Tippa Irie

Anthony Henry - a.k.a. "Tippa Irie" - emerged from England's Saxon Sound International - the star-studded travelling sound system that has been at the forefront of the U.K. reggae dancehall scene for the past 25 years and helped launch the careers of artists such as Maxi Priest, Papa Levi and Smiley Culture. Tippa Irie was part of the new generation of British MC's who developed the 'Fast Talking' style chat which today can be heard in modern day rappers like Busta Rhymes. Tippa toured extensively with his friend and long-time sparring partner, Pato Banton, throughout the Eighties including an appearance at Jamaica's Reggae Sunsplash and their U.S. debut tours together. The U.K. DJ duo of Tippa Irie and Pato Banton had become one of the genres favourite combinations. As the Nineties began, the dynamic duo pursued their solo careers. Over a decade would pass before Tippa & Pato would reunite in the studio with legendary singing sensation Peter Spence to produce "The Good Old Days"--a track featured on Pato's 2000 Grammy-nominated 'Life is a Miracle' and Tippa's 'I Miss' tribute album to his late and great sister/MC Miss Irie.