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)
Two Sevens Clash
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the two sevens clash
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
My good old prophet Marcus Garvey prophesize, say
"St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston is gonna read"
And I can see with mine own eyes
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash (it dread)
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
Look up a cotton tree out by Ferry police station
How beautiful it used to be
And it has been destroyed by lightning
Earthquake and thunder, I say
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash (it dread)
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
I take a ride sometimes
On Penn Overland and Bronx
And sometimes I ride on bus X-82, say what?
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
Marcus Garvey was inside of Spanish Town district Prison
And when they were about to take him out
He prophesied and said
"As I have passed through this gate"
"No other prisoner shall enter and get through"
And so it is until now
The gate has been locked, so what?
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash (it dread)
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash (it bitter, bitter, bitter)
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash (a man a go feel it)
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash (you better do right)
Wat a liiv an bambaie
When the two sevens clash
The lyrics to Anthony B feat. Culture's song Two Seven Clash paint a picture of a time of tumultuous change and upheaval. The "two sevens" referred to in the song represent a period in Jamaican history when, according to the teachings of Marcus Garvey, a great conflict was prophesized to take place. The opening lines of the song, "Wat a liiv an bambaie / When the two sevens clash," signify the dread and tension felt by people during this time.
The lyrics also reference the destruction of natural beauty, such as the cotton tree near Ferry police station, which was destroyed by lightning, earthquake, and thunder. This destruction is symbolic of the upheaval and change that was taking place in Jamaican society during the two sevens clash.
The mention of Marcus Garvey, who was a Jamaican political leader, further underscores the socio-political concerns of the time. Garvey's prophecy about "St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston" refers to the two major cities in Jamaica that were expected to play a critical role in the upcoming conflict.
Overall, the lyrics to Two Seven Clash speak to a profound sense of change, fear, and uncertainty, as people grappled with the predictions of Marcus Garvey and the tumultuous events that were to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Wat a liiv an bambaie
An expression of awe and fear when certain events occur
When the two sevens clash
Refers to a specific time period in Jamaican history when Marcus Garvey's prophesied events were predicted to occur
My good old prophet Marcus Garvey prophesize, say
Marcus Garvey, a historical figure in Jamaica, had predicted specific events that have come true
"St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston is gonna read"
Two specific places in Jamaica (St. Jago de la Vega and Kingston) will be featured in news headlines
And I can see with mine own eyes
The artist has witnessed the events Garvey predicted
It's only a housing scheme that divide
The division between places is only determined by the type of housing available in each area
Look up a cotton tree out by Ferry police station
A specific location in Jamaica is being described
How beautiful it used to be
The artist is reminiscing about how the area used to be before it was ruined
And it has been destroyed by lightning, earthquake and thunder, I say
Natural disasters have destroyed the beauty of this area
I take a ride sometimes
The artist goes for a ride occasionally
On Penn Overland and Bronx
Two transportation routes in New York City are mentioned
And sometimes I ride on bus X-82, say what?
The artist mentions another transportation route in New York City
Marcus Garvey was inside of Spanish Town district Prison
The singer shares the story of Garvey being imprisoned
And when they were about to take him out
Refers to the time when Garvey was released from prison
He prophesied and said
Garvey made another prediction
"As I have passed through this gate"
Garvey was able to leave the prison, but no other prisoner will be able to leave from that point on
"No other prisoner shall enter and get through"
The gate is locked and will remain locked forever
And so it is until now
The prophecy has held true up to the present time
Wat a liiv an bambaie
An expression of awe and fear when certain events occur
When the two sevens clash (it dread)
A reference to the ominous quality of the predicted events
When the two sevens clash (it bitter, bitter, bitter)
A reference to the harsh realities of the predicted events
When the two sevens clash (a man a go feel it)
The events will have a profound impact on individuals
When the two sevens clash (you better do right)
The predicted events should encourage people to make better choices
Wat a liiv an bambaie
An expression of awe and fear when certain events occur
When the two sevens clash
Refers to a specific time period in Jamaican history when Marcus Garvey's prophesied events were predicted to occur
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kriskrowbar4698
culture true icon....one of my best singles... . massive love from kenya.. 2023 boom!!!!
@geffeniz
🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪
@geffeniz
2024 still listening
@INDEGOCENTRAL
yes the word has been spoke, message reach the power is changed.. give thanks this power forces... 707 the queen gone...wake up my people lets come out and celebrate we are ready to do our good works.... blessing to all who reading this....
@walterduiker5413
All the friends I used to listen to this song with have passed away. Whenever I hear it tears rolls down my face coz of the memories
@dunstabledagger
Prophecy Reveal by Bo Jangles. Classic from the 1970's. Two sevens clash was 1977
@mmg0705
The great culture 👊🏿 Big Anthony B👌🏿
@joycemwaghadi2246
Massive combination.BIG UP !!!!
@TheRastachick1
Joseph Hill had such a good voice. He is missed.
@roses4me451
Marcus Garvey's prophesies all came true. Judgement day is just around the corner. True words. RIP Joseph Hill.