates, plus live cameras from NBC 6 South Florida. NBC 6/WTVJ was Florida’s first television station and has been covering news in South Florida for over 70 years.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wR3oxa3vx0

CANST
24 Views Ā· 2 years ago

⁣Source: https://poa.st/objects/012759c....4-a3fb-422f-ae6d-17b

Some anti-cringe:

EEx Live | July 29, 2024 | Thomas Rousseau - Patriot Front

https://odysee.com/@whiterabbi....tradio:9/2024July29t

CANST
33 Views Ā· 1 year ago

⁣Mario Nawfal - šŸšØšŸ‡·šŸ‡ŗBREAKING: Suicide Drone Crashes into Russian City's Residential Skyscraper

A drone has struck the 38-story Volga Sky residential complex in Saratov, Russia, injuring at least two people. Several apartments were damaged, and emergency services are on the scene.

Footage shows the moment of impact.

Sources: @RawsGlobal

Source: https://x.com/MarioNawfal/stat....us/18279169582908048

Thumbnail: https://www.albawaba.com/node/....russias-911-ukrainia

AltCastTV & Odysee thumbnail: https://www.msn.com/en-in/news..../world/watch-footage

https://canadafreepress.com/ar....ticle/suicide-drone-

https://www.indiatvnews.com/ne....ws/world/russia-dron

CANST
22 Views Ā· 1 year ago

⁣The original title was, "Studio City Homeowner Rattled As Large Down Tree Nearly Takes Out His House", but that misses the real story

Studio City resident Trevor Gerszt is grateful that no one was seriously hurt. Peter Daut reports.

That flame used in the GOLDCO logo is the same one you'll find being used by the Christian Broadcasting Network (700 Club) and other judeo subversive operations. Always beware of that flame.

Introduction
Are you interested in helping people protect their retirement accounts from things like stock market crashes & dollar devaluation?
Are you an expert marketer with experience driving traffic & generating qualified sales leads?
Do you want to join the most exciting and profitable affiliate program in the financial services industry?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, the Goldco Affiliate program is for you!
Goldco pays out millions EVERY MONTH through it’s affiliate programs, and we’re ready to double or even triple that number! Are you the right affiliate marketer for the job?

Click the link below to apply now!

https://goldco.com/goldco-affiliate-program/

FEAR-MONGERING ON A COLOSSAL SCALE

Source: https://youtu.be/20zLSlLaeRY

CANST
16 Views Ā· 1 year ago

⁣Concerned Citizen - Regular dude exposes the entire Climate Scam in a minute flat
Source: https://x.com/BGatesIsaPyscho/....status/1840471107595
Thumbnail: https://news.sky.com/story/fro....m-covid-to-climate-c
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: John Kerry expressed concerns about the First Amendment’s role in addressing disinformation surrounding climate change.
During a World Economic Forum panel on Green Energy, Kerry suggested that the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment, particularly the right to free speech, are presenting challenges to effectively combating climate change misinformation online.
John Kerry's criticism of the First Amendment
John Kerry's comments during the forum on Wednesday, September 25, came in response to a question from the audience regarding how to tackle disinformation surrounding climate change.
Expressing frustration at how difficult it is to counter false claims due to legal protections for free speech, he explained, ā€œIf people only go to one source, and the source they go to is sick, and has an agenda, and they're putting out disinformation, our First Amendment stands as a major block to be able to just hammer it out of existence."
"We need to win the ground, win the right to govern, by hopefully winning enough votes that you're free to be able to implement change," the former US Secretary of State added.
John Kerry highlights social media and the challenge of governance in democracies
In his remarks, John Kerry also pointed out the growing influence of social media, which he argued exacerbates the challenge of building consensus around critical issues like climate change.
"The dislike of and anguish over social media is just growing and growing. It is part of our problem, particularly in democracies, in terms of building consensus around any issue. It's really hard to govern today," said Kerry.
He noted that the traditional ā€œrefereesā€ who once determined what constituted factual information have weakened and people are now left to self-select where they get their news.
Kerry warned that this creates a "vicious cycle" of misinformation that is hard to break.
John Kerry doubles down on upcoming election
Throughout the panel, John Kerry stressed the importance of the upcoming elections, framing them as pivotal for the climate crisis.
He argued that democracy itself is at stake in the fight to mitigate the effects of climate change.
"I think democracies are very challenged right now and have not proven they can move fast enough or big enough to deal with the challenges they are facing, and to me, that is part of what this election is all about," he said.
"Will we break the fever in the United States?" he asked, according to Fox News.
Internet slams John Kerry's opinion on First Amendment
As John Kerry called the First Amendment a "major block," netizens criticized the former US Secretary of State's opinion.
One user on X wrote, "First of all Johnny we are a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC not a democracy! Second, we won’t be allowing anyone to chip away at the US Constitution."
"Kerry believes he is bound by nothing," a netizen commented. Another tweeted, "Kerry belongs in prison for that statement."
"This is a guy who just doesn't want to be questioned," an individual opined while someone remarked, "Of course he does. They want it gone for their one party system."
https://news.meaww.com/john-ke....rry-criticized-for-c

CANST
26 Views Ā· 1 year ago

⁣Did VfB help to DRAIN THE SWAMPā“

On Wednesday evening, VfB posted KNEEPADS WAS CAUGHT ☭ HIDING HER 60 MINUTES INTERVIEWā—

That got dropped on TruthSocial

Last night, VfB saw the trap sprung, as CBS tried furiously to extricate itself - looks like the jig is up!

Also: Paul Feig kvetches about Robin Williams' impromptu comedy performances, and Dollhouse Diddy whines about having to ingest prison food - funny that; he didn't seem to care about it when he STEERED millions of young people to the same fate with his subversive servings of gangster rap

YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE, SCUMBAGSā—

Some other news headlines:

Lies, Deception, and Fear

I simply ask the obvious questions that no one else seems capable of asking. You know…why won’t they release the JFK files…what made Tower 7 collapse…how come we never returned to the moon…why can they find over 1000 J6ers across America but we can’t seem to find the names on then Epstein list? Does this bother anyone but me?

https://newswithviews.com/lies-deception-and-fear/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/harris-campaign-distances-itself-from-interview-editing-claims-after-cbs-airs-two-different-answers/ar-AA1s24bI?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=5f85292d2b544fe8825812e2c349911e&ei=19

https://www.lewrockwell.com/po....litical-theatre/hurr

Dane Wigington and Mike Adams discuss urgent WEATHER WEAPONIZATION technologies and agendas targeting humanity

https://www.brighteon.com/b7b7....e67c-d010-4a10-bfdc-

https://rumble.com/v5hia39-wor....ld-at-war-with-crimi

https://www.infowars.com/posts..../geo-engineering-wat

Crazy Northern Lights: https://www.spaceweather.com/

LA Earthquakes: https://www.latimes.com/califo....rnia/story/2024-10-1

Source: https://nypost.com/2023/09/25/....secret-revealed-mayo

CANST
22 Views Ā· 1 year ago

⁣Cope and seethe, freaks!

Andy Ngo šŸ³ā€šŸŒˆ - Breaking: Seattle Police shut down the Antifa election night riot in the area near the former CHAZ autonomous zone occupation.

Source: https://x.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1854000322324386194

Thumbnail: https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/....status/1619202720933

CANST
12 Views Ā· 1 year ago

⁣2CC radio breakfast host Stephen Cenatiempo has blasted MSNBC host Joy Reid for her ā€œunhingedā€ comments about Donald Trump supporters.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7u4O2bnKaA

CANST
10 Views Ā· 1 year ago

⁣Wide Awake Media - RFK Jr: Big Pharma is "making $60 billion a year selling us vaccines, but they're making $500 billion a year selling the remedies for the injuries caused by vaccines".

"This is a really great business plan for these companies. You make people sick and then you sell them the lifetime cure."

Source: https://x.com/wideawake_media/....status/1877989064596

Thumbnail: https://nextnewsnetwork.com/20....23/07/27/rfk-jr-on-t

Jim Norton goes Van Gogh:

https://forums.sherdog.com/thr....eads/brahimajs-ear.4

CANST
18 Views Ā· 1 year ago

⁣VfB - this eliminates natural breastfeeding, so that's a strike against this

In this groundbreaking video, we explore one of Elon Musk's most futuristic innovations – a revolutionary robot that can carry your baby for 9 months! Imagine a world where childbirth is no longer a physical burden. With this incredible technology, couples only need to provide their sperm and eggs, and the rest is taken care of by a transparent, AI-powered robot. From fertilization to birth, parents can watch their baby grow in real-time, witnessing every movement and development through the robot’s transparent body.

This invention aims to reduce complications during pregnancy and childbirth, offering a safer, more controlled environment for baby development. The AI adapts to the baby’s needs, adjusting temperature and nutrients to ensure optimal growth. At the end of nine months, the robot safely hands over the baby, eliminating the traditional risks of delivery.
Elon Musk's latest innovation is taking the world by storm! The billionaire entrepreneur has unveiled a revolutionary robot designed to transform the way we give birth. This futuristic baby-carrying robot is set to change childbirth forever, making it safer, easier, and more efficient. But how does it work? And what does this mean for the future of childbirth? In this video, we'll dive into the details of Elon's amazing robot and explore the possibilities it presents. From reducing cesarean sections to minimizing complications, this robot could be a game-changer for mothers and babies around the world. So, let's take a closer look at this incredible technology and see what it could mean for the future of childbirth.

This invention aims to reduce complications during pregnancy and childbirth, offering a safer, more controlled environment for baby development. The AI adapts to the baby’s needs, adjusting temperature and nutrients to ensure optimal growth. At the end of nine months, the robot safely hands over the baby, eliminating the traditional risks of delivery.

Is this the future of childbirth? Could this be the innovation that transforms pregnancy forever? Watch the video to learn about the full process and the potential impact this technology could have on society. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! ?

Key Topics Covered:
Elon musk robots pregnant
Childbirth
Pregnant robots
Robot humanoid
Elon Musk's new baby-carrying robot concept
How AI and robotics are transforming childbirth
The benefits of using a robot for pregnancy and delivery
The future of pregnancy and how this could reduce risks for mothers
Real-time baby monitoring and development using cutting-edge technology

Tags: #elonmusk #aiinhealthcare #futureofchildbirth #babyrobot #aiinnovation #roboticpregna ncy #elonmusknews #futuretechnology #pregnancyinnovation #babycarryingrobot #aiandrobots #childbirthrevolution #techinhealth #elonmuskinnovation #aiinhealth #transparentrobot #pregnancysafety #artificialwomb #futuristicparenting #nextgentech ai in healthcare, #biotrendselon Musk,maternal health,childbirth innovation,healthcare innovation,future of childbirth,medical advancements,tech news,Elon Musk news,family technology,robotics in healthcare,parenting technology,pregnancy tips,childbirth experience,labor and delivery,pregnancy technology,technology in medicine,robot technology,birthing process,futuristic robots
#ai in healthcare

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL6iq9neOiA

Publishing House
12 Views Ā· 11 months ago

PC MP is a Canadian politician who is the 23rd and
current prime minister of Canada since 2015. He was the leader of the
Liberal Party of Canada from 2013 to 2025 and has served as the member

of Parliament for Papineau since 2008.




Born: December 25, 1971 (age 53 years), Ottawa, CanadaParty: Liberal Party of Canada



Education: The University of British Columbia (1998), McGill University (1994), McGill University, College Jean-de-Brebeuf
Children: Xavier James Trudeau, Ella-Grace Margaret Trudeau



Parents: Pierre Trudeau, Margaret Trudeau


Height: 6′ 2″



Siblings: Alexandre Trudeau, Michel Trudeau, Sarah Elisabeth Coyne, Kyle Kemper, Alicia Kemper


⁣https://www.thestar.com/news/g....ta/deadbeat-dad-flee
Deadbeat dad flees to Philippines leaving four kids without support

After a Family Court judge awarded his ex-wife child and spousal support of nearly $4,000 a month, Hans Mills sent her a chilling email saying he was leaving Canada for good. He left behind four children without support: a 10-year-old fighting cancer, a 14-year-old with Down syndrome and a teenaged son in treatment for drug addiction.

CANST
17 Views Ā· 10 months ago

⁣Reverend Jordan Wells - Black People Why Do We Keep Turning Criminals Into Hero’s We Are Doing It Again With Karmelo Anthony

Source: https://x.com/WellsJorda89710/....status/1908973880972

Thumbnail: [thanks to https://scallywagandvagabond.c....om/2025/04/austin-me šŸ–²]

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hon....oring-austin-metcalf

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/prov....iders/behavioral-hea

CANST
9 Views Ā· 10 months ago

⁣Let's just repost what Nicole wrote last time:

These individuals sabotaged @OdyseeTeam's stripe account.

They destroyed the relationship between Odysee and Stripe and then attempted to blame me. In their hubris, they publicly bragged about it as a victory.

They have been on a mission to act as purity-spiraling gatekeepers, attempting to destroy any content creator they deem unfit according to their self-imposed purity test.

Their actions have harmed dozens of hardworking White individuals and even cut off the income of White families, who rely on earnings from this platform to provide for their children.

Despite the inherently anti-White and harmful actions they have taken, I am not interested in fighting with them. My focus is on clearing my name of these false accusations and smears. To this day, I have never spoken with Stripe about anything, including my own accounts. These lies must eventually come to an end.

Too bad RECEIPTS EXIST: 🧾

"@OdyseeHelp @OdyseeTeam are you guys even aware of the kind of crap these people are up to on your site?

Is it even permitted to harass people for their own amusement, and stream snipe their shows on your platform? Don't think it is.

I put a lot of work into my show, and I don't appreciate it being made open source and raided by drunk clowns every night now. Everything is one big joke to these people, but it's really obnoxious after a while."

https://archive.ph/LUNZt

BTW...were you aware that he was MOONLIGHTING AS A PROPERTARIAN the very same time he was larping as a WNā“

GOOD DUDES SHOW | Live

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02I8sa61vUQ

There's a YUGE missing bit of background: White Nationalist Round Table: Cleaning Up House (BIG ANNOUNCEMNT AFTER) [said announcement being the elevation of Logos Revealed to the Stew Peters Network]

https://odysee.com/@LogosRevealed:0/WNRTBB:b

Source: https://x.com/realnightnation/....status/1915845584134

Thumbnail: https://imgflip.com/i/9ryqja

CANST
3 Views Ā· 9 months ago

⁣OPERATION: DNNR HAS BEEN FLAWLESSLY EXECUTEDā— HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2025šŸ’

Nicky the Gunt got his 1st followā—

https://odysee.com/@NickytheGunt:a?view=content

⁣https://web.archive.org/web/20....250501212604/https:/

⁣https://web.archive.org/web/20....250501162450/https:/

LET'S SEE HOW LONG THE CHANNEL LASTS AGAINST NICOLE'S EPIC SCUMBAGGERY ā³

⁣https://poa.st/@VfB/posts/AtfRhbyyXtS1dy3ww4

Thumbnail: ⁣https://imgflip.com/i/9tljgj
AltCastTV & Odysee thumbnail: ⁣https://images.app.goo.gl/tkdFXawN346negfQ8


⁣Full Tuber Derangement Syndrome



⁣https://rumble.com/v6t79fd-ful....l-tuber-derangement-

CANST
2 Views Ā· 9 months ago

⁣Saw this in the middle of the night 🫢 not hardly enough eyes on this

These are the only real photos of Natalee Holloway on the beach being brutally murdered. These were produced by a ā€œCHRONOVISOR Time Machineā€. This machine can and has been producing photos of missing people and who they were with at the time of death. Can you believe that the FBI is not interested and even hung up on us? šŸ˜‚ AMAZING because we can find images of abducted children and solve murder mysteries but how do yo convince people that you really have a Time Machine?

Source: https://old.bitchute.com/video/kdyps1wsO7ie/

Two interesting comments [one from the channel owner]:

Fire Starter posted:

This is BS testimony, I'd lean more towards her being kidnapped and trafficked for sex or breeding as a more reliable explanation of what happened. Some say she was gang raped, which is very common there, and then it went too far and her body was disposed. Law enforcement is very aware of this and sometimes it's even filmed and sold, making it a business.

Treasuretex posted:

Elon Musk is about to build a really modern CHRONOVISOR. The one we have still works good but the images need improvement.

CANST
3 Views Ā· 2 days ago

⁣Commercial Title
Epstein Files: 100 Famous Figures Named (2026 Update) — Some May Shock You

Archival / Research Title
A Compilation of Proper Names Appearing in Unsealed Jeffrey Epstein Case Documents (2026 Release)

Documentary Statement

This documentary examines the Jeffrey Epstein case through primary records, verified documentation, and historical context. It does not engage in ideology, speculation, or accusation.

Over several decades and across multiple countries, Epstein’s activities intersected with political, financial, academic, and social institutions of extraordinary influence. Recently unsealed court filings—including depositions, flight logs, contact books, correspondence, and other official records—have made public the names of numerous well-known individuals. These records raise important questions about access, proximity, and institutional oversight.

The appearance of a name in these documents does not imply guilt, criminal conduct, or wrongdoing. Inclusion reflects only that a name exists within released materials. This distinction is stated clearly and maintained throughout the film.

This work is presented for historical documentation, public record clarity, and educational awareness—allowing viewers to examine the evidence as it exists, without inference or presumption.

? What This Documentary Examines

Rather than focusing on rumor or sensational narratives, this film analyzes:

• how names appear in Epstein-related documents
• what different types of records actually represent
• the legal and evidentiary limits of those materials
• the difference between association, allegation, and conviction
• how incomplete evidence shapes public misunderstanding

The goal is clarity, not accusation.

? Methodology (How This Analysis Was Built)

This documentary follows a document-first, evidence-weighted approach, including:

• cross-referencing unsealed court filings and depositions
• categorizing evidence types (flight logs, contact lists, emails, testimony)
• separating firsthand testimony from secondary references
• acknowledging disputed, unclear, or incomplete records
• avoiding inference beyond what documents support

Where evidence is limited or contested, uncertainty is stated openly rather than filled with speculation.

This reflects the Dark Archive method: reconstructing meaning from fragmented records without collapsing nuance.

? Analytical Framework (Neutrality & Precision)

This film:

• does not allege crimes without convictions
• does not claim that named individuals committed wrongdoing
• distinguishes documentation from accusation
• presents multiple interpretations where they exist
• avoids ideological framing, moral panic, or narrative pressure

Viewers are encouraged to think critically, not react emotionally.

? Purpose of This Film

This documentary exists for:

• historical documentation
• legal and evidentiary literacy
• understanding how power networks are recorded, not inferred
• public education on how records are often misinterpreted
• archival clarity in a highly politicized topic

It is not intended to defame, accuse, or sensationalize.

⚠ Disclaimer

• Appearance of a name does not imply guilt
• No individual is labeled a criminal without legal conviction
• Allegations are identified as allegations
• Speculation is avoided
• Victims are treated with respect
• Records are presented as they exist, not as conclusions

āš– Copyright / Fair Use Notice

Produced under Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act (1976) for:

• education
• research
• commentary
• historical analysis

All referenced materials remain the property of their respective owners.

? Music Credits

ā€œThe Long Darkā€ — Scott Buckley
Released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY 4.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: https://www.scottbuckley.com.au

ā€œEchoes of Timeā€ — Kevin MacLeod
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/r....oyalty-free/index.ht

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

? How This Video Was Made

This documentary was created by an independent hobbyist researcher using:

• Adobe Photoshop (archival restoration & artwork)
• After Effects & Premiere Pro (editing, sound design, color correction)

The goal is authentic reconstruction, not visual perfection.
Every choice prioritizes accuracy, restraint, and source integrity.

? Contact

For corrections, concerns, or documentation inquiries:
? franchisedeepdiveyt@gmail.com

? Subscribe for More Archival & Evidence-Based Documentaries

If you value neutral analysis, primary documents, and historical clarity, consider subscribing.

? Hashtags

#EpsteinFiles
#DocumentaryAnalysis
#LegalHistory
#ArchivalResearch
#DarkArchive
#EvidenceBased
#InvestigativeDocumentary
#crime source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjCk_d192s4

WanderersChoice
15 Views Ā· 3 years ago

Jim Rizoli goes over the proof that there was never any plan to exterminate the jews. It was always to deport them.

CANST
79 Views Ā· 3 years ago

⁣https://americansongwriter.com..../behind-the-meaning-




⁣The thing about songs—especially blues songs—is that their origins can often have long roots.
That is especially the case with the hit track ā€œBlack Bettyā€ from the ’70s British-American rock band Ram Jam. The song, which was made famous more recently in the 2001 film Blow, is an all-time rocker, buoyed by big guitars and a big voice. But while it rose to fame again in the early 21st century, the song’s beginnings started in the early 20th.

Origins: a Whip, a Wagon, or a Woman?
The original song, ā€œBlack Betty,ā€ started as a work song, sung predominately by Black people in the early 20th century. Though its roots may even extend beyond that into the 19th. While it may seem obvious the song is about a woman named ā€œBetty,ā€ that meaning is likely not accurate—at least, not entirely.

The song, like many early blues songs, has ties to the great songwriter and performer Lead Belly. (Another famous tune attributed to him is ā€œIn the Pines,ā€ made especially famous by Nirvana in the band’s MTV Unplugged performance, then called ā€œMy Girl.ā€)
Some sources claim that ā€œBlack Bettyā€ was written by Lead Belly, though others claim that he adapted it from even earlier versions. Because of its populist origins, the song has many recordings—more recently, Tom Jones took a stab at it. But the most famous in modern day is Ram Jam’s rock version, which is sung with slightly modified lyrics.

While some may think ā€œBlack Bettyā€ refers to a woman, others claim it’s a nickname for any number of objects, including a bottle of whiskey, a whip, or even a penitentiary transfer wagon. In Northern England and southern Scotland, wrote David Hackett Fischer, the term ā€œBlack Bettyā€ was offered used for a bottle of whiskey. That euphemism was later adopted in the country regions of the eastern United States.

In 1736, American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin published The Drinker’s Dictionary and referenced the term, writing, ā€œHe’s kiss’d black Betty.ā€ Other older references include the U.S. wedding tradition in which two groomsmen are pitted against one another in a race. The prize? A bottle of whiskey, known as ā€œBlack Betty,ā€ according to Caldwell’s Illustrated Combination Centennial Atlas of Washington Co. Pennsylvania of 1876.

In the 1934 book, American Ballads and Folk Songs, John A. and Alan Lomax write that ā€œā€˜Black Betty’ … is the whip that was and is used in some Southern prisons.ā€ There are several more references in early 20th century writings to the term referring to a whip. Still, others refer to it as a synonym for the ā€œBlack Maria,ā€ which was a term used for the automobile that transferred prisoners to their holding centers.

In Life Flows On in Endless Song: Folk Songs and American History, author Robert Vells writes: ā€œAs late as the 1960s, the vehicle that carried men to prison was known as ā€˜Black Betty,’ though the same name may have also been used for the whip that so often was laid on the prisoners’ backs, ā€˜bam-ba-lam.'ā€ In more modern references, a ā€œBlack Bettyā€ may have been a fast car or motorcycle.

First Recordings
According to reports, the song was first formally recorded in 1933 by U.S. musicologists John and Alan Lomax. It was performed a cappella by convict James ā€œIron Headā€ Baker and a group of prisoners at Central State Farm, in Sugar Land, Texas. At the time, Baker was 63 years old.
That Lomax recording was supplied to the Library of Congress. The song also appears in altered field recordings taken in 1934, 1936, and 1939 by musicologists.

Lead Belly, who had a strong relationship with the Lomaxes, recorded a version in 1939 in New York for the Musicraft Records label. Musicraft released that recording that year as part of a five-disc album, Negro Sinful Songs sung by Lead Belly. Lead Belly’s version was also recorded a cappella, with handclaps. Later versions, though, utilized guitar accompaniment. In 1964, for example, Odetta recorded a version with musical instruments.
In 1964, singer Dave Ray recorded a version of the song. And in 1968, Manfred Mann released a version of the song on their LP, Mighty Garvey! That song was titled ā€œBig Betty.ā€ Mann’s band performed the song for the BBC but it was never released.

Lyrics
The lyrics to the song are as much rhythmic placeholders as they are bits of a story. For example, read the first stanza (from the Ram Jam version) below and notice how it’s as staccato as an electric guitar:
Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)
Black Betty had a child (Bam-ba-lam)
The damn thing gone wild (Bam-ba-lam)
She said, ā€œI’m worryin’ outta mindā€ (Bam-ba-lam)
The damn thing gone blind (Bam-ba-lam)
I said oh, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)

On the face of it, it would seem ā€œBlack Bettyā€ is a person. But in the eyes and mind of an artist, many objects can be personified. And a song with many interpretations is the best kind. Perhaps, as such, there is no ā€œrealā€ meaning. Just many meanings that many people can grasp onto if they so choose.

It continues:
Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)
She really gets me high (Bam-ba-lam)
You know that’s no lie (Bam-ba-lam)
She’s so rock steady (Bam-ba-lam)
And she’s always ready (Bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)
Whoa, Black Betty (Bam-ba-lam)
Get it!

Ram Jam Version
Frontman Bill Bartlett formed a band called Starstruck early in his career. While in that band, the musician took Lead Belly’s 59-second version of ā€œBlack Bettyā€ and released a revised version on his band’s TruckStar label. It became a regional hit.

Later, producers Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffry Katz formed a new group around Bartlett in 1977 in New York City, which they called Ram Jam. They released a version of ā€œBlack Bettā€ and it became a national hit. It reached No. 18 on the singles charts in the U.S. and it was a top-10 hit in the U.K. and Australia. Since then, the song has appeared in a number of pop culture arenas, including the 2005 film The Dukes of Hazzard, and in figure skater Javier Fernandez’s performance at the World Championships in 2015 in which he won Gold. It appeared in Blow, as mentioned before, and in video games, as well.

Boycott
When the Ram Jam version was released, the NAACP and Congress of Racial Equality called for a boycott due to the song’s lyrics. That boycott failed, however. And the song rose up the charts in 1977. And the band’s self-titled debut album hit No. 40 in the U.S., No. 4 in the Netherlands, and No. 33 in Canada. It was the band’s biggest success and remains so to date.

Cover Versions
As mentioned, Tom Jones attempted a cover, which has earned success for its modern bent. Other notable versions include renditions by the hard rock band, Spiderbait. And the big-voiced Larkin Poe, both of which you can check out below.




Showing 16 out of 22