by Ryan A. MacMichael, Reggae Report, Vol. 16, #2, 1998

Half Pint was born Lindon Roberts on November 11, 1961 at Rose Lane in Western Kingston as one of seven children. He began his singing career in the school choir at All Saints Primary School and at various Carol services and concerts. After he completed Penwood Secondary School in 1976, Roberts began to tour with Black Scorpio, Jammys, Gemini, Lee's Unlimited, and Kilimanjaro. Before long, "Half Pint" was a name associated worldwide with the 5'6" singer that sang roots and Lovers Dancehall lyrics, uplifting listeners from Jamaica to Japan.

Half Pint's early influences ranged from the US TV shows The Partridge Family and Bonanza to the American soul sounds of the Jackson 5, the Isley Brothers, and Brook Benton. As far as reggae, Roberts listened to Dennis Brown, Ken Boothe, and Slim Smith & The Techniques (Roberts recently covered the Smith tune "Beatitude"). His singing at an early age would occasionally get him in trouble in school, with the teacher telling him, "Hey, come on. Let's be quiet..."

In 1983 Roberts released his first single, "Sally" as well as the most popular song of the year, "Winsome." In the 80's, Roberts recorded a handful of sucessful albums with a variety of producers: 1984's Money Man Skank and One In a Million with Jammys, Greatest Hits of All Time with Errol Marshall and Errol Lewis, 1986's Greetings with George Phang, and a handful of others. In addition, Roberts has worked with singers and groups from around the world, including Garnett Silk, Tony Rebel, The Tamlins, and Japanese group Sandii and the Sunsetz.

Some of Roberts' best material in the 1980's was covered by pop and rock bands more recently. In 1987, the Rolling Stones covered "Winsome" as "Too Rude" on their DIRTY WORK album. More recently, pop alternative band Sublime used Roberts' hook from "Loving" for their multi-platinum hit "What I Got." Sublime's borrowing, however, involved no royalties paid to Roberts.

The last big hit that most folks heard from Half Pint was 1992's "Substitute Lover" which appeared on more than half a dozen compilations and as a single on VP Records. Since then, Roberts has been comparatively quiet, releasing a string of 7"'s on various labels with different producers. However, Roberts had recorded quite a bit of material that was never released, but may be on this summer's upcoming LP.

This LP will be Roberts' first original full-length release since 1990's One Big Family on Powerhouse. Though the distribution deal has not been worked out yet for this particular album, it is looking promising, as Roberts recently signed on with musical powerhouse BMG to re-distribute about 70 of his classic songs from the 1980's.

Loyal Haylett, Half Pint's manager since 1993, said that there are two titles the pair are considering now. Haylett is partial to Malfunction in Paradise and Roberts likes Love at Large. Either way, the LP will consist of mostly brand new tracks, perhaps a re-recording of "Loving" and some of the songs he's released as singles over the last few years.

Haylett's attitude towards Roberts and other recording artists has been beneficial for both of them. "I've always done whatever I can to help Jamaican artists," Haylett said. "I view myself as an ambassador." Haylett, who is a partial owner in the successful Golden Crust Carribean Bakery chain, stresses that he always tries to do something positive to help whoever he can. In the past he's assisted other producers, helping on Salt n' Pepa's album Very Necessary as well as working with reggae artist Brigadier Jerry.

In addition to the new LP and the publishing deal with BMG, there is a possibility that Roberts will also have tracks appearing in the upcoming TriStar picture Homegrown, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, John Lithgow, and rocker Jon Bon Jovi.

But what kept Half Pint is such solitude during much of the 1990s? Certain producers held onto recorded songs and never released them. "Me and other artists suffered from the lack of professionalism from the producers," said Roberts. "They themselves not knowing, in return, become ignorant by giving the album to distribute and not getting anything in return."

"People like us would gain more from performing," said Roberts. "We'd gain that wide publicity and people would be like 'Hey, you're a big star.' The royalties is not what you were waiting for to pay your rent and take care of your bills. It will be a big disgrace."

Reggae artists, including Half Pint, have also traditionally had trouble with getting their royalties from foreign distribution. "When a hit song in Jamaica would sell 8,000 or 10,000 copies," Roberts explained. "From that you'd have songs which would be distributed abroad. In Jamaica, in return, the distribution companies would only give us the Jamaican pressing rate."

But through success and jealousy, Half Pint has continued to provide strong music, sing socially conscious lyrics, and remain a humble inspiration to the youth. To Roberts, music is one of the most important spiritual expressions of life.

"Life is free, but is limited within the body," Roberts commented. "Sometimes, when I am singing, I can feel my own self above even the earth."

"I try to make my song formulas idenifying how to solve the problem and look at the issues which is more vital to the reality of life," added Roberts. "Being in that frame of mind makes me even freer within myself and in my thoughts. Music to me is the power, the force which harmonizes the world. Even right back to the heartbeat, yuh know, the riddim, yes?"

Half Pint has also moved onto the Internet with his official web page at http://www.laze.net/halfpint/. There are contest giveaways, a guestbook, and a discography among other treats.

With over 15 years of music under his belt and international acclaim (they love Half Pint in Japan and recently performed to a crowd of 35,000 in Rome) and things really starting to move in the first half of this year, big t'ings a gwaan for Mr. Pint in 1998. This 36-year-old singer will grace the world with a new album, soundtrack material, and a tour of college campuses and major cities. It's going to be harder than ever to miss the physically small but spiritually massive singer now and in the near future.