Prezident Brown is the reigning Jamaican reggae M.C., a champion of the new roots and reality consciousness, with a message that is pure Rasta conscious vibes. He is an artist driven by a sense of mission and purpose that, he likes to say, “edutains” (heightens the consciousness of a people) as much as entertains. According to JamBase, “A distinct and powerful stage presence, a Prezident Brown show is a transcendent spiritual movement that leaves audiences satiated, sweaty and smiling.”

Born Fitz Albert Cotterell, Prezident Brown grew up in the green hills of Clarendon, Jamaica. As “Junior Ranking,” a name his mother gave him, he would grab the microphone and chant away at schoolyards and country dances. As a teenager, he was known as Slim Brown because of his resemblance and similar DJ style to his mentor, U Brown. Discovered by reggae producer Jack Ruby, who renamed him Prezident Brown, he became one of the hottest sound system stars, recording for a number of record companies, and in the ’90s his songs began to supplant the guns and self-hype lyrics then popular in the dance halls. Collaborations included appearing on Steel Pulse’s “Black and Proud.”

Rusty Zinn’s set of rocksteady and conscious roots reggae mixes favorite Jamaican oldies with his original material. One of the modern masters of blues and reggae guitar, Zinn kicked off his career in blues harmonica ace Mark Hummel’s band in the early 1990s, was discovered by Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and has gone on to work with many of the heavyweights of blues and reggae. His own recordings have featured such guests as Elvin Bishop and the Soul Syndicate. Zinn is best known for his guitar skill, but he’s also become a fine singer, with soul to spare. His latest CD, “Manifestation,” was recorded in Jamaica with Sly Dunbar, Mikey Chung, Robbie Lyn, and Boris Gardiner.