Prince Far I

Prince Far I (23 March 1945 – 15 September 1983), born Michael James Williams in Spanish Town, Jamaica, was a pioneering reggae deejay, producer, and devoted Rastafarian. He was instantly recognizable for his deep, thunderous voice and his spoken, chant-like delivery, which he preferred to call “chanting” rather than toasting. Lyrically, he was known for socially conscious and political commentary, often criticizing government actions and addressing issues such as violence and injustice, most famously on tracks like “Heavy Manners.” Williams began his career working on sound systems and in studios, including roles as a deejay, security guard, and bouncer, before recording his first track in 1969 under the name King Cry Cry. His breakthrough came in 1970 when Coxsone Dodd released recordings that led him to adopt the name Prince Far I. He quickly rose to prominence with his commanding vocal style, earning the title “The Voice of Thunder.” His debut album Psalms For I was spiritually driven and aimed at spreading biblical messages to those unable to read the scriptures. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Prince Far I released a prolific body of work, including the influential Cry Tuff Dub Encounter series on his own Cry Tuff label. He collaborated extensively with UK-based artists and labels such as On-U Sound and became a mentor to producer Adrian Sherwood. Tragically, his career was cut short when he was fatally shot during a robbery in 1983. Despite his early death, Prince Far I remains a towering and influential figure in reggae and dub music, referenced by artists across genres and generations.