Ancestral Collage: Oscar Brown, Jr.

By Dr. Gloria J. Latimore-Peace

Presented by Omni Virtual University

"Music has always come to me as a gift... All I had to do was to pay attention."

Oscar Brown, Jr.

The legacy of Oscar Brown, Jr.,Maa Kheru  a dear friend and 

brother-Libran -who was born October 10, 1926- is so monumental that an entire library complex would be insufficient to contain it. It is impossible to think of him as absent from Us because his presence- and variations thereof- continues to be experienced among Us. 

Oscar Brown, Jr. is an Icon, i.e., an extraordinary being whose creativity transcends time, space, and category.  Among the gifts for which this multi-dimensional Artist is recognized and revered are the following:

• Griot

• Maestro

• Composer

• Arranger

• Poet

• Writer

• Singer/ Songwriter

• Playwright

• Performance Artist

• Entertainer

• Philosopher

• Musicologist

Oscar Brown, Jr. is a many-faceted Ancestor/Artist and Activist who followed in the footsteps of his father, Oscar Brown, Sr.- "a race man"-, and sought to "make things better for people". The Spirit of this legacy lives on through those of us who endeavor to follow the examples left by our Forebears. Omni-U Virtual University supports our readers/scholars in their efforts to learn more about our Ancestor/ Icons by providing some of the research tools needed to engage in Iconology, i.e., the study of Icons.

Below you will find: Recommended Reading, Recommended Listening, and Recommended Viewing. We urge you to take the time to explore and acquaint yourselves with these references.

Recommended Readings:

What It Is: Poems and Opinions of Oscar Brown, Jr." by Oscar Brown, Jr.

Recommended Listening:

 "Dat Dere" Oscar Brown Jr.

 "Work Song" Oscar Brown Jr.

 "Mr. Kicks! The Best of Oscar Brown, Jr. 

"I Apologize" (Def Poetry ) Oscar Brown, Jr. 

"Opportunity, Please Knock" Oscar Brown, Jr.

 "Brother, Where Are You?" Oscar Brown, Jr. 

"Bid 'Em In" Oscar Brown Jr.

 "But I Was Cool" Oscar Brown, Jr.

 "Sin and Soul" Oscar Brown, Jr. 

'A Tree and Me" Ancestor Oscar Brown, Jr. https://youtu.be/VGQCSe2J2TI?si=nGjZwYJlTgzHKyh1

"Between Heaven and Hell" (Album) Oscar Brown, Jr.

"Open Our Eyes" by The Gospel Clefs

https://youtu.be/u1Am_T-Bld0?si=cigNgMvl1mqZmaHZ

Recommended Viewing:

"Legends in inner- Attainment," Featuring  Ancestor Oscar Brown, Jr. and Ancestor Kelan Phil Cohran 

https://youtu.be/ZPOlkJ9gi0o?si=t927NlRrr4Zjap6m

 "Reflections on Iconology" Featuring: Maggie Brown and Linda Cohran. 

"Once Upon a Way-back Time" The H30 Art of Life Show 

"Imagine That"- The H3O Art of Life Show 

"Music Is My Life, Politics, My Mistress: The Story of Oscar Brown, Jr." (Film)