Arts and Entertainment could be considered a reflection of reality to many. Ettosi’s perspective of the arts is a tapestry of colorful visuals, dynamic displays of charisma, and a strong regimented dedication. This guides her creative process with an emerging body of multi-disciplinary work inspiring curiosity among her peers.
Born and raised in Jamaica, Tosi came of age during a time of political upheaval and with it the advent of violence previously unknown in the country. Ettosi grew up influenced by the music of her time. Her Brother, Cedric “Im” Brooks, a famed musician and composer studied music in an esteemed program at Alpha Boys School as a child and made historical strides in the development of musical genres in Jamaica. He founded several musical groups and she danced, played bass guitar and drums in some of the groups.
These groups were often large, consisting of a seven-piece band, an African drum section and dancers. Later, she started singing lead. This encouraged her to pursue the arts, which became her passion. “Growing up around my brother, it wasn’t just that we were musicians, but he encouraged that whole spirit of academics inquiry and activism” says Brooks. “Creating was part of it but there was no separation between being an entertainer, leader and steward of Afro-centric culture charting a course for African people which, at the time, was not a popular thing to do.”
Ettosi moved to South Florida in the 90’s, where she helped her brother form an organization called “Journey to Africa” with its mission to educate people about the beauty and majesty of Africa and African people whether on the continent or in the diaspora. Again, with a mission to “inform and enlighten” those who share similar sensibilities about their roots and heritage. “The mixing of the cultures was interesting,” says Ettosi when confronted with Florida’s diversity. It was a macrocosm of her original homeland, the island of Jamaica. “It was like a Fresh Start. I missed home and I Still get emotional when I return.” With a new environment to explore and noticing how the American people took a steadily increasing interest towards her craft, Ettosi Brooks began to delve deeper into the arts, sharing her works in song and dance with the industry. “I ran upon a lot of brick walls in Jamaica,” she says, regarding her being able to benefit from her craft and work in the industry. “Doors did not open for me, in terms of recording or going out and making money.” In Florida she was introduced to Karl Pitterson, a legendary Jamaican engineer and producer, and that musical collaboration produced her first hit song “What You Gonna Do”.
Over time, Tosi met other sisters who were trying to do the same thing. Noticing the similarities between her experiences and that of other women artists, Ettosi founded an organization called “Women in Music Ayo,” in 2012, to help artists express their creativity and also provide a platform for those who were having difficulties getting exposure. “Women in Music Ayo” began producing events for performing artists, giving communities a piece of African culture in their showcases. One of these showcase s is the musical, “Power Game.” “It actually came from a student project,” says Ettosi, who attended Nova Southeastern University and earned a graduate degree in Education. “It’s a look back at a particular point in time for a young girl coming of age at a pivotal point in the history of Jamaica, politically and socially.” It is regarded as a Reggae Musical, but for Ettosi Brooks, who wrote the music and the story, it is a reflection of her life. “In Power Game, Rise up Black people are a part of the theme, but the story also is a commentary on the relationships between Black men and women,” says Brooks.
Another production by “Women in Music Ayo” is “Dancing in Mama’s Kitchen.” The story itself is an examination of the political and cultural influence of food preparation from a child’s perspective and how children relate to their mothers. “It’s the theme of connecting ourselves with our mothers and exploring those relationships. A lot of times the wisdom is passed down in that setting of being in Mother’s kitchen,” says Ettosi, who also notices how politics play a factor in food preparations for many African American families today. “Food is Political. In slavery, you couldn’t eat from Master’s table but we took what they gave us and made it good. If we understand why we eat the way we eat and how the food preparations affect our body to this day, we can inform ourselves and gain knowledge,” Ettosi says.
Writer, Musician, Dancer, and Educator, Ettosi Brooks has accomplished many of the goals she set for herself as a child. This diligence would not be possible without the inspiration of and encouragement from her brother, Cedric “IM” Brooks. “He was extremely influential (in regard to) The African Diaspora,” says Ettosi, about her brother. “As a songwriter I had a lot of social commentary in my music.” Cedric Im Brooks was an accomplished Reggae musician who influenced Reggae culture for decades. He passed away in 2013, but his spirit lives on through Ettosi as she looks to honor his legacy by continuing to spread the message of the culture to as many people as she can with Women In Music Ayo. “My Goal is to give young people an opportunity to hone their craft, not just to have that artistic skill, but to have that business sense also, when it comes to the Entertainment industry.”
Like so many performing artists, Ettosi was challenged in 2020 by the limitations placed on live performances due to Covid 19. This sparked innovation, however, as she livestreamed a screening of “Power Game” the reggae musical, which was presented live in February 2020 at the African American Research Library in Fort Lauderdale. On December 30, in celebration of the Kwanzaa principle “Nia” or “Purpose’, Ettosi with Women in Music Ayo bring a virtual musical festival called the “Ayo Festival”. The “Ayo Festival” is a tribute to women in music and features performances from reggae/world music artists Marijah, actress/recording artist Shemana Dixon, actress/folklorist Maxine Osbourne, percussionist Nany G and a performance by Ettosi Brooks. As a bonus, an encore screening of “Power Game” will be shown at 6pm before the virtual concert at 8 pm. Free tickets available on Eventbrite. Register to receive a link to both the screening and the virtual concert here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-music-ayo-presents-ayo-virtual-music-festival-tickets-132447918289
