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Rastafari has always been a great influence on Jamaican music. Especially in the seventies, when roots reggae reached it’s peak with singers like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear and Dennis Brown amongst others. In the eighties, slackness and gun-lyrics took over, but in the nineties the influence of Rastafari could be heard again in the songs of artists like Garnett Silk, Tony Rebel Capleton Buju Banton, Luciano and Sizzla who are responsible for a new category in Jamaican dancehall music, the new roots.
One of Jamaica’s most talented artists in the new roots style is Taffari Born as Boris Anthony Silvera in the district of Bagnol Spring in the parish of St. Mary on March 8, 1971. He grew up in the countryside of Jamaica before moving to Kingston at the age of 16.”Music has always been my greatest interest from birth”, Taffari says. Like other Jamaican artists, Taffari was a regular visitor of dancehall sessions. He used to sounds like I-JAH LICK FORCE and CLASSIC ONE and started to sing using the name “Singing Bird”, encouraged by his stepfather.
His first tune ,”Nice Girl” was recorded in 1988 and was a combination between him and a singer called Lanny, who also produced it. The both of them grew up together in St. Mary. In 1990/91, Singing Bird voiced a remake of Millie Small’s ”My Boy Lollipop”, transformed to “My Girl Lollipop”, for the producer Phillip “ Fattis” Burrell, owner of the XTERMINATOR label.Engineer Syl Gordon recorded the tune at Gussie Clarke’s Music Works Studio. After voicing for Fattis, Singing Bird recorded for a few other producers like Mikey Magic, Impact from New York, Super Blaster and Policeman Isiah Laing, famous for his annual STING show on Boxing Day.
After voicing these tunes, Taffari decided to take a break to concentrate on writing new songs. In 1997, he linked back with Syl Gordon who built his own studio at Molynes Road and started producing for his 321 STRONG label in the meantime. Still using the name “Singing Bird”, he voiced the song “ Take I Away” on a remake of Dennis’ Brown “Tribulation Riddim”. Whilst starting to record for Syl Gordon 321 STRONG label, Singing Bird changed his name into Taffari and voiced tunes for the legendary engineer Cedrica “Soljie” Hammilton, Firehouse Crew, the New York based J&D Productions, Migthy Music, Ovadoze Muzik, Roaring Lion, Chris Records, Black Scorpio, Energy and his own label called AL.TA.FA.AN.
Taffari lived in Kingston areas like Tivoli Gardens and Seaview Gardens, both notorious for their political violence and regarded as extremely rough areas. ”Life in these areas wasn’t that easy for me”, Taffari tells, ”but I never gave up my pride and sticked to what I believe in.”
Taffari recently finished his long awaited album” ADDICTED TO MUSIC”. Veteran engineer Cedrica “Soljie” Hammilton and the AL.TA.FA.AN Crew are responsible for the production. All riddim tracks have been laid by the Firehouse Crew and Dean Fraser. The album includes tracks such as “Rise Up” with Anthony B , ”Addicted To Music”, “Let There Be Peace” with Junior Kelly and “One Love” with Gentleman
Taffari did several shows in Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. He definitely left an impression at every venue he performed.
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| HOMEPAGE: www.TAFFARI.com |
| Country: Jamaica |
| Style: Roots & Concious Dancehall |
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You take beat-box, a guitar, a accordion, rap and voices put all this in a mixer and you get Air'Box. A trio from different horizons but the vibes! 
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