Remembering Dennis Brown–Reggae Legend Celebrated with Cultural Gathering

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport celebrated the 63rd anniversary of the birth of the late Reggae singerDennis Emmanuel Brown, CDon Saturday, February 1, with a cultural gathering at his resting place at the National Heroes Park in Kingston.

“Remembering Dennis Brown” - members of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, the Dennis Brown Foundation and beloved family members of the Crown Prince of Reggae gather at the shrine of late Reggae legend, Dennis Brown during a cultural gathering to celebrate his 63rd Birthday.The event was held at Dennis Brown’s resting place in the National Heroes Park in Kingston on Saturday, February 1.Titled Remembering Dennis Brown, the celebratory event began at 4:00 pm and saw several cultural leaders and members of the Reggae fraternity in attendance. Also in attendance were members of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, members of the Dennis Brown Foundation and beloved family members of the late Crown Prince of Reggae. 

Mr. Denzil Thorpe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport brought remarks and laid a floral tribute on the shrine of the late Reggae legend on behalf of the Honourable Olivia Grange, CD, MP, Minister of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport.

In her remarks, Minister Grange noted that Dennis Brown was one of Jamaica’s favourite child stars and also expressed congratulations to Koffee, the youngest Jamaican and first female to have won the Grammy Award for best Reggae Album. She also urged talented young people to follow their musical dreams and encouraged them to exploit modern technology while doing so.

The event also featured musical performances by the Inna De Yard Band and Jah Clive also known as ‘Colour Red’.

Dennis Emmanuel Brown, an internationally-renown Jamaican Reggae artiste was born on February 1, 1957 and died on July 1, 1999. His prolific career began in the late 1960s when he was just eleven years old. Over his short lifetime he recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the major stars of Lovers' Rock, a subgenre of Reggae. Bob Marley cited Brown as his favourite singer, dubbing him "The Crown Prince of Reggae".