I guess I have two heads,” Tippa Irie says, of his personas in private and the public eye. “When I’m on stage, I transform into Tippa Irie who is more courageous and confident, if you like. Whereas Anthony Henry is a bit more reserved and shy. When I’m not performing, that’s who I am.”
Tippa is the man who helped to popularise the “fast chat” style of emceeing in the UK dancehall scene. His was an original sound: cheeky, conversational lyrics about everything from love to social justice, delivered with astute, contemplative flair over pulsing rhythms.
