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September
2001 Edition |
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| California
is blessed with the arrival of Prezident Brown for his very first performances ever
in the United States outside of south Florida. Jahmani Productions is presenting Prezidential
information, education and inspiration to the West Coast massive with a series of tour
dates that kicked off on August 30, 2001 at a DJ pass-through in San Francisco. Prior to
this performance, we were graced with this 55 minute interview of Prezident Brown, which
focuses on Prezidential history. Fitz Albert Cotterell
was born in the hills of Clarendon, and later raised in Port Maria. He began djing as a
youth under the name of Junior Ranking. Nicodemus renamed him Slim
Brown after Fitz’s mentor U-Brown. |
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Eventually, he met up with Jack Ruby, who proved to be like
a father, anointing him as MC for the Jack Ruby Hi-Power Sound System and electing
him "Prezident" Brown.
"Being around Jack Ruby was like a University
of music" recalls Prezident Brown. "That is where I learned about the quality of
the music. I learned a lot from just listening. Jack Ruby is the one who taught me how to
listen, because he is a man who saw certain things within me that I didn’t see as a
youth, and he always encouraged and nurtured the vibes to keep me strong." |
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| Prezident Brown’s first singles were released on
Grove Music. He later became a talent show judge at "Rooftop" an Ochi
Rios night club prior to finding a home with Barry O’Hare’s X-Rated
label. Many of these recordings are included on the albums "Big, Bad and Talented"
and "Prezident Selections" The release of these albums in Europe would
later prove instrumental in Prezident Brown’s career. A series of Bobby
Digital recordings during this same period resulted in the release of "Original
Blue Print" by VP Records in 1996. |
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Brown signed a multi-album contract with Island Records that was
canceled before any recordings were ever made. This was quite a set back for Prezident
Brown, and caused him to rethink his entire musical career. Fortunately, the strength
of European record sales convinced him to persevere. Today, Prezident Brown enjoys
a massive following in Europe, where he tours annually to sold out audiences in France,
Holland and Germany. He headlines concerts for such well know artists as Everton
Blender and Frankie Paul. |
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| To Jah Only
(Prayer For The World) represents Prezident Brown’s latest and greatest work
to date. He movingly reflects on his own experiences and philosophies on songs like "Rough
Road", "In This Life", "Pomps and Pride" and the
acoustical nyahbinghi masterpiece "To Jah Only". The depth of Prezident
Brown’s singing and writing talents are proudly displayed on "Faith",
while he brings a stern warning of things to come on "Microchip" and
"Mystery Babylon". This magnificent album was recently re-released
in Europe on the Jive record label along with several bonus
tracks. |
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Prezident Brown stands tall and proud, yet presents
himself with an uncanny sense of grace and reverence. When asked what he hopes to bring to
the people of America, this "humble lion" declares: "Prezident Brown brings
information, entertainment and inspiration. That is my mission. I inform. I entertain, and
I inspire. So that is what the people should expect from I. Expect to hear a vocal that
you should listen to. And there are some songs that you get into and rock, to entertain.
We use the melodies of the music to entertain your ears and make you feel good. But the
words are information. And the way I deliver the words is to inspire. That is what I have
for the people. That is my intention." |
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| And that is exactly what the people got on September 1, 2001 at
the 7th Annual Monterey
Bay Reggae Fest. |
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Prezident Brown’s
profound delivery of conscious lyrics inspired the crowd for over an hour, while the
Fully Fullwood band bubbled with upful, energizing rhythms. The 12 song set
included many selections from his latest album along with the outstanding "Sperm
Donor", which follows the interview. We need to take more care of the
family" he proclaims in response to men who get women pregnant and just run away. The
Prezident declares: "He is not taking care. He is not helping. So he’s a
sperm donor." |
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| Prezident Brown’s crucial and motivating performance
invigorated the people of Monterey, and helped restore faith in the Prezidential
system. California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Texas should most definitely
be on the lookout as the Prezidential tour bus rolls into town this month!!! Big up
to Jahmani Productions for
bringing Prezident Brown forward with conscious words that will hit your heart and
wake your spirit. |
Click
here to listen to Interview
Low-Tech stream
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