Growing up in a diverse environment that has proven it’s self more often than not to be radical and competitive has honed an attitude of “ you have to be sharp in many ways in order to survive....” This attitude has fostered Ricky to wear many hats such as:
Singer/Songwriter/Composer, Contractor, Electrical Tech, Special Ed. Instructor, Assistant Chef, Community Advocate and most of all, a committed Rastafarian.
Ricky was inspired at an early age by both of his parents (Ivy and Robert Grant) who were very good vocalists with aesthetically attractive voices. Though neither pursued professional musical careers, they sang publicly at both church, social and civic events in the community; as well as impromptu sing alongs at home with songs played on the radio to artists like Connie Francis, Pat Boone, Mario Lanza, among many others.
Being educated early in life within the Catholic School system had allowed Ricky to hone his singing talent through the church choir. In addition, he looked to artists like The Temptations, 4 Tops, Delfonics and many others to inspire him and develop his own style of musical deliverance. Ricky got involved in a local talent show called “The Vere John’s Opportunity Hour”, which proved to be a very inspiring and lucrative venture that created his first recording session of a song entitled “Will You Still Love Me?”. He is self taught on the guitar as well as the piano, enjoying practicing as often as he had the chance to.
In 1964 while in high school he decided to collaborate with George Allison and Delroy Williams to form their very first singing group called, “The AfroTones.” (click here to listen to a sample ,... dont forget to hit the back button to return ) They sang at social affairs, churches, etc... and recorded a number of songs on the Gayfeet & Tip Top Labels with producer/owner Sonia Pottinger. They recorded as well on the Joe Gibbs Label among others that were considered to be of little effect.
In 1966, the year of his graduation, the path took a right hand turn with the deliverance of a son amid economic and political turmoil. The entire island fell into a recession and it’s answer was a peak in unemployment and crime. Amid the turmoil many people including youngsters were left to fend on their own. By 1970 Ricky and a group of youngsters decided to create a community with a meaning, which later developed to be the most feasible and successful pioneer corps project in the area of economic community co-operative development. Though backed by private sector organizations, the Social Development Commission, USAidMission and community volunteers, being an administrator of this organization was not easy. At the same time an upsurge of political violence began to surface and communities divided.
In this time of turmoil “the AfroTones” parted ways and Ricky was approached by BB Seaton to join as a member of the dynamic singing group “The Gaylads,” (click here to listen to a sample) who recorded a number of hit songs which included “My Jamaican Girl”- “Soul Sister”- and “Fire and Rain.”
When this band dissolved, Ricky went onto forming a group called “Psalms” with Maurice (Joe B) Roberts, Randal (Rubber ) Thaxter and later on included Hopeton Thaxter. They took the place like storm from performing on Television to on stage through out Jamaica, recording such songs as “Botheration” and “Give Some Love.”
The violence in Jamaica was escalating at the same time. A happy on stage presence gave way to running and ducking bullets and cocktail Molotovs in the streets. It took the lives of many beloved friends and relatives.
Amid all this turbulence Ricky met Carlton Tetrack who introduced Ricky to the great Maestro Augustos Pablo (Horace Swaby) and became a member of The Rockers International family. There Ricky decided to record his first solo album “POVERTY PEOPLE (click here to sample)” and “I LOVE JAH RASTAFARI (click here to sample)” (1978-1982).
Ricky has collaborated/associated/recorded and grew up with most music/sports/entertainment and educational stars from the mid 1960’s to the present, such as:
DELROY WILSON-BOB-PETER-BUNNY-JOE HIGGS-SLIM SMITH-ROY SHIRLEY-MAX ROMEO-KEN BOOTH-SUGAR MINNOTT-HUGH MUNDELL-AUGUSTOS PABLO-LOCKSLEY CASTELL-SISTA FRICA-PAUL BLACKMAN-JR. REID-JAH BULL-DILLINGER-GLADSTONE GLADDY ANDERSON-STRANGER COLE-JACKIE PARRIS-KEITH DAVIS-MARTIN JIMMY RILEY(SENSATIONS/UNIQUES)FREDRICK WAITE-BUSTA RILEY-WINSTON RILEY PAT KELLY(TECHNIQUES)DAVE BARKER-THE SHADES-ALTON ELLIS-BARRY BROWN-KEITH HUDSON-BUNNY BRISSETT-NORRIS REID-PIONEERS-TOOTS & THE MAYTALS-DESMOND DEKKER/THE ACES-ABBYSSINIANS-CONGOS-PARAGONS(JOHN-TYRONE & BARRY)GREGORY ISAAC-DENNIS BROWN-MICHAEL MYRIE TAYLOR-FREDDY MCKAY-DR. ALIMANTADO-DAWN PENN-YAMI BOLO-GLEN BROWN-GLEN ADAMS-LYNN TAITT-GUITARIST-TOMMY MCCOOK-SAX-FLUTE-THE SKATALITES-THE AGGROVATORS-JACKIE JACKSON-BASS-HUCKS BROWN-GUITARIST-ROBBIE LYNN-KEYBOARD/SYNTH.THIN LEGS-DRUMS-LEROY HORSEMOUTH WALLACE-DRUMS-SYDNEY GUISSINE-BASS-WINSTON WRIGHT-KEYS/ORGAN-JACKIE MITTOO-KIEYBOARD/ORGAN-DON D JR.-TROMBONE- DIRTY HARRY-TRUMPET-VAL DOUGLAS-GUITAR-GEOFFREY & MIKEY CHUNG-GUITARISTS/KEYBOARDS-NOEL SEWELL-GUITARIST-ROBBIE SHAKESPEARE-BASS-CLIVE CHIN/RANDYS STUDIO-NORTH PARADE)RECORD PRODUCER-EARL CHIN/ROOTSMAN SHOW-USA-LESLIE KONG- BEVERLY'S RECORDS/PRODUCER-WARRICK LYNN-PRODUCER/SPORTSMAN-EVERTON DASILVA-HUNGRY TOWN/RECORD PRODUCER-BYRON WHITELY-CARRON/CORONA RECORDS LABEL/PRODUCER-PRINCE COLLIN-SINGER/PRODUCER-JIANG LIANG-MUSICIAN-PRODUCER/CHINA-I-TEGTRATOR-SINGER/COMPOSER/PRODUCER/SWITZERLAND-ISRAEL OUTERNATIONALSOUND(TIM GAD/FRANCE)-ZION STATION DJEKO/FRANCE-CA'B DUB/PRODUCER/FRANCE-LOORIUS/PRODUCER-FRANCE-RAS.REUBEN/UK-RAS. BRUNO/UK-AVATAR BAND/IRELAND-I-SIGHT BAND/FRANCE-SISTA CARO-DUB POET/SINGER/FRANCE-SISTA. MIEL-SINGER/FRANCE-ROSCOE FAMILY/FRANCE-FLAVA FLAV-ENTERTAINER/USA-BIZERK-RAPPER/USA-RONI-O & SLUGGADON-RAPPERS/USA-POWs-RAPPERS/USA..ASHANTI NATTY JOE/GHANA/FRANCE
In addition, Ricky has recorded with the following studios:
HCF-FREEPORT/USA-THE GALLERY CONNECTICUT/USA-JAH LIFE-BKLN./USA-WAROOM LONG ISLAND/USA-ROOTS VIBES STUDIO/FRANCE-GIDEON SOUND STUDIO/'FRANCE-LA MEEK-WAR ZONE-W.BABYLON."JAMAICAN STUDIOS";DYNAMIC SOUNDS-HARRY J-CHANNEL ONE-FEDERAL-AQUARIUS-RANDYS-WIRL-STUDIO ONE-BLACK HAWK-TREASURE ISLE.
Ricky Grant is a very rare man indeed... He stands firm for humanity, equal rights, justice, global unity and peace. He tries to maintain a level of spirituality as opposed to “religion.” His songs are based on truths, rights, justice, love and the realness of everyday life. His hopes are to spread these vibes in hopes of educating, motivating and uplifting peoples through out the entire world.
WITH LOVE FOR HUMANITY, BLESSINGS TO ALL.....
