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)
Stranger
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bop, Bop, Bop a who a knock mi door
Verse 1:
A stranger knock my door
Said he want to ask I a question
His eyes were mean and so
I could tell he had a wicked intention
No time for my knees to be weak
I reach for my psalms in a second
Jah I know I'm gonna need your protection
Chorus:
Oh oh, the stranger is a ranger
Coming to get my herb from my back yard garden, yea a
Oh oh, the stranger is a ranger
He come to get my herb from my back yard garden
Verse 2:
Looking through my key hole at his portfold
He was the size of a brute
Belts and buckles and boots
License to shoot don't want to hear the truth
He's not a jolly good fellow
Working for the pharaoh doing overtime for his pleasure
Want the Ras to be a victim
Want the Ras to face the boys of the system
Chorus
Verse 3:
As the pressure is mounting eh a a
Enforcement surrounding, yeah eh
Jah is my only bridge to cross over these troubled waters
I could never be doubting, no-o
Jah powers keep rising, eh eh
Good gonna trample evil
Cause Jah is always there for I and I
Chorus
Verse 4:
Well the pressure still mounting, yeah eh
Enforcement closing in, oh oh
Jah is my only bridge to cross over these troubled waters
Yeah ah, yeah eh eh yeaaaah
Good is gonna trample evil
Cause Jah is always there for I and I
Chorus 2x
The song "Stranger" by Anthony B revolves around an encounter with a stranger who comes knocking at the singer's door. The stranger's intentions are unclear, but the singer can tell from his eyes that he has a wicked intention. As the song progresses, the singer realizes that the stranger is a ranger who has come to confiscate his herb from his backyard garden. The chorus repeats the phrase "Oh oh, the stranger is a ranger, coming to get my herb from my backyard garden, yeah" to emphasize the threat the stranger poses.
In the second verse, the singer describes the stranger's appearance, which is intimidating due to his size and his belts, buckles, and boots. He also reveals that the stranger is working for the pharaoh and is authorized to shoot if necessary. The stranger is not a "jolly good fellow" and wants the singer to be a victim of the system.
In the third verse, the singer feels the pressure mounting as the enforcement surrounds him. He seeks protection from Jah, knowing that he can always provide a way for him to cross over the troubled waters. The singer feels confident that good will overcome evil as he relies on Jah's power.
Overall, "Stranger" is a song about the struggle against oppression and the importance of relying on one's faith when facing difficult situations.
Line by Line Meaning
A stranger knock my door
An unknown person knocked on my door
Said he want to ask I a question
He claimed he wanted to ask me a question
His eyes were mean and so
His eyes looked angry and unwelcoming
I could tell he had a wicked intention
Based on his appearance, I sensed that he had harmful intentions
Now I got to face this journey
I have to deal with this situation
No time for my knees to be weak
I can't afford to be fearful or weak-minded
I reach for my psalms in a second
I turn to my religious beliefs for support and strength
Jah I know I'm gonna need your protection
I believe I will need divine protection
Oh oh, the stranger is a ranger
I realize the stranger is a law enforcement officer
Coming to get my herb from my back yard garden, yea a
He is specifically targeting my marijuana plants in my backyard
Looking through my key hole at his portfold
I am spying on him through the keyhole and notice his badge
He was the size of a brute
He appears physically imposing
Belts and buckles and boots
His uniform includes many accessories
License to shoot don't want to hear the truth
He is authorized to use deadly force and will not listen to a defense or explanation
He's not a jolly good fellow
He is not friendly or approachable
Working for the pharaoh doing overtime for his pleasure
He is working for an oppressive and unjust government with self-serving motives
Want the Ras to be a victim
He intends to make me suffer as a representative of the Rastafarian movement
Want the Ras to face the boys of the system
He wants to confront and subdue me as a symbol of resistance to the government
As the pressure is mounting eh a a
As the intensity of the situation is increasing
Enforcement surrounding, yeah eh
Law enforcement officers are closing in around me
Jah is my only bridge to cross over these troubled waters
My faith in God is my only hope to survive this difficult situation
I could never be doubting, no-o
I am confident in my beliefs and will not waver
Jah powers keep rising, eh eh
My faith in God is growing stronger
Good gonna trample evil
Righteousness will prevail over wickedness
Cause Jah is always there for I and I
God will always be there for me
Well the pressure still mounting, yeah eh
The intensity of the situation remains high
Enforcement closing in, oh oh
The police are getting closer to catching me
Jah is my only bridge to cross over these troubled waters
I still believe that my faith in God is my only hope
Yeah ah, yeah eh eh yeaaaah
Affirmation of belief
Good is gonna trample evil
Righteousness will ultimately prevail
Cause Jah is always there for I and I
God will always provide support
Lyrics © SUELION MUSIC
Written by: RICHARD BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Sean Dickson
These are the classics I grew up on. Dont make them like this anymore. I will keep the fire burning still
Ann Parker
Legend
ReggaeTakeover
i reach for ma psalms in a second, jah nuh im gona need your protection!
Rodney Rodney
bup bup Anthony B ruff ta all
Cobweb Theorem
First comment, huh!