Chino declares Dennis Brown an all-time favourite

Grammy Award-winning songwriter and composer Daniel 'Chino' McGregor knows the importance of paying tribute to the legends who paved the way. And when it comes to reggae royalty, few names shine brighter than the Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Brown.

Chino, son of reggae icon Freddie McGregor -- one of Brown's musical contemporaries -- was all smiles when THE WEEKEND STAR caught up with him at a star-studded celebration of the late legend at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts' amphitheatre on February 1.

"Uncle Dennis brings me here," Chino declared passionately at the event, aptly titled 'Let's Celebrate the Crown Prince'.

"Dennis Brown, outside of being one of my all-time favourites ... D Brown was family. His kids and us grew up pretty much like siblings ... so a Uncle Dennis dat. We always try our best to support anything that is representing the Crown Prince, and do whatever we can do to help further cement the legacy," Chino said.

The Never Change singer shared that his favourite Brown song "changes over time", but the two that are consistent are Love Has Found Its Way and Inseparable.

A child star and one of reggae's most prolific singers, Brown completed more than 75 albums and innumerable singles prior to his death at age 42 in July 1999. He would have been 68 on February 1.

Elaborating on what makes Brown special, Chino stated that the Revolution singer "set the bar for most of who you see ... a lot of the greats".

"I don't think that D Brown gets the respect that he fully deserves. So again, we are here trying to play our part to try cement that. It's completely necessary."

Despite being celebrated as a reggae trailblazer and icon, Brown passed away without receiving a national honour during his lifetime. His final resting place is the National Heroes Park in Kingston, and 12 years after his death, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Distinction in recognition of his immense contribution to reggae music.