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)
Player No More
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
mero mayako aartha kaha bujyau
satha mero tmilai gban varko theyo
maya mero mari kina tadi gayau
mayata mero sachonai theyo
The lyrics of Anthony B's song "Player No More" is an expression of a lover who has been cheated on or deceived by their partner. In the first line, "janu ta gayau xodi ta deyau" translates to "you went away and left me behind." The tone of the song is somber as the singer is trying to understand the reasons why their love was not enough for their partner, "mero mayako aartha kaha bujyau" translating to "what did my love mean to you?" They cannot comprehend why their intense love was not enough to make their partner stay, "maya mero mari kina tadi gayau" meaning "why did my love die?" The singer comes to the realization that the love they had was not genuine, and it was all a game to their partner, "satha mero tmilai gban varko theyo, mayata mero sachonai theyo" meaning "you played with me, and my love was in vain."
The lyrics depict heartbreak and the difficulty of letting go of a love that turned out to be false. It portrays the emptiness and pain one can feel when their trust has been violated, and love has proven not to be enough. Overall, the song reflects on the importance of genuine love, and how it can be hurtful and devastating when it's not reciprocated. It's a relatable story of a person who has been played and can no longer accept it.
Line by Line Meaning
janu ta gayau xodi ta deyau
My beloved left and took my heart with her
mero mayako aartha kaha bujyau
I don't understand the meaning of my love anymore
satha mero tmilai gban varko theyo
My trust in you has been broken completely
maya mero mari kina tadi gayau
Love killed me but still she left me
mayata mero sachonai theyo
I have lost faith in love
Contributed by Zoe J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kevin
on Waan Back
Wrong lyrics...c'mon,post genuine lyrics