Prince Far I mural unveiled in art district

A special commemorative mural celebrating the life and legacy of Michael James Williams, known globally as Prince Far I was recently launched in Mark Lane, in the Downtown Kingston Art District. The mural named ‘Cry Tuff Tribute to Prince Far I’ was created by veteran reggae artiste Junior Moore, member of The Tamlins, popular reggae vocal group sang backup for reggae legend Peter Tosh and his brother Hudson Moore. The piece was commissioned by Fans of Prince Far I, through the nonprofit arts organisation, Kingston Creative.

The mural pays homage to one of the most distinctive and influential voices in Jamaican music history. Known as ‘The Voice of Thunder,’ Prince Far I helped shape the “Waterhouse sound” and exported Jamaica’s raw, spiritual, unvarnished reggae aesthetic to global audiences. His resonant bass tone and uncompromising lyrical presence made him one of reggae’s most singular figures.

“For his fans, Prince Far I represents far more than a distinctive voice in reggae, he embodies a force of spiritual authority, resistance, and uncompromising truth,” said a representative of the fan of Prince Far I. “The way he performed was directly addressing the fans, chanting about history and justice rather than entertainment alone.”

Cry Tuff is the label that Prince Far I founded in 1976, and this was a defining chapter in his career. Cry Tuff became a vehicle for his self-productions and a symbol of creative independence, resilience, and artistic authority. Some of his most important work emerged from this era, including the Cry Tuff Dub Encounter series recorded with The Arabs/Dub Syndicate, bridging Jamaica and the UK’s emerging experimental dub scene.

“By commemorating his work in the very streets that inspired him, we are finding a way to honour his legacy,” said Andrea Dempster Chung, cofounder and executive director of Kingston Creative. “Locating the mural in this contemporary street art gallery in the Art District ensures that his name will be seen by future generations and hopefully inspire future music artistes.”

Kingston Creative invites the public to visit the newly installed mural on Mark Lane and reflect on the life of a man whose chanting style, deep spirituality, and uncompromising artistry continue to influence reggae, dub, and global music movements.