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)
Not an Easy Road
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then afterwards, they mistake it, chro
I'll be here for sure, don't worry
And mi say my, my, my m-my
It's not an easy road
And many see the glamour and the glitter so them think a bed of rose, mi say
Who feels it knows, oooh
Lord help me sustain these blows
I cry!
It's not an easy road
And many see the glamour and the glitter so them think a bed of rose, mi say
Who feels it knows, oooh
Lord help me sustain
From the minute of birth, you enter this earth
Obstacles deh inna your way to overcome first
Throughout everyday they seem to get worse
Oh my God, cast away this curse!
Everybody ah try fi make every end meet
Through every way they endeavor
Lord God you see it
No matter what the world may say out ah street
Must affi survive, won't accept defeat
Now I'm weary, tired and dreary
Got no time to waste
You better know that
It's not an easy road
And many see the glamour and the glitter so them think a bed of rose, mi say
Who feels it knows, oooh
Lord help me sustain these blows
I cry!
It's not an easy road
And many see the glamour and the glitter so them think a bed of rose, mi say
Who feels it knows, oooh
Lord help me sustain these blows
While you rise to see the sun
Who you love a pull you down
Trying to discredit the works you have done
Some can't satisfy with the past of ally
From the Scribes and Pharisees
You've got to stay wide
Hold up me head glancing on both side
A wait, anticipate, pray fi you to slide
Righteousness prevail with Jah by my side
Deliver Jonah from the whale
No leave him to die
Help us all Abbabajoni
Hold up my head and cry
I tell you now
It's not an easy road, Oh no
It's not an easy road
I've been travelling morning
With such a heavy load
Now it's noon and I cannot afford
To put down that burden 'longside the road
Yea, I've got to hold it
I got to humble myself like a child
Upon my face I've the got to put on a smile
Make up my mind just to walk more miles
Oh God I've got to, I've got to, because I know that
It's not an easy road
And many see the glamour and the glitter so them think a bed of rose, mi say
Who feels it knows, oooh
Lord help me sustain these blows
Hot foot
It's not an easy road
And many see the glamour and the glitter so them think a bed of rose, mi say
Who feels it knows, oooh
Lord help me sustain these blows
From the minute of birth, you enter this earth
Obstacles deh inna your way to overcome first
Throughout everyday they seem to get worse
Oh my God, cast away this curse!
Everybody ah try fi make every end meet
Through every way they endeavor
Lord God you see it
Anthony B's song "Not an Easy Road" speaks about the challenges and difficulties that come with pursuing one's dreams and passion. The song begins with Anthony B expressing his disbelief that he has made it this far but acknowledges that people have mistaken his success for an easy path. He reassures his listeners that he is here to stay and will continue to persevere. The chorus emphasizes the theme of the song, that pursuing what one loves and dreams of is not an easy road. The glamour and glitter that people see is just a facade, and only those who experience the journey know how challenging it is.
The second verse emphasizes the obstacles that one has to overcome, starting from birth. Anthony B mentions that each day brings new challenges, and some people will want to discredit the hard work and effort one has put in. He urges people to stay strong and keep their head up, knowing that righteousness will ultimately prevail with God on their side. The final verse continues the same theme of perseverance, referring to the burden one carries and the need to carry it with a smile.
Overall, the song emphasizes the importance of resilience and persistence in pursuing one's dreams. It acknowledges that the journey is a difficult one, but with strength and determination, one can overcome any obstacle.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought I would've made it
I never expected to reach this level of success
Then afterwards, they mistake it, chro
People misunderstand my achievements after the fact
I'll be here for sure, don't worry
I will not give up, I will stay strong
And mi say my, my, my m-my
An expression of frustration and struggle
It's not an easy road
Life is difficult and challenging
And many see the glamour and the glitter so them think a bed of rose, mi say
People only see the surface level of success and think it is easy
Who feels it knows, oooh
Only those who have experienced struggle know the true reality
Lord help me sustain these blows
I need strength to survive the hardships
I cry!
An expression of intense emotional pain
From the minute of birth, you enter this earth
Life presents challenges from the very beginning
Obstacles deh inna your way to overcome first
You must overcome obstacles to succeed
Throughout everyday they seem to get worse
Challenges escalate and become more difficult
Oh my God, cast away this curse!
A plea for divine intervention to remove obstacles
Everybody ah try fi make every end meet
Everyone is struggling to make ends meet
Through every way they endeavor
Despite struggle, people continue to push forward
No matter what the world may say out ah street
Ignore naysayers and continue striving for success
Must affi survive, won't accept defeat
Survival is essential, giving up is not an option
Now I'm weary, tired and dreary
Feeling exhausted and drained
Got no time to waste
There is no time to waste on anything that does not contribute to success
While you rise to see the sun
While we strive for success and achievement
Who you love a pull you down
Those closest to you may act as obstacles to your success
Trying to discredit the works you have done
People will try to undermine your achievements
Some can't satisfy with the past of ally
Some people cannot accept past mistakes and hold them against you
From the Scribes and Pharisees
A reference to religious critics and hypocrites
You've got to stay wide
You must remain vigilant and aware
Hold up me head glancing on both side
Watchful and cautious at all times
A wait, anticipate, pray fi you to slide
Be patient, prepare for success, and pray for it
Righteousness prevail with Jah by my side
Justice and goodness will win as long as God is with me
Deliver Jonah from the whale
A reference to the Bible story of Jonah being saved from danger
No leave him to die
Do not give up on success and survival
Help us all Abbabajoni
A prayer for divine assistance and guidance
Hold up my head and cry
Stay strong and persevere through tears
I've been travelling morning
Struggles and hardships have been constant and ongoing
With such a heavy load
Feeling burdened and weighed down
Now it's noon and I cannot afford
There is no time to waste on rest or relaxation
To put down that burden 'longside the road
You must continue carrying the burden towards success
Yea, I've got to hold it
Perseverance is key
I got to humble myself like a child
Stay grounded and humble in the face of success and adversity
Upon my face I've the got to put on a smile
Maintain positivity and optimism even in difficult times
Make up my mind just to walk more miles
Resolve to keep going and achieve more
Hot foot
An expression of urgency and haste
Writer(s): Brent Dowe, Tony Robinson, James Mcnaughton, Keith Anthony Blair, Arthur S Reid, Lynford Marshall
Contributed by Alice S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BeenThroughTheStorm
May the blind see one day that reggae music pave the way for real life in a world of fake vibes
Kitur Selassie
"Just to survive you have to burn like a warrior"
̶N̶o̶
*you have 'be born as a warrior.
Franklin Sound System
I came I saw I conquered
potentialrandom
Thank you.
Ebrima Sowe
Not an easy rouy