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)
Fire
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black people don't get weary,
Dem tek off the shackles an face we,
But still we under mental slavery,
Unno sing with the Startrail posse (My Lord)
Chorus:
Fire pon Rome,
Black people waan go home
A Mount Zion a di righteous throne
Repeat
Verse 1:
Well, this is my question
To Issa and the one Matalon
How unno get fi own so much black people land
After dem slave, achieve nutten inna hand
Check out greater Portmore, Braeton
One room unno build a sell fi one million
Dem dey studio house nuh worth a hundred gran
Thrue mi a lick out dem waa mi keep quiat
But mi a bun fire fi di one Butch Stewart
Who buy out di plane an all di pilot
Thrue mi nuh inna Jamaica, love fi tan
Mi haffi bun fire fi the one Naree Azan
Everybody know how downtown a fi di poor man
How dem claims it an sey a to dem it belong
No more hustling, dat mean no food inna hand
One help wi have is the Almighty One
Jamaicans chant mi song
Chorus
Verse 2:
My Lord, don't talk jus listen,
Mi haffi bun fire fi P.J. Patterson
Him mek certain move an wi nuh too certain
How much black youth behind iron curtain
Thrue mi naw go trod inna Babylon order
Mi haffi bun fire fi one name Seaga
Everyday cost a living get harder
Have more seller more than buyer
Oh my Lord , what a pressure
Chorus
Verse 3:
So many things politician have stolen
Still them return with the one Bruce Golding
Saying a brand new party dem forming
But a part dem a part we with dem politics meeting
Out A politics poor people get them beaten
Look who dem have a tun metropolitan officer
Fi tek yuh hustling out a yuh hand
When yuh look pon dem face a yuh own black man
Well out of the slum di poor people send mi
Fi look what a gwaan and don't disagree
What is the benefit of GCT?
It benefit you but it never fit me.
Chorus
In Anthony B's song "Fire Pon Rome," he addresses the ongoing issue of black people being subjected to mental slavery. The references made in this song are criticisms of those people who are responsible for the issues faced by black people, and Anthony B goes after them with the fire of his words. The chorus of the song goes, "Fire pon Rome, fi Pope Paul an him scissors an comb, black people waan go home, a Mount Zion a di righteous throne." "Rome" has been used in this song metaphorically, as a symbol of the oppressors who have been responsible for the suffering of black people.
In the first verse, Anthony B raises a question about how white people own so much land in Jamaica, and why this happened even after they were once enslaved. He mentions the Portmore and Braeton areas where wealthy people build homes on land that was once owned by black Jamaicans. Anthony B sings, "Everybody know how downtown a fi di poor man, how dem claims it an sey it belong, no more hustling, dat mean no food inna hand, one help wi have is the Almighty One, Jamaicans chant mi song." He talks about the downtrodden Jamaicans who are left with no option but to live in poverty, while the rich people settle in the downtown areas of the country.
In verse two, Anthony B provides criticism towards politicians' actions that negatively impact poor people, one of whom is P.J. Patterson, who, in his view, made questionable moves that hurt the black youth. Another is Seaga, whose policies often do not benefit any but the wealthy class. Anthony B sings, "Well, out of the slum di poor people send mi, fi look what a gwaan and don't disagree, what is the benefit of GCT, it benefit you but it never fit me." The song concludes with the chorus, inviting listeners to reflect upon the message conveyed by the song and think about the ways in which society can change for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Black people don't get weary,
Black people remain steadfast despite facing various forms of oppression and injustices.
Dem tek off the shackles an face we,
Although the physical chains of slavery have been removed, black people still face mental bondage and oppression.
But still we under mental slavery,
Black people are still subject to various forms of mental oppression and systemic racism.
Unno sing with the Startrail posse (My Lord)
The Startrail posse and the artist encourage listeners to join and support the movement to fight against oppression.
Fire pon Rome,
The singer advocates for an uprising against the Roman Catholic Church and its policies.
Fi Pope Paul an him scissors an comb,
The artist condemns the actions of Pope Paul and his oppressive policies and practices.
Black people waan go home
Black people desire a return to their ancestral homeland, where they can live free from systemic racism and oppression.
A Mount Zion a di righteous throne
In the eyes of the singer, Mount Zion is the only rightful place for black people to live in peace and freedom.
Well, this is my question
The artist is about to address a topic of great importance to him.
To Issa and the one Matalon
The artist is questioning the ownership of a significant amount of land by these individuals.
How unno get fi own so much black people land
The artist is inquiring how these individuals came to possess such a significant quantity of land that would have belonged to black people.
After dem slave, achieve nutten inna hand
Black people who were enslaved were left with nothing of value, while others who were not enslaved were able to accumulate wealth and land.
Check out greater Portmore, Braeton
The artist is highlighting specific areas where he believes there is a significant wealth discrepancy between people of color and others.
One room unno build a sell fi one million
Some individuals are selling small, low-quality housing units for exorbitant prices, taking advantage of those who are less financially stable.
Dem dey studio house nuh worth a hundred gran
Expensive studio apartments are being sold for inflated prices, even though they are not worth the asking amount.
Thrue mi a lick out dem waa mi keep quiat
The singer is exposing these issues, even though some powerful individuals are trying to silence him.
But mi a bun fire fi di one Butch Stewart
The artist is calling for a movement against Butch Stewart, who he believes is using his power to oppress and exploit others.
Who buy out di plane an all di pilot
Stewart is accused of purchasing planes and hiring pilots to further his own interests at the expense of others.
Thrue mi nuh inna Jamaica, love fi tan
The singer is not currently residing in Jamaica, but he still cares deeply for the country and its issues.
Mi haffi bun fire fi the one Naree Azan
The artist is calling on others to take action against Naree Azan, who he believes is engaged in corruption and oppression against black people.
Everybody know how downtown a fi di poor man
The singer highlights the importance of downtown areas to those who are financially struggling.
How dem claims it an sey a to dem it belong
Those in power claim these areas, but the singer believes they should belong to those who truly need them.
No more hustling, dat mean no food inna hand
The crackdown on street vendors and other forms of hustling means that many people will be left without any means to support themselves or their families.
One help wi have is the Almighty One
The artist believes that the only means to achieve true freedom and liberation is through divine intervention.
Jamaicans chant mi song
The singer hopes that Jamaicans will join him in his movement to fight against oppression and seek true justice.
My Lord, don't talk jus listen,
The artist implores the listener to take his message seriously and not ignore the issues at hand.
Mi haffi bun fire fi P.J. Patterson
The singer condemns the actions of P.J. Patterson, accusing him of engaging in oppressive policies and practices.
Him mek certain move an wi nuh too certain
The singer believes that Patterson has made decisions that may not be in the best interest of those he is supposed to serve.
How much black youth behind iron curtain
The singer believes that young black people are being oppressed and held back from their full potential.
Thrue mi naw go trod inna Babylon order
The artist refuses to be a part of the oppressive system that seeks to keep black people in bondage.
Mi haffi bun fire fi one name Seaga
The artist is publicly condemning Edward Seaga's policies and actions, which he sees as oppressive and harmful to black people.
Everyday cost a living get harder
The increasing cost of living makes it increasingly difficult for those who are struggling financially to make ends meet.
Have more seller more than buyer
The market is saturated with sellers, and there are not enough buyers to sustain everyone's livelihoods.
Oh my Lord , what a pressure
The singer laments the struggle and pressure that those who are financially struggling must endure.
So many things politician have stolen
Politicians are accused of stealing from their constituents and taking advantage of their power and influence.
Still them return with the one Bruce Golding
Despite allegations of corruption and theft, politicians like Bruce Golding continue to hold power in the government.
Saying a brand new party dem forming
Politicians make promises of change and reform, but the singer remains skeptical of these claims.
But a part dem a part we with dem politics meeting
The singer believes that politicians do not have the best interests of the people in mind when making political decisions.
Out A politics poor people get them beaten
The policies and decisions made by politicians often harm those who are already financially struggling.
Look who dem have a tun metropolitan officer
The singer highlights the issue of systemic racism and corruption within the police force, which is often used to oppress and harm black people.
Fi tek yuh hustling out a yuh hand
The police force is accused of cracking down on street vendors and those who engage in other forms of hustling, thereby taking away people's livelihoods.
When yuh look pon dem face a yuh own black man
The artist is pointing out the irony of black people being oppressed and harmed by those who are supposed to represent and protect them.
Well out of the slum di poor people send mi
The artist is speaking out on behalf of those in impoverished areas who are not able to voice their own concerns.
Fi look what a gwaan and don't disagree
The singer is urging his listeners to pay attention to the issues at hand and to take action against oppression and injustice.
What is the benefit of GCT?
The artist is questioning the value of the General Consumption Tax and how it benefits those who are struggling financially.
It benefit you but it never fit me.
The singer believes that policies and practices that benefit some actually harm others who are less financially secure.
Chorus
The main message of the song is reiterated: to fight against oppression and for true justice and freedom for all black people.
Lyrics © SUELION MUSIC
Written by: KEITH BLAIR, RICHARD BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Be Bandeira
Pedradaaaa 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🔥🔥🔥🔥🔊
Neg4tiva Mente
Quando toca essa tune no baile eu limpo o chão do baile com a blusa POW POW
Okitop Joji
CHAMA
Lara Beatriz
Bem isso
reynaldo jose barrios barrios
exelente disco anthony B
IVANA BAEZ
Temazo ¡¡¡
Santiago Gardeazábal
Anthony B en el jamming!!! :D
jamal do morro
Essa tune e pros limbo man pow pow pow 😎
Alcatel Popc7
Excelente tema solo dancehall
loraine guevara
Puro dancehall desde Colombia