- country:Jamaica
- label:-
- artist posted by:Georg Leitner Productions GmbH
Horace Andy is a Jamaican singer-songwriter known for his breakthrough single, “Skylarking,” and for his long association with British trip-hop band Massive Attack.
Horace Andy was born as Horace Hinds in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1951. Andy worked with producer George “Phil” Pratt on his first single, “This Is a Black Man’s Country,” in 1967. His cousin, Justin Hinds, was starting to enjoy some success at that time, but Andy would not gain notice until working with noted Jamaican producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd in 1970. “Got To Be Sure: became his first release for Studio One, Dodd’s studio. Dodd gave him the stage name of Horace Andy—a reference to popular singer Bob Andy.
With Dodd, Andy went on to record “See A Man’s Face,” the well-received “Mr. Bassie” and the breakthrough hit “Skylarking,” among other songs. “Skylarking,” which encouraged wayward youth to clean up their act, was released as a single and topped the Jamaican record charts, becoming a signature tune for Andy.
Andy has consistently recorded and performed around the world, and has remained relevant in reggae subgenres such as roots reggae, rocksteady, lover’s rock and dancehall. In 1990, he was discovered by the Bristol, England-based trip-hop band Massive Attack, who cited Andy’s work as a major influence. He recorded the song “One Love” for their 1991 debut album, Blue Lines, and the band’s popularity exposed Andy to a younger generation of fans, many of whom continue to seek out his earlier work.