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)
Whoa Mama Africa
Anthony B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You see all dem people whey you see over deh so
Don't pay dem nuh mind
Dem is just one set a people who have nothing to do
With the development and upliftment of I and I as a race
But watch this
Well it's Anthony be , Buju Banton and Garnett Silk
Mama Africa, Mama Africa
Chorus:
Hello Mama Africa
How are you?
I'm feeling find
And I hope you're fine too
Hello Mama Africa
How are you?
I hope when you hear these words
Your grays turn blue, grays turn blue
Verse 1:
I will break these chains
Of their subhuman bondage
Scatter all the remains
With negative thoughts in diverse places
Posses the state of mind to declare anytime
Say Mama Africa a yours and mine
Own a continent no island never deh pon mi mind
This was well-orchestrated plan from long time
Soon I shall be home and everything will be fine
When you see the lion running wild know that is a sign
Of an ancient order royal and divine
With all the natural resource to satisfy mankind
Chorus
Verse 2:
Who say so?
Marcus Mosiah
Listen Mr. be
Marcus tell I
Black starliner gonna carry us home
I know it's true
What will you do you don't want to be left alone
I've been waiting watching from the distant shore
At every passing vessel my teardrops flow
Could it be in my direction it goes
Beaulah land beckons trod home trod home
Chorus
Verse 3:
The sweetest things are there to be found
The golden sunshine
The wind blows around
The fresh vegetation which comes from the earth
Oh Mama Africa you make me know what life is worth
Chorus
The song "Hello Mama Africa" by Anthony B is a powerful tribute to the African continent. The first verse speaks to the idea of breaking the chains of subhuman bondage and scattering negative thoughts. It encourages people to possess a state of mind that declares Mama Africa to be both a shared heritage and a unique personal possession. The second verse references Marcus Garvey's Black Starliner which was an effort to create a shipping line owned and operated by African-American entrepreneurs. This transportation system aimed to help people of color return to Africa and build a new society free from oppression. The lyrics make clear the belief that the African continent is central to the heritage of people of African descent globally.
The chorus reinforces the sentiment of the song with its welcoming greeting of "Hello Mama Africa, How are you?" The hopes expressed in the lyrics are for both a personal feeling of well-being as well as a larger aspiration for the continent itself- that hearing these words could turn Mama Africa's grays to blue. The third verse raises the idea of finding the sweetness of life in Africa. The golden sunshine, fresh vegetation, and the wind that blows around all come together to make life worth living. For many, the beauty of the continent is not just a reminder of home, but a motivation to strive for its betterment and upliftment.
Line by Line Meaning
You see all dem people whey you see over deh so
Don't pay dem nuh mind
Dem is just one set a people who have nothing to do
With the development and upliftment of I and I as a race
But watch this
Ignore the people who aren't concerned about the progress and betterment of our race, but are just bystanders. Watch me.
Well it's Anthony be , Buju Banton and Garnett Silk
Mama Africa, Mama Africa
It's Anthony B, Buju Banton and Garnett Silk. Mama Africa, Mama Africa.
Hello Mama Africa
How are you?
I'm feeling find
And I hope you're fine too
Hello Mama Africa
How are you?
I hope when you hear these words
Your grays turn blue, grays turn blue
Greetings Mama Africa! I hope this message reaches you in good spirits. Just like I'm doing fine, I hope you're fine too. When you hear my words, I hope they make you happy and fill you with joy.
I will break these chains
Of their subhuman bondage
Scatter all the remains
With negative thoughts in diverse places
Posses the state of mind to declare anytime
Say Mama Africa a yours and mine
Own a continent no island never deh pon mi mind
This was well-orchestrated plan from long time
Soon I shall be home and everything will be fine
When you see the lion running wild know that is a sign
Of an ancient order royal and divine
With all the natural resource to satisfy mankind
I will destroy the oppressive systems that reduce our people to sub-human status, and disperse any remnants of negativity that exist. I have the mindset to confidently state that Mama Africa belongs to all of us. The continent is always on my mind, and I'm committed to this plan that I've been working on for a long time. I'll return home soon, and everything will be alright. When you see the lion running wild, it's a sign of the ancient and divine order that we are a part of, which has all the natural resources we need to fulfill ourselves.
Who say so?
Marcus Mosiah
Listen Mr. be
Marcus tell I
Black starliner gonna carry us home
I know it's true
What will you do you don't want to be left alone
I've been waiting watching from the distant shore
At every passing vessel my teardrops flow
Could it be in my direction it goes
Beaulah land beckons trod home trod home
Who said that? Marcus Mosiah Garvey told me, Mr. B. He said that the Black Star Liner will take us home. I believe it's true. You don't want to be left behind, what are you going to do? I've been waiting and watching from the shore, crying every time a ship passes. Could it be coming my way? Beaulah land is calling me, so I'm going home.
The sweetest things are there to be found
The golden sunshine
The wind blows around
The fresh vegetation which comes from the earth
Oh Mama Africa you make me know what life is worth
The best things in life are found in Mama Africa, where the sun shines bright, and the wind carries the sweet smell of fresh vegetation. It's where everything comes from the earth, and you remind me that life is truly precious.
Hello Mama Africa
How are you?
I'm feeling find
And I hope you're fine too
Hello Mama Africa
How are you?
I hope when you hear these words
Your grays turn blue, grays turn blue
Greetings Mama Africa! I hope this message reaches you in good spirits. Just like I'm doing fine, I hope you're fine too. When you hear my words, I hope they make you happy and fill you with joy.
Lyrics © SUELION MUSIC
Written by: KEITH BLAIR, RICHARD BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nyriiusz8878
great song