Respect | Anthony John

Irie Magazine Cali Reggae Edition - December 2015 - Respect - Anthony John

Anthony John

Meet Anthony John aka Mr. Music. Destined to pour more love and cultural blessings back into roots reggae music, Anthony John’s motivating lyrics attempt to eradicate the un-progressive gun chat and badman-ship, associated with reggae music. Inspired by the world of wisdom and HAILE SELASSIE! Anthony John‘s up front and humble lyrics penetrate the soul.

This diligent creator of conscious often-smooth ballads confidently produces a unique product distinctive in its own right. Clarence Anthony Mitchell entered the world in the parish of St Ann on the 5th July 1969 and rose up through the ranks via his determine personality.

Admired by his peers, the ragamuffin youth was often AWOL and found to be banging out some new riddim, instead of studying. After a successful graduation in 1986, Anthony John directed his energy towards the creation of music. Finding an outlet within the local sound systems and spent his teens in the midst of the creative street sounds. His move to Kingston in 1988 enabled him to link up with aspiring yet unknown Buju Banton in White Hall, this union led to performances with the great vintage sound systems Playmate, Rambo and Culture Love and many more.

Blessed inspiration arrived in 1993 when a good friend named Richard introduce him to Garfield Sampalue Philips (Diamond Rush Promotions). Sampalue was so intrigued by Anthony John’s vocal ability he decided to raise him into the ranks of Jamaica’s musical elite with ‘All I Can Say’, ‘Hooked on a Feeling’ (Weather Balloon Rhythm), and the first version of ‘Warning’. Soon afterwards, in 1995, he got an album deal from Mr. Cecil Golding for Bold Gold Records based in New York and was co-produce by Al Chimist. The album entitled ‘Do Good’ was released in 1996. The track ‘Burning Fire Of Love’ had been chosen for a sound track in the movie, ‘Hunter Fire Man’.

In 1998 he was back in the city, that when he link again with his musical brother Buju Banton. He starts immediately to write some song for an album for the now Gargamel Music. The Gargamel release single like ‘Mama Did Tell Me’, ‘Give Thanks’, ‘Reggae Child’ and ‘Won’t Cry’. The album is yet to come.

In 2001, he link up with Donovan Germaine of Penthouse Records, where the single like ‘Woman Gone Left You’ and the second version of ‘Warning’ were released.

Always happy to speak of his success in France, in 2003 he recorded ‘Don t Cry No More’ on the version ‘Shush Shush Charlotte’ for Dj Version of the album “Aux Nouvelles Des Etoiles”, by Serge Gainsbourg on the Universal label in 2003.

Anthony John went back in England between August 2004 to August 2006. Based in UK and was very active in the movement of Reggae music in Europe. Touring with artist like Macka B, Prince Malachi, The Sista Band, Empress Ayola, Little Roy, Sylvia Tella, The Amarics, Twinkle Brothers, Action Fire, Lutan Fyah, Earl 16, Luciano, Dennis Alcapone, Michael Prophet and many more.

His second album, which was long over due, was released on the 2nd of January 2006. Entitled ‘Wont Lose Track’, the album consist of 14 wonderful tracks. It was released on Anthony John’s independent Record label ‘Roots John Connection’.

Anthony John’s most recent work include the album, ‘Step In The Future’, released in 2012 and the single, ‘In Deh’, released in 2013.

In his own words, Anthony John aka Mr. Music wishes ‘One perfect love to all the people of the world. Hoping one day that we will all overstand each other and bond as one, no matter color or class. We are all one in the presence of Mother Nature. So to whom it may concern, just make a Reflection.’

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