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)
Family Business
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mr. Don Vito eh I
Nobody ever yet cross him line
Something might reach you
Throw a dollar to the shoe shine boy
And say he's a goodfellow
Silk ties and designer shirts All buttons to the collar
Limousines, lots of greens
For him and his harlot queen
Sub-machines the order of his day
Because he's caught up in a family business
Living the life of a ganster yeah
Caught up in a family business
No way out, no way out
Day to day it's a life of violence
Big man him a run things
Sworn of committed to a board of silence
Could you imagine
Boot legging, amrs-peddling
Lots of plots and cons and schemes
Gambling, the order of his day
Jah know he's caught up in a family business
Living the life of a mafia yeah
Caught up in a family business
No way out, no way out
Bad example setting in the ghetto
All the youths want to be like Vito
Move fast none a dem no wah move slow
To be a don not for long
Stay in low when the heat is on
The tradition soon you got to pass it on
Because he's caught up in a family business
Living the life of a ganster yeah
Caught up in a family business
No way out, no way out
Jah know he's caught up in a family business
Living the life of a mafia yeah
Caught up in a family business
No way out, no way out
The lyrics of Anthony B's song "Family Business" depict the life and struggles of a man who is caught up in a family business that involves criminal activities like bootlegging, arms-peddling, gambling, and violent acts. Through the portrayal of the character's lifestyle, we get to see the influence of organized crime in the society and how it can affect individuals who become a part of it.
The song mentions a character named Mr. Don Vito as the boss of crime, who commands power and authority over others. He is portrayed as someone who is wealthy, wears designer clothes, and rides in limousines with his mistress. However, the character is also involved in illegal activities such as bootlegging and arms-peddling. The lyrics suggest that Mr. Don Vito is part of a family that has a tradition of committing to a board of silence and passing it on to the next generation.
The song also warns of the danger of being caught up in such a life, where there is no way out. The lyrics suggest that the youth are influenced by these experiences, as they want to be like Mr. Don Vito, move fast, and not move slow. Anthony B advises to avoid becoming involved in such matters and recommends "N-O" (no) as the right course. The song portrays the importance of the family unit and urges it not to be torn apart by the involvement in organized crime.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes a him name the boss of crime
He is the leader of the criminal organization.
Mr. Don Vito eh I
His name is Don Vito.
Nobody ever yet cross him line
No one has dared to go against him.
Something might reach you
You might be hurt or harmed.
Throw a dollar to the shoe shine boy
He shows off his wealth by tipping the shoe shine boy.
And say he's a goodfellow
He pretends to be friendly, but is really dangerous.
Silk ties and designer shirts
He wears expensive clothes.
All buttons to the collar
He dresses formally.
Limousines, lots of greens
He travels in luxury and has a lot of money.
For him and his harlot queen
He shares his wealth with his mistress.
Sub-machines the order of his day
He uses sub-machine guns frequently.
Because he's caught up in a family business
He is trapped in a life of crime due to being part of a family business.
Living the life of a ganster yeah
He lives a gangster's lifestyle.
No way out, no way out
He cannot escape from the crime family.
Day to day it's a life of violence
He is surrounded by brutal violence every day.
Big man him a run things
He is the one in charge.
Sworn of committed to a board of silence
He is bound by a code of secrecy and loyalty.
Could you imagine
Can you even picture it?
Boot legging, arms-peddling
He is involved in illegal alcohol sales and weapons trade.
Lots of plots and cons and schemes
He is constantly thinking about new schemes to make money.
Gambling, the order of his day
He is heavily involved in gambling.
Bad example setting in the ghetto
He is a negative role model for young people in his community.
All the youths want to be like Vito
Young people are drawn to his power and wealth.
Move fast none a dem no wah move slow
He leads a fast-paced lifestyle and expects the same from others.
But my advise in N-O
He advises against following his path.
To be a don not for long
Being a leader in a crime family is not a sustainable career.
Stay in low when the heat is on
When the police are investigating, it is best to lay low.
The tradition soon you got to pass it on
It is expected that he will pass on his leadership role to the next generation.
Living the life of a mafia yeah
He lives a mafia lifestyle.
Lyrics © Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BARBER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ismaelgoros532
Yes a him name the boss of crime
Mr. Don Vito eh I
Nobody ever yet cross him line
Something might reach you
Throw a dollar to the shoe shine boy
And say he's a good fellow
Silk ties and designer shirts
All buttons to the collar
Limousines, lots of greens
For him and his harlot queen
Sub-machines the order of his day
Because he's caught up in a family business
Living the life of a gangster yeah
Caught up in a family business
No way out, no way out
Day to day it's a life of violence
Big man him a run things
Sworn of committed to a board of silence
Could you imagine
Boot legging, arms-peddling
Lots of plots and cons and schemes
Gambling, the order of his day
Jah know he's caught up in a family business
Living the life of a mafia yeah
Caught up in a family business
No way out, no way out
Bad example setting in the ghetto
All the youths wanna be like Vito
Move fast none a dem no wah move slow
But my advise in N-O
To be a don not for long
Stay in low when the heat is on
The tradition soon you got to pass it on
Because he's caught up in a family business
Living the life of a gangster yeah
Caught up in a family business
No way out, no way out
Jah know he's caught up in a family business
Living the life of a mafia yeah
Caught up in a family business
No way out, no way out .....More firé 💥🌴🦁🌴🌍♥️
@JUDAHMuguna
Beautiful lovely song.you are a true and real living LEGEND
@samwelmithaka6316
Throw a dollar to the shoe shine boy, and say he is a good fellow,silk tie the designer shirt,from botton to the collar,limousines lots of greens of him and his harlot queen, sub machine,the orders of his day, because he is caught up in a family business..kudos Anthony B.
@dariuskathenge5389
the only best.... way to describe anthony B is by playing this beautful vibe.....👊👊👊 all the way frm kenya
@andrewamadi3732
Kujeni hapa Wakenya... Nime wangoja sana.
@KalamuYaGalana
Tuko...
@MrLabizness
my best Anthony b track 🇰🇪
@3sixgod36
I just found myself here 2021 🔥🔥
@RoyalBlue292
The best dub plat I've ever heard..more love for this tune 2019!
@aakinice3819
my child hood i grow up with still a hit in 23
@deewinc
Just like Dancehall, the 90s was a beautiful era for Reggae music