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)
World A Reggae Music
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Keep me rockin with me daughter - eh-a
World a reggae music on yah - eh
Never lef' ya', never no sah - eh-a
Now just be nice and hold your space
I won't entertain no more disgrace
Out in the streets they call it merther
when rhythm spacing out your head
Man showing how man feeling
Man singing goodness gracious I
Ten thousand rydims peeling
It makes the spider kiss the fly
World a reggae music on ya - eh
Keep me rocking with me daughter - eh -a
World a reggae music on ya - eh
Lord I thirsty, give me water - eh-a
The song "World a Reggae Music" by Anthony B is a tribute to the genre of reggae music and its universal appeal. The lyrics suggest that reggae music is a unifying force that transcends boundaries, bringing people together across the world. The repetition of the phrase "World A Reggae Music on ya" emphasizes this point and creates an anthem-like quality to the song.
Anthony B mentions his daughter in the second line, indicating that reggae music is also a part of his family and personal life. The line "Never lef' ya', never no sah" further emphasizes the loyalty to reggae music and the community it represents. The song also calls for respect and harmony among people, as the artist sings "just be nice and hold your space" and warns against violence ("Out in the streets they call it merther").
Line by Line Meaning
World A Reggae Music on yah - eh
The world is filled with reggae music, and I love it
Keep me rockin with me daughter - eh-a
Reggae music brings joy to both me and my daughter, and we love to dance to it
Never lef' ya', never no sah - eh-a
I will never leave reggae music, it will always be a part of me
Now just be nice and hold your space
I want everyone to be respectful and peaceful, and to keep their distance
I won't entertain no more disgrace
I will not tolerate any more negative behavior or disrespect
Out in the streets they call it merther
In the streets, people enjoy the feeling and energy of reggae music
when rhythm spacing out your head
The rhythm and beat of reggae music can be so strong, it feels like it takes over your mind and body
Man showing how man feeling
Reggae music allows men to express their emotions and feelings
Man singing goodness gracious I
Men sing about their gratitude towards life and their blessings
Ten thousand rydims peeling
There are countless rhythms in reggae music, all waiting to be explored and enjoyed
It makes the spider kiss the fly
Reggae music can bring together things that seem incompatible or unlikely
Lord I thirsty, give me water - eh-a
I crave more reggae music, it's like water to me
Contributed by Maya M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin
on Waan Back
Wrong lyrics...c'mon,post genuine lyrics