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)
Banana Clip
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just look around you (look around you)
It's hard to know who to trust
I′m glad I found you (So glad I found you)
You and me, we climb higher
Baby, crescendo (we reach a crescendo) yeah
Got a love, it won't stop
It's that extendo (it′s that extendo oh)
(Girl) M16 on my lap (on my lap)
Korean missiles in the sky
No matter where I go on the map (on the map)
You got my protection (oh my love)
Banana clip on my love for you (yeah)
Let it ring like (graa)
Yeah, I let it ring like (graa)
It′s like I'm trigger happy (hahahaha)
Banana clip on my love for you (ooh)
Let it ring like (graa)
Yeah, I let it ring like (graa)
I guess I′m trigger happy (hahahaha)
You know I stay down, way down for you, talking limbo
(Way down for you, yeah)
And my love, it won't stop, got that extendo (it′s that extendo)
Yeah, yeah, yeah (ahaha)
(Girl) M16 on my lap (on my lap yeah)
A lot of terror on her mind (on the mind yeah)
No matter where I go on the map (oh oh yeah!)
You got my protection
Banana clip on my love for you (oh)
Let it ring like (graa)
Yeah, I let it ring like (graa)
It's like I′m trigger happy (hahahaha)
Banana clip on my love for you
Yeah, let it ring like (graa)
Yeah, I let it ring like (graa)
I guess I'm trigger happy (ahahaha)
(Both eyes closed when I squeeze ya)
Oh! le le le let me squeeze you, baby
(You are all I need
Both eyes closed when I squeeze)
All I really need
(All I really need, is love)
They can't see me, oh no, I got the camo, hey yeah hey yeah
(Stuff on when they light it up)
Ready? Yeah, I′m ready like I′m Rambo, hey yeah, hey yeah
(Quick to pull the trigger baby)
Gotta hate got the love got the ammo, hey yeah, yeah, yeah
I put the "D" in defender
You know I never surrender
No, no, no oh-oh!
For you, I let it ring like (graa)
Yeah, I let it ring like (graa)
It's like I′m trigger happy (hahaha)
Banana clip on my love for you
I let it ring like (graa)
You know I- Ohh, ohh... trigger happy (hahaha)
Both eyes closed when I squeeze, yeah
You are all I need
Both eyes closed when I squeeze
Like all I really need
Is love, love
All I really need
Is love, love
All I really need
Is love
The lyrics to Anthony B's song "Banana Clip" may be interpreted as a commentary on the current state of the world, where threats to love and trust in society are prevalent, and how finding someone to love and trust can bring protection and a sense of safety. The song also delves into themes of violence and aggression, as seen in lines such as "M16 on my lap... Banana clip on my love for you." These violent references are juxtaposed against the singer's declaration of love and commitment to their partner.
The "banana clip" is a type of extended magazine commonly used in firearms, and the lyrics suggest that the singer is willing to use violence to protect their partner, who they love so deeply. The chorus line "I let it ring like (graa)" implies the sound of gunfire or the cocking of a gun. However, despite the violent imagery, the song ultimately centers around the singer's love for their partner, and how that love gives them a sense of protection and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
There’s a war on love
Love is under attack and there are many conflicts that make it difficult to find and maintain true love.
Just look around you (look around you)
One only needs to observe their surroundings to see and feel the impact of a society in conflict.
It's hard to know who to trust
Given the war on love, it is challenging to decipher who is genuine and trustworthy.
I'm glad I found you (So glad I found you)
The artist is grateful to have found someone as trustworthy as the subject of the song, someone he can confide in despite the war on love.
You and me, we climb higher
Love has the power to facilitate growth in people and make them better versions of themselves.
Baby, crescendo (we reach a crescendo) yeah
Their love is growing stronger and stronger, reaching a crescendo, a peak, or climax.
Got a love, it won't stop
The love that the artist has for their subject is unbreakable and ever-increasing.
It's that extendo (it's that extendo oh)
The love that the artist has for their subject is like an extendable clip for a weapon: it is unlimited and can endure all situations, including wars and conflicts.
(Girl) M16 on my lap (on my lap)
The subject of the song carries around an M16, insinuating that they are always prepared for any conflict that could arise.
Korean missiles in the sky
There is an underlying tone of political conflict and potential war, with the mention of North Korea's missile trials.
No matter where I go on the map (on the map)
The subject of the song is aware of the challenges and risks of the outside world, no matter where they go on the map.
You got my protection (oh my love)
Despite the challenges of the outside world, the artist is confident that the subject of the song can protect them from dangers.
Banana clip on my love for you (yeah)
The artist's love is compared to a high-capacity banana clip that can deliver an endless supply of love and affection towards the subject.
Let it ring like (graa)
Using a gun analogy again, the artist is saying that he will let his love ring out explosively, just like gunshots.
Yeah, I let it ring like (graa)
The artist is reiterating his promise to let his love ring out powerfully, again using the gun analogy.
It's like I'm trigger happy (hahahaha)
The artist is comparing his love to a gun, saying that he is trigger happy because he cannot stop expressing his love.
You know I stay down, way down for you, talking limbo (Way down for you, yeah)
The artist is saying that he is 'way down' for his subject, just like limbo, and is always ready to put himself in difficult positions to protect and support them.
And my love, it won't stop, got that extendo (it's that extendo)
The love that the artist has for their subject is unbreakable and ever-increasing just like the extendable clip on a weapon.
(Girl) M16 on my lap (on my lap yeah)
The subject of the song is carrying around an M16 as a symbol of the protection and safety she can provide for the artist.
A lot of terror on her mind (on the mind yeah)
The subject is preoccupied with the dangers and problems in the world around them.
Banana clip on my love for you (oh)
The artist's love is compared again to a high-capacity banana clip that can deliver an endless supply of love and affection towards the subject.
Both eyes closed when I squeeze, yeah
The artist is closing his eyes and tightening his grip to convey the intensity of his love.
You are all I need
The subject of the song is everything to the artist, and he can do everything to protect and support her.
Is love
Love is the essential element that the artist needs, and he can offer everything for it.
Writer(s): Cordel Burrell, Keith Blair
Contributed by Charlotte S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin
on Waan Back
Wrong lyrics...c'mon,post genuine lyrics