Prezident Brown, known for his anti-drug anthem “Blow Your Nose” and for collaborating with Steel Pulse on the empowering “Black and Proud,” connects to Monterey on a professional and personal level. The first festival he performed in California came with the now-defunct Monterey Bay Reggaefest back in 2001. Brown’s played throughout Monterey County more than a dozen times since. And a few years ago, Monterey native Kira Elischer gave birth to his son Quincy.
After Elischer was recently diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, friends and family rallied around her, including Brown, who anchors a benefit performance Saturday at Cannery Row Brewing Company to help offset Kira’s medical expenses.
“This is all about contributing to life and to keeping dreams alive,” Brown says. “It means a lot to support Kira and my son with my music.”
Brown’s spent the past several months writing and recording new music for the follow-up to his 2012 I Sound is From Creation. His forthcoming album Journeyman will be released in two parts: The first part is a seven-track EP dropping this spring. Next year, Brown follows with the 14-track Journeyman LP.
“These songs are personal journeys of expression,” he says. “My intention is to entertain, inform and inspire.”
The title track is traditional acoustic Jamaican folk fueled by breezy harmonies and uplifting affirmations.
“It’s a long road, but when I’m tired I’m inspired,” Brown sings.
As someone who had to deal with his father dying at a young age, Brown says he learned to use the “inner-being” to remain positive. He doesn’t fear his son growing up without a parent.
“I don’t think that way,” Brown says. “I know [Kira] will be OK. I accept everything. If you accept everything you’ll be able to let everything go. I accept the reality and choose to be a positive energy.”
As a father, Brown tries to be around his son as much as he can when he’s not touring or in the studio.
“I intend to pass on all my good qualities to Quincy,” he says.
Kira Elischer Benefit Concert with Prezident Brown 8pm Saturday, April 11. Cannery Row Brewing Company, 95 Prescott Ave., Monterey. Donations needed and appreciated. www.gofundme.com/kiraelischer
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