Anthony B


Keith Anthony Blair, better known by the stage name Anthony B, is a Jamaican DJ and member of the Rastafari movement.

Biography

Early life

Blair grew up in rural Clark's Town in the northwestern parish of Trelawny in Jamaica. His deeply religious family life imbued him with a profound spirituality. During his youth, his favourite singers were reggae legends Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, musicians who strongly influenced his own style. Peter Tosh's influence can definitely be heard in Anthony B's vocal delivery and revolutionary stance.
Anthony B adopted Rastafari movement beliefs as a teenager, a decision which was not well received by his family. The stubborn and determined Anthony B refused to give up his new religion and his dreadlocks and moved to the home of his aunt and uncle in Portmore, St. Catherine. He is a member of the Bobo Ashanti branch of the movement. "Bobo Dreads", as they are known, are recognisable by their long robes and turbans. The strong Afrocentric pride and the other Rastafarian beliefs are reflected in his songs.

Career

While attending high school, Anthony B debuted as a deejay for the local sound system, Shaggy Hi-Power. In 1988, he befriended reggae artists such as Determine, Mega Banton, Ricky General and Terror Fabulous.
At this point in the reggae industry, singing "slack" songs about women was the popular thing to do. Anthony B did not believe in degrading women and chose to pen politically slanted songs instead. He collaborated with Little Devon and made his debut single "The Living is Hard" on the Wizard label in 1993. Anthony B tried many different producers before joining with Richard Bell, creating hits such as "Fire Pon Rome", "Raid Di Barn", "Rumour", and "Repentance Time". In late 1997, Anthony B released Universal Struggle, followed by a large number of albums since including 1999's Seven Seals, 2003's Street Knowledge, 2004's Untouchable which featured collaborations with artists including Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg & Bone Crusher, 2005's Black Star plus My Hope, and more recently, Life Over Death.
In January 2013, he was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after being stopped in Georgia, United States due to illegally tinted windows in the vehicle in which he was travelling; He subsequently had to cancel several shows in South America as he was not allowed to travel outside the US. Charges were later dropped.
In July 2013 he released Tribute to Legends, an album of cover versions of songs by artists such as Bob Marley, The Maytals, John Lennon, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, and Ini Kamoze; Speaking of the album, he stated "I chose to make a tribute album to firstly show how much these legends influence my music and my life." In 2016, Anthony B released Tears Of Luv on his label Born Fire Music and collaborated with various producer around the world including Evidence Music on his track Life Good.
In May 2020, Anthony B released his 20th studio album titled, King In My Castle.
Anthony B tours extensively in Europe and North America. He has collaborated with many singer-songwriters and producers
Talking of his faith and music, Anthony B commented, "When we say 'burn fire' we don't mean take a match and light somebody, we are saying get rid of these things that are no good for humanity."

Discography

Albums

  • Predator & Prey
  • Real Revolutionary – UK / So Many Things – US
  • Universal Struggle
  • Seven Seals
  • More Love
  • That's Life
  • Street Knowledge
  • Wise Man Chant
  • Smoke Free
  • Voice of Jamaica vol. 2
  • Judgment Time
  • Justice Fight
  • Untouchable
  • Powers of Creation
  • Black Star
  • Live on the Battlefield
  • Confused Times
  • My Hope
  • Gather and Come
  • Suffering Man
  • Higher Meditation
  • True Rastaman
  • Life Over Death
  • Rise Up
  • Rasta Love
  • Freedom Fighter
  • Choices
  • My2K Vol. 1
  • Tribute to Legends
  • Tears of Luv
  • Anthony B
  • King In My Castle
  • ''Bread and butter''

    Compilations

  • Chanting Down Babylon ; live, with Buju Banton
  • 2 Strong ; with Sizzla
  • Anthony B & Idren
  • Anthony B & Friends
  • Nazarene Vow ; with Junior Timba
  • 3 Wise Men ; with Sizzla and Luciano
  • One Mission ; with Capleton
  • Saddle to the East ; with Jah Mason and Steve Machete
  • 4 Rebels ; with Sizzla, Luciano, and Yami Bolo
  • The Five Disciples ; with Sizzla, Luciano, Junior Kelly, and Capleton
  • We Three Kings ; with Sizzla
  • We Three Kings ; with Capleton and Luciano
  • Four The Hard Way ; with Capleton, Sizzla, and Luciano
  • Kings of Zion ; with Capleton, Sizzla, and Junior Kelly
  • Reggae Max
  • 5 Blazing Fires ; with Admiral Tibbett, Sizzla, Capleton, Positive Jayz and Michael Fabulous
  • Five Disciples Part II ; with Capleton, Luciano, Sizzla, and Jr. Kelly
  • Kings of Zion vol. 3 ; with Capleton, Sizzla, and Turbulence
  • Jah Warriors vol. III ; with Luciano
  • The Pow Pow Trilogy ; with Turbulence and Jah Mason
  • Encore
  • NYC-2-Africa ; with Subatomic Sound System, Nomadic Wax, Jahdan Blakkamoore, and Bajah
  • Truthful Riddim ; with Julian Marley, Mr Vegas, Blaqk Sheep
  • Guns Riddim ; with LePrince and Maneaux
  • Reggae Reload Vol.1 ; with Busy Signal, Sizzla, Gyptian