Dennis Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis Brown
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Dennis Brown performing in 1980
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Dennis Emmanuel Brown |
| Also known as | The Crown Prince of Reggae |
| Born | 1 February 1957 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Died | 1 July 1999 (aged 42) Kingston, Jamaica |
| Genres |
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| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1968–1999 |
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Dennis Emmanuel Brown CD (born February 1, 1957 – died July 1, 1999) was a famous Jamaican reggae singer. He started his amazing music journey in the late 1960s when he was just eleven years old. Dennis Brown recorded over 75 albums during his career. He became one of the biggest stars in lovers rock, a popular style of reggae music. Even the legendary Bob Marley called Dennis Brown his favorite singer, giving him the nickname "The Crown Prince of Reggae." Dennis Brown's music greatly influenced many reggae singers who came after him.
Contents
The Life of Dennis Brown
Early Years and Music Start
Dennis Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on February 1, 1957. His father, Arthur, was a writer, actor, and journalist. Dennis grew up in a busy part of Kingston with his parents and four siblings. He loved music from a very young age. He was a big fan of American singers like Nat King Cole, who was a major influence on him.
Dennis began singing publicly at age nine during a school concert. His first professional show happened when he was eleven. He joined a group called the Fabulous Falcons for a guest performance. After this, he was asked to become a main singer for the group. He even earned enough money from one show to buy his first suit! A bandleader named Byron Lee was so impressed that he invited Dennis to perform with famous US artists. Dennis was known as the "Boy Wonder" back then.
Young Dennis was inspired by older reggae singers like Delroy Wilson and John Holt. His first song was "Lips of Wine," but it wasn't released. He then recorded for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One label. His first hit was "No Man is an Island," recorded when he was just twelve. This song became a huge hit across Jamaica. Dennis recorded many songs for Studio One and even sang backup for other artists. He learned to play guitar from Alton Ellis, which helped him write his own songs.
Becoming an International Star
In 1972, Dennis Brown started working with producer Joe Gibbs. This led to his big break as an international artist. One of their songs, "Money in my Pocket," became very popular with reggae fans in the UK. This song was actually produced by Winston "Niney" Holness for Joe Gibbs.
Dennis and Niney Holness became good friends. They worked together on another hit song, "Westbound Train," which was a massive success in Jamaica in 1973. That same year, Dennis was voted Jamaica's top male singer. Songs like "Africa" and "Love Jah" showed his Rastafari beliefs. These songs became very popular in London's sound system scene. In 1973, Dennis had to take a break from music due to being overworked.
He returned to music and toured the United Kingdom in 1974. While there, he recorded new songs. Joe Gibbs released an album called The Best of Dennis Brown with his earlier recordings. Dennis then signed a deal with Trojan Records. He also started his own record label, DEB Music, with Castro Brown. In 1976, he recorded two more popular songs, "Take a Trip to Zion" and "Wolf and Leopard."
Dennis started working with Joe Gibbs again. Their 1977 album, Visions of Dennis Brown, was a huge success. It mixed serious roots reggae songs with love songs. This album showed that Dennis had grown from a child star into a mature artist. It was named reggae album of the year by music magazines.
In 1978, Dennis moved to London and relaunched his DEB Music label. He had another big hit with a new version of "Money in my Pocket." This song reached number 14 on the UK Top 40 in 1979. It became one of Jamaica's biggest international hits ever. This success even led to Dennis being featured on the cover of the NME music magazine.
New Sounds and Later Career
In 1981, Dennis Brown signed a deal with A&M Records, a major international label. He released albums like Foul Play and Love Has Found its Way. While these albums tried a more pop sound, the music scene in Kingston was changing. A new style called dancehall was becoming popular. Dennis quickly adapted to this new sound. He worked with top dancehall producers like Prince Jammy and Gussie Clarke.
In the early 1980s, he also started a new label called Yvonne's Special, named after his wife. He collaborated with fellow reggae star Gregory Isaacs on albums like Two Bad Superstars Meet (1984) and Judge Not (1985). Dennis continued to release a lot of music throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His 1994 album Light My Fire was nominated for a Grammy Award. His last album, Let Me Be the One (released in 2001), also received a Grammy nomination.
Dennis Brown's Passing
In the late 1990s, Dennis Brown's health began to decline. He had breathing problems. In May 1999, after a tour in Brazil, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. On June 30, 1999, he was rushed to the hospital in Kingston, Jamaica, due to a heart problem.
Dennis Brown passed away the next day, on July 1, 1999. The official cause of death was a collapsed lung. Many important people, including Jamaica's Prime Minister, spoke at his funeral on July 17, 1999. The service included live music from artists like Maxi Priest and Shaggy. Dennis Brown was buried in Kingston's National Heroes Park. He was survived by his wife, Yvonne, and ten children. The Prime Minister praised Dennis Brown, calling him "one of the finest and most talented musicians of our time."
His Lasting Impact
Dennis Brown inspired many reggae singers from the late 1970s onwards. These include artists like Barrington Levy, Junior Reid, and Luciano. In July 1999, a group of UK musicians recorded a "Tribute Song" medley of his hits to honor him.
On the first anniversary of his death, a memorial concert was held in Brooklyn. In 2001, a charity called The Dennis Emanuel Brown Trust was created in his name. This trust helps educate young people and provides them with musical instruments. It also gives out a bursary (a type of scholarship) each year to students.
In 2005, singers George Nooks and Gregory Isaacs both released albums covering Dennis Brown's songs. They wanted to show how much he influenced them. In 2007, events were held in Jamaica to celebrate the birthdays of both Dennis Brown and Bob Marley. In 2008, a special internet radio station dedicated to Dennis Brown's music was announced.
Many songs have been written about or dedicated to Dennis Brown. These include "Song for Dennis Brown" by The Mountain Goats. In 2010, he was featured on NPR's "50 Great Voices" list, alongside other legends like Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald.
On August 6, 2011, Dennis Brown was honored by the Governor-General of Jamaica. He received the Order of Distinction for his amazing contributions to Jamaican music. In April 2012, a special blue plaque was placed on his former home in Harlesden, UK, to remember him.
International Hit Songs
- "Money In My Pocket" (1979) – Reached No. 14 in the UK.
- "Love Has Found Its Way" (1982) – Reached No. 47 in the UK and No. 42 on US R&B charts.
- "Senorita" (1988) – Reached No. 95 in the UK.
See also
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A robot icon, linking to the Spanish version of this article.
In Spanish: Dennis Brown para niños
