Tippa Irie

Emerging in the eighties as a dancehall MC based in Britain, Tippa Irie sustained his presence in the music scene well beyond the prime years of ragga, reaching chart-topping success through his featured role on the 2003 Black Eyed Peas track "Hey Mama" and teaming with groups such as Long Beach Dub All-Stars. Born Anthony Henry in Jamaica, the performer grew up in Brixton after watching his father run the Musical Messiah sound system, which sparked his admiration for visiting artists. Dennis Brown and Dillinger stood out as favorites and received heavy rotation once Tippa joined Saxon Studio International, where he shared stages with fellow MCs Smiley Culture and Papa Levi plus vocalist Maxi Priest, who later rose to superstardom.

A string of singles on the UK Bubblers label, among them "Complain Neighbour" and "Heartbeat," marked his solo breakthrough in 1984, with both tracks later appearing on the 1986 debut album Is It Really Happening to Me. Fashion Records released the 1988 soundclash recording JA to UK MC Clash, Vol. 2 between Tippa and Papa San, a project that proved popular and influential among U.S. rappers and producers already familiar with Tippa through bootleg Saxon tapes. His 1989 album Ah-Me-Dis surfaced on the American label I.R.S. Records, while 1990's Original Raggamuffin came out on Mango, an Island Records imprint. The 1994 LP Rebel appeared on Roots Corner through Mad Professor's Ariwa imprint, and in 1999 Tippa joined the California rock-reggae crew Long Beach Dub All-Stars for their album Right Back.

Jahmin' Records issued the solo set I Miss in 2000, after which will.i.am contacted the singer in 2003 for an uncredited spot on the Black Eyed Peas single "Hey Mama." Four years after that BEP hit topped charts in multiple territories, Tippa delivered Talk the Truth on LockDown Productions. An underground dubstep collaboration with producer the Bug surfaced on the latter's 2008 album London Zoo, and in 2010 LockDown put out Stick to My Roots, an album featuring Tippa alongside Gentleman's regular backing unit, the Far East Band.