Prezident Brown ADD
Prezident Brown (Fitz Cotterell) was born in the hills of Clarendon, Jamaica. His mother called him Junior Ranking because he would grab the microphone and chant at schoolyard and country dances. He was first known as Slim Brown because of his resemblance to and similar DJ style to his mentor, U Brown. You may imaginethe feeling after completing their 2011 summer tour together, as something a young Fitz Cotterell could only dream of. There are a lot of hope's, aspirations and many other energies connected to dreams, and when you meet someone who is living out thier dreams, the positive effect of these energies may just rub off on you. You may just feel it when hearing him talk about his new Tower Avenue Studios, or when listening to some of the new music he has made there. His fans will tell you the positive energy they feel when listening to his music, prerecorded or live are equal to those of positive words of encouragement, and the reason they eagerly await his next song or performance.
2012 finds the Prezident in what he calls the best physical condition ever, to perform both in the studio and on the stage. He is more involved in his music now than ever before, producing and playing instruments, in addition to vocals. The "Do Thy Work" Ep to be released on Soundkillaz Music in February 2012, being the 1st product made in this way, with assistance from River Jordan, the son of friend and fellow artist Jack Radics. The 7 song Ep also features both River Jordan and U Brown as vocalist's and Prezident Brown as a Nyabinghi drummer among other highlights.
The most formative influence on Prezident Brown was producer and sound system operator Jack Ruby. Ruby saw something special in young Slim Brown; he took Slim Brown under his wing, re-named him Prezident Brown and appointed him resident M.C. of his Hi-Power Sound System, traveling worldwide. After the sound system era changed following Jack Ruby's death in 1989, he began recording with Grove Music, who later founded Irie FM in Jamaica. After that, he recorded with Roof International, Courtney Cole's label. Eventually it was Barry O'Hare's label, X-Rated (now World of Music,) that provided a home base for Prezident Brown and helped launch his career in Europe. X-Rated took off just as a massive roots revival swept across Jamaica, washing gun and slackness lyrics out of the dance halls, paving the way for conscious reggae music. Of course Prezident Brown was bound to rise in that kind of climate. He is a champion in the new roots and reality consciousness. Prezident Brown entertains, informs and inspires. His message is pure rasta conscious vibes.
By 1995, he flooded the market from all sides, he was freelancing without a break. He was bringing out boom-tunes on the X-Rated label, among others like Digital B, Black Scorpio, Mango and Star Trail. He recorded the song, "Blow Your Nose," with Everton Blender, (an artist, with whom, he has toured Africa and Europe.) Prezident Brown also recorded on Tony Rebel's Flames label. Prezident was also featured in the song, "Black And Proud," on the Steel Pulse album Rage And Fury. He has recorded with numerous other reggae legends as well. Barry O'Hare's X-rated label produced two albums, Big Bad and Talented and Prezident Selections, (distributed on the Runn label.) After a third album, Original Blueprint, (produced by Digital B, now licensed by VP Records) he continued to release singles. 1996 he signed a lucrative 5 album artist deal with Island Records, which didn't work in his favor. He then made the timeless To Jah Only album with the highly regarded Ocho Rios label, Kariang, in 1998.
At the turn of the millenium he worked with German based label Chet Records and released the album Generation Next which is distributed by Sony Germany. "Unleash the Lion", A 46 show tour in the summer of 2002 with the Orchestra of Judah put together by Jahmani Productions took Prezident Brown all over the United States, including performances at The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival and Reggae On The River. Also, Jahmani Productions released Showcase Volumes 1 and 2 that year with Showcase Volume 3 following in 2003. Prezident has since done repeat performances at both festivals and has added many other prestigious ones to his list. Prezident Brown continues to perform worldwide, recent performances include ReggaeJam and Chiemsee Festivals in Germany and Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in 2011.
The 2009 Album Common Prosperity, released on AxxHive records was a potent reminder of his talent to inspire and enlighten, and quelled any doubts as to whether there is an end to the healing stream of consciousness the Prezident provides, this was merely a signal to show that he has alot more in store.
Prezident Brown has been very well received in the United States and is building a large fan base, and as a champion of the new roots and reality consciousness reggae movement he entertains, informs and inspires. Prezident Brown's music speaks a universal language. All of his albums and singles will remain timelessly beautiful and his fourth album, To Jah Only, features one of the most spiritually devoted songs in reggae history, "To Jah Only." His music is echoed overseas and his talent is unequivocal. All of his albums are a must for anyone who loves reggae music. Repeatedly crowned Most Conscious Artist by the jamaican federation of musicians, Prezident Brown is an artist driven by a sense of mission and purpose which dictates that he "edutains" (heightens the consciousness of a people) as much as entertains. Prezident Brown is eminently qualified for the role in which he is
seen as a vessel from which flows the healing effect of his musical staple.
