me
Born and raised in the Southside community of Rae town, Kingston Jamaica, Carlton Grant p.k.a Spragga Benz has attained and maintained a level of musical notoriety only dreamed of by other aspiring Jamaican Deejays (The reggae equivalent of a rapper). Spragga Benz's musical journey to dancehall stardom began with his first touch of a microphone in 1992, on a dare issued by Buju Banton, while doing dubplates for the La Benz Sound System of his mega-hits "Browning" and "Sound Fi Dead".
Nagging the Banton for four songs instead of two for his favorite sound system, the Banton bellowed "If the I want four tune...yu haffi do the other two yu self." "Ah nuh nutten" Spragga jokingly replied..."Run di rhythm". "Mi sing some foolishness off the top of mi head but by the fourth line dem start buss pure blank and mek noise." This lead to Spragga recording two dub plates the following week, "Love Mi Gun" and "Jack It Up". So immense was the public response when the dubs were played that soon Spragga became the most sought after artist by sound systems & producers in Jamaica and abroad. He went on to record such hits as "Could Ah Deal", "Jack It Up", "Girls Hooray", "Hand Inna Di Air", "Who Next", "Rude Bwoy Living", and a string of dancehall classics that were included in his debut album entitled "Jack It Up" released on VP Records. With his career taking off at the rate of a dragster, the Benz made his first stage appearance at "Reggae Sunsplash '93", and followed up with blistering performances at both "Champions In Action" and "Reggae Ram Jam".
He then ended his first year of stage appearances with a most memorable performance at "Sting '93" bringing the estimated 35,000 patrons at Jam World to lyrical ecstasy. Spragga made even greater strides by signing to Capitol Records in 1994. In 1995 his sophomore album "Uncommonly Smooth" was released featuring more chart topping singles like "A-1 Lover" a duet with Chevelle Franklyn, "Body Good", a remake of "Spanish Harlem" featuring R&B legend Ben E. King, "Good Day", and many more. Between 1996 and 1999 Spragga virtually dominated the dancehall arena with a barrage of hits including "Machine Gun Kelly", "Funny Guy Thing", "Car Crash", "Dolly House", "No Way" and "Born Good Looking" and numerous other anthems. Also to his credits are contributions to movie soundtracks for "Race The Sun" starring Halle Berry, and a collaboration with R&B trio Brownstone on the soundtrack for "Free Willy 2".
Spragga has also collaborated with artists such as KRS-One, Wyclef Jean, Charles & Eddie, and Nadine Sutherland. He has even recorded a killer twelve cut CD entitled Two Badd DJ's alongside Beenie Man, which was also released on VP Records. During this period Spragga also extensively toured the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and Asia. Still ascending to even greater heights, Spragga Benz dropped the lethal "Fully Loaded" (VP Records) album in 2000. The vicious track listing included "She Nuh Ready Yet(Hype Up)", "Wi Nuh Like", "Some Bwoy", "Weh Ya Say Star", "Push It Up", "Sleep With Angels", "Mur-Da-Rah", and more.
The album showcased a cornucopia of Danchall's finest producers including Andre "Rookie" Tyrell, John John, Dave Kelly, Danny Browne, Donovan Germaine, Richard "Richie D" Martin, Richard Browne, and Bobby Digital. In addition to his own Benzspeculous production team; added to the talented mix were International House producer Todd Terry, master hip-hop producer/remixer Salaam Remi, and drafted guest artists Foxy Brown on "Too Stoosh", Lady Saw on "Backshot", and Red Square Records' Sugar Slick on "Badman Anthem". The accompanying video for the single "Wey Ya Say Star" featured hip-hop cameos by Pras of "The Fugees", Foxy Brown, and Noreaga of CNN. . Moving to more mainstream avenues in entertainment, Spragga hits the big screen, making his acting debut appearing as himself in the Off Line Entertainment film "Brooklyn Babylon", starring Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter (The Roots), and Bonz Malone. He followed up his debut by stepping it up to playing a lead role in Access Pictures' "Shottas". Which also stars Kymani Marley, Paul Campbell (Dancehall Queen), and Wyclef Jean (Artist/Producer).
When asked about acting Spragga states, "It's a great experience which I hope to repeat over and over again". Stepping back into the music arena in 2001, Spragga appeared and performed on the Foxy Brown certified gold single /video"Oh Yeah" off her "Broken Silence" album released by Def Jam. He also mobilized his Red Square Crew armed with new talents such as Sugar Slick, Assassin, Briggy Benz (his nephew), Natty Chris, Bad Greg Hines. Recording the dancehall anthem and video for "Gi Wi Dem".
As well as teaming up with fellow DJ Elephant Man on recording the monster hit "Warriors Cause" on the Rice and Peas rhythm. Spragga's new "Thug Nature" album boasts a battery of hits including "Analogy", "Real Niggaz" featuring Twice, "Buck A Catty", "Stunna", and more. The album also showcases the talents of new producers like Mentally Disturbed, Chester "Very Huge" Walker, Jeremy "2 Hard" Harding, Bobby "Massive B." Konders, and Rohan "Snow Cone" Fuller, alongside his usual partners in crime Rookie Productions, and John John. "Thug Nature is all about presenting undiluted dancehall music from Jamaica to the world.
It also serves to debut my Red Square production and distribution project". Believing it's all about love for God and mankind, and staying true to yourself and loved ones, Spragga gives back to society with many charitable donations. eg. the "Stay In School" foundation,Red Square Anual Kids Treat etc. The year 2007 has started off with the official release of the movie"Shottas"by Sony pictures,the Japan release of the "Live Good"cd with the video/ single "MoveThat Body" featuring Jana Bent and continues with songs like "Ova Gal,The Order,All About dem ,Iron Bars with Stephen Marley's and This Is The Way featuring rap icon Nas produced by Salaam Remi" setting the stage for great year for Red Square.