Exclusive Interview: Healing Waters and Global Rhythms with Gregg Kofi Brown

The intersection of spiritual redemption and ecological preservation is a rare space to inhabit, but legendary bassist and vocalist Gregg Kofi Brown has always been a master of building bridges. Following his iconic collaboration with Sting on “Lullaby to an Anxious Child,” Brown has returned with a transformative Afro-gospel anthem, “The River (Remix),” released on February 24, 2026.

Co-written with global superstar Ed Sheeran and mixed by the legendary Chris Kimsey (the man behind five iconic Rolling Stones albums), the track is much more than a song—it is a movement. As the world’s eyes turn toward Belém, Brazil, for the UN Climate Summit COP 30, Gregg Kofi Brown is preparing to take the stage on the banks of the Amazon River, joined by his protégé, rapper Fartura Flame, and British-Nigerian soul sensation Akin Soul.

In an industry often obsessed with the synthetic, “The River” arrives as a raw, vulnerable, and deeply human cry for salvation and sustainability. We sat down with Gregg Kofi Brown to dive deep into the spiritual and musical currents of this stunning new release.

Interview with Gregg Kofi Brown

You’ve collaborated with Sting and now Ed Sheeran—two masters of the “global anthem.” What was the specific spark in your writing session with Ed that turned a personal plea for redemption into this massive Afro-gospel call to action?

Gregg: It was Ed’s initial lyrics “Lord I’m worried lord I’m scared and I have made mistakes you know, I will put my troubles behind me, come and wash away my soul” that sparked my inspiration to transforming this into spiritual tour de force. My African pre Chorus which is sung in twi a dialect from Ghana translated says ” when I leave you, I will know the answers (to life) ” which leads into Ed’s chorus ” meet me down by the river where the water flows red and gold, meet me down by the river come and wash and bring your soul” during the chorus is my twi call & response Aunty! Uncle! Come and relax, help me, there’s a fire that burns inside” which leads to my Bridge ” Just follow your pride when you cannot turn away, There’s something inside, When a man cannot face the day ”

“The River” is described as a “cry for salvation.” As a musician who has spent decades on the world stage, how does your bass playing on this track reflect that heavy, rhythmic journey toward “washing the soul”?

Gregg: My bass playing is linked to the drum, drums traditionally are made from trees, trees grow from the earth and the waters that sustain it’s life. The river sustains and cleanses us in this circle of life as the saying goes.

You’re performing this in Belém during COP 30, right on the banks of the Amazon. How does the spiritual “River” of your lyrics connect with the literal, ecological urgency of the rivers we are trying to save today?

Gregg: It’s all about sustaining the building blocks of life. Without the river that brings water and minerals to our plants & fauna and produces photosynthesis that creates oxygen via the sunlight there would be no life as we know.

Having legendary Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey on the mix adds a certain rock-and-roll pedigree. How did his “iconic” touch change the way the Afro-gospel elements sit in the final remix?

Gregg: Chris Kimsey is a scientist of sound he knows the right frequencies of where the bass should sit as opposed to the vocals and guitars. I’m so grateful he wanted to mix the track.

With Kari Bannerman on guitar and Robert Bailey on keys, you’ve reunited some serious Osibisa lineage. What was the energy like in the room having that level of Afro-rock royalty contributing to such a spiritual track?

Gregg: Kari, Robert and I had just finished recording Osibisa’s 50th anniversary album. We were already in the zone having previously recorded 14 songs for Osibisa’s New Dawn album. However what Kari Bannerman and Robert Bailey brought to this song was the sum total of their massive musical experiences. Nothing processed just pure feel and vibes. I know the word gets used a lot and please forgive my paraphrase but if these two musical giants aren’t authentic, then no one is!

Your protégé, Belém rapper Fartura Flame, and Akin Soul are joining you for the live debut. How does bringing in these younger, diverse voices help bridge the gap between “The River’s” traditional gospel roots and the modern global sound?

Gregg: Working with Fartura Flame and Akin Soul took me back to my youth when the energy was raw and the hunger was real. They both helped to reshape my focus and discipline. Both these artists are rooted in their individual cultural traditions. Flame, although influenced by hip-hop has grown up in a myriad of Brazilian music and culture. Akin is British Nigerian with a background in RnB, gospel, African hilife and Afrobeat.

The lyrics mention a man who is “worried, scared, and has made mistakes.” In an industry that often demands a perfect image, why was it important for you to be this raw and vulnerable on the Feb 24th release?

Gregg: With all the fake noise on social media you have a hard time deciding what’s AI and what’s a genuine artist. I’m hoping there’s so much vulnerability in this song that when you hear you say ” This is real tings, cause I can feel it”!

From the “Lullaby to an Anxious Child” with Sting to “The River” with Ed Sheeran, you seem to be building a bridge between African classical sounds and Western pop. Where do you see this “Third Way” of music heading next?

Gregg: My background in African music and pop music has enabled me to touch something very human and basic in our collective consciousness. To use the right combination of melody, rhythm, chords and lyrics coupled with experiences of the heart and soul will hopefully give me the continuity to produce something raw and vulnerable that still cuts through the noise.

COP 30 is a high-pressure global event. Do you believe a song like “The River” can actually influence the “sustainable message” of world leaders, or is it intended more as a healing balm for the people on the ground?

Gregg: The River is definitely more of a healing balm for the people on the ground

If listeners could only take one “stunning vocal rendition” moment away from this remix to keep them inspired through the Climate Summit, which lyric or note do you hope sticks in their heads?

Gregg: I’d have to take you back to the beginning of this interview with Ed Sheeran’s initial lyric “Lord I’m worried, lord I’m scared and I have made mistakes you know, I will put my troubles behind me come and wash away my soul”

Summary

Gregg Kofi Brown continues to prove that music is the ultimate connective tissue of the human experience. With “The River (Remix),” he has created more than a catchy track; he has crafted a sanctuary. By blending the veteran expertise of Osibisa legends and Chris Kimsey with the vibrant, fresh energy of Fartura Flame and Akin Soul, the single stands as a beacon of authenticity in a digital age. As the song echoes along the Amazon during COP 30, it serves as a powerful reminder that whether we are seeking personal redemption or global sustainability, we all eventually meet at the river to find our way home.