Fitz Albert Cotterell, aka Prezident Brown was born in the green hills of
Clarendon, J.A. As "Junior Ranking," a name his mother gave him,
he would grab the mic and chant away at schoolyards and country dances. As
a teenager, he was known as, "Slim Brown," a name given to him by
Nicodemus because of his strong resemblance to and similar dee-jay style of
his long time idol, U Brown. Like a father, brother, and close personal friend,
U Brown is a great inspiration to Prezident Brown. The biggest and most formative
influence for the Junior MC however, was producer and sound system operator,
Jack Ruby, prominent in the Ocho Rios music scene at that time. Ruby saw something
special in him. He took the fatherless Slim Brown under his wing, re-christened
him, Prezident Brown and appointed him resident M.C. of his Hi-Power Sound
System, traveling world wide.
After the sound system era changed following Jack Ruby's death in 1989, he began recording with Grove Music, who later founded Irie F.M. in J.A. After that, he recorded with Roof International, Courtney Cole's label. Eventually it was Barry O'Hare's label, X-Rated (now World of Music,) that provided a home base for Prezident Brown and helped launch his career in Europe. X-Rated took off just as a massive roots revival swept across Jamaica, washing gun and slackness lyrics out of the dance halls, paving the way for conscious reggae music. Of course Prezident Brown was bound to rise in that kind of climate. He is a champion in the new roots and reality consciousness. Prezident Brown entertains, informs and inspires. His message is pure rasta conscious vibes.
By 1995, he flooded the market from all sides; He was free-lancing without a break. He was bringing out boom-tunes on the X-Rated label, among others like Digital B, Black Scorpio, Mango and Star Trail. He recorded the song, "Blow Your Nose," with Everton Blender, (an artist, with whom, he has toured Africa and Europe.) Prezident Brown also recorded on Tony Rebel's Flames label. (It should be noted that his style is frequently liken to that of Rebel's.) Prezident was also featured in the song, "Black And Proud," on the Steel Pulse album Rage And Fury. He has recorded with numerous other reggae legends as well. Barry O'Hare's X-rated label produced two albums, Big Bad and Talented and Prezident Selections, (distributed on the Runn label.) After a third album, Original Blueprint, (produced by Digital B, now licensed by V.P,) he continued to release singles. His fourth album. To Jah Only, (on the highly regarded Ocho Rios label, Kariang,) was then produced.
In 2001 he started working with Jahmani Productions. That summer a month long tour took Prezident Brown all over the US Westcost and Southwest.
Prezident Brown and the Orchestra of Judah, Unleash the Lion tour happened summer 2002. This nation-wide tour included 46 shows. Sierra Nevada World Music Festival and Reggae On The River were some of the high lites. Prezident Brown has been very well received and has built a huge fan base.
Jahmani Productions (US) and Chet Records (Europe), along with Kariang and World of Music (JA) are working together in efforts to bring even more recognition to this talented artist worldwide and bring his musical blessing to the people. The albums, Prezident Brown Showcase, Vol. One & Two is a product of this collaboration.
Both of the showcases combined contain four C.D.s and 63 timeless tracks. Prezident Brown Showcase, Vol.1, C.D.1 features a re-mastered version of his fourth album, To Jah Only plus three unreleased tracks: "Learn It On My Own," "Herbsman" and "Down in the Valley." C.D.2 (executively produced by Jahmani Productions) features, Dub To Jah Only. Prezident Brown Showcase, Vol.2, C.D.1 Can't Touch my soul, is a compilation of singles including 6 previously unreleased, tracks: "Can't Touch My Soul, "Chatty Mouth," "Got to Move," "Joyful Noise," "Watch Out" and "Hear my Prayer." C.D.2 features a remastered version of his second album, Prezident Selections, along with bonus tracks including: "Talking Drums" and "Holy Land." The brand new Showcase Vol Three Released in August executively produced by Jahmani Productions is another double cd set it has 28 tracks and contains a brand new compilaition Prepare Ye The Way and a live album Prezident Brown Live Recorded at the Renagade festival at Mt Shasta from The Unleash The Lion Tour in 2002.
Currently, Prezident Brown is preparing to tour U.S. in September and Europe in October of 2003. He Also Has a new album ( produced by Chet Records.) Distributed by Sony Europe That will be Released in October 2003
Prezident Brown's music speaks a universal language. All of his albums and singles will remain timelessly beautiful and his fourth album, To Jah Only, features one of the most spiritually devoted songs in reggae history, "To Jah Only." His music is echoed overseas and his talent is unequivocal. All of his albums are a must for anyone who loves reggae music.
Prezident Brown is an artist driven by a sense of mission and purpose which dictates that he "edutains" (heightens the consciousness of a people) as much as entertains. Prezident Brown is eminently qualified for the role in which he is seen as a vessel from which flows the healing effect of his musical staple.
Jahmani Productions www.jahmanipro.com email: jahmanipro@yahoo.com
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