Half Pint

Half Pint

Lindon Andrew Roberts (born 11 November 1961), professionally known as Half Pint, is a Jamaican dancehall, ragga, and reggae singer.

Biography
He originates from the West Kingston enclave of Rose Lane; a community which has produced reggae acts such as Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Peter Tosh, Lee "Scratch" Perry, and Toots Hibbert. Half Pint began singing in the school choir at All Saints' Primary School. After the completion of his secondary education in 1976, he sought work as a vocalist within the Jamaican music industry. Half Pint toured the island with various sound systems including Black Scorpio, Jammys, Gemini, Lee's Unlimited and Killimanjaro. He subsequently worked with record producers such as Errol (John) Marshall; Errol (Myrie) Lewis; King Jammy; Sly and Robbie; George Phang; Jack Scorpio, Bobby "Digital" Dixon and Mass Hugh. He also collaborated with Garnett Silk, Tony Rebel and The Tamlins. His first single, "Sally", was released in 1983 and was a hit in Jamaica, followed later that year with "Winsome". He released Money Man Skank, recorded in the early 1980s by King Jammy, which possessed energy, ebullience and style that epitomised the dancehall feel. In 1983, Pint's first single, "Sally", was released followed by the song "Winsome", and both tracks became reggae hits. He continued to release songs that became hits in the local and international reggae scenes, including "Mr. Landlord", "Level the Vibes", "Substitute Lover" and the chart-topper, Half Pint's all-time greatest hit "Greetings" was released on Powerhouse in 1986 and was recorded in a single take. Besides these singles, Roberts has also released a number of albums. His largest fanbases are in Europe, Japan, Brazil, and the West Coast of the United States. Half Pint's 1983 Jamaican number-one song "Winsome" was covered by The Rolling Stones in 1986, although it was renamed "Too Rude" for their Dirty Work album. The dub-punk group Sublime released a cover of Half Pint's "Loving" in 1996, which they also interpolated for the chorus of their song "What I Got". Half Pint maintained his public profile by frequent touring and guest appearances. He has performed at music festivals and rock concerts. Half Pint's track "Giving/Sharing" was featured on the soundtrack album for the film, The Mighty Quinn (1989). His music has also been used on the films Substitute 2 (1998), and the French comedy Mookie (1998). In 1998, Half Pint was signed with the BMG Music Publishing Company. Despite being noticeably absent from the recording studios for most of this decade, Half Pint enjoyed relative success with Legal We Legal (his first studio album within a ten-year period). This was followed by a fifteen city US tour with Anthony B. Half Pint was presented with "The Key to The City of Lauderdale Lakes" by the Mayor of the Florida suburb in 2000. Half Pint was featured on Sly & Robbie's 25th Anniversary US Tour along with Tony Rebel and Heineken Startime appearances in December 2004 in Jamaica. Half Pint has worked with the California-based band, DubCat. The New York-based Sotti Records label released a Half Pint single in 2005, "Wha Ya Wan", an updated remake of his "Winsome", with R&B singer DIA. Half Pint was nominated and awarded the "Producer's Respect Award" at the 26th International Reggae and World Music Awards held in New York City at the Apollo Theater on 5 May 2007. Half Pint headlined at the Jamaica 360 festival in Ocho Rios, Jamaica in May, and a return performance at the 15th Annual Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay, Jamaica in July. He also released No Stress Express that year. In 2012, Half Pint toured the United States with Slightly Stoopid on their 'Unity' tour.

Work with other musicians
Half Pint has been featured as a guest on a number of songs by other artists including: "Pass It On" by Long Beach Dub Allstars, from the album Right Back "Life Goes On" by Long Beach Dub Allstars, from the album Wonders of the World "Sunday Afternoon" by Lucky Boys Confusion, from the album Commitment On 2006's "Bongidae! Silverback Music Festival" version, Dubcat featured on tracks "Level the Vibes", "Cost of Living" and "Winsome". Also, Half Pint collaborated with Slightly Stoopid. "Women of the Night" by Stick Figure, from the album Burial Ground released 12 June 2012 "Come Away" by Vana Liya, from the album Little Kahuna released 3 September 2021

Discography (6)

In Fine Style
Sun Set • 1984
One In A Million
Greensleeves • 1984
Greetings
Power House • 1985
Comp. 20 Super Hits
Sonic Sounds • 198X
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
In Fine Style Half Pint In Fine Style LP Sun Set 1984 1984
Money Man Skank Half Pint Money Man Skank DSR 2521 LP Jammys 1984 1984
One In A Million Half Pint One In A Million GRELCD 74 CD Greensleeves 1984
Greetings Half Pint Greetings LP Power House 1985 1985
Joint Favourites Half Pint & Michael Palmer Joint Favourites GREL 89 LP Greensleeves 1986 1986
20 Super Hits Half Pint 20 Super Hits SON 0001 CD Sonic Sounds 198X 1990

Credits & Appearances (4)

Musicians
Vocals 4
One In A Million
Greensleeves • 1984
In Fine Style
Sun Set • 1984
Greetings
Power House • 1985
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
One In A Million Half Pint One In A Million GREL 74 LP Greensleeves 1984 1984
In Fine Style Half Pint In Fine Style LP Sun Set 1984 1984
Greetings Half Pint Greetings LP Power House 1985 1985
Joint Favourites Half Pint & Michael Palmer Joint Favourites GREL 89 LP Greensleeves 1986 1986

Also Appears On (22)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Christmas Vibes Various Artists Christmas Vibes SOLP 1293 LP Studio 1 1993
Current Artists At Studio 1 Vol 1 Various Artists Current Artists At Studio 1 Vol 1 LP Studio 1
Tougher Than Tough Various Artists Tougher Than Tough IBXCD 1 CD Island 1958-93 1993
King Jammy's At Channel 1 Various Artists King Jammy's At Channel 1 KSCD 006 CD Jamaican Recordings 1977-79 2005
Dancehall 2 Various Artists Dancehall 2 SJRCD 223 CD Soul Jazz 197X-8X 2016
Dread Prophecy Yabby You Dread Prophecy CD 45072 CD Shanachie 197X-8X 2015
Get Up Stand Up Various Artists Get Up Stand Up RZDCD 022 CD RAS 197X-8X 2005
Reggae Mandela Various Artists Reggae Mandela VPCD 2524 CD VP 197X-9X 2019
Under Mi Sleng Teng Various Artists Under Mi Sleng Teng TJBDD 301 CD Trojan 1982-93 2007
Waterhouse Revisited Various Artists Waterhouse Revisited HCD 7012 CD Hightone 1983-84 1994
Waterhouse Revisited Chapter 2 Various Artists Waterhouse Revisited Chapter 2 HCD 7013 CD Hightone 1983-84 1995
Powerhouse Presents Strictly Live Stock Various Artists Powerhouse Presents Strictly Live Stock GREL 81 LP Greensleeves 1985 1985
King At The Controls Various Artists King At The Controls VPCD 1733 CD VP 1985-89 2006
King Jammy's Selector's Choice Vol 1 King Jammy & Friends King Jammy's Selector's Choice Vol 1 VPCD 1744 CD VP 1985-89 2007
Sound Of Taxi Vol 1 Various Artists Sound Of Taxi Vol 1 LP Taxi 1986 1986
Sound Of Taxi Vol 2 Various Artists Sound Of Taxi Vol 2 TAXI LP 005 LP Taxi 1986 1986
The Final Mission Various Artists The Final Mission LP Power House 1986 1986
Dancehall Various Artists Dancehall SJRCD 196 CD Soul Jazz 198X 2008
King Jammy - A Man And His Music Vol 3 Various Artists King Jammy - A Man And His Music Vol 3 CD 79203 CD RAS 198X
The Crowning Of Prince Jammy Various Artists The Crowning Of Prince Jammy PSCD 25 CD Pressure Sounds 198X 1999
Trojan Eighties Box Set Various Artists Trojan Eighties Box Set TJETD 253 CD Trojan 198X 2005
King Jammy's Roots, Reality And Sleng Teng King Jammy King Jammy's Roots, Reality And Sleng Teng VPCD 5011 CD 17 North Parade 198X-9X 2015
6 albums
4 credits
5 labels
1984 - 1986