Roots of Riff Raff
AS a child in St James, Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown became intrigued by music after he came across some music manuscripts his mother owned. The discovery set him on a career path.
“I was going through manuscripts that my mother had at the time. Her name is Audrey Scott and she was the principal at the Howard Cooke Primary School. Then, my love for music further developed while I was attending the Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay,” Brown disclosed in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.
Brown is a respected musician and producer. His skill is evident on Grammy-winning albums by Damian Marley (Stony Hill), Strictly Roots by Morgan Heritage and Stephen Marley’s Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life.
Among the popular songs he has produced are Busy Signal’s Text Message, Kevin Downswell’s Carry Me (reggae remix), Nothing to Smile About by Morgan Heritage, Damian Marley’s Set Up Shop (co-producer) and most recently, Christopher Martin’s Guaranteed.
“What I bring to the table as a musician is preparation, precision, and a wide knowledge of what it takes to make things work at the top level — the details,” said Brown, who is originally from Mount Salem in Montego Bay.
After studying music in high school, he further developed his chops learning from senior musicians on the cabaret circuit, including bass guitarist Othneil “Taddy P” Campbell, saxophonist Fitzroy Minott, and keyboardist Deon Clarke.
“What I enjoy most about music is playing alongside like-minded musicians. I aim to become a beacon of quality and positive purpose in the truest and deepest sense of the phrase. Music definitely influences, and we have to be more responsible to care more about what message we send through the music we create, despite our struggles or the lack thereof,” said Brown, who plays the synthesizer, clavinet, organ, French horn, and trumpet.
He has toured with several artistes including Tanya Stephens, Richie Spice, Junior Kelly, TOK, Stephen Marley, and Jo Mersa Marley.
“Well, I would say that the keyboard instruments are my current at this time. That being said, my favourite is the one I would be playing at any given moment. Can’t put a finger on it. I do play more organ these days more than the others. I enjoy music on a whole, so I put my all into playing that instrument when called upon to do so,” Brown disclosed. “I don’t play French horn and trumpet that much anymore but I’m starting to get back into it slowly but surely.”
