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Tony Rebel: The Reggae Deejay with a Cause

Tony Rebel is a Jamaican reggae deejay who sings about peace, love, and social change.

 

Tony Rebel On Stage. (Source: Wikipedia) 

He is also the founder of the annual Rebel Salute festival, which celebrates reggae culture and Rastafari values. 

In this article, we will learn more about his life, career, and achievements.

Early Life and Influences

Tony Rebel was born Patrick George Anthony Barrett on January 15, 1962, in Manchester Parish, Jamaica. 

He grew up in a musical family and was exposed to various genres of music. 

He was especially influenced by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Burning Spear, who inspired him to embrace Rastafari and reggae music.

He started his career as a singer, performing as Papa Tony or Tony Ranking in local talent shows and sound systems. 

He also worked as a tailor, a carpenter, and a farmer to make ends meet. 

He recorded his first single, “Casino”, in 1988, but it did not gain much attention.

Rise to Fame and Success

Tony Rebel’s breakthrough came in the early 1990s, when he joined Donovan Germain’s Penthouse Records. 

He developed a singjay style of delivery, combining singing and deejaying, and focused on cultural and conscious themes. 

He had a big hit in 1990 with “Fresh Vegetable”, which became an anthem for the roots reggae revival.

He released his debut album, Rebel with a Cause, in 1992, followed by Rebellious in 1992 and Vibes of the Time in 1993. 

He also collaborated with other artists, such as Garnett Silk, Buju Banton, Marcia Griffiths, and Cutty Ranks. 

He gained international recognition and performed in various countries, such as the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Africa.

In 1994, he founded his own record label, Flames, and his own production company, Flames Productions. 

He also launched his own reggae festival, Rebel Salute, which started as a birthday party and grew into a major cultural event. 

Rebel Salute showcases reggae music and Rastafari culture, and promotes a healthy and positive lifestyle. It is held every year in January, in various locations in Jamaica.

Recent Activities and Legacy

Tony Rebel has continued to record and perform throughout the years, releasing albums such as If Jah in 1997, Jah Is by My Side in 1997, Realms of a Rebel in 2001, Connection in 2004, and I Rebel in 2007. 

He has also been involved in various social and humanitarian causes, such as the United Nations Volunteers program, the Jamaica Cancer Society, and the Jamaica AIDS Support for Life.

He has received several awards and honors, such as the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government, the Marcus Garvey Award from the Institute of Caribbean Studies, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Reggae and World Music Awards. 

He has also been appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 2013.

Tony Rebel is one of the most respected and influential reggae artists of his generation. 

He has inspired many other artists, such as Queen Ifrica, Richie Spice, and his son, Abatau. 

Tony has also contributed to the preservation and promotion of reggae music and Rastafari culture, through his songs, his festival, and his actions.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post autobiography article on Tony Rebel. Please let me know what you think of it. 

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