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)
Suffering In The Streets
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the big man sitting up on their chair
What are you doing for the poor across a people that livin down here
Is a question
How do you feel?
To see the suffering in the streets
Kids go into bed hungry
How do you feel?
Violence and crime are increased
Jamaica is a one love country
But still there's no peace
Nah see dung anthon papa
When mi look pon mi son and mi daughta
Nah they are outside a beg wata
Dem mi a victim mi a go???
Life serious a no time fi di laughta
Anthony b di who babylon afta
One tile like we inna pasta
Is a question to all slave masta
How do you feel?
To see the suffering in the streets
Kids go into bed hungry
With no food to eat
How do you feel?
Violence and crime are increased
Jamaica is a one love country
But still there′s no peace
Crime rate too high
And dem waan think get low
But still dem pass di ghetto youth like dem dem nuh know
Why so much innocent blood a float
He come to your window gunman through your door
Where is the better politician
Not even??? council and mi see fi this division
Every time the leaders go round
That send mi hear the world opposition
How do you feel?
To see the suffering in the streets
Kids go into bed hungry
With no food to eat
How do you feel?
Violence and crime are increased
Jamaica is a one love country
But still there's no peace
How do you feel?
To see the suffering in the streets
Kids go into bed hungry
With no food to eat
How do you feel?
Violence and crime are increased
Jamaica is a one love country
But still there's no peace
Babylon raze still dem raze deh
??????????
And a too you relax
My time are siddung inna yuh bed
Di youth dem dung inna di ghetto with di led
Yuh cyaan stop di violence from escalate
And yuh cyaan trick di ghetto youth like???
How much more a mi black sista yah go rape
And then yuh put up di yellow tape
How do you feel?
To see the suffering in the streets
Kids go into bed hungry
With no food to eat
How do you feel?
Violence and crime are increased
Jamaica is a one love country
But still there′s no peace
The song Suffering In The Streets by Anthony B is a powerful and thought-provoking reggae song that is filled with deep and meaningful lyrics. It begins with a direct question to the people in power about what they are doing to help the poor people who are suffering on the streets. The song highlights the dire conditions in which people are living and the injustice they face every day. The chorus of the song repeatedly asks how one can feel after seeing the suffering, hunger, and violence that exist in the streets.
The lyrics also shine a light on the political situation in Jamaica, where violence and crime are on the rise. The song questions the role of politicians and leaders in helping to address the issues faced by people living in poverty. The lack of action by those in power in tackling the issues of poverty and violence only perpetuates the cycle of suffering and poverty.
Overall, the song Suffering In The Streets is an emotional plea for those in power to step up and take action to help those who are most vulnerable in society. The song is a reminder that, despite being a one love country, Jamaica still has a long way to go to achieve true peace and equality.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the question
Anthony B is about to ask a big question.
To the big man sitting up on their chair
He is referring to those in power and authority.
What are you doing for the poor across a people that livin down here
Asks what the powerful have done for the poor people.
Is a question
He emphasizes that he is asking a question.
How do you feel?
Anthony B asks the powerful how they feel.
To see the suffering in the streets
Refers to the poor state of living in the streets.
Kids go into bed hungry
There are children who go to sleep with empty stomachs.
With no food to eat
There is a lack of food among the poor.
Violence and crime are increased
The level of violence and crime has risen.
Jamaica is a one love country
Jamaica has a reputation for being a loving country.
But still there's no peace
Despite the country's reputation, there is no peace.
Nah see dung anthon papa
Anthony B is not content to dwell on depressing issues.
When mi look pon mi son and mi daughta
He looks at his children and wonders what the future will hold.
Nah they are outside a beg wata
In the future, he hopes his children do not have to beg for water.
Dem mi a victim mi a go???
Anthony B wonders if his children will become victims.
Life serious a no time fi di laughta
He reminds us that life is not always easy.
Anthony b di who babylon afta
He is willing to fight anyone who takes advantage of the poor.
One tile like we inna pasta
Refers to how everyone is the same, like in a pot of pasta.
Is a question to all slave masta
He has a question for those in positions of authority.
Crime rate too high
The rate of crime is very high.
And dem waan think get low
People hope that the level of crime will decrease.
But still dem pass di ghetto youth like dem dem nuh know
They ignore the struggles of the youth.
Why so much innocent blood a float
He asks why innocent people are suffering.
He come to your window gunman through your door
There is no escape from the violence.
Where is the better politician
Refers to the absence of a good politician.
Not even??? council and mi see fi this division
He is critical of local governments and politicians.
Every time the leaders go round
When the leaders come around, he has a question for them.
That send mi hear the world opposition
He hears the voice of opposition in the wind.
Babylon raze still dem raze deh
There is still destruction despite authorities' attempts to stop it.
??????????
This line has no clear meaning.
And a too you relax
Anthony B thinks those in power are not doing enough.
My time are siddung inna yuh bed
He is calling out those in power for their lack of action.
Di youth dem dung inna di ghetto with di led
The youth are suffering in the ghettos.
Yuh cyaan stop di violence from escalate
There is no stopping the rise in violence.
And yuh cyaan trick di ghetto youth like???
Anthony B does not want the youth to be misled.
How much more a mi black sista yah go rape
He is worried about the safety of black women.
And then yuh put up di yellow tape
Refers to the aftermath of violence and the police presence that follows.
Writer(s): Keith Anhony Blair
Contributed by Jayce R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mauro Cardinale
blessed love!! waiting for this video from long time :)
kerwyn boyce
blessed an touching video king
Tyrell Gordon
I love this music go Jamaica