https://wowhall.org/event/prezident-brown
On Saturday, Dec. 28th the Community Center for the Performing Arts at the WOW Hall proudly presents Prezident Brown.
PREZIDENT BROWN
Prezident Brown, born Fitz Albert Cotterell, has been called, “one of the most interesting cultural dee-jays since U Roy”. Emphasizing positive messages, Prezident Brown has continued to pioneer his own direction, developing his own approach to dee-jaying that he calls, “sing chat”. Born to a Seventh Day Adventist family in Johnny’s Hill, Clarendon on the foot of the Bull Head mountains, Prezident Brown grew up in the small town of Oracabessa in the Parish of St. Mary, Jamaica.
Prezident Brown launched his musical career at the age of fourteen, when he began dee-jaying for the Sound King Stereo Mix at the Bamboo Lounge. Initially known as Junior Ranking, Prezident Brown was dubbed, “Slim Brown“, by dee-jay Nicodemus. The late Jack Ruby, producer of Burning Spear’s albums, “Marcus Garvey”, and, “Man In The Hills”, bestowed the title, “Prezident”, upon him. In 1992, he joined Courtney Cole’s label, Roof International, and began performing and dee-jaying at the Rooftop Club in Ocho Rios. In 1990, Prezident Brown became involved with producers Barry O’Hare and Steven Stewart at Grove Music in Ocho Rios. It was Barry O’Hare’s X-Rated Record label that became Prezident Brown’s home base and it was X-Rated Records with Runn Records that launched his career in Europe. In Jamaica the X-Rated label took off as a massive roots revival swept across the country paving the way for Prezident Brown’s conscious style of reggae dee-jaying. In 1999 the Jamaican record label Kariang released the timeless, “To Jah Only” album.
In 2002, Jahmani Productions released a 2 CD disc called, “Showcase Volume 1”. The 46 show tour that ensued took Prezident Brown across the United States and included performances at The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival and Reggae on the River in California. Prez then released “Showcase Volume 2”, and “Showcase Volume 3” which includes a live performance from the 2002 Mt. Shasta Renegade Music Festival. In 2004 the German based label Chet Records with Sony Records released the album, “Generation Next”.
Prez continues to record and tour. He has developed a strong following in the United States and Europe, and continues to grow musically and in notoriety, as a champion of the new roots and reality consciousness reggae movement. Prez entertains, informs and inspires. Common Prosperity was released in July 2009. in October 2012, Tads Records released I Sound is From Creation. In 2017 The Journeyman Pilgrimage was released by Zojak Worldwide. This was his tenth studio album. This project brought forth the best of his love in fourteen strong, fun, conscious, positive and spiritual tracks. These musical vibrations display the full maturity of his art, showcasing where he’s come from as well as where he currently is. “My career is a journey with different phases unfolding as I go, it’s a reggae journey and I believe music is of divine origin and should be invoked with the highest praise, so I’m inviting you all to join me. I call it The Journeyman Pilgrimage because I always go the extra mile with and for the purpose of delivering my music.”
The names of Prez’s full studio album releases are Original Blueprint, To Jah Only, Generation Next, Prezident Brown – Showcase Volume One, Two, Three, 4 Health and Strength, Common Prosperity, I Sound is From Creation and Journeyman. Prezident Brown is a serious reggae revolutionary who keeps persevering as a defender of the faith.
I-Chele & Circl’d Light (Supporting Act)
I-chèle & the Circle d’Light are a local sensation. I-chèle sings to drench our world in MUSICALOVE. Her luscious crew will rock you with their Sensuous-Passionate RootsRockReggae
Born Everton Clarke, Messenjah Selah grew up in the hills outside of Kingston, Jamaica listening and absorbing reggae and Jamaican music on the radio, in shops, churches, and sound systems. At age 15, he moved to the Virgin Islands where he started a cappella group which progressed into singing lead vocals and playing guitar in a gospel reggae band. He knew then that music was his life’s path. After high school, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he continued to be inspired by artists like Bob Marley, Luciano, Sizzla, and Steel Pulse. He started recording professionally as a solo artist in 1997 and quickly garnered attention for his abilities as a songwriter and performer being awarded Best New Male Vocalist for 1999 by the Atlanta Caribbean Awards, and another for Best New Vocalist in 2001. His notoriety broadened performing on many stages with acts like Beres Hammond, Luciano, Sizzla, Buju Banton, and Shaggy as he traveled internationally to spread his message of love, wisdom, and upliftment.
Located in the hills of Southern Oregon, Michael Leslie brings a fresh twist and an irie vibe to a classic sound. Growing up in a musical household, music made a lasting impact on him at a young age. That impact transcended into his parents gifting him and his brother a drum kit for Christmas one year, that was the beginning of a journey that is still unfolding. Junior year of high school is when the sweet sounds of reggae music entered his life, inspiring him to write songs and learn piano which over time has manifested into a smooth soulful conscious hip hop/reggae sound that he spreads his message through today. Playing Piano in Whodathunkit band he has shared the stage with SYNRGY, One Drop, J Ras,100 Watt Mind, The Herbal Crew, One Dollar Check, Shawn Montgomery & The New Groove, Dos Tacos, & acts alike
Alongside DJ Selecta A.D the Bambu King