By Stephanie Lyew – STAR Writer—

Anthony B—

Reggae-dancehall hitmaker Anthony B has opened up about losing his mother, May Gordon, and the cause of her death.

Gordon passed away in October after a short illness while Anthony B was on the ‘King In My Castle’ Tour in Europe.

Having laid his mother to rest last Sunday in Clarks Town, Trelawny, Anthony B told THE STAR, “I stopped everything only to return home to the saddest time in my life”.

“She was not unwell for no long time but started feeling sick and was getting several tests. After all that, in her passing, I learnt that it’s something hereditary among the women in my family … that’s how my grandmother died,” he said. “It was a challenge ’cause we plan the funeral and of course only 15 can be part of it but the whole community pay them respects and it was such a peaceful and calm send-off.”

The entertainer said his mother’s death opened his eyes to another responsibility he has, “to make my daughters aware.”

TAKE THEIR HEALTH SERIOUS

“It was ovarian cancer … so I have to start talk to them about the illness so they can be educated and take their health serious,” he said. The singer and songwriter also has a son, who is 14; his daughters are 16 and 18.

“I’ll be home with them for Christmas; and this one will be very important because my eldest is going to be away for college and you know when them get big and make up them mind to do their own thing, who knows when we’ll be able to have quality family time for now,” Anthony B said. “We also don’t know when things will go back to normal. No one has the silver bullet and I believe in herbal medicine but not even the herbalist can give the answer, not the religious community, medical or scientific people, every minute we hear something else.”

The break from touring will also be used to heal emotionally, and, with enough time, the Stronger lyricist is hoping to light a path for others. Anthony B’s new music like the Massive B-produced single Back To Normal mirrors current affairs.

“I have never been so unsure in my time on Earth, and all of us as a people have to stay strong and hold the faith,” he said. “If it’s one thing my mother taught me, bless her, is to reach out to people and help someone. She is a woman if you give her $100,000, she not going feel right unless to share at least $80,000 with people who need it and she was a domestic helper who work hard and come to own her house and still help people. If you’re less fortunate you can still help someone; for this season show a little more love to others.”