Born and raised in Toronto, Jah Links has always been an entertainer. At a young age he showed his natural affinity for the stage when his mother Icilda Barnes, a top hairstylist in Canada in the late 1980s, hosted a hair show. Edwardo Anthony Brown took the opportunity to wow the 200 plus guests in attendance during intermission of his mother’s show. Never shy, he entertained the crowd with his rendition of Michael Jackson’s hit song, “Beat It”. Wearing his own version of Jackson’s custom made red leather jacket, complete with zippers, Jah Links performed without any fear! Four years after showing off his skills at the hair show, the world (and young Jah Links) was introduced to KRS-1. Upon hearing his music, the passion that drives Jah Links today was born. As the years passed and his love for hip hop developed, layering poetry over thumping bass beats was only natural for Jah Links. He proved his prowess many times over in various freestyle battles at school and open mic competitions around the city. Another large influence in Jah Links’ musical life is Robert Nesta Marley and the industry changing sound of his band Bob Marley and the Wailers. Listening to Bob’s passionate, inspirational music about love, peace and tribulation, Jah Links felt a desire to help as many people as possible through music. Although he knew that he may never meet the people that he touched, he wanted to make music that could inspire and uplift the same way that Bob Marley’s music touched his own life.
