Like the legacy of the late reggae artist being celebrated, the annual Dennis Brown birthday dance lives on.

This year is the fourth anniversary. What started out as a “one-off” has evolved into one of the biggest events on the local reggae scene.

“The first Dennis Brown tribute at Leopard’s Club was a one-off thing and we had a beautiful crowd attend,” said Dazarrie Steede of Feed the People Productions.

“DJ Malcolm ‘Lethal Weapon’ Smith, Mr English and Father Fletcher kept the people skanking all night and that’s when we realised a large percentage of Bermudians love the ‘Crown Prince’ — Dennis Emmanuel Brown.

“In fact, the crowd didn’t want it to end. It was pure love, not hate.”

Dennis Brown died in 1999 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 42.

The Jamaican singer and songwriter recorded more than 75 albums over four decades.

His title, the “Crown Prince of Reggae”, was bestowed upon him by the late Bob Marley, regarded as the “King of Reggae” by many.

Many of Mr Brown’s songs are just as popular today as when they were released.

“He had a unique voice that touches your heart and soul and keeps you singing and moving,” Ms Steede said.

“If anyone listens to his amazing, beautiful voice you want to hear more and more. His songs have messages — from love, to struggles in every life.”

The event starts at 10pm tonight, at Harrington Workmen’s Club. “Last year it was held at Place’s Place and was supposed to end at 2am but the vibes were so amazing it ended at 3am instead,” Ms Steede added.

“The fans keep coming back every year and there’s always new faces because they tell a friend and so more it grows.”

• Admission is $15 at the door with music by DJ Malcolm “Lethal Weapon” Smith, Magnum Force and DJ Sheep