R.I.P. Dennis Brown. 9 Years Today

Gotta pay respects to one of my favourite singers.

Dennis Emmanuel Brown (February 1, 1957 – July 1, 1999). During his prolific career, he had recorded more than 75 albums and was one of the pioneers of lovers rock. Legendary singer Bob Marley cited Brown as his favorite singer,and dubbed him "The Crown Prince of Reggae".

In May of 1999, after touring in Brazil with other reggae singers, Brown began to feel ill. After returning to Kingston, Jamaica, on the evening of June 30, 1999, he was rushed to Kingston's University Hospital, suffering from cardiac arrest. Brown died the next day, and the official cause of his death was a collapsed lung. Former Jamaican Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and opposition leader Edward Seaga of the Jamaica Labour Party both spoke at Brown's funeral, which was held on July 17, 1999 in Kingston. The service, which lasted for three hours, also featured live performances by Maxi Priest, Shaggy, and five of Brown's sons. Brown was then buried at Kingston's National Heroes Park. According to some sources, Brown became addicted to crack cocaine, which affected his career and may have led to his premature death.
He leaves a wife and 13 children.