The Origin Story
Born and raised in the South Ward of Newark, New Jersey, Dawan “DB” Brown has become a force in music and entertainment to be reckoned with. This thirty-seven-year-old executive is living proof that it is truly possible to get it out the mud.
At the young age of eleven, Brown started on the road to becoming a professional Boxer. At the age of thirteen, he won the New Jersey State Championship. At the age of fourteen, he went on to become New Jersey’s Silver Glove Champion. In 2001, he continued his elevation in the ring by becoming the Golden Glove Champion and in 2003, he won the Ringside National Tournament as well. In 2005, his blossoming boxing career came to a complete halt when he fractured his left hand. “I was devastated”, recalls Brown. “It was my dream to become the next Pernell Whitaker, Floyd Mayweather; Steven Ham; and Jamal Carter” but Allah had other plans for me”.
Upon graduating from Weequahic High School in Newark, New Jersey, Dawan went on to work fourteen years for the Newark Board of Education as a Custodial Worker. It was while working in this position that Dawan started to put his plans together for other career moves. “I was always into music. I grew up listening to my mother’s music along with the latest in hip-hop”, states Dawan.
In 2018, Dawan started his very own record label, 100 Percent Pure Ent, LLC and signed his first artists. “I learned so much along the way”, recalls Brown. “My artist, JiG, who was also a pre-med student died while studying at Coppin State University in Maryland”. With this loss, DB, took no breaks—as he aggressively sought after his next artist.
In 2020, Dawan opened the doors to his first music venture, Exclusive Notes. Located in Fort Lee, New Jersey, Dawan owns and operates a full-fledged recording studio. “The studio was a way for me to network and meet like minds who also wanted to progress in the field of music”. Artists such as Treach from Naughty by Nature; Dipset member Jim Jones; Ice Tee; OTC; Drill artist Shotty K; 26 A.R.; and more have all recorded in his state of the art two room facility.
In April of 2021, Dawan signed his next artist, Bandman Rill and the rest is history. Bandman Rill has become one of the largest viral Tik Tok Artists of all time. His drill themed album, “Club Godfather” that dropped in October of 2022 was featured in the New York Times and kids all over the world dance to his music. Known for bringing back club music to mainstream around the world has been a monumental accomplishment for Dawan’s label.
In August of 2021, Dawan signed music producer MCVertt. Many may not know this small but mighty nineteen-year-old from Newark, but if you have ever heard the hit record, “I Just Wanna Rock” performed by Lil Uzi, then you are familiar with MC’s work—as he is the producer of this double platinum record. With well over two million copies of this single sold, MC is being sought after by every A list recording artist in the world!
In July 2022, Dawan signed music producer, Jay Hood as well. As the originator of the New Jersey club sound, it was only right for the two to work together. Fetty Wap, Pap Chanel, Missy Elliott, Fetty Wap, Albee Al, J Millz; Maino; French Montana, DD Osama, and more.
At the top of 2023, Dawan signed Brooklyn female emcee, Zeffy Lee. This nineteen-year-old is slated to give all female artists coming out of NYC a serious run for their money. Her single, “SMD” is currently heading to viral status.
Branching out into film & television is what’s next for Dawan—as his first feature film, “Street Connected” is slated to be released on TUBI Spring of 2023.
Five years from now, you can catch Dawan consistently sitting in a prime seat at the Grammy’s applauding his artists and music producers.
Stay tuned. There is more to come from Dawan.