Niko Browne ADD

25 year old Nicholas ‘Niko’ Browne is far from amateur. As producer of some of Jamaica’s hottest dancehall and reggae tracks, Niko’s talent has been internationally recognized as his particular musical flavour stands out in a sea of sound alike tracks.  A BBC review of dancehall artiste Konshens’ Mental Maintenance album highlighted young Browne’s consummate skill; “The album's opening is solid enough, but when the bass drops on the cocksure-yet-frustrated-sounding Simple Song, tracked by the Niko Browne-produced Set It Off rhythm, a gold standard is set and maintained.” BBC Review (Angus Taylor)

Experienced beyond his years, the soundboard virtuoso was raised on the same property as his father Danny Browne’s Main Street Recording Studio, where Niko was often found learning from his father and soaking in Jamaican musical history. Not content with just watching, he soon began creating music of his own. At thirteen, he moved a pair of old speakers from the studio into his room, hooked them up to an MPC60 drum machine and began making drum tracks. His father encouraged Niko’s dream of one day becoming a producer.

In 2003, Niko partnered with older brother Djuvane Browne, co-producing the Bwoila Room Riddim featuring artistes such as Mr. Vegas, Mr. G and Alozade on Djuvane’s Juvenile label. The experience cemented Niko’s resolve to pursue his passion. After graduating from the University of Technology in 2008, where he studied Finance and International Business, Niko returned to the studio full-time, with renewed energy. He began to broaden his skills in track composition and songwriting, continually striving toward high quality music with broad appeal.

In 2010 Niko Browne started the Lifeline Music label whose first official release, the Set It Off Riddim, featured the likes of Bugle, Konshens and Assassin aka Agent Sasco. “I hope to make long-lasting music, hence the name Lifeline Music,” says Niko, “Reggae in its purest form can never die, because there's always a demand for it locally and internationally.”  On January 1st, 2011, Lifeline Music launched I Am Rich in Love on YouTube. Written and produced by Niko and performed by Romain Virgo, I am Rich in Love landed a spot on VP Records’ compilation The Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2011 and was named Riddim Magazine’s song of the month.

Within two years of its inception, Lifeline Music has produced several successful singles, bringing international recognition to the label. Under the tutelage of his father and the long list of Browne producers, including his uncle Clevie Browne of the dancehall production duo Steely & Clevie, and cousin Richard “Shams” Browne, Niko has continued to sharpen his skills, building an impressive catalogue.

2011 was a big year for Lifeline Music and 2012 is proving to be an even bigger one. With the February debut of Conkarah’s second single, Addicted, featuring songstress Denyque, Conkarah landed a spot on biggest music festival in Jamaica, Reggae Sumfest. February also saw the release of Konshens’ album, Mental Maintenance, featuring: Simple Song, a track off the 2010 Set It Off Riddim.

Romain Virgo’s sophomore album, The System released in May carries four Lifeline Music productions, including Ray of Sunshine and Press On, both co-written by Browne. Niko recently released Conkarah’s third single, Draw You Close which he also co-wrote. Two of the songs from June’s Rockfort Rock Riddim: Protoje’s This Is Not A Marijuana Song and Romain Virgo’s Mussi Mad both appeared on European iTunes reggae charts. 

With this impressive laundry list of accomplishments, Niko Browne is poised to be a leader in the new generation of reggae and dancehall innovators.