Anthony Johnson, born Roy Anthony Johnson on December 25, 1957, in Kingston, Jamaica, is a renowned reggae musician. Raised in the vibrant cultural hub of Trench Town, Johnson was influenced by legendary Jamaican singers such as John Holt, Dennis Brown, and Alton Ellis. His early exposure to music came from Biah's yard, a popular dancehall in his community.

Johnson's music career began in the mid-1970s when he started auditioning at Kingston's studios. His first recording, "Free Black Man," was produced by Bunny Lee, who suggested he drop 'Roy' from his name, leading to his professional identity as Anthony Johnson. He later formed the vocal trio Mystic I with Les Clarke and Balvin Finals, recording several tracks, some of which were released without their knowledge by Linval Thompson as the album "Mysterious" in 1979.

Anthony Johnson gained significant recognition with his 1982 hit "Gunshot," produced by Jah Thomas. The song, which called for an end to the "shotta" mentality, became a perennial favorite in reggae sound systems. Throughout the 1980s, Johnson continued to record with prominent producers, including Prince Jammy and Dillinger, solidifying his reputation in Jamaica and the European reggae circuit.