20/09/2026
🎶 THE STORY OF “AMIGO” — BLACK SLATE 🎶
Some songs become hits.
Some songs become part of history.
And then there are songs that continue to live through different generations.
“Amigo” is one of those songs.
Long before “Amigo 50+”, Anthony “Pure Silk” Brightly had already developed the idea behind the song through his sound-system work with Sir George Sound.
Anthony has explained that he created “Amigo” specifically to play on the sound system. He described it as a Rasta song with a commercial edge, with the intention of creating a sound that could draw people in and put them into a trance.
By this stage, Black Slate had developed their own distinctive musical identity — bringing together reggae with elements of soul, jazz and pop. That combination helped separate them from many other British reggae groups of the era.
Then came the breakthrough.
In 1980, “Amigo” was released on Ensign Records. The song went on to reach No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Black Slate’s biggest commercial success.
But there was another chapter to the story.
Anthony has recalled that “Amigo” faced an unusual problem with the BBC because of its references to Jah. According to Anthony, the BBC removed the record from its regular playlist because of the religious references, with restrictions at the time around references to God outside Sunday programming.
The references to Jah were not incidental. They were part of the original song itself, with lines including “Leave it to Jah” and “Jah na go mislead you.”
Yet despite those challenges, “Amigo” continued its journey and became one of Black Slate’s best-known recordings.
And the story didn't end in 1980.
Decades later, Black Slate returned to the song, recording new versions and bringing “Amigo” into a new era.
Then came “Amigo 50+” — carrying the name, spirit and musical legacy of the original into the 50+ album and another generation of the Black Slate story.
From the sound-system culture of London…
From Anthony Brightly’s original vision…
From a 1980 UK Top 10 record…
From a song that Anthony says faced BBC restrictions because of its references to Jah…
To “Amigo 50+” in 2025.
🎵 AMIGO 50+
🎤 Black Slate
📀 50+
📅 Released: 2025
🎧 Listen here:
https://ffm.bio/7mvoxwx
💬 If you know the original “Amigo,” what does hearing “Amigo 50+” mean to you?
📢 Powered by World Reggae Promotion
