Born Clayton Brown in the Parish of Trelawny, Bongo Chilli has lost none of the talent first realized in Jamaica and now prolific in the UK. Before moving to the UK in 1995, he had already performed alongside artists such as Bounty Killer, Nitty Kutchie and General Trees. Now in the UK, he has worked with The Rootsman, YT, Nat Clarxon, Dan Man, Creative Response diverse arts, BBC, Kirklees Council, Joseph Mandela, Great African, Blaze Billions, Harlem Gem, D-bo General, Underground Roots, Celt Islam and the legendary Daddy Freddy; the latter with whom he has performed on stage in the UK, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovenia. Bongo Chilli’s first official international tour came in March 2006, as a package, which included the “Vanguard of Dub” Iraiton Steppas Sound System, Daddy Freddy and Murry Man.
Together this unique package toured Norway, performing in Oslo, Tromso and Bergen. Both Action Alone produced by The Rootsman and Sinking Sand produced by Celt Islam are releases that are contained on two different compilation albums (New Testament & Sounds From A Big Town) and have already done damage in dancehalls all over Europe. Sativa Records released Everyday as a 7-inch vinyl single on while Third Eye Music released Read Your Bible on a 10-inch vinyl. On the Drum and Bass tip, Chilli has already had the massive hit, Gangsters Life, produced by NJC (Nat Clarxson) for Cosmic Web records late 2003 and the 2005 release Runaway for Function records continues to attract support from DJs. His trademark catch phrase ‘Let Dem Know!! is a perfect summary of his motivation as an artist. Due to writing lyrics since the age of 10, Chillis conscious flow is second to none, combining justified aggression with sensitivity to inequality.
He believes in writing positive sensible lyrics that contains no profanity and has worked in schools to help children increase their growing vocabularies in various subjects such as English, Mathematics and Mental Ability. Working with other artists and producers from different musical backgrounds has made 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. In 2005, Bongo decided to fulfill a lifetime ambition by launching his own record label, after reaching eleven releases on other labels including Humal Records, Third Eye Music, Sativa Records and Chocolate Fireguard Records. The new Bongo Chilli Records will embrace the various genre of music that the Huddersfield-based artist has ventured into, which include reggae, hip hop, drum n bass and r n b. Huddersfield-based Creative Industries Development Agency (CIDA) and Intercomm, helped to launch his web site www.bongochilli.co.uk in September 2005, to provide the public with accurate and up-to-date information on Bongo Chilli and his music projects. |
