Black Slate was formed in 1974, including musicians from England, Jamaica, and Anguilla.[2] They backed several Jamaican singers, including Delroy Wilson and Ken Boothe on their UK appearances, and had their first reggae-chart hit themselves in 1976, with the anti-mugging song "Sticks Man",[1][2] also lined up with Disco Reggae Band under Disco Reggae Band & Black Slate. The record hit the Dutch[3] and Flemish charts as well, after being an underground hit in Antwerp discothèques.