Mad Cobra, a prominent dancehall DJ of the '90s, became the first reggae artist to top the Billboard rap singles chart by blending hardcore lyrics with elements of R&B and hip-hop. Born Ewart Everton Brown in Kingston in 1968, he adopted his stage name from the G.I. Joe comic book series and gained recognition with hits like "Yush" and "Gundelero." Signing with Columbia, his major-label debut album, Hard to Wet, Easy to Dry, produced the crossover hit "Flex" in 1992. Despite subsequent successes in Jamaica, including the 1994 album Venom, Mad Cobra's international prominence waned until a 1998 duet with Mr. Vegas, "Guns High," regained attention. He made a comeback in 2001 with the album Cobra, released by Artists Only.
Mad Cobra rose to fame in the '90s as a dancehall DJ, infusing his tough, gun-talk-filled lyrics with R&B and hip-hop influences to achieve international success. After topping the Billboard rap singles chart with hits like "Flex" from his major-label debut album in 1992, he continued to record for various producers in Jamaica, including the 1994 album Venom. Despite a slowdown in output, Mad Cobra made a splash in 1998 with the duet "Guns High" featuring Mr. Vegas. His return to the music scene in 2001 with the album Cobra marked a new chapter in his career, showcasing a blend of his signature dancehall sound with fresh material for a new generation of fans.
