Trinity

Biography

Trinity, born Wade Brammer on February 10, 1954, in Kingston, Jamaica, was a pioneering reggae deejay and producer who emerged as a significant figure in the development of dancehall music during the 1970s and 1980s. Educated at the Alpha Boys School, he initially performed under the stage name Prince Glen before adopting the moniker Trinity, inspired by a Spaghetti Western character. After working as a deejay on several Kingston sound systems, he made his professional debut in March 1976 with the single "Set Up Yourself" for producer Joseph Hoo Kim, quickly establishing himself as a prolific recording artist.

Throughout 1977, Trinity's career reached its zenith, recording more than 20 singles for various producers and achieving his biggest commercial success with "Three Piece Suit" for Joe Gibbs, which featured him toasting over a new version of Alton Ellis's "I'm Still In Love With You" riddim. This track marked a pivotal moment in reggae history, as it anticipated the shift from cultural lyrics to the more material and carnal concerns that would define the dancehall era. His 1977 album "Uptown Girl," produced by Bunny Lee, and subsequent releases like "Three Piece Chicken and Chips" (with Ranking Trevor) and "Showcase" established him as a major force in reggae music. In 1978, he performed at the legendary One Love Peace Concert in Kingston, cementing his status in Jamaican music.

Beyond his deejaying career, Trinity became an accomplished producer, establishing his own Flag Man record label in the late 1970s and producing both his own work and other artists. He collaborated with notable reggae figures including Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, and The Mighty Diamonds throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. Later in his career, he transitioned from deejaying to singing, releasing albums under the name Junior Brammer, including "Telephone Line" and "Hold Your Corner" in 1987. Trinity continued his musical activities until his death on April 9, 2021, at the National Chest Hospital in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, at the age of 67, from complications related to diabetes.

Fun Facts

• Trinity adopted his stage name from a Spaghetti Western character, reflecting the cultural cross-pollination common in reggae music during the 1970s.
• His 1977 hit "Three Piece Suit" sparked a direct musical response from Althea & Donna, whose answer record "Uptown Top Ranking" became a UK chart-topping hit, demonstrating the competitive yet collaborative nature of reggae's riddim culture.
• Trinity's younger brother, Robert Brammer, also achieved success as a deejay under the stage name Clint Eastwood, making them one of reggae's notable musical families.
• Trinity performed at the historic One Love Peace Concert in Kingston in 1978, one of reggae's most significant cultural events, alongside other major artists of the era.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Yabby You - Early producer and mentor who produced Trinity's debut album and several early singles ("Words of The Prophet" and debut album) [1976-1977]
• Joseph Hoo Kim - Producer of Trinity's professional debut recording ("Set Up Yourself") [March 1976]
• Joe Gibbs - Major producer who worked extensively with Trinity and produced his biggest hit ("Three Piece Suit") [1977]

Key Collaborators

• Dillinger - Collaborated on single and joint album ("Crank Face" single and "Clash" album) [Late 1976]
• Ranking Trevor - Co-artist on collaborative album ("Three Piece Chicken and Chips" album) [1978]
• Dennis Brown - Reggae legend with whom Trinity recorded a duet ("Funny Feeling" duet) [1979]
• Barrington Levy - Collaborated on multiple singles ("Lose Respect" and "I Need a Girl") [1979-1980]
• The Mighty Diamonds - Collaborated on joint album ("Trinity Meet The Mighty Diamonds" album) [1979]
• Bunny Lee - Producer of Trinity's notable album ("Uptown Girl" album) [1977]
• Clement Bushay - UK-based producer who worked with Trinity ("Clash" album (with Dillinger)) [Late 1976]

Artists Influenced

• Althea & Donna - Responded to Trinity's "Three Piece Suit" with their own answer record using the same rhythm ("Uptown Top Ranking" (UK chart-topping hit)) [1977]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Mine (Mine)
2. Girl Crush (Girl Crush)
3. Needed Love (Needed Love)
4. Lie To Me (Youth)
5. Irreversibly In Love (Youth)
6. Needed Love (Youth)
7. You Win, I Miss You (Youth)
8. Asking (Asking)
9. Asking (Youth)
10. Yours to Break (Yours to Break)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #dancehall, #reggae