Blair grew up in rural Clarks Town in the northwestern parish of Trelawny. His deeply religious family life (his mother was a Seventh-day Adventist and his grandmother a Revivalist) imbued him with a profound spirituality. During his youth, his favorite singers were reggae legends Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, musicians who strongly influenced his own style. Read Full BioAnthony B is the stage name of Keith Blair (born March 31, 1976), a Jamaican musician.
Blair grew up in rural Clarks Town in the northwestern parish of Trelawny. His deeply religious family life (his mother was a Seventh-day Adventist and his grandmother a Revivalist) imbued him with a profound spirituality. During his youth, his favorite singers were reggae legends Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, 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 Rastafarian 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 the Kingston suburb, Portmore.
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 rather than so-called "gyal chunes." He hooked up with Little Devon the Half Pint sound-a-like singer he made his debut single "The Living is Hard" on the Wizard label in 1993. Anthony B tried many different producers but found that none of them fit his style of music. Finally, Anthony B teamed up with Richard "Bello" Bell, creating hits such as Fire Pon Rome, Raid Di Barn, Rumour, and Repentance Time. Anthony B's 1996 debut album Real Revolutionary was highly acclaimed in the reggae community. In late 1997, Anthony B released Universal Struggle which showed that Anthony B had a consistent, high-calibre talent. Anthony B has released a large number of albums since that time including 1999's Seven Seals and 2004's Untouchable which featured collaborations with artists including Wyclef Jean.
Anthony B tours extensively in Europe and North America and is known for his fiery, high-energy performances.
Anthony B is a member of the Bobo Ashanti branch of the Rastafarian movement. "Bobo Dreads", as they are known, are recognizable by their long robes and turbans. The strong Afrocentric pride and the other Rastafarian beliefs (or "overstandings" as Rastafarians prefer to call them) which Anthony B holds are reflected in his songs.
Discography
* Predator & Prey (1996, Alpha Enterprises)
* Real Revolutionary / So Many Things (1996, Greensleeves)
* Universal Struggle (1997, VP Records)
* Seven Seals (1999, VP Records)
* That's Life (2001, VP Records)
* More Love (2001, AO ! Records)
* Live On The Battlefield (2002, Jahmin' Records)
* Reggae Max (2002, Jet Star)
* Street Knowledge (2003, Nocturne)
* Judgment Time (2003, 2B1 Records)
* Smoke Free (2003, Bogalusa Records)
* Voice Of Jamaica vol. 2 (2003, Nocturne)
* Wise Man Chant (2004, Black Scorpio)
* Justice Fight (2004, Nocturne)
* Untouchable (2004, Togetherness Records)
* Power Of Creation (2004, Nocturne)
* Black Star (2005, Greensleeves)
* My Hope (2005, AL.TA.FA.AN. / Minor 7 Flat 5)
Conscious Entertainer
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Intro:
Dem say a detrimental behavior
To be a conscious entertainer
But a Jah a we protector
Bobo fear no danger
Dem say a detrimental behavior
To be a conscious entertainer
But a Jah a we protector
Rasta fear no danger
Verse 1:
Dem try anything just fi stop this
Radio ban, jelp me lick out gainst politics
But my optics, be on dem topics
Global movement evasive tactics yogo yo
See me in the Congo
Try fi catch me in a Morocco
I'll be in Ethiopia for sure
Only thing you can see a me shadow, eh
Iya ya eh, Iya ya eh eh
Chorus
Verse 2:
What is the essence of a gunman strive
To unleash his anger at the expense of life
I shall not slowly pass in the night
But rise to separate all the wrong from right
Dalley through the valley yaga ya yo
Chorus
Verse 3:
So why do all these people worry bout me
Jah Jah guide never hide nah loose no pride
Sey dem a, sey dem a
don't they know that Jah love set me free
Zion I, Selassie I, guide I, guide I, guide I
Everyone whey speak the truth, dem dem execute
Pop off remote ready fi put yu pon mute
Flad me recruit Selassie I youth
Babylon dis, a fire undilute
Pop off dem gun and a we dem caan shoot
In a me turban and me khaki suit
Chorus
Verse 4:
Dem try anything just fi stop this
Radio ban, jelp me lick out gainst politics
But my optics, be on dem topics
Global movement evasive tactics yogo yo
See me in the Congo
Try fi catch me in a Morocco
I'll be in Ethiopia for sure
Only thing you can see a me shadow, eh
Iya ya eh, Iya ya eh eh
Chorus
The lyrics of Anthony B's song "Conscious Entertainer" delve into the struggles of becoming a conscious entertainer in today's music industry. Being a conscious entertainer means living and promoting a lifestyle of moral and spiritual values and the lyrics of this song speak to the difficulty of doing so in a world where guns and violence often reign supreme. The opening lyrics, "Dem say a detrimental behavior to be a conscious entertainer" allude to the fact that the music industry often promotes more harmful and destructive behavior and encourages artists to conform to that standard. However, as a Rasta, Anthony B follows the teachings of Jah and knows that he does not need to conform to what the industry wants of him because Jah always has his back.
In the first verse, Anthony B states that despite attempts to hold him back, he will continue to promote conscious living and not let the industry stop him. His movement is global and he will not be caught as he travels through places such as the Congo, Morocco, and Ethiopia. In the second verse, he speaks to the destructiveness of gun violence and the importance of fighting for what is right. He will not back down and will continue to speak the truth no matter the consequences. The chorus of the song emphasizes his commitment to conscious living despite any opposition he may face.
The final two verses echo the sentiments expressed earlier in the song. He will continue to fight against the status quo and promote conscious living, and will not be silenced or held back by any industry or societal standards.
Overall, the song "Conscious Entertainer" promotes living a lifestyle of moral and spiritual values while also addressing the struggles one may face in promoting this message in today's society.
Line by Line Meaning
Dem say a detrimental behavior
People say it's bad to be a conscious entertainer
To be a conscious entertainer
To use your platform to spread awareness and positivity
But a Jah a we protector
But God is our protector
Bobo fear no danger
Those who believe in the Bobo Ashanti religion don't fear danger
Dem try anything just fi stop this
They try everything to stop me
Radio ban, jelp me lick out gainst politics
They ban me from the radio because I speak out against politics
But my optics, be on dem topics
But my focus is on important issues/topics
Global movement evasive tactics yogo yo
A worldwide movement using evasive tactics
See me in the Congo
You might spot me in Congo
Try fi catch me in a Morocco
Trying to find me in Morocco
I'll be in Ethiopia for sure
I will definitely be in Ethiopia
Only thing you can see a me shadow, eh
The only thing you might see is my shadow
What is the essence of a gunman strive
What is the reason for a gunman's violent actions?
To unleash his anger at the expense of life
To hurt others and take lives because of their own anger
I shall not slowly pass in the night
I will not fade away unnoticed
But rise to separate all the wrong from right
I will stand up to fight for what is right
Dalley through the valley yaga ya yo
Traveling through the valleys
So why do all these people worry bout me
Why do people care so much about me?
Jah Jah guide never hide nah loose no pride
God always guides and protects us
Sey dem a, sey dem a
They say that they are
don't they know that Jah love set me free
Don't they know that my faith sets me free?
Zion I, Selassie I, guide I, guide I, guide I
God is my guide, my king, my protector
Everyone whey speak the truth, dem dem execute
Those who speak the truth are punished
Pop off remote ready fi put yu pon mute
They'll turn off the TV to silence you
Flad me recruit Selassie I youth
I am recruiting the youth to follow my faith
Babylon dis, a fire undilute
Babylon (a term for oppressive systems) will be destroyed
Pop off dem gun and a we dem caan shoot
They shoot their guns but can't harm us
In a me turban and me khaki suit
I'm wearing my turban and khaki suit (a symbol of my faith)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yah's child
Bwoy tune a Bliss! Misgana!! iysus christos rastafari moa ambessa yiudah has conquered