Anthony B

Anthony B is the stage name of Keith Blair (born March 31, 1976), a Jamaican musician.

Blair grew up in rural Clarks Town in the parish of Trelawny northwest. His deeply religious family life (his mother was a Seventh-day Adventist and his grandmother a renewal) imbued with a deep spirituality. During his youth, his favorite singers were reggae legends Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, musicians who greatly influence his own style. Peter Tosh's influence can definitely be heard in Anthony B vocal delivery and revolutionary stance.



Anthony B adopted Rastafarian beliefs as a teenager, a decision that was not well received by his family. A stubborn and determined Anthony B refused to release the new religion and dreadlocks and moved to his aunt and uncle's house in the suburbs of Kingston, Portmore.

While attending high school, Anthony B debut as an announcer for a 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 the "quiet" songs about women is the popular thing to do. Anthony B does not believe in degrading women and chose to pen politically-slanted songs rather than the so-called "gyal chunes." He connected 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 manufacturers but found that none of them match the style of music. Finally, Anthony B worked with Richard "Bello" Bell, creating hits such as PlayFire Pon Rome, Raid The Barn, PlayRumour, and PlayRepentance Time. Anthony B's 1996 debut album Real Revolutionary highly acclaimed in the reggae community. In late 1997, Anthony B released Universal Struggle which showed that Anthony B had a consistent, high-caliber talent. Anthony B has issued a large number of albums since then, including 1999's and 2004's Seven Seals Untouchable which featured collaborations with artists including Wyclef Jean.

Anthony B tour extensively in Europe and North America and is famous for its fiery, high-energy performances.

Anthony B is a member of the Bobo Ashanti branch of the Rastafarian movement. "Bobo dreads", because they are known, are recognized by their long robes and turbans. Strong Afrocentric pride and other Rastafarian beliefs (or "overstandings" as Rastafarians prefer to call them) which Anthony B holds are reflected in the song.