A triumphant celebration of the life and times of reggae’s beloved Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Emmanuel Brown, unfolded seamlessly last Saturday at the amphitheatre at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.
It was a last-minute change of venue from the UDC Festival Marketplace in downtown Kingston, owing to what Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Chairman Ewan Simpson told The Gleaner was a denial of permit from the relevant authorities because of violence in the area.
Undoubtedly, that would have affected attendance to the concert, which kick-started Reggae Month 2025. However, the space wasn’t massive, and it soon filled up with the faithfuls, who kept the vibes high for close to four hours as they danced, sang, and showed appreciation for the singers and players of instruments who all delighted in paying homage to the legend.
In tribute to Dennis Brown, some wore white, which is the colour of the tribe of Joseph, which Twelve Tribes of Israel Rastafarian entertainer was part of. The décor, by Bridgett Anderson, also had the name ‘Joseph’ standing out bold in white lettering on the stage.
Dennis Brown would have been 68 on February 1, and it was a testament to his legacy that not only his peers, but also their children understood the importance of representing on such an occasion. Chino, the son of Freddie McGregor, told The Gleaner that “Uncle Dennis is the Foundation” he had to be marked present, and Christopher Ellis, the son of Alton Ellis, expressed similar sentiments.
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