Bad News Brown (musician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bad News Brown
Bad News Brown in Montreal, 2010
Background information
Birth name	Paul Frappier
Also known as	Briz Brown
Born	(1977-05-08)May 8, 1977 Haiti
Origin	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died	February 11, 2011(2011-02-11) (aged 33) Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Genres	Hip hop, soul
Occupation(s)	Rapper, singer, harmonica player
Instruments	Vocals, harmonica
Years active	2001–2011
Labels	Trilateral Entertainment Inc.

Paul Frappier (May 8, 1977 – February 11, 2011), known as Bad News Brown, was a Canadian musician and rapper from Montreal. He was famous for mixing the sound of his harmonica with hip-hop beats and rhymes.

Paul started his music journey by busking (performing in public places) in Montreal's streets and subway stations. He later toured and performed with many famous hip-hop artists. He also appeared in a documentary about street musicians. In 2009, he started his own record label, Trilateral Entertainment Inc., and released his first album, Born 2 Sin. Paul Frappier passed away in Montreal in 2011. A movie he starred in, BumRush, was released after his death.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Paul Frappier was born in Haiti. When he was young, he moved to Quebec, Canada. He lived in different towns before settling in Montreal with his adopted family. In school, Paul had dyslexia, which made learning a bit harder.

As a teenager, he left home and soon found a special talent for playing the harmonica. He realized he could earn money by performing on the street and in Montreal Metro stations. Paul said that busking was one of the smartest things he ever did. It helped him pay his bills and even buy his own music studio.

Paul developed his unique music style by playing in public. He combined his skills as a blues and jazz harmonica player with his love for hip-hop music. He got his stage name, Bad News Brown, from a friend. It was also the name of his favorite wrestler when he was a kid. Soon, a local arts magazine called him the best street performer in Montreal.

Paul lived with his girlfriend, Natasha. He was also a father to his son, Izaiah.

Music Career Highlights

Bad News Brown's first album, Born 2 Sin, came out in 2009. It was released by his own record label, Trilateral Entertainment Inc. The album was distributed by Universal Music Canada.

Paul worked with several producers to create the songs on Born 2 Sin. He described his album's sound as "Harmonic Hip-Hop." One of his songs, "Feeling Me On," was part of a big music collection that sold over 50,000 copies in Europe.

During his career, Bad News Brown performed in over 200 places. He opened shows for famous artists like Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, and 50 Cent. He also performed on stage with Nas and Ice-T.

Besides making music, Paul often worked as a motivational speaker. He talked to young people and took part in charity events. In 2009, he spoke to teenage boys at a youth detention center as part of a tour called "Music With Meaning."

Film Appearances

Music for a Blue Train

Because he was known as Montreal's top street performer, Paul Frappier was chosen to host a documentary film in 2003. The movie, called Music for a Blue Train, showed the lives of musicians who perform in the Montreal Metro subway system. The film was made by the National Film Board of Canada.

BumRush

At the time of his death, Bad News Brown was acting in a movie about street gangs in Montreal. The film, BumRush, was directed by Michel Jetté. Paul played a main character named "Loosecanon," who was a leader of a gang.

Paul also helped produce the film and was involved in choosing the actors. Some of his original songs from his album Born 2 Sin were used in the movie's soundtrack. BumRush was shown in Canadian movie theaters on April 1, 2011, after Paul's passing. The director said the film would be a tribute to the artist.

Paul Frappier's Death

Paul Frappier's body was found on February 11, 2011, in an alley in Montreal. Police noted signs of violence on his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Paul was getting ready for a show in Quebec City the next day. He had been with his girlfriend until about 10 PM. He told her he was going out to meet someone. Around midnight, a couple found him lying on the ground. As of 2022, no new information has been shared about his death.

Music Releases

Studio Albums

Mixtapes

• 2009: G'd Up From the Street Up

Singles

Filmography

Acting

• 2003: Music for a Blue Train (as host)
• 2011: BumRush (as Loosecanon)

Production

• 2011: BumRush – co-producer

See also

• List of murdered hip hop musicians
• List of unsolved murders