GUYANA’S REGGAE WARRIORS: First Born’s Spiritual Journey
In a world where much of popular music chases algorithms and trends, there’s a reggae group emerging from the South American coast that’s been building its legacy on something far more enduring: truth, roots, and revelation. Meet First Born, the genre-defining reggae trio out of Guyana—a place better known for its natural resources than its musical exports. But that might be about to change. With a career spanning nearly 30 years, this band of Rastafarian brothers—Troy Azore, Rolston Richmond, and Trayon Garrett—has managed to turn prophetic verses and revolutionary rhythm into a body of work that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the legends they revere. And make no mistake—they’re not here to entertain you. They’re here to wake you up.
The Genesis: From Harmonies to Headlines
Long before they shared stages with reggae royalty, First Born was just a Guyanese acapella group—eight young men crafting harmonies in the shadows of colonial monuments and sugar estates. Formed in the early ‘90s, the original lineup featured names now embedded in local music lore: Troy Azore, Anthony Smith, Shawn Williams, Compton Garrett Sr., Trayon Garrett, Russel Lancaster, Steve Dannett, and Lambert Semple. Their breakout came in 1996, opening for Freddie McGregor at Guyana’s National Park—a high-stakes stage that would change everything. The performance floored Walter “Wally” Fraser of Vizion Sounds Records, who signed them on the spot and whisked them away to Kingston, Jamaica to record their first album. That album—Exodus Chapter XIII:2—didn’t just launch their career. It baptized them into reggae history. Featuring the iconic Dennis Emmanuel Brown on the politically urgent “Repatriation Time” and guided by saxophone sorcerer Dean Fraser, the record merged prophecy with groove. It won them two national awards back home. But more importantly, it earned them respect across the reggae diaspora.
Message Over Hype: The First Born Sound
If you’re looking for auto-tuned, algorithm-optimized pop, look elsewhere. First Born is roots reggae at its purest, steeped in spirituality and sharpened by struggle. Their discography—spanning five full-length albums including Wake Up Call, Confident, and Iritis— reads like a chronicle of revolution and redemption. Biblical allusions meet real-world narratives. Every bassline is a sermon; every chorus, a call to arms. Their influences? The usual prophets: Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Anthony B, Luciano, BujuBanton. But what sets First Born apart is how they synthesize those voices into something unmistakably theirs. You hear it in tracks like “How Are We Gonna Survive” (with Buju) or the crystalline urgency of “Irits,” which climbed to #4 on Jamaica’s Mega Jamz Reggae Chart.
Rebel Salute, Sunfest, and Survival
First Born doesn’t just preach—they perform. And when they take the stage, it’s less of a concert and more of a spiritual charge. They’ve lit up iconic platforms like Rebel Salute, Reggae Sunfest, and Sting, sharing lineups with artists like Chronixx, Sizzla, Coco Tea, Marcia Griffiths, Chezidek, and Beres Hammond. In 2003, they opened for Sizzla at Jamaica’s infamous Caymanas Park, and before that, they brought fire to Shaggy’s Suriname show. When Buju Banton’s “I Am Legend” tour touched down in Guyana, First Born was right there, sending spiritual shockwaves through the crowd.
The Rituals and the Roadblocks
Before every show, they pray. It’s not for nerves. It’s a ritual. A reminder. That the stage is not a platform—it’s a pulpit. And yet, their journey hasn’t been without its trials. In a Caribbean music economy skewed toward dancehall and soca, First Born often finds itself underpaid and under-promoted. The commercialization of music—fueled by tech and trend—threatens to drown out cultural voices like theirs. But they’re unfazed. “Stay educated. Stay relevant. Stay true,” is the mantra they pass on to new artists. For First Born, music isn’t a product—it’s a purpose.
Visions in Motion: What’s Next
Their visuals—directed by talents like Steven Ventura and Ras Kasa— have made their way into Caribbean video rotations with tracks like “Way of Life”, “Bounce Them Head”, and “Help Someone”, their most recent single. It’s a modern cry for compassion in an increasingly indifferent world.