Admiral Tibett
Born Kenneth Allen in the parish of St Mary's, Jamaica in 1960. He is a roots singer who came up in the dancehall era but brought back conscious themes into the dancehall. He was given the name 'Tibett' whilst at school after a young Kenneth pointed out the country of Tibet on an atlas to a cousin! The title of Admiral came later from a friend named Glen Douglas who in 1982 also produced his first single entilted ‘Too Much Violence’ recorded at King Tubby's studio.
"It’s not that anyone tell me to sing conscious songs, it come like it was just born in me, I couldn’t do nothing else but conscious songs. Because there is many things I need to sing about - even in the ghettos around Jamaica is many youths come to me and say "nuff respect" - because I am the one who may prevent them from getting involved in certain things. They say when they listen to some of my songs even if they were thinking of picking up a gun they’re not gonna do it. So these are the main things I’m focusing on right now. That’s why I sing conscious songs. It doesn’t make sense I sing songs without meaning. I have to sing to protect my brother and my sister."
Reproduced from 'Admiral Tibett' by Chuck Foster & Ray Hurford
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