Lindon 'Half Pint' Roberts, who was born on Rose Lane in western Kingston, began singing in the school choir at All Saints' Primary School. He moved from the secondary level of the education system directly into dancehall apprenticeship, working with Black Scorpio, Jammys, Gemini, Lee's Unlimited and Killimanjaro sound systems.

It would be seven years later before he officially graduated to 'wax', with the release of his firstsingle, Sally, in 1983, quickly followed by Winsome. It was in 1986, though, that Greetings, a dancehall standard, came, cementing Half Pint's place in reggae.

In 1987, the Rolling Stones covered Winsome, which they renamed Too Rude, a part of the chorus.

Other Half Pint standouts are Mr. Landlord, Level the Vibes, Substitute Lover, Victory and Political Fiction, the rhythm of which has been reused for Tarrus Riley's Beware from the Parables album.

Signed to BMG

Along with a 25-year anniversary tour that included Brazil, where his support is legion, Half Pint also holds the distinction of being the reggae artiste signed with the BMG Music Publishing Company, a relationship that began in 1998.

Half Pint's music has been to the big screen with The Mighty Quinn, Substitute 2 and Mookie.

Among his albums are Greetings, Victory, Close To You and Legal We Legal, with No Stress Express slated for release in September 2007. Songs slated for the album are Unity, Mind Over Matter, Madonna, Precious Herb and Bless Us, with Suzie and Just Be Good as bonus tracks.

It comes heading to the close of a year in which he won two International Reggae and World Music Awards in May, then headlined the Jamaica 360 festival in Ocho Rios in the same month, then had August 11 named Lindon 'Half Pint' Roberts Day in Hartford, Connecticut.

- M.C.