DJ Dean drops uplifting beats at Havana Reggae Festival

DJ Dean invites the community to experience the blends of bass and patterns of pitch at the 13th annual Havana Reggae Festival on the farm on May 20.

Reggae music heals history

Jamaica’s beauty invades the veins and fills the soul. Jamaican culture is one of joy and serenity, from its luscious tropical landscape to the vivacious vibes reverberating from its people. The nation’s history reveals a too familiar story of colonization, oppression, and injustices at the hand of both Spanish and British monarchs.

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In 1962 Jamaica gained its independence from Britain as a nation, thanks partly to the Rastafarian movement and the reggae music it birthed. Jamaica remains a commonwealth, but with the passing of Queen Elizabeth in 2022, the Jamaican people and their Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, call for a speedy move toward becoming a Republic.

Through it all, music has been a grounding spiritual connector to the land by its people to turn turmoil into joy and celebrate Jamaican culture. Dean Brown, better known as DJ Dean, has built a legacy that honors the roots of reggae while still elevating the new bounty it blossoms.

Brown emphasizes the intricate part reggae has played in Jamaican culture by providing a history of where his people have been, the struggles they have overcome, and the joy that comes with faith in and with the community.

Live one on one

Back in Jamaica, Brown was fascinated by the features and functionality of a record player. The magic of a needle pressing against the vinyl grooves to produce the sounds that blast through a column of speakers proved influential for Brown.

He soon began spinning and entertaining as a DJ with the goal of creating connectivity through music that elevates. “You have to feel the vibe and come [up] with the energy yourself as the DJ. You are the pied piper. You have to give the people what they need,” says Brown.

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Like many in Tallahassee, Brown came to Tallahassee to pursue an education and built a home within the city's uniquely accessible streets. After receiving a bachelor's in Business Administration from Florida A&M University that culminated in a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Brown was in unchartered territory.

The radio stations of the time were interested in the roots of Reggae. Still, they did not welcome the format Brown envisioned, which gave equal favor to the future of Reggae and incorporated a reverence for gospel music. In the early 2000s, guided by prayer, Brown started his radio station, Live 11. It stands for living one on one with God and with self, where the music lives, but you live also.

Brown describes his radio station as more of a ministry than a business. “It was difficult at first and still is a challenge, but my focus is not never on numbers; it has never been a business for me,” says Brown. “It’s always been a platform for people to hear unsigned artists. To hear a difference, it’s bringing the church to the world.”

Find a haven at Havana’s Reggae Festival

Those attending the 13th Annual Havana Reggae Festival will surely experience the best Jamaican culture the Panhandle can offer. DJ Dean has been a fixture at the event, serving as a volunteer since its conception. He is happy to invite people to experience his culture through music, food, and people.

“I want people to learn about our culture, and part of this part of the culture is bringing people together,” Brown said. “Ease yourself from all the tension, the strife, the struggles that you may have going on in your life. It’s time to relax, come together, meet new people, listen to good music, dance, sing, and express yourself.”

Brown emphasizes that there is no gathering without food. Havana’s Reggae Festival includes authentic Caribbean, Jamaican, Haitian, Trinidadian, and Bahamian food, non-traditional drinks, and various lemonades.

In addition to the records spun by DJ Dean, the festival will share live reggae music with the sounds of Wayne Stoddart, De Lions of Jah and many more. Brown looks forward to seeing familiar friendly faces as much as new ones to create a vibe that will keep the Capital City region jammin’ the whole day long.

If you go

What: Havana Reggae Festival 2023

When: noon-8 p.m., Saturday, May 20

Where: 5F Farm Event Center, 8583 Salem Road, Quincy, FL 32353

Cost: $20 General Admission; $70 VIP

Contact: 850-743-9497 | tallahasseearts.org

Tickets: https://x5ffarm.simpletix.com/

Dr. Christy Rodriguez de Conte is the feature writer for the Council on Culture & Arts. COCA is the capital area’s umbrella agency for arts and culture (tallahasseearts.org).

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Catch island flavors, uplifting beats at Havana Reggae Festival