Spotlight On: Bongo Chilli"With help from other people, so much more is possible. No one is an Island – no one stands alone!"
Clayton Brown was born and raised in the Parish of Trelawny, Jamaica before moving to the UK in 1995 and to Huddersfield in 2002. Growing up in Jamaica, surrounded by the influences of dance hall music, Clayton Brown, aka Bongo Chilli, has integrated his concern for today's black youth with this particular music genre to become a 'lyrical entertainer'.
Music surrounded Clayton whilst growing up in Jamaica. His eldest brother was a strong influence on him, bringing home the latest tapes on the Reggae/Dance hall music scene.
"It would be fair to say that I started out as a copycat and developed a strong passion for music over the years."
When he was ten years old, Clayton began to write his own lyrics. After years of working hard on his skills and talent, Clayton had his first record release under the pseudonym, Bongo Chilli. Clayton first got the name Chilli while attending High School in Jamaica. Clayton then went on to add Bongo to it out of respect for the Rastafarian Culture.
Bongo Chilli achieved a lifetime ambition in November with the launch of his own record label, 'Bongo Chilli Records', which will embrace the various genres of music that this Huddersfield artist has ventured into; reggae, hip hop, drum 'n' bass and r 'n' b. Bongo Chilli staged a launch party and music conference in Huddersfield to mark his new venture. Ten local artists attended the presentation and four up and coming local artists/bands performing at the after-show party.
Among the number of guests was Daddy Freddy, who is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest rapper. Bongo Chill first met Daddy Freddy at a recording studio in Nottingham after a fellow rapper, Billy Rokus, introduced them. Ever since, 'Daddy' and Bongo Chilli have formed a Godfather/Godson relationship. According to Bongo Chilli, "[Daddy Freddy's] experiences and contacts are vital to my career as an artist."
Bongo himself has worked with other artists and producers from different musical backgrounds, to make his vibrant and energetic stage performances ever more versatile.
He has honed the ability to enhance arguably any instrumental with his conscious and often humorous style. He believes in writing positive sensible lyrics, which contain no profanity.
"I have never been a person to influence violence and my music is a reflection of my personality......I guess some people are surprised at me not expressing devious lyrics but I feel very good when I come off stage and hear people uttering the word "conscious." "
In line with this, Bongo Chill has worked in schools to help children increase their growing vocabularies in various subjects such as English, Mathematics and Mental Ability.
Working in partnership with fellow local artist Claston Brooks, their workshop 'Caribbean Rap' encourages children to get involved in lyric writing and Caribbean style drumming.
"We use music as a tool to tackle any subject or issues. Children like to learn but they are more comfortable and participating when learning is fun."
Having worked with several experienced producers prior to setting up his own label, Bongo Chilli was able to find his target audience. Bongo Chilli intends to release a 10-inch vinyl consisting of four tracks, as the first record on the Bongo Chilli label, in February 2006.
After the launch event on November 19th, Bongo Chilli has several follow-up gigs including on December 29th in Berlin. Throughout all this, Bongo Chilli will continue to release tracks for himself and other artists under the Bongo Chilli label, continue his works with schools with his Caribbean Rap workshop and finish recording his own album with plans for a UK tour in May 2006.
Asked if he could offer any guidance for anyone hoping to start out in the music business, Bongo Chilli had this advice;
"Prepare to travel, build a network of contacts, organise yourself, use the internet to research and promote and be patient"
Further information on Bongo Chilli can be found on his website, launched in October 2005 with the help of CIDA and Intercomm.
