Entertainment
The Max Priest Hit Song Originally Intended For Dennis Brown
The Billboard Hot 100 Reggae hit Just a Little Bit Longer was initially recorded by Dennis Brown and was already mixed and mastered when producer Gussie Clarke took the executive decision to withdraw the Crown Prince of Reggae’s version and give the song to Maxi Priest.
Clarke revealed that he shelved Brown’s version during a recent interview with Teach Dem, as he sought to advise music producers not to resile from making executive decisions that they know are in the best interests of the songs they produce.
“A point that all record producers who a watch need fi know: when you doing your project, no make no artiste tell you weh yuh caan do. If you believe that this song is not the right song for this project or this artiste – not because him love it – you must do what is best fi di song,” the Telephone Love producer began.
Gussie Clarke
“I give you a good example: Just A Little Bit Longer [by] Maxi Priest, was written fi Dennis Brown. Mix and mastered and everything, fi Dennis Brown. Wi have it still. We were doing well, and Maxi Priest manager call een… right, and like I just hear Maxi Priest… Maxi Priest voice the song and the rest his history. I made the right decision. We have done it multiple times, you understand, so you haffi know what is your responsibility. At the end of the day know, is where the money going matter to all parties concerned,” Clarke stated.
The lead track from Maxi Priest’s Bonafide album, Just A Little Bit Longer, was written by legendary producer and songwriter Handel Tucker. The song peaked at No. 62 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles charts. The Bonafide album, which peaked at No. 47 on the Billboard 200, went on to be certified Gold by the RIAA on January 30, 1991.
Bonafide was the Britist-Jamaican singer’s fourth studio album and was released in 1990 by Charisma Records. The album’s biggest hit was Close to You, which peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard chart. The other songs on the 13-track album were Never Did Say Goodbye, Best of Me, Space in My Heart, Human Work of Art, Temptress, Peace Throughout the World, You, Sure Fire Love, Life and Prayer For The World.
In the past, Maxi who has described himself as a big fan of Dennis Brown, had venerated the singer as an inspiration to him. In January this year, Priest said that during his teenage years, Dennis had advised him to create his own style and “sing fi di girls dem”.
Priest collaborated with Brown and Shabba Ranks in 1991 on a remake of Little Willie John’s 1956 hit Fever. He also recorded a cover of Brown’s version of The Heptones’ Love Me Always in 2017.
Dennis Brown was born in Kingston in 1957 and grew up near Orange Street, where many of the recording studios of the day were located.
According to the National Library of Jamaica, Dennis, who was “blessed with a superb voice,” found himself immersed in the music scene and began performing with Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires at age nine.
Brown, who was hailed by Bob Marley as a personal favourite, scored his first hit at 11 with a cover of The Impressions’ No Man Is An Island. In 1970, at age 13, he released his first album, No Man Is An Island, under Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One label.
During his career, Brown worked with a long list of record producers in Jamaica, including Derrick Harriot and Joe Gibbs. However, according to the NLJ, “it was with Niney The Observer that he received international recognition with the release of several classic songs, among them, Westbound Train, Cassandra and Africa and his iconic signature tune, Here I Come.
After parting ways with Niney, 1977 to 1983, Dennis had worked almost exclusively with Joe Gibbs, where he recorded albums such as Visions, Words of Wisdom, Joseph’s Coat of Many Colours and Money in My Pocket. In 1983, Brown landed a record deal with the American label A & M Records, releasing three albums: Foul Play, Love Has Found Its Way and The Prophet Rides Again.
Throughout the 1980s, Dennis’s popularity soared as his talent gained recognition. His Jamaican compatriots also hailed him as the ‘Crown Prince of Reggae’.
The singer’s recording journey and popularity carried on into the 1990s, unaffected by the rise of Dancehall. However, on July 1, 1999, Brown passed away at age 42 at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica due to respiratory failure.
The news of his passing was announced on Tuesday by a fellow actor, Tony Akposheri, in an Instagram post.
Akposheri expressed shock and sadness over the death of the actor, recalling their recent interactions.
He revealed that they had recently spent time together during the New Year, sharing memories and discussing future plans.
“Today, my heart is heavy. Davis Ofor, fondly known as Clarus from New Masquerade, is gone.
“We crossed into the New Year together, laughing, talking, sharing memories, and speaking hopefully about the days ahead,” he wrote.
“We spoke about life, about plans, about how far we had come. None of us knew that time was already counting differently for you.”
Describing the late actor as more than just a screen personality, Akposheri paid tribute to his character and impact.
“It is hard to believe that the voice I heard not long ago is now a memory. Hard to accept that someone so full of life can suddenly become a story we tell.”
He added, “Rest well, my friend. You came, you gave joy, you made your mark, and you will never be forgotten.”
Clarus gained prominence for his role in New Masquerade, one of Nigeria’s most popular television comedy shows, where his character became a household name.
Details surrounding the cause of his death were not immediately available.
Ofor rose to prominence for his role as Clarus in New Masquerade, a widely acclaimed Nigerian television comedy that aired on the Nigerian Television Authority and became a household favourite in the 1980s.
His portrayal of the comic character earned him national recognition and endeared him to audiences across the country, making Clarus one of the most memorable figures in Nigerian television history.
According to the unaudited financial statements of Nigerian Breweries Plc, International Breweries Plc, and Champion Breweries Plc for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the companies collectively recorded strong top-line performance driven largely by beer sales.
Nigerian Breweries Plc, the largest brewer in the country, recorded net revenue of N1.05tn for the period, up from N710.87bn in the corresponding period of 2024. Cost of sales stood at N631.23bn, resulting in a gross profit of N415.15bn.
After accounting for selling and distribution expenses of N193.85bn, administrative expenses of N59.58bn, finance costs of N39.15bn, and other charges, the company posted a profit after tax of N85.51bn, compared with a loss of N149.50bn in 2024. Basic earnings per share rose to 275 kobo from a loss of 1,455 kobo in the previous year.
In March, Nigerian Breweries Plc announced a return to profitability in the first quarter of 2025, reporting a 186 per cent increase in net profit compared to the same period in 2024. The unaudited financial results released on the Nigerian Exchange Limited showed that revenue for the period ended March 31, 2025, rose to N383.6bn, representing a 68.9 per cent increase from N227.1bn recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
International Breweries Plc, which operates in Nigeria and other West African markets, generated revenue of N472.57bn for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, up from N343.45bn in the same period of 2024.
The company reported a profit after tax of N57.83bn, reversing a loss of N112.81bn in 2024. Cost of sales increased to N311.64bn from N248.58bn, while administrative, marketing, and distribution expenses rose to N92.09bn from N72.68bn.
International Breweries Plc posted a profit of N11.9bn for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, marking a turnaround from a loss of N47.3bn in the same period last year. The company’s unaudited financial statements showed revenue increased to N167.4bn in Q2 2025 from N120bn in Q2 2024, while gross profit rose to N61.9bn from N33.8bn.
Overall, the combined revenue of the three companies amounted to N1.54tn, with Nigerian Breweries Plc accounting for the bulk of sales.
Analysts say the figures highlight the resilience of Nigeria’s beer market, which continues to benefit from strong brand loyalty and distribution networks despite rising production costs and broader macroeconomic pressures.
Commenting on consumer behaviour, the Head of Financial Institutions Ratings at Agusto & Co., Ayokunle Olubunmi, said the market is experiencing a gradual shift in spending patterns, with some consumers reducing beer consumption, a trend influencing how breweries adjust their strategies.
“Following AB InBev’s acquisition of International Breweries, the company invested in new breweries and production facilities to expand capacity. This indicates that firms are prioritising scaling operations and improving efficiency to meet rising demand and strengthen their market position,” Olubunmi said.
On the broader economic impact, the Chief Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Ayo Teriba, cautioned that strong sales figures do not necessarily translate into greater economic contribution.
“The point is that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Sales may be boosted by size, but if that size reflects purchases from other companies rather than actual value added, the contribution to the economy is limited. What really matters is net output, what value the company is actually creating. GDP, after all, is the sum of value created, not just total sales figures,” Teriba said.
Controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been remanded in custody following his arraignment on Monday over multiple criminal charges.
The singer was arraigned on a nine-count charge bordering on assault, theft, causing bodily harm, and resisting arrest.
Confirming the development, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the charges stemmed from a complaint filed by Portable’s estranged partner, Ashabi Simple.
The arraignment followed a viral video on Sunday showing the singer in police custody.
According to the prosecution, Portable allegedly assaulted Ashabi Simple, several police officers, and other individuals at his bar located in Iyana Ilogbo on New Year’s Day.
Other alleged victims listed in the charge include Ileyemi Damilola, Akinyanju Oluwabusayomi, Olowu Olumide, Demilade Ogunniyi, and Ebuka Odah.
Portable is also accused of stealing a Mercedes-Benz E300 valued at N12 million, belonging to Ileyemi Damilola and reportedly purchased from Wally Dex Auto.
It was gathered that two siblings of Ashabi Simple testified as witnesses in court, although Ashabi herself was absent during the proceedings.
The police further alleged that Portable obstructed and assaulted a female police inspector, Ogungbe Olayemi, while she was carrying out her official duties.
The presiding judge denied the singer bail, citing the absence of the allegedly assaulted police officer in court. The judge ruled that the officer must be present before bail could be considered.
Portable was consequently remanded in custody, with the bail hearing adjourned to January 19, 2026.
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