Anthony B Reveals Near-Death Ordeal That Caused Reggae Sumfest Cancellation

Reggae artist Anthony B has revealed that he underwent emergency surgery after experiencing severe abdominal pain while rehearsing for his Reggae Sumfest appearance earlier this month.

Just hours before the scheduled performance on Saturday, July 20, the Raid The Barn singer’s management team had announced his withdrawal from the event due to unforeseen circumstances. In an Instagram video on Wednesday, the 48-year-old revealed that he had experienced a near-death ordeal.

“I wanna say give thanks and praise to the Most High, Emperor Highly Selassie I the first, Rastafari, I am here giving thanks for life, giving thanks to be alive,” he began.

“July 17 of this year, I flew to Jamaica to do Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, while there doing my rehearsal with my band at Downsound Records, I felt this pain in my belly, terrible terrible. I went to the hospital and they said I have a punctured tripe, something leaking inside of me, so I had to go to the emergency room and do an emergency surgery immediately.”

Anthony B explained that doctors informed him the surgery was life-saving.

“I am here now, I was discharged yesterday (July 30), so I am here to give thanks for life,” he continued.

“No one knows the minute, no one knows the second, we are here because of the grace and mercy of the Creator of all things, the father of all things, the giver of life, so for all things that I do I will forever be giving thanks to the Most High to be here.”

The singer extended gratitude to the medical staff at University Hospital for their care during the nine to ten-hour surgery.

“I want to also thank the medical staff at University Hospital in Mona, yes I gotta big them up. It was 9,10 hours of surgery. I went in after 12 on the 18th of July and I didn’t wake up until the 20th of July. It was when I woke up that I realised all the things my body went through. Hose through my nose, hose here and there so I am here, alive, giving thanks, so I want to big up all the doctors and I told them thanks a thousand times.”

With a radiant smile, Anthony B announced his return to the stage, confirming his performance at Reggae on The River in California on August 2. “Yes, I will be journeying today on the road, Reggae on The River in California, I will see you on the 2nd of August, this will be my return performance.”

He concluded the video by thanking his family for their unwavering support and acknowledged the professionalism and support of Reggae Sumfest’s Joe Bogdanovich and Skatta Burrell.

Anthony B, widely known for his controversial mega-hit Fire Pon Rome, which propelled him into the national spotlight, has released more than 33 albums over the years, as well as more than 1000 singles.