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)
Free
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well a bless we a bless dem and teach dem
And purge dem out and cleanse dem
Mek dem know say Emperor Selassie I
Is the almighty ah yo yagi yagi yagi di yagi yagi di yo
Yagi di yagi di yo a a a, yagi di yagi di yo, yagi di yagi di yo
Chorus:
So we can spree yo pick the beam out a you eye
Before you grudge nobody
Take the words from Anthony and Startrail family
We say free, that's the way the blackman want to be
Fi haile the trinity yo pick the beam out a you eye
Before you judge nobody
Take the words from Anthony and Startrail
Verse 1:
Meditation ulimited yes that a me
Foundation solid yes that a me
A think positive yest that a me
Me nah think negative yes that a me
Pure blessing me give yes that a me
Babylon we a sieve yes that a me
Nah bow out pon dem pig yes that a me
Me grow me locks it better than them wig
so me shout out
Chorus
Verse 2:
Caan use ghetto man like dem a mucule
Caan come tear dem like terline and wool
Cup dem empty rasta come fi full
Justice dem lock up a it me pull
Fi do that you a fi brave, bad like bull
Chant lightning that mean say bobo powerful
Don't try stop you brother when you se
e him a do him good
Leave all judging to Jah Jah that you should
Chorus
Verse 3:
See rasta and a criticize dem pants but look pon you shirt
Say dem pants hole, hole but you shirt it have dirt
Me show you the dirt you say a you feelings mi hurt
So leave the judging to Selassie I the first yo
You stop criticize the bobo when you see dem a sell dem broom
A it a sweep the filthiness out a oonu room
No criticize the foreman true you flowers improve
Listem me no bride and groom rastafman a said
Chorus
The song "Free" by Anthony B is a reggae anthem that speaks to the struggles and aspirations of the black community. The lyrics call for freedom both physically and emotionally, urging people to let go of grudges and judgments, and to focus on positive energy and blessings. The opening lines set the tone for the song, as it invokes the name of Emperor Selassie I, a central figure in Rastafarianism and a symbol of unity and empowerment.
In the first verse, Anthony B presents himself as a positive influence, promoting meditation and positivity while rejecting negativity and Babylonian ways. He declares himself a blessing and a sieve for Babylon, refusing to bow down to it. In the second verse, he calls for justice, stating that ghetto people should not be used or abused by those in power. Instead, they should be given the respect and dignity they deserve. He also warns against judging others and promotes unity and brotherhood.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a bless we a bless dem and teach dem
We offer blessings to those around us and teach them.
And purge dem out and cleanse dem
We purify and cleanse those in our community.
Mek dem know say Emperor Selassie I
Is the almighty ah yo yagi yagi yagi di yagi yagi di yo
Yagi di yagi di yo a a a, yagi di yagi di yo, yagi di yagi di yo
We recognize Emperor Selassie I as the almighty and praise him with energetic chants.
Tell them free that's the way ghetto youths want to be
So we can spree yo pick the beam out a you eye
Before you grudge nobody
Take the words from Anthony and Startrail family
We say free, that's the way the blackman want to be
Fi haile the trinity yo pick the beam out a you eye
Before you judge nobody
Take the words from Anthony and Startrail
We advocate for freedom, urging listeners to remove their own faults before judging others, and encouraging them to listen to our words.
Meditation ulimited yes that a me
Foundation solid yes that a me
A think positive yest that a me
Me nah think negative yes that a me
Pure blessing me give yes that a me
Babylon we a sieve yes that a me
Nah bow out pon dem pig yes that a me
Me grow me locks it better than them wig
so me shout out
We practice meditation and have a firm foundation. We think positively and don't dwell on negativity. We offer blessings and separate ourselves from oppressive forces. We don't succumb to conformism and instead embrace our unique culture.
Caan use ghetto man like dem a mucule
Caan come tear dem like terline and wool
Cup dem empty rasta come fi full
Justice dem lock up a it me pull
Fi do that you a fi brave, bad like bull
Chant lightning that mean say bobo powerful
Don't try stop you brother when you see him a do him good
Leave all judging to Jah Jah that you should
We reject the exploitation and oppression of ghetto communities, and instead strive to empower them with justice and full cups. We encourage bravery and assertiveness, and recognize the power of chanting. We advocate for non-interference in others' endeavors and leave judgement to a higher power.
See rasta and a criticize dem pants but look pon you shirt
Say dem pants hole, hole but you shirt it have dirt
Me show you the dirt you say a you feelings mi hurt
So leave the judging to Selassie I the first yo
You stop criticize the bobo when you see dem a sell dem broom
A it a sweep the filthiness out a oonu room
No criticize the foreman true you flowers improve
Listem me no bride and groom rastafman a said
We criticize those who judge others' appearances while neglecting their own flaws. We urge others to recognize their own shortcomings and not interfere with others' work. We encourage reflection and growth instead of criticizing others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GREG BIECK, E. TYLER HAYES, ANDREW FROMM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
goope
I listened to this song after I finished school - FREE
Jesper Xthe
Feel the vibes mann
Jacob Kaseke
Big up Anthony from Zimbabwe, memories
Rungano Kateya
Big tune Ina Zimbabwe 🇿🇼
DerHunk
thanks for the upload <3
ReggaeTakeover
Farai Chikowore this is called HOMEMADE RIDDIM 1999 from star trail records
irvine muteyaunga
TANKS BRO MI STILL FIL TINGLE WEN ME LISTEN TO DIS 2021
Chips C
whats e name of riddim please be looking for this long time
Zobi Skates
yaggadi yaggadi yo riddim
Chidochamwari Maringe
Chairohwa na Taruvinga Taruvinga muchishop chake chekugadzira ma watch pa Masvingo apo!! Free!!!!