Brigadier Jerry

Robert Russell (born 28 September 1957), Jerry's earliest stage appearances were as a young man performing stand-up comedy, but he soon switched to deejaying for local sound systems. He became a member of the Rastafarian organisation Twelve Tribes of Israel by 1978 and spread their message on the Jah Love Muzik sound system. He often chats verses directly from the Bible, and preaches against the evils of slackness in dancehall music when performing. He attributes his unique pattern to melding together the styles of a few artists who came before him, including U-Roy, Prince Jazzbo, Big Youth, and Dennis Alcapone.

Jerry has recorded five albums over the years, but the bulk of his career has been spent touring the world, as well as Jamaica, performing over countless sound systems. He still records the occasional single, most recently for the Ranking Joe label, but remains primarily a live performer (mostly for King Sturgav). He is considered by many to be U-Roy's greatest student; a stable which includes Ranking Joe, Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin, U Brown on down to modern-day deejays such as Buju Banton.

He lived in New York with his wife and children Jermaine, and many more between 1988 and 1991 before returning to Jamaica and performing again on the Jah Love Muzik sound system. He is now based in the United States.

Jerry also nurtured the career of his sister Ophlin Russell, who performs and records as Sister Nancy.

Discography Live at the Controls (1983), Dance Hall Jamaica Jamaica (1985), RAS On the Road (1986), RAS Hail Him (1992), Tappa Freedom Street (1995), VP