Anthony Selassie

b. Dale McClaren, Christiani, Manchester, Jamaica, West Indies. After graduating from Jamaica's Knox College Selassie moved to Kingston where he embarked on a musical career. He found work with Admiral Ken and subsequently joined Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion. With Minott he released "Give Me Good Loving", that was later featured on Ghetto Youth Dem Rising. His heartfelt vocals were inspired by his friend Garnett Silk and soon led to work with producers such as Bunny Lee and Winston "Niney" Holness. While he built a solid reputation as a roots singer Selassie maintained a low profile in the Jamaican charts, until he linked up with Louie Culture for the release of a cover version of the Viceroys' "Ya Ho". At the beginning of the millennium Selassie joined Cocoa Tea as part of the singer's Roaring Lion enterprise where, in addition to performing, he was employed as the studio's resident engineer. As a performer Selassie was reunited with Louie Culture alongside Silver Cat and Ken Serious when he performed "L.O.V.E." Selassie enhanced his profile when he appeared at the 2001 Rebel Salute tour. His appearance led to him being invited by Tony Rebel to perform on the medley "Not All About The Money", that featured contributions from artists such as Bob Andy, Pam Hall and Luciano. In the autumn of 2001 the United Nations selected the song as a theme for the International Year of the Volunteers. The same December the United Nations General Assembly held two plenary sessions, where volunteerism, its reggae theme and the role of economic and social development were discussed in the presence of the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. Selassie's involvement in the song has secured him a place in the reggae hall of fame.