Prince Far I facts for kids

Prince Far I (born Michael James Williams) was a famous reggae artist from Jamaica. He was a deejay and a producer. He was also a Rastafarian.

Prince Far I was known for his very deep, rough voice. He often sang about important issues in Jamaica. For example, his song "Heavy Manners" talked about ways to make things better and safer in his country. He was a unique voice in reggae music.

The Story of Prince Far I

Early Life and Music

Prince Far I was born Michael James Williams in Spanish Town, Jamaica. His first job in music was as a deejay. He worked on a mobile music system called Sir Mike the Musical Dragon.

He also worked as a security guard at a music studio. Later, he was a bouncer at Studio One. In 1969, he recorded a song called "The Great Booga Wooga." He used the name King Cry Cry then. This name came from how he sometimes cried when he got angry.

In 1970, he got a big chance to record for Coxsone Dodd. Another artist didn't show up for a recording session. Michael stepped in and impressed everyone. He then started using the name Prince Far I. This name was suggested by another producer, Enos McLeod.

Becoming "The Voice of Thunder"

Prince Far I had a very deep voice. He had a special way of talking over music. He called himself a "chanter" instead of a "toaster." He became very popular in reggae music. People started calling him "The Voice of Thunder."

His first album was called Psalms For I. On this album, he recited parts of the Bible. He dedicated it to people who couldn't read the Bible themselves.

He then worked with Joe Gibbs on his second album, Under Heavy Manners. After that, he signed with Virgin Records.

Later Career and Influence

Prince Far I released many albums between 1978 and 1981. This included a popular series of dub albums. These were called Cry Tuff Dub Encounter. He produced these albums himself. He also released them on his own record label, Cry Tuff.

He spent more time in England later in his life. He worked with a UK record label called On-U Sound Records. He also sang with a reggae group called Singers & Players. Many people saw him as a mentor, especially Adrian Sherwood.

His last live show was in Manchester, England, in 1982. He performed with a band called Suns of Arqa. This performance was recorded on his album Musical Revue. In 1983, he also sang on Suns of Arqa's album Wadada Magic. His vocals from that album have been used many times since then.

A Tragic End

Later in 1983, Prince Far I was working on a new album. It was called Umkhonto We Sizwe. He was recording it with producer Roy Cousins in Kingston, Jamaica.

Sadly, before the album was finished, Prince Far I passed away. He died in a hospital in Kingston, Jamaica on September 15, 1983.

His friend, Adrian Sherwood, was very sad about his death. Other artists also remembered him. The band The Clash mentioned him in their song "Clash City Rockers." The band The Mountain Goats also wrote a song called "Sept. 15th 1983," which is the date he passed away.

Discography

Albums

• Psalms for I (Carib Gems, 1975)
• Under Heavy Manners (Joe Gibbs, 1976)
• Message from the King (Virgin Front Line 1978)
• Long Life (Virgin Front Line, 1978)
• Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Chapter 1 (Cry Tuff/Hit Run, 1978)
• Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Part 2 (Cry Tuff/Virgin Front Line, 1979)
• Free from Sin (Trojan, 1979)
• Dub to Africa (Price Far I, 1979)
• Jamaican Heroes (Trojan 1980)
• Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Chapter 3 (Cry Tuff/Daddy Kool, 1980)
• Showcase in a Suitcase (Pre, 1980)
• Livity (Pre, 1981)
• Voice of Thunder (Trojan 1981)
• Cry Tuff Dub Encounter Chapter 4 (Cry Tuff/Trojan 1981)
• Musical History (Trojan 1983)
• Umkhonto We Sizwe (Kingdom/Tamoki Wambesi 1984)
• Musical Revue / Suns of Arqa Live with Prince Far I (ROIR, 1988)
• Health and Strength (Pressure Sounds, 1998)

Compilation albums

• Black Man Land (1990)
• Dubwise (1991)
• Cry Freedom Dub (1994)
• In the House of Vocal & Dub with King Tubby (1995)
• DJ Originators Head To Head Volume Two Prince Far I & Trinity (1996)
• Megabit 25, 1922-Dub (1998)
• Ten Commandments (1999)
• The Golden Years 1977–1983 (1999)
• Heavy Manners: Anthology 1977–83 (Trojan 2003)
• Silver & Gold 1973-1975 (Blood and Fire, 2005)
• Cry Tuff Chants On U (On-U Sound Records, 2024)