The life of the late reggae icon Dennis Brown will be celebrated at Bulldog’s Sports Lounge & Grill tonight.

The singer and songwriter recorded more than 75 albums during a prolific career that spanned four decades. He died in 1999 at the age of 42 after suffering from cardiac arrest.

Tonight’s event is the brainchild of promoter Dazarrie Steede and the manager of Bulldog’s, Dancelle Joell.

“We decided to come together and have a Dennis Brown tribute because no one takes the time out to big him up,” Ms Steede said. “Dennis Brown is one of my favourite artists and he needs to be recognised, and so we are going to have DJ Hurricane playing his songs.”

The Jamaican artist would have celebrated his 59th birthday on Monday. The promoter recalled seeing Mr Brown perform here several years ago.

“When I was coming up and everybody was around here listening to Michael Jackson, I was listening to Dennis Brown,” she said. “I just loved his unique voice and he is also a very good entertainer. I remember seeing him here before his death in St David’s and I believe that was the last time he performed here.

“When he passed I took it really, really personal ... that’s how deep it was for me.

“I was actually trying to attend his service in Jamaica but no one wanted to come with me.

“He has always been one of my number one artists and his contribution to the reggae industry is massive, it really is.”

• The free event is from 9pm at Bulldog’s, on the corner of Court and Elliott Streets