If you’re a fan of reggae music, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Snow Informer. But what do you really know about him? This article will delve into the life of Snow, his real name, where he was from, his net worth, and the iconic song, Informer.
Who is Snow Informer?
Born Darrin Kenneth O’Brien on October 30, 1969, in North York, Ontario, Canada, Snow Informer is a reggae artist who rose to fame in the early 1990s with his hit song, Informer. Snow’s parents were both Jamaican, and he grew up listening to reggae music, which ultimately inspired his career.
Snow’s Early Career
Before his breakthrough, Snow began his career performing on the Toronto reggae scene in the late 1980s. In 1988, he released a single called The Landslide under the moniker MC Shan, which was a hit in Canada and gained the attention of famous reggae producer, Ed Robinson.
The Release of Informer
In 1992, Snow released Informer, which quickly became a global hit. The song was a drastic departure from the traditional reggae sound and featured a mix of rap and reggae. Informer reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Snow the first Canadian artist to achieve this feat since Bryan Adams in 1985.
The Lyrics of Informer
Informer has some of the most unique lyrics in all of reggae. In fact, many people couldn’t understand what Snow was saying in the song’s chorus. The lyrics are a mix of English and patois, and Snow has explained that the song is about his experience growing up in Toronto and the struggles of his youth.
The chorus of the song goes like this:
Licky boom boom down/
Informa, fi dead/
Police, them come and now/
They blow down me door/
One him come crawl through/
Through my window/
So than they put me in the handcuff/
And now I am the Informer/
Licky boom boom refers to gunshots, while informa is patois for informant. In essence, the song is about someone who snitched on Snow, leading to his arrest.
Snow’s Net Worth
Since the success of Informer, Snow has continued to record and tour. As of 2021, his net worth is estimated to be around $500,000.
Snow’s Later Career
Snow continued to release music after his hit song, Informer, but he never achieved the same level of success. He underwent throat surgery in 1994 and took a hiatus from music. In 2000, he released a comeback album called Mind on the Moon, which received critical acclaim.
What is Snow’s Real Name?
As mentioned earlier, Snow’s real name is Darrin Kenneth O’Brien.
How Old is Snow Informer?
As of 2021, Snow is 52 years old.
What Song Did Informer Sample?
The instrumental track of Informer samples the 1989 track Hot This Year by Dirtsman.
Where was Snow Informer from?
Snow was born in North York, Ontario, Canada.
What Does Licky Boom Boom Dem Mean?
As mentioned earlier, licky boom boom refers to gunshots. The phrase dem is patois for them. In essence, the lyric means gunshots for them.
Snow Informer’s Net Worth
As of 2021, Snow’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000.
The Meaning of Informer
While many people struggle to understand the lyrics of Informer, the song is essentially about Snow’s struggles growing up in Toronto. The song speaks about the police coming to his home, arresting him, and leading to his imprisonment. Snow, allegedly, was accused of a murder he did not commit, and the person who was responsible for the crime was eventually identified and convicted, and Snow was acquitted of the crime.
The Release Date of Informer
Informer was released in 1992 and is the debut single from Snow’s debut album, 12 Inches of Snow.
Conclusion
The story of Snow Informer is one of a unique reggae artist who left a significant impact on the music industry with his iconic song, Informer. Although he never quite attained the same level of success later on, Snow continues to enjoy a dedicated following and is looked upon as a cultural icon in the reggae community.