Not really, but growing up in music in Jamaica as an artist, you need to find a name for your self. I'm oriented African with an English name, so I made it "Anthony B."
I always ask every artist I interviewed the same question. Many are those who sing about Africa and the love to return or visit the continent. But how many of you have been there?
I have been to Senegal and Gambia. First and foremost is the reality as an African. I respect my culture. There is an incidence about my visit to Gambia, when my visa expired the same day. I was at the airport when I was told that the Gambian police were looking for me to deport me to Jamaica.
It is a silly thing to know that you have been to the continent of your origin but haven't enough days to see the people. All these problems are created by the political leaders. If you want a visa to Gambia you have to go to England first. They have to remove all these political barriers.
I remember of a friend from Accra-Ghana, who was deported from Germany to Jamaica. He doesn't know anyone in Jamaica. Luckily he has my number. He called me and I had to help him because we are Africans.
The sleeve design of your album That's Life has a wonderful picture of an African baby in her mother's womb. How did the conception of that art created?
Evolution is a must and knowledge is in school. Already people have thought that people come from monkey and ape, for me that is not the concept of life. The concept of life is reality. If there is no baby, there is no woman and if there is no woman, there wouldn't be a baby. Every man we see today was once a baby. They all come from the mother's womb. The great civilisation came from Africa.
What message do you have for your fans?
The message for my fans is to call for togetherness, with one love and respect for everyone. No bloodshed. No discrimination. I'm black or white doesn't bring any good result in our communities. All we need is love.
Anthony B, thank you very much for this interview.
You are welcome.
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