Easy B, also credited in some releases as Easi B and at one point as Easi Brown, is a Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter born Errol Brown in Portland, Jamaica. He begins singing in his early teens in a church choir and later teaches himself bass, drums, guitar and piano without formal tuition. His early aim is to become a reggae music ambassador, and his songs focus on conscious lyrics, peace and love, and messages intended to empower disadvantaged people and uplift the poor.

Early career

He starts out singing on local sound systems and at talent concerts, then joins the Survivors as lead singer. The stage name Easy B is given to him by fellow band members because of his easy-going personality; the spelling changes to Easi B in 2003 to distinguish him from other artists with similar names. He later moves to Kingston in search of work in the music business and is spotted by the Pacesetters band.

Recordings and releases

His debut single, Lonely is the Night, is released in the mid-1990s on the Pacesetters label, followed by a cover of Don’t Wanna Lose You. He then travels to England, where he records and promotes his music and works with several prominent producers. His first single released in England is I’ve Been a Fool on the Juggling label, issued under the name Easi Brown.

He also releases the four-track EP Return to Class on YPG, which includes the cross-over hip hop and reggae track Boyz in the Hood. Other singles include Blessed be the Rock and Moses. Two tracks, Give me a Heart and Just Like a River, appear on Jet Star’s compilation Riverbash.

Albums and chart success

His debut album, Prophecy, is released in 1998 on Charm, the Jetstar label, and is published by Sony. It includes the tracks Listen to Mama and Oh Jahovah. The follow-up album Rock On appears in 1999 on Charm and helps establish him in the UK reggae scene. In 2002, his single Blackman’s History is released on Potential and becomes a UK hit, spending six weeks at number one on the Choice FM top 20 reggae chart and reaching number three on the Echoes reggae chart.

Later work

His third album, Guns & Roses, is released in 2006 on Potential and reflects his songwriting and vocal style across earlier recordings. He also founds his own production company, Yumojah Records, which uses the slogan “Making a Difference in Music”.