Editing Anthony B

{{Short description|Jamaican deejay (born 1976)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Anthony B
| image           = Ruhr Reggae Summer Mülheim 2014 Anthony B 05.jpg
| caption         = Anthony B, [[Ruhr Reggae Summer]] 2014, [[Mülheim an der Ruhr|Mülheim]]
| image_size      =
| birth_name      = Keith Blair
| alias           =
| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1976|3|31}}
| birth_place     = [[Trelawny Parish, Jamaica|Trelawny]], Jamaica
| death_date      =
| origin          =
| instrument      = vocals
| genre           = [[Reggae]]
| occupation      =
| years_active    = 1996-present
| label           = [[VP Records|VP]], [[Greensleeves Records]], [[Wontstop Record]]
| associated_acts =
| website         = 
}}
'''Keith Blair''' (born 31 March 1976), better known by the stage name '''Anthony B''', is a [[Jamaica]]n DJ and member of the [[Rastafari movement]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.unitedreggae.com/artist/n4/anthony-b |title=Anthony B Biography at United Reggae |access-date=30 December 2009 |archive-date=18 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018165359/http://www.unitedreggae.com/artist/n4/anthony-b |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Moskowitz">Moskowitz, David V (2006) ''Caribbean Popular Music: an Encyclopedia of Reggae, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, and Dancehall'', Greenwood Press, {{ISBN|0-313-33158-8}}, p.13-14</ref>

==Biography==

===Early life===
Blair grew up in rural [[Clark's Town, Jamaica|Clark's Town]] in the northwestern [[Parishes of Jamaica|parish]] of [[Trelawny Parish|Trelawny]] in Jamaica.<ref name="Moskowitz" /> His deeply religious family life (his mother was a [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventist]] and his grandmother a [[Christian revival|Revivalist]]) imbued him with a profound spirituality. During his youth, his favourite singers were [[reggae]] legends [[Bob Marley]] and [[Peter Tosh]], musicians who strongly influenced his own style.<ref name="Larkin">Larkin, Colin (1998) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', Virgin Books, {{ISBN|0-7535-0242-9}}, p.17</ref> Peter Tosh's influence can definitely be heard in Anthony B's vocal delivery and revolutionary stance.<ref name="Larkin" />

Anthony B adopted [[Rastafari movement]] 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 Portmore, St. Catherine. He is a member of the [[Mansions of Rastafari|Bobo Ashanti]] branch of the movement. "Bobo Dreads", as they are known, are recognisable by their long robes and turbans.  The strong [[Afrocentrism|Afrocentric]] pride and the other Rastafarian beliefs (or "overstandings" as Rastafarians prefer to call them) are reflected in his songs.

===Career===
While attending high school, Anthony B debuted as a [[Deejay (Jamaican)|deejay]] for the local sound system, Shaggy Hi-Power.<ref name="Moskowitz" /> 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 instead.   He collaborated with Little Devon and made his debut single "The Living is Hard" on the Wizard label in 1993.  Anthony B tried many different producers before joining with [[Richard Bell (record producer)|Richard Bell]],<ref name="Larkin" /> creating hits such as "Fire Pon Rome", "Raid Di Barn", "Rumour", and "Repentance Time".<ref name="Ankeny">Ankeny, Jason "[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p201381/biography|pure_url=yes}} Anthony B Biography]", ''[[Allmusic]]'', Macrovision Corporation</ref> In late 1997, Anthony B released ''Universal Struggle'', followed by a large number of albums since including 1999's ''Seven Seals,'' 2003's ''Street Knowledge'', 2004's ''Untouchable'' which featured collaborations with artists including [[Wyclef Jean]], [[Snoop Dogg]] & [[Bone Crusher (rapper)|Bone Crusher]], 2005's ''Black Star'' plus ''My Hope,'' and more recently, ''Life Over Death'' (2008).

In January 2013, he was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after being stopped in [[Georgia, United States]] due to illegally tinted windows in the vehicle in which he was travelling; He subsequently had to cancel several shows in South America as he was not allowed to travel outside the US.<ref>"[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/ANTHONY-B-CANCELS-SOUTH-AMERICAN-SHOWS_14400911 Anthony B cancels South American shows] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610155655/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/ANTHONY-B-CANCELS-SOUTH-AMERICAN-SHOWS_14400911 |date=10 June 2013 }}", ''[[Jamaica Observer]]'', 3 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013</ref> Charges were later dropped. {https://www.dancehallusa.com/anthony-b-weed-charge-dropped/}

In July 2013 he released ''Tribute to Legends'', an album of cover versions of songs by artists such as [[Bob Marley]], [[The Maytals]], [[John Lennon]], [[Ray Charles]], [[Elvis Presley]], and [[Ini Kamoze]]; Speaking of the album, he stated "I chose to make a tribute album to firstly show how much these legends influence my music and my life."<ref name="Jackson1307">Jackson, Kevin (2013) "[http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Anthony-B-s-ode-to-legends_14745644 Anthony B's ode to legends] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130731233538/http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Anthony-B-s-ode-to-legends_14745644 |date=31 July 2013 }}", ''[[Jamaica Observer]]'', 26 July 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013</ref> In 2016, Anthony B released Tears Of Luv on his label Born Fire Music and collaborated with various producer around the world including Evidence Music on his track Life Good.

In May 2020, Anthony B released his 20th studio album titled, ''King In My Castle''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dancehallmag.com/2020/05/18/music/anthony-b-launches-his-20th-studio-album-king-in-my-castle.html|title=Anthony B Launches His 20th Studio Album, 'King In My Castle'|website=DancehallMag|date=18 May 2020|language=en|access-date=2020-05-18|archive-date=25 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925012128/https://www.dancehallmag.com/2020/05/18/music/anthony-b-launches-his-20th-studio-album-king-in-my-castle.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Anthony B tours extensively in Europe and North America. He has collaborated with many singer-songwriters and producers <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/wontstop-records-presents-conscious-voices/id1193176112|title=Wontstop Records Presents Conscious Voices by Various Artists on Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=11 June 2002|language=en|access-date=2017-03-26|archive-date=8 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308223955/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/wontstop-records-presents-conscious-voices/id1193176112|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Talking of his faith and music, Anthony B commented, "When we say 'burn fire' we don't mean take a match and light somebody, we are saying get rid of these things that are no good for humanity."<ref name="Music">{{cite book
| first= Paul
| last= Du Noyer
| year= 2003
| title= The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music
| edition= 1st
| publisher= Jason Sese
| location= Fulham, London
| isbn= 1-904041-96-5
| page= 364}}</ref>

==Discography==
[[Image:Anthony B.jpg|thumb|Anthony B performing in 2005]]

===Albums===
*''Predator & Prey'' (1996, Alpha Enterprises)
*''Real Revolutionary''  – UK / ''So Many Things'' – US (1996, Greensleeves)
*''Universal Struggle'' (1997, VP Records)
*''Seven Seals'' (1999, VP Records)
*''More Love'' (2001, AO ! Records)
*''That's Life'' (2001, VP Records)
*''Street Knowledge'' (2003, VP Records)
*''Wise Man Chant'' (2003, [[Black Scorpio]])
*''Smoke Free'' (2003, Bogalusa Records)
*''Voice of Jamaica'' vol. 2 (2003, Nocturne)
*''Judgment Time'' (2004, 2B1 Records)
*''Justice Fight'' (2004, Nocturne)
*''Untouchable'' (2004, Togetherness Records)
*''Powers of Creation'' (2004, Nocturne)
*''Black Star'' (2005, Greensleeves)
*''Live on the Battlefield'' (2005, Jahmin' Records)
*''Confused Times'' (2005, Penitentiary)
*''My Hope'' (2005, AL.TA.FA.AN. / Minor 7 Flat 5)
*''Gather and Come'' (2006 Penitentiary)
*''Suffering Man'' (2006 Tad's Records)
*''Higher Meditation'' (2007 Greensleeves)
*''True Rastaman'' (2008 Penitentiary Records)
*''Life Over Death'' (2008 Born Fire)
*''Rise Up'' (2008 Greensleeves)
*''Rasta Love'' (2011 Born Fire)
*''Freedom Fighter'' (2012 Irievibrations)
*''Choices'' (2012)
*''My2K Vol. 1'' (2013 Born Fire)
*''Tribute to Legends'' (2013 Born Fire)
*''Tears of Luv'' (2015 Born Fire)
*''Anthony B'' (2016)
*''King In My Castle'' (2020 Born Fire)
*''Bread and butter'' (2023 Ineffable records/Born Fire music)

===Compilations===
*''Chanting Down Babylon'' (1997, Power Play); live, with [[Buju Banton]]
*''2 Strong'' (1998, Star Trail/VP Records); with [[Sizzla]]
*''Anthony B & Idren'' (1998, Jamaican Vibes)
*''Anthony B & Friends'' (1998, Rhino Records)
*''Nazarene Vow'' (1999, Records Factory); with [[Junior Timba]]
*''3 Wise Men'' (1999, J&D); with Sizzla and Luciano
*''One Mission'' (1999, J&D); with [[Capleton]]
*''Saddle to the East'' (2001, Brick Wall); with [[Jah Mason]] and [[Steve Machete]]
*''4 Rebels'' (2001, VP Records); with Sizzla, Luciano, and [[Yami Bolo]]
*''The Five Disciples'' (2001, Penitentiary / Jet Star); with Sizzla, Luciano, [[Junior Kelly]], and Capleton
*''We Three Kings'' (2001, AO ! Records); with Sizzla
*''We Three Kings'' (2002, Navarre); with Capleton and Luciano
*''Four The Hard Way'' (2002, City Hall); with Capleton, Sizzla, and Luciano
*''Kings of Zion'' (2002, Jet Star); with Capleton, Sizzla, and Junior Kelly
*''Reggae Max'' (2002, [[Jet Star (record distribution company)|Jet Star]])
*''5 Blazing Fires'' (2002, Fire Ball); with [[Admiral Tibbett]], Sizzla, Capleton, Positive Jayz and [[Michael Fabulous]]
*''Five Disciples Part II'' (2003, Jet Star); with Capleton, Luciano, Sizzla, and [[Jr. Kelly]]
*''Kings of Zion vol. 3'' (2005, Charm); with Capleton, Sizzla, and Turbulence
*''Jah Warriors vol. III'' (2005, Penitentiary); with Luciano
*''The Pow Pow Trilogy'' (2008, Pow Pow); with Turbulence and Jah Mason
*''Encore'' (2010)
*''NYC-2-Africa'' (2010, Suatomic Sound); with [[Subatomic Sound System]], Nomadic Wax, Jahdan Blakkamoore, and Bajah
*Truthful Riddim (2020, Blaqk Sheep Music); with Julian Marley, Mr Vegas, Blaqk Sheep
*''Guns Riddim'' (2021, Iyah Music); with LePrince and [[Maneaux]]
*Reggae Reload Vol.1 (2022, Blaqk Sheep Music); with Busy Signal, Sizzla, Gyptian

==References==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{commons category|Anthony B}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Jamaican Rastafarians]]
[[Category:Jamaican reggae musicians]]
[[Category:People from Trelawny Parish]]
[[Category:Performers of Rastafarian music]]
[[Category:Converts to the Rastafari movement]]
[[Category:Easy Star Records artists]]
[[Category:Jamaican former Christians]]
[[Category:Former Seventh-day Adventists]]
[[Category:VP Records artists]]
[[Category:Greensleeves Records artists]]
[[Category:Member of the Bobo Shanti]]