Dennis Brown was one of the most influential and prolific reggae singers of all time. He recorded more than 75 albums and was dubbed the “Crown Prince of Reggae” by Bob Marley himself. He was also a major star of lovers rock, a subgenre of reggae that focused on romantic themes and smooth vocals. However, his life and career were cut short by a tragic death in 1999. What was the cause of his death and how did it happen? Here is a brief overview of the events that led to his demise.
Early Life and Career
Dennis Brown was born on February 1, 1957, in Kingston, Jamaica. He grew up in a musical environment, as his father was a scriptwriter, actor, and journalist, and his neighborhood was close to many recording studios. He began his singing career at the age of nine, performing with various bands and producers. He had his first hit at the age of 11, with a cover of the Impressions’ “No Man Is an Island”. He then signed with Studio One, the legendary label that launched the careers of many reggae icons, such as Bob Marley, Burning Spear, and Toots and the Maytals. He recorded two albums for Studio One, No Man Is an Island and If I Follow My Heart, which showcased his soulful voice and versatile style.
In the early 1970s, Brown started working with different producers, such as Prince Buster, Derrick Harriott, and Joe Gibbs. He recorded many hits during this period, such as “Money in My Pocket”, “Some Like It Hot”, “My Time”, and “Cassandra”. He also met Niney the Observer, a young producer who helped him develop a more roots-oriented sound, with heavy basslines and rasta lyrics. Together, they created some of the most acclaimed reggae albums of all time, such as Wolf and Leopards, Visions of Dennis Brown, Words of Wisdom, and Joseph’s Coat of Many Colours.
Fame and Addiction
By the mid-1970s, Brown was one of the most popular reggae singers in Jamaica and abroad. He toured extensively around the world, performing in Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia. He also collaborated with other reggae stars, such as Gregory Isaacs, John Holt, Freddie McGregor, and Sly and Robbie. He signed with major labels such as A&M and Polydor, hoping to reach a wider audience. However, he also faced some challenges during this period. He became addicted to cocaine, which affected his health and finances. He also had problems with some of his record deals, which resulted in legal disputes and poor promotion. He also faced competition from newer reggae artists, such as Yellowman, Barrington Levy, and Eek-a-Mouse.
Despite these difficulties, Brown continued to record quality music throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He released albums such as Love Has Found Its Way, The Prophet Rides Again, Unchallenged, Inseparable Reggae Family Vol 1 & 2 (with Gregory Isaacs), Light My Fire (with Sly & Robbie), Slow Down (with Gussie Clarke), Nothing Like This (with Brian & Tony Gold), Cosmic Force (with Aswad), Bless Me Jah (with Mafia & Fluxy), Let Me Be The One (with Junior Reid), Foul Play (with Cocoa Tea), Halfway Up Halfway Down (with Beres Hammond), and Milk And Honey (with Yami Bolo). He also received several awards and honors for his contribution to reggae music.
Death and Legacy
In May 1999, Brown fell ill after returning from a tour in Brazil. He was diagnosed with pneumonia and was admitted to Kingston Public Hospital. However, his condition worsened due to a collapsed lung caused by pneumothorax. He died on July 1st at the age of 42. His funeral was attended by thousands of fans and fellow musicians. He was buried at National Heroes Park in Kingston.
Dennis Brown is widely regarded as one of the greatest reggae singers of all time. His voice has been described as “honey-coated”, “silky”, “smooth”, “soulful”, “thrilling”, and “divine”. His songs have been covered by many artists across genres, such as UB40 , Alborosie , Maxi Priest , Simply Red , Damian Marley , Nas , Shaggy , Lauryn Hill , Luciano , Richie Spice , Chronixx , Protoje , Romain Virgo , Jesse Royal , Koffee , Lila Iké , Sevana , Naomi Cowan , Skip Marley , H.E.R . , Jaz Elise , Mortimer , Tessellated , Jada Kingdom , Leno Banton , Runkus , and many more. He has also influenced many reggae singers, such as Frankie Paul , Sanchez , Garnett Silk , Bushman , Jah Cure , Gyptian , Raging Fyah , and Tarrus Riley . He has been honored by the Jamaican government with the Order of Distinction in 1981 and the Commander of the Order of Distinction in 2003. He has also been inducted into the International Reggae and World Music Awards Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Reggae Walk of Fame in 2017.
Dennis Brown cause of death was a tragic loss for reggae music and the world. However, his legacy lives on through his music and his fans. He will always be remembered as the Crown Prince of Reggae, a legend, and an inspiration.
