Biography
Anthony B brings a high energy, engaging performance style to fans that relate to his lyrics and songwriting, both revolutionary and entertaining. Embodying all that is topical and compelling about Reggae music, this artist has been steadfast in his mission to represent the poor and oppressed, using timely lyrics to confront political injustices and bring the issues of the people to the forefront. In the process, he has raised the performance standards and lyrical content for the industry, performing quality lyrics and producing a multifaceted stage show that attracts diverse audiences from around the globe.
The artist’s live performance is one of reggae’s most dynamic in its history. Since 1992 Anthony B has commanded stages with his energetic creative style that brings the lyrics to life onstage. His shows engage crowds who sing word for word to the extensive catalog of songs that began with his hits “Fire Pon Rome” and “Raid Di Barn” that addressed issues of economic and social justice in Jamaica. Since that time, Anthony B has grown into one of reggae music’s top performers appearing on the world’s most prestigious festival and venues.
Key events throughout the artist’s career have included a 1999 appearance at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. In 2003 and 2004, he was given a King's welcome in Gambia and Senegal. In 2004, he sold out shows in Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Belgium, France, Italy and Germany. In 2007 he appeared on Roskilde Festival in Denmark. In 2008 he performed on Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica. In 2009, 2011 & 2014 he performed at Summerjam in Germany. In 2012 he performed at Chiemsee Reggae Summer in Germany. Anthony B has pioneered as a representative for conscious reggae music through his performances in New Dehli, India, Czech Republic, Iceland, Argentina, Venezuela and on Reunion Island, in the Indian Ocean.
In 2014 & 2015 he appeared at Rototom festival in Spain. In August 2016 Anthony B headlined the 32nd annual Reggae on the River festival in Humboldt County California, closing out the last night of the event. His last appearance there was in 2013.
Fans across Europe have experienced several shows this Spring 2016 with Anthony B making stops in Italy, Spain, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. Summer has included a performance at Afrika Karabik Festival in Germany. Anthony B performed at Ruhr Summer Festival in Germany, Czad Festival in Poland and One Drop Festival in Austria as part of the European summer 2016 festival season.
In May, 2016 Anthony B performed on the Gazebo music program on RAI TV in Italy, as the third Jamaican reggae artist ever to appear on a national broadcast, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh both appeared on separate occasions.
His heavy touring schedule has not slowed Anthony B's stream of releases with 30 albums to date and over 1000 singles and guest appearances on over 100 albums in the last 15 years. Beginning in 2008 he released albums under his own Born Fire Music label imprint. As for co-signs with other artists, Anthony B has collaborated with Bone Crusher, Akon, Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg and more. His most recent single “Best Of The Best” featured a collaboration with Capleton and Sizzla that included a playful animated video of the three artists released in June 2016. The song was included on Anthony B’s most recent album TEARS OF LUV released in October 2015 on Born Fire Music.
Anthony B's musical journey started in the church, back when he was still known as Keith Anthony Blair in Clark's Town in the parish of Trelawny. In this part of rural Jamaica, Anthony B was immersed in the thunderous chants and rhythms of Revivalism and the Seventh Day Adventist church where he honed his vocal style.
In his formative years, the artist is also inspired by the music of Otis Redding and the incomparable Peter Tosh. When Anthony B left his home town and set out to make his fateful mark on Kingston's music scene in 1992, he rebuked the trend of girl and gun lyrics popular at that time and remained faithful to words of spiritual consciousness and social conviction, a tendency he has never strayed from throughout his career .
Anthony B's rich vocals and audacious lyrics carry consistency and substance which are both rare in an industry affected by trends towards the extreme in its content. Internationally his fanbase has grown due to his engaging stage presence and the universal concerns of suffering and salvation in his lyrical delivery. As the artist explains "The greatest thing about reggae music is that it's about concepts and ideas, you are speaking to people on issues they live and can relate to." Recording and performing live continue Anthony B’s legacy as he proves himself to be one of Reggae's most prolific and engaging artists, an electrifying performer whose music engages the public’s social conscience.
LIVE PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS:
