Anthony B has explained that it was a fish bone that punctured his intestine in July, which is why he had to undergo emergency surgery at the University of the West Indies Hospital just days before his scheduled performance at Reggae Sumfest.
The Fire Pon Rom The singer said the surgery was necessary after he experienced severe abdominal pain during a rehearsal for Reggae Sumfest.
In a recent interview with Reggae Interviews following his performance at the Reggae Land Festival in Buckinghamshire, England, Anthony B expressed his gratitude for life. “The vibration is high, I’m happy, I’m full of joy. The greatest gift right now is life, and I’m happy to be alive, you know,” he said.
He also showed he was still recovering by lifting his shirt to reveal a bandage around his torso. “I’m still under the knife,” he added.
The man, from Trelawny, described the sequence of events and said it happened after he drank a fish soup, traditionally known in Jamaica as “fish tea”.
“So I went to Reggae Sumfest and got some fish tea and the doctor said there was a fish bone in the fish tea that went down my throat. It went into my tripe, turned sideways and pierced it. If I had gone on stage at Sumfest, I wouldn’t be here.”
Anthony B also stated that he spent nine days in the hospital before being discharged.
“I was there for about nine days and I’m out now. I’m just grateful,” he added.
The Trelawny native also mentioned that fellow countryman Luciano’s song “Lord Give Me Strength” was a source of comfort to him during his recovery.
“Today I want to thank Luciano, also for this song, because after I came out of the operation I sang this Luciano song: ‘Lord, give me the strength to get through another day.’ So we are grateful, just grateful to be here and for this unconditional love, this invisible blessing from all sides,” he said.
Anthony B’s absence from the Reggae Sumfest in July was noticeable, as his performance was scheduled for the second concert evening.
Hours before his performance, his management team issued a statement saying that due to unforeseen circumstances, the 48-year-old would “not be performing on the second night of the Reggae Sumfest Festival as announced.” However, no further details were disclosed at the time.
Reggae singer Norrisman later hinted at Anthony B’s illness during his performance at Reggae Sumfest.
“I have a lot of mixed emotions right now. One of my favorite artists, my good friend, my brother, everything to me. He couldn’t make it to Reggae Sumfest tonight. Keith Blair, Anthony B, bless you. Whatever is going on with you my brother, get well soon. Jah knows I feel it in my heart,” Norrisman said.
After being discharged from hospital on July 30, Anthony B said he flew to Montego Bay on July 17 to perform at the Reggae Sumfest, but while rehearsing with his band, he felt “terrible” pain in his abdomen.
“I went to the hospital and they said I had a rumen perforation, something inside me was leaking, so I had to go to the emergency room and have emergency surgery right away,” he said, noting that the surgery was life-saving.
