What is Dennis Brown Net Worth?
$5 Million.
Dennis Brown was a legendary Jamaican reggae singer who earned fame as the “Crown Prince of Reggae” during his prolific career spanning over 30 years. As of 2024, Dennis Brown’s net worth is $5 million.
| Full Name | Dennis Emmanuel Brown |
| Net Worth | $5 Million |
| Birth Date | 1 February 1957 |
| Age | 42 ( Passed Away) |
| Profession | Singer |
| Update | 2024 |
With his smooth vocal delivery and rhythmic style, Brown made significant contributions to the reggae genre before his unfortunate and premature death at age 42.
In this article, we will talk about Dennis Brown’s biography, family, personal life, career, net worth and many more.
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Dennis Brown Biography/Wiki: Early Life & Education
Dennis Emmanuel Brown was born on February 1, 1957 in Kingston, Jamaica. He passed away at the age 42 in 1999. He belonged to the Jamaican nationality. His ethnicity is Mixed and his zodiac sign is Aquarius.
From a young age, he was heavily influenced by reggae music and artists like Delroy Wilson. Brown made his first studio recording at age 11 with producer Byron Lee and sang the hit “No Man is an Island.”
As a student in Kingston, Brown performed with local sound systems to gain exposure. His music career gained momentum in the late 1960s when he began recording for producer Winston “Niney” Holness. Early recordings like “Lips of Wine” showcased Brown’s vocal talent at a young age.
Physical Appearance: Height, Weight & Body Measurements
Standing at 5 feet 8 inches tall, Dennis Brown had an athletic build during the prime years of his career. He was often referred to as the “Crown Prince” for his regal stage presence and outfits.
Brown’s trademark look featured brightly colored suits, leather pants, ornate jewelry and head wraps accentuating his long dreadlocks.
Dennis Brown Family, Wife, Children
Not much is known publicly about Dennis Brown’s private life and family. However, it has been reported widely that Brown fathered over 25 children in his lifetime.
Very little information exists about his past relationships. Over the years, a few women have claimed to be wed to Brown but details remain unclear regarding wives or lifelong partners.
Among his children who have followed musical paths are Marvin Brown, Isa Brown, and Yvonne Brown. He was close with musician Buju Banton, referring to him as his “artist son.”
Dennis Brown Net Worth
Given his fame and prolific output, Dennis Brown amassed decent wealth during his career which was sadly cut short. At the time of his death in 1999 at age 42, Dennis Brown had an estimated net worth of about $5 million. The majority of his wealth came from album sales, touring, and concert performances over 30 years.
Details Career
Throughout the 1970s, Brown dominated the reggae scene in Jamaica with top hits and best-selling albums. Working with renowned producers like Joe Gibbs and Augustus Pablo, Brown delivered classics like “Money in my Pocket” and “Should I.”
His dynamic voice garnered him the title “crown prince” early on and gained him visibility in the U.K. and beyond.
In the early 80s, Brown collaborated with iconic producers Sly & Robbie, recording megahits “Sitting and Watching” and “Revolution.” He became known as much for his lyrical songwriting as his smooth, multi-octave voice and lively stage presence during this period.
He continued touring globally, breaking into the U.S. scene with an appearance on Soul Train in 1980.
The hit album “Visions of Dennis Brown” cemented his legacy as reggae royalty in the mid-70s. In the late 80s, his popularity in Jamaica started to wane as dancehall eclipsed roots reggae.
He still actively toured and in the 90s returned to work with earlier producers Holness and Pablo, who helped reenergize his career before Brown’s health deteriorated drastically.
Over 3 decades, Dennis produced over 80 albums showcasing a catalog considered the greatest in the reggae sphere besides Bob Marley.
Facts & Trivia
Interesting facts about the “Crown Prince of Reggae” Dennis Brown:
1. Brown started smoking cannabis at age 9 – common in Rastafarian culture to which Brown belonged his entire career.
2. Legendary producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd called Brown “the next Bob Marley” the first time he met him at age 11.
3. Sang backing vocals on Bob Marley’s 1977 hit “Exodus.”
4. Spent time in Long Island, New York growing dreadlocks in 1976-77 during a transformative trip.
5. Was close friends with Ranking Joe as teens – Joe brought Dennis to meet music allies who would jumpstart his fruitful career.
6. Was managed by Tommy Cowan who also managed Marley’s career at one point.
7. Sang the lyrics of “Money in my Pocket” as part of the opening soundtrack to a popular “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” video game 15 years after his death.
8. Was one of seven reggae stars featured on the debut album of the rock/reggae fusion band Big Mountain.
9. Developed drug and health issues in the late 70s including cocaine addiction and cancer. Blood transfusion during surgery for skin cancer led Brown to become sickle cell anemic.
10. Was given an Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government near his death in 1999 recognizing his contributions to Jamaican music.
Awards & Achievements
Over his prolific career, Dennis Brown racked up an impressive collection of awards and honors. Some of his major accolades over the years included:
– Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government, one of highest national honors (1999)
– “Officer Class” awarded by the Jamaican Government
– Best Reggae Compilation Album (Joe Gibbs), Martin’s International Reggae Award 2007
– Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album with Half Pint in 1986
– Honor by the American Society of Young Musicians in 1991
Despite no Grammy wins during his lifetime, Brown recorded and performed some of the most seminal tracks in reggae music winning him the undisputed reputation globally as the “Crown Prince” within the genre.
His piercing, soulful vocal delivery influenced countless other reggae singers and producers past and present. While very talented and finding great fame, Dennis always remained humble while seeking to uplift his Rastafarian faith through his art and actions.
Website, Social Media: Instagram, Twitter
Though his tragic death pre-dated the social media boom, Dennis Brown’s legacy persists on several fan sites and audio/video platforms. Some key destinations online to find his works include:
– Features discography, lyrics and biography information
– YouTube full of classic Dennis Brown tracks and footage from TV appearances
– Vimeo showcases rare video clips from live shows to enjoy Brown’s dynamic performances
– Facebook and MySpace contain groups dedicated to nostalgic Dennis Brown photos, memorabilia and discussions for loyal fans
Conclusion
Dennis Brown rose from a promising youth talent in Jamaica to become the consummate reggae icon fondly remembered as the “Crown Prince” today. While his untimely death cut short his reign, Brown’s legacy continues to reign large.
As a singer, songwriter, and mesmerizing stage performer, Brown cultivated his own distinctive sound with a sophisticated soulful yet accessible grit that made his music unforgettable.
He honed his skills with Jamaica’s top studio wizards while touring the world, always spreading a message of unity, morality, justice and uplifting people’s consciousness through reggae. Dennis was the complete package as an artist with timeless hits and an influential style cementing his status as reggae royalty despite his short life.
FAQs
Some common questions related to the Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown include:
1. How many albums did Dennis Brown record in his career?
Over the span of his 30+ year career, it’s estimated Dennis Brown recorded over 75 albums between studio albums, live sets, compilations and posthumous releases. His debut album “No Man is an Island” was released in 1970 at just age 13 too.
2. What type of cancer did Dennis Brown have?
Late in life, Brown was diagnosed with skin cancer near his eye which required surgery and, sadly, a botched blood transfusion that gave him sickle cell anemia. He fell quite ill undergoing intensely painful side effects the remaining years before his early death from additional health complications.
3. What was Dennis Brown’s biggest song?
While his catalog contains dozens of classic reggae anthems, Brown’s top-selling track to date is likely “Money in my Pocket” (1979) – still a staple in Jamaican culture covered by many artists since Browns’ seminal version.
4. How did Dennis Brown make his fortune?
Like many musicians, the majority of Dennis Brown’s wealth and livelihood came from publishing rights, album sales, touring performances, producing work, and appearances across his prolific career. In his prime, he performed over 200 shows annually, always conscious of financial gains and career investments.
5. What musicians did Dennis Brown collaborate with?
Brown collaborated often with reggae legends including Augustus Pablo, Winston Holness, Sly & Robbie, Gregory Isaacs and, briefly, Bob Marley during his prolific run. Brown also cut tracks over the years with U-Roy, Big Youth, I-Three and several of Marley’s Wailers bandmates.
6. Where is Dennis Brown’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
Sadly, Dennis Brown does not have an official star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to date despite his stature as a legendary reggae pioneer. However, considering his vast influence on other artists, Brown remains a strong candidate for Walk of Fame consideration.
7. Why do they call Dennis Brown the “Crown Prince” of reggae?
Dennis earned his royal moniker early on as an emerging young talent for his vocal prowess, prolific recording output on hit songs, and his dignified stage presence donning custom-made ornamental outfits and headpieces evoking the public image of a prince ascending to be next true reggae “king” after Bob Marley’s peak influence on the world.
