Brigadier Jerry
Robert Russell, aka Brigadier Jerry, was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1957 and became interested in music at an early age when he began to follow U-Roy's King Sturgav Hi Fi. In the 1970's, he became a member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, a Rastafarian organization which was making many converts at the time and began to toast on their Jah Love sound system. He then became friends with singers Fred Locks and Freddie McGregor, who were both members of the organization. Russell recorded three songs for Studio One before having a hit in 1982 with "Pain," a version of Slim Smith's "Never Let Go" and then "Gwaan a School," released on the Jwyanza. label. Brigadier Jerry began to work with various sound systems like Black Star and Supreme Love, and even with the Downbeat International sound system which was based in the USA. He gradually acquired a solid reputation as a conscious deejay thanks to the ubiquitous sound tapes which were cropping up in expatriate Jamaican communities in Britain and the USA. Brigadier Jerry's influence on a whole generation of conscious artists like Tony Rebel, Garnett Silk and Sizzla cannot be overestimated, and he even contributed to nurturing the career of women deejays like Sister Nancy, his sister, and Sister Carol, who later migrated to the USA. Together with deejays like Charlie Chaplin and Josey Wales, who worked with him on the King Sturgav sound system, he rejuvenated the art of the deejay and showed that the new dancehall style could perfectly work with serious or socially conscious lyrics.
Glen Washington
Like most successful artists, Washington evolved from humble beginnings. Born in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica he is currently one of the most in demand artist in reggae music; this has come after many years of recording and waiting in the wings. In 1997, he released his debut album ‘Brother To Brother’ and, to date, has released 10 albums. Fans and critics alike say there is not one bad song in his catalog. Washington began his musical career in the early seventies as the lead singer for the group “Names And Faces." He later became the lead singer in a band called “35 Incorporated” and learned to play the drums under the guidance of, then drummer, Joseph Hill. When Hill left the band, Washington filled the slot, and became a singing drummer. Washington made his first hit record “Rockers Not Crackers” in 1978 for the Joe Gibbs Record label; but he did not grace the charts again until the release of the hit “Kindness For Weakness” in 1998. Over the years, Washington has recorded sporadically as a solo singer and extensively as a studio drummer and, has laid tracks for various artists. Simultaneously, Washington was a full-time drummer (sometimes singer) in several different bands, such as: The Avengers, The Titans, and Happiness Unlimited. With Happiness Unlimited he migrated to the USA to work with Stevie Wonder. The other Bands he played with are Calabash and Bands that backed Artists such as Leroy Sibbles, Shinehead, Junior Reid, Gregory Isaacs, Sister Carol and the Meditations.
Lady G
The epitome of strength, determination and resilience, Lady G embodies what her decades of hard work in the dancehall reggae arena conveys. Born Janice Fyffe, in Spanish Town, St Catherine, Lady G came on the scene in the 1980s, armed with abounding talent and dreams to match - on her journey to ultimate success. This was the era when artists such as: Shelly Thunder, Sister Nancy and Sister Charmaine had gained immense success in the typically male dominated dancehall reggae sphere; and Lady G made the decision to make her mark too, but "on her terms". Holding fast to traditions ingrained from childhood, she decided to strive for inclusion within this fascinating musical setting, but firmly maintained the stance, that "slackness" would not be her vehicle to victory. A past student of St. Joseph High and Dunoon Technical School, Lady G's keen interest in music prompted her to sneak away from home at times, to travel around the country with the Black Scorpio Sound System.
Marcia Griffiths
Marcia Llyneth Griffiths (born 23 November 1949, Kingston, Jamaica) is a successful female singer, also called the "Queen of Reggae". One reviewer described her noting "she is known primarily for her strong, smooth-as-mousse love songs and captivating live performances". Griffiths started her career in 1964. From 1970 to 1974 she worked together with Bob Andy in the group Bob and Marcia, on the Harry J label. Between 1974 and 1981 she was a member of the I Threes, a background group, which supported Bob Marley & the Wailers. Her song "Electric Boogie", released in 1976 and re-released in 1989, made the Electric Slide, a line dance, an international dance craze. It reached number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 making it her most successful single. It remains the highest-selling single by a female Reggae singer of all time.
Nadine Sutherland
There are few artists whose career continues to intrigue different generations of music fans. Nadine Sutherland is one such. An artist, whose talents are respected and admired in all age groups. Her voice heralded as one of the best in Reggae music by some music lovers and critics. Throughout a career that spans 40 years, her stage performances and hits continue to captivate new fans, while still maintaining the love and respect from those who witnessed her rise from teen sensation, into her new legendary status. Her wide range of fans alway waiting to see what is next from this diva who constantly reinvents herself. Her multi- dimensionality has seen her embracing different aspects of herself. She is a dancer, singer, songwriter, producer, feminist, an environmentalist, a voice against ageism, sexism, and a political activist. Her political activism was seen recently in the November 2020 USA elections, where she used her image and talent to galvanize members of the Caribbean American population towards the process of voting. Throughout the 90’s, Nadine remained centre-stage in the dancehall with solo hits including “Rainbow/ I’m in Love”, “Babyface” and “Wicked & Wild”, as well as collaborations with other top deejays including Buju Banton, Mad Cobra, and Spragga Benz. The hit ballad “Pair of Wings” highlighted Nadine’s songwriting abilities. Released near the time of the shocking death of promising reggae singer, Garnet Silk, her earnest and moving performance became the unofficial tribute. The 1997 release of her self-titled album “Nadine” on VP Records further showcased her depth and sincerity as a writer and performer. The song “No, No (Not My Baby)” is considered by some music critics as one of the most powerful mother-to son ballads ever written.
Onyx Brown
Garth Brown, Stage Name Onyx Brown from the hills of White Hall St Thomas Jamaica, The Birthplace Of Onyx Brown. The Multi-Talented Musician, Player of various instruments such as Bass Guitar, Piano,Drums, Acoustic Guitar, Singer, Song Writer, music Arranger, Producer, Studio Engineer. From eastern, to the western side of Jamaica he spends a number of years in the Tourism Industry as an Entertainer, performing at various Hotels and Stage show, stemming from all those years, Name Brand Recording Studio was born, as time progresses the name of Name Brand Studio has change to MFI Studios under the umbrella of Music Farm International, Onyx Brown has divulged so deep into music, he was refer as, the Crazy Music scientist! Creating new rhythm and songs and laying a platform to be one of Jamaica’s versatile musician, Recording Artist, and Studio engineer. He has been the recipients of several Awards, gold, Silver, and Bronze, at the Jamaica Pop variety competition in Jamaica, he has performed at various venues in Jamaica and internationally, alongside Artist such as, Glen Washington, Everton Blender, Isha Blender, Blender, Luciano, Richie Spice, Mickie Spice, Admiral Tibet, Brigadier Jerry, Marcia Griffiths Teflon and many more, other performances, Reggae on the River California, Guantanamo Bay Cuba, At the marriage of 20 couples live TV show in China for a 50 million viewers, at the Mattel Center in California, Reggae Sun fest Jamaica, Lucie on the Harbor Kite Festival, Drums for Peace, and others, Spending most of his time in the Studio working with, Artist such as Singing Honour, Taurus Riley, Charlie Chaplin, Leroy Smart, Super Blacks, Jah Mason, Eddie Fitzroy, Glen Washington, Jackie Whyte, Everton Blender, Isha Blender and more, A (Music Video) with Isha Blender, Song Title Crazy Love, a combination with Glen Washington, song Title Sign of The Time, latest combination with Brigadier Jerry, Song Title Whenever you want me. In his quest is to build a positive Vibes, with three Albums to his credit, and working on his fourth Album, He has aim to be a beacon in the music fraternity, locally and internationally, songs from his musical vault, in different Genres, are Reggae lover’s rock, cultural, R&B, country, Gospel, Soca, and Dancehall, His Lyrics and Music will be an inspiration to all.
