GRANTY ROOTS

Granty Roots (a.k.a: Robert Richardson Grant was named after the great Robert Nestor Marley), was born in Jamaica on 15th July 1972, in the parish of St Andrew. His Mother Melrose Welsh was a single mother who struggled to raise 4 children (Big Bro. Ralvin, big sis. Lorna, baby: Catherine and Robert) by pursing a career in design around being a housewife with the much appreciated support and love from Grandmother Esther Welsh (Granny).Granty went to school (Providence Primary) at the age of 6 years old and from a very early age it was clear to see that he was very gifted in the art of singing and had a most creative hand and aptitude to quickly learning the use of instruments which he would make out of different materials old toys, used furniture etc. “I was always picked for star roles within school performances, and I wrote poems about my life and day to day activities, my mothers’ strife” and so on, I wondered who or where my father was? I channeled these issues and frustrations, anger and happiness into my poems. My teachers would constantly praise me and use my work within school performances, my favorite being a DJ-ing contest where I really shone through for the first time, ‘the cat was now out of the bag’ they loved me and there was no turning back”! As you may have already guessed I WON ‘with flying colours’. As a joke my school mates began to call me Granty and the name stuck.By the age of 12 years - Granty moved onto Papine Comprehensive High, where he majored in Food and Nutrition which also inspired his vegetarianism.Once graduated he took up a 3 months scholarship at Versair Norman Mandely International Airport, Kingston, as a Chef..As he excelled within his chef duties and was very quick to learn, he then moved to Signature Garden – Wedding Center, where he won a placement as the 3rd Chef within a 150 person restaurant. “The 1st Chef really took me under his wing he liked the way I would sing all day long he said the food was made with love”, – he would constantly tell me to give up cooking which he thought I was very good at, however, he felt I was better suited ‘even better’ at singing. I took the old dog’s advice and with pay cheque in toe left.I returned to 33 Gilmore Drive, I knew my mother would not be too pleased as the family had come to rely on my income, and here I was giving up a good job in pursuit of a singing dream. I found it almost impossible to disclose the news to my mother but I did and to my amazement she said “son there comes a time in a mans’ life when he has to make choices – son this is your life’ I will support you in whatever decisions you make however, I will point out your wrongs!”. I also took the news to a very close friend of mine ‘Oneil’ (a.k.a: Asha Nile), he thought it was a great idea – in fact he had a plan just up his sleeve awaiting my inspiration’. Oneil took me straight to J & R (a.k.a: Junior Reid) Studios’ Half Dunn Robin Road, Kingston, the very next morning. ‘Buoy’ we dress like wow – I was propped upon the back of Oneil’s CBR F3 (blue & white) motorbike, we looked the business ‘like we had ‘bus a-reddy’), but rastafari the queue was greater than the eye could see - but the gateman ‘My Lord’ with the pleasure of honor he (had to) let us in! There I was immediately introduced to Junior Reid himself.I became filled with anxiety – stage fright had never taken its toll before now – I wanted to run, cuss and shout all at the same time – but I had to control the butterflies and play things cool, it worked.Mr Reid allowed me to audition – I passed. I now had gained confidence and later on in my career rejoined Mr Reid to record a couple of singles.I quickly became familiar within the recording industry in JA, and began to promote myself by joining different DJ sets – I moved towards New Name Records (Producer: Castro Brown) were I did my first single titled: ‘Everyday can’t be just the same’ under the sudaname – Granty Ranks and worked with artist such as Luciano, Lady Saw, Future Troubles etc. which at that time had number ones’ within the Jamaican charts.This inspired me and I used them as my peers and learnt some very crucial skills and knowledge from them. However, my cousin ‘Balla’ introduced me to Capleton in the 90’s - as he was his personal fashion designer at that time – I sang a few songs both for and alongside him then and there and his mother (Aunty Liv) came away from whatever it was she was doing and said “Steve – I don’t know what this ones name’ but he’s really good”. Capleton added Roots to the Granty and that stuck thereafter ‘Granty Roots’ personally I love my name and how I acquired it. He introduced me to his producer of that time African Star where I voiced my 1st hit single ‘Me nah sit down inna no more barber bwoy chair’: ‘Barber Bwoy’ (which further won appreciations on Jet Star’s All time Hits 90’s Special Edition, again the sky was the limit – I began to meet such stars as Freddie McGregor – Big Ship Records, Meadow Brook, were I successfully completed my first album (Preaching & Teaching), I also performed with Capleton on several occasions in 2001 whilst he was on tour in the UK were I now reside.2002 I preformed at Bristol – Malcolm X Centre, St Pauls and London Stratford Rex – with Babycham and Bling Dawg, since the early 90’s I have had to reinvent myself as I met my love my darling wife and moved to England to set up home. I’ve had plenty of time to re-evaluate my music and write new lyrics both with the inspiration of good and bad experiences especially the birth of my 1st daughter (Makeda) who will forever inspire me each and every day.