{{Short description|Musical artist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
'''Edward Ronald Browne''', known professionally as '''Solo Banton''', is a dub-reggae and dancehall artist based in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Edward "Solo Banton" Browne |url=https://www.jackrussellmusic.net/writers-artists/solo-banton/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Jack Russell Music}}</ref> He has released four albums highlighting a range of influences including roots reggae, dancehall, soul music, and hip-hop.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Topple |first=Steve |date=13 October 2019 |title=CanaryPod: Topple Uncaged meets... Solo Banton |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2304722100/fulltext/CF25AD34EEF3423CPQ/1 |access-date=2025-01-11 |work=The Canary |id={{ProQuest|2304722100}} }}</ref>
''The Canary'' has called Banton "one of the pioneers of UK reggae and a legend within the movement".<ref name=":0" />
== Early life == Browne was born London. His family has roots in St Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean. Browne first started MC'ing at age 11.<ref name=":0" />
== Career == He emerged from UK sound system culture as an expressive and often comical deejay,<ref>{{Cite web |last=reggaeville |title=Biography: Solo Banton |url=https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/solo-banton/about/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=www.reggaeville.com |language=en}}</ref> committed to conscious lyrics and "edutainment".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview: Solo Banton (2013) {{!}} United Reggae |url=https://unitedreggae.com/articles/n1237/020213/interview-solo-banton-2013 |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=unitedreggae.com |language=en}}</ref> He was first known simply as Solo, and was active in the UK hip hop and graffiti scene. He took up the Banton part of his name after switching to reggae music.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NiceUp |date=2020-03-04 |title=Solo Banton interview with The Groove Thief |url=https://niceup.org.nz/solo-banton-interview-with-the-groove-thief/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=NiceUp - Aotearoa Reggae Online |language=en-US}}</ref>
He released his first album ''Walk Like Rasta'' on Reality Shock Records in 2010, followed by ''Higher Levels'' and ''Old Raggamuffin'' in 2012 and 2019. His 2024 album ''In This Time'' was released on the French label, Irie Ites Records.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vibes |first=Teacher at Reggae |date=2024-05-05 |title=Solo Banton - In This Time |url=https://www.reggae-vibes.com/reviews/2024/05/solo-banton-in-this-time/ |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Reggae Vibes |language=en-US}}</ref>
Solo Banton has collaborated on recordings with Jahtari, Roots Manuva, Macka B, Fantan Mojah, Mungo's Hi-Fi, Errol Dunkley, Tippa Irie, Soom T, Dubkasm, Radikal Guru, George Palmer, Benny Page, Kris Kemist, Manudigital and many others, with over 50 releases to his name.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-07 |title=Solo Banton |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1346929-Solo-Banton |website=Discogs.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Solo Banton Music & Downloads on Beatport |url=https://www.beatport.com/artist/solo-banton/98381 |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=www.beatport.com |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:British reggae singers Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:British dub musicians Category:British graffiti artists Category:Dancehall musicians {{authority control}}