IN recent months, singer Anthony Cruz has sported a new look. Shoulder-length locks and full-grown beard.

Known in dancehall circles as a balladeer, he says he has found his calling in Rastafari. Cruz, who is in his early 40s, is aware of talk that his image is just that — an image.

“First of all, Rasta is not image, is a way of life. A lot of people think is about growing yuh hair,” he said, adding: “This is not a transition, Rasta inna mi lineage; anybody who know Anthony Cruz know a so mi stay long time.”

The Cruz lineage includes Garnet Silk, his nephew. Silk, who died in 1995, was a leader of the 1990s roots-reggae renaissance.

Aaron Silk, another roots vocalist, is also his nephew.

Cruz said two of his latest songs, the self-produced Hail The King and Where Would I Be Without You, produced by Bobby Digital, celebrate the Rastafarian faith.

“What these songs really saying is, ‘celebrate yuh culture, not a next man own’.”

Like the Silk brothers, Anthony Cruz (given name Rohan Smith) is from Manchester, a parish that figured prominently in the roots revival 20 years ago.

However, most of his songs like Half Way Tree and Tear It Up, are in the lovers’ rock vein.

This year, he released the six-song EP, Cruzin, distributed by Tad’s International Record.

Anthony Cruz is scheduled to perform on closing night (January 16) of Rebel Salute.

— Howard Campbell