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Anthony B was
born Keith Blair in Clarks Town, Jamaica in the parish of Trelawny
(a parish noted for the heroic Afrikan freedom fighters, the
Maroons, who defeated the English military). His Revivalist
grandmother and Seventh Day Adventist mother, immersed him in the
singing, call and response and clapping mechanics of rural
Jamaica. After performing with church and school choirs throughout
his youth, he made his debut as a deejay with the local sound
system Shaggy Hi-Power.
He moved to
Portmore in 1988 and befriended fellow aspiring deejays like
Determine. He was looking for a break at Black Scorpio studio one
day when Little Devon introduced him to the producer of Garnett
"Mama Africa" Silk fame, Richard "Bello" Bell
of Star Trail Label fame. With Little Devon he made his debut
single "The living is hard" on the Wizard label in 1993.
He steadfastly refused to deejay girl lyrics when they were ruling
the roost in the early nineties.
Recordings and
releases followed quickly and his first hit was "Repentance
time". The bigger hits "Fire pon Rome", "Rumour"
and "Raid di barn" followed in quick pursuit. His first
full-length effort, his debut album "So Many Things" was
released to popular acclaim in 1996. Late 1997 his second
worldwide album "Universal Struggle" was released and
again excellence is consistent. Lyrically, thematically and
rhythmically versatile, the album encapsulates Afrikan
consciousness and the Peter Tosk-like deliveries and clarity of
vocals are indelibly present throughout. The single "Nah Vote
Again" was viewed as a key factor in preserving peace at the
national elections in Jamaica 1997.
He was the most
devastating deejay at Reggae Sumfest 1997, at Catherine Hall in
Montego Bay, Jamaica - a consummate performer. Anthony B, indeed
another Reggae king in full musical swing In 1999, the conscious
movement was propelled into high gear once again with the release
of yet another masterpiece from the one and only Anthony B. the
"Seven Seals" album. It included singles like
‘Conscious Entertainer’, Mr. Heartless’, ‘Miracle’,
‘Cut Out Throat’, and the remix of Garnett Silk’s, ‘Hello
Mama Africa’ which features both Silk and Buju Banton.
Anthony B has
been called everything from preacher to revolutionary, but most
importantly for him he is a messenger, one who has delivered some
memorable messages through his conscious Reggae music. Anthony
B’s newly appointed title of reggae music’s spokesman for the
poor and downtrodden continues in the new millennium.
Official Website
: http://www.ireggae.com/anthonyb
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