Anthony Moses Davis (August 22, 1973), better known by his stage name Beenie Man, calls himself "King of Dancehall", or "The King of Dancehall". Born in Kingston - Jamaica - Beenie Man was involved in the music industry at an early age, starting as a "toaster" at the age of 5. He was then encouraged by his uncle Sidney Knowles, a drummer who even played for Jimmy Cliff.
He won a talent contest in 1981, and was soon introduced to local sound systems, which helped establish the popularity of the young deejay, who soon became known as Beenie Man. "Too Fancy", his debut single, was produced by Henry "Junjo" Lawes in 1981. Lawes, who in 1983 made the album "Junjo Presents Two Big Sounds", included the young Beenie Man in this work, placing the boy alongside established stars such as Dillinger, Fathead, and Ringo.
His debut album, "The Invincible Beenie Man: The Ten Year Old DJ Wonder" was produced by Bunny Lee and released in 1983. "Over the Sea", his first big hit, came in 1983, and was produced by Winston Holness. In 1984, Beenie Man recorded some stuff with Barrington Levy (which was released 10 years later), but his career had to be put aside so the young man could finish his studies. He spent most of his time traveling to England, the United States and Canada.
I didn't convert. I was baptized in the Ethiopian Orthodox church and at age 10 I became a Coptic Jew.
In 1994 he signed with Island Records, and released the acclaimed "Blessed", which established his international career once and for all. In 1995 he returned to England to join Barrington Levy, and together they recorded a jungle version of a hit by Levy called "Under Mi Sensi".
Also in 1995, Beenie Man collaborated with Dennis Brown and Triston Palmer to release "Three Against War", and with Mad Cobra and Lieutenant Stitchie to release "Mad Cobra meets Lt. Stitchie & Bennie Man. In 1997, Beenie charted 7 singles on the Jamaican charts, and even made a cameo - as himself - in the film "Dancehall Queen".
In 1998, Beenie signed with the powerful Virgin Records, and began releasing albums in the United States. His first album released there was "The Doctor". In the late 90s, Beenie Man conquered America with the hits "Romie", "Who Am I", and "Girls Dem Sugar", featuring American R&B singer Mýa.
At this time, he received several significant awards, such as the MOBO Award for best international reggae performance. In 2000, Beenie Man released "Art & Life", featuring Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean (The Fugees), which earned him the much-coveted Grammy for best reggae album of the year. Beenie Man, like most dancehall artists, are very engaged in social issues, and this is very clear in the songs "Steve Biko" and "Murderer".
In 2002, he recorded a huge hit in a duet with Janet Jackson called "Feel It Boy", but his real "blockbuster" in America came in 2004 with the release of a remix of "Dude", featuring fellow vocalist Ms. Thing, and rhymes by Shawnna. Bennie Man had built up a solid fan base on both sides of the Atlantic.
In April 2009, Beenie Man signed with Brookland Entertainment, a new label formed by Eric Nicks and The Trackmasters, already preparing for the release of his next album, "The Legend Returns". The music video for the single “Gimme Gimme” was filmed in Canada in April 2009.
In October 2010, Beenie Man released the EP "I’m Drinking Rum and Red Bull", with 4 songs: "I'm drinking Rum and Red Bull", "I’m Okay", and 2 versions of "Stack and Pile". Later, in February 2011, he released the full album "Im Drinking Rum and Red Bull", featuring Future Fambo.
I want to make this clear and objective. I have nothing against anyone, regardless of race or creed... regardless of religious belief or sexual preference, including gays and lesbians. I respect all humans. Please, I'm begging you not to judge me for lyrics I wrote so long ago. I love everyone and I ask you to do the same."
However, in other interviews, he says that he "never apologized" and that he questioned gays about the natural origin of human beings, men and women.
The 90s and the rivalry with Bounty Killer
Beenie Man continued to perform in a scene led by stars such as Ninjaman, Admiral Bailey and the great Shabba Ranks. Beenie recorded his singles at the Shocking Vibes studio and even achieved some success in the early 90s. The rise of his career came after the Reggae Sunsplash festival in 1992, which was accentuated a year later with the beginning of his rivalry with Bounty Killer, who accused Beenie Man of stealing his style and some phrases. The rivalry was resolved in 1994 with the album "Guns Out", where the 2 artists resolved the dispute with a SoundClash. In 1993, Beenie Man had his first "number 1" in Jamaica with "Matie", and also won the DJ of the Year award, which would be the first of EIGHT consecutive awards.International Career
Being produced in 1994 by Sly and Robbie on the recordings of the covers "Crazy Baldhead" and "No Woman no Cry" by Bob Marley, Beenie Man converted to Rastafarianism like many Jamaicans at the time, although in 2005 he stated:I didn't convert. I was baptized in the Ethiopian Orthodox church and at age 10 I became a Coptic Jew.
In 1994 he signed with Island Records, and released the acclaimed "Blessed", which established his international career once and for all. In 1995 he returned to England to join Barrington Levy, and together they recorded a jungle version of a hit by Levy called "Under Mi Sensi".
Also in 1995, Beenie Man collaborated with Dennis Brown and Triston Palmer to release "Three Against War", and with Mad Cobra and Lieutenant Stitchie to release "Mad Cobra meets Lt. Stitchie & Bennie Man. In 1997, Beenie charted 7 singles on the Jamaican charts, and even made a cameo - as himself - in the film "Dancehall Queen".
In 1998, Beenie signed with the powerful Virgin Records, and began releasing albums in the United States. His first album released there was "The Doctor". In the late 90s, Beenie Man conquered America with the hits "Romie", "Who Am I", and "Girls Dem Sugar", featuring American R&B singer Mýa.
At this time, he received several significant awards, such as the MOBO Award for best international reggae performance. In 2000, Beenie Man released "Art & Life", featuring Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean (The Fugees), which earned him the much-coveted Grammy for best reggae album of the year. Beenie Man, like most dancehall artists, are very engaged in social issues, and this is very clear in the songs "Steve Biko" and "Murderer".
In 2002, he recorded a huge hit in a duet with Janet Jackson called "Feel It Boy", but his real "blockbuster" in America came in 2004 with the release of a remix of "Dude", featuring fellow vocalist Ms. Thing, and rhymes by Shawnna. Bennie Man had built up a solid fan base on both sides of the Atlantic.
In April 2009, Beenie Man signed with Brookland Entertainment, a new label formed by Eric Nicks and The Trackmasters, already preparing for the release of his next album, "The Legend Returns". The music video for the single “Gimme Gimme” was filmed in Canada in April 2009.
In October 2010, Beenie Man released the EP "I’m Drinking Rum and Red Bull", with 4 songs: "I'm drinking Rum and Red Bull", "I’m Okay", and 2 versions of "Stack and Pile". Later, in February 2011, he released the full album "Im Drinking Rum and Red Bull", featuring Future Fambo.
Beenie's Controversies
Beenie Man married Michelle "D’Angel" Downer on August 22, 2006. Downer was the former longtime girlfriend of his past nemesis, Bounty Killer. They had one son together, Marco Dean, born in November 2006. In June 2007, Beenie Man separated due to allegations of infidelity. In March 2010, they released a duet titled "You Are My First", despite being separated. The couple separated permanently in 2011. As is customary in the dancehall scene, Beenie Man also shows his homophobic side, where in some songs he even incites the murder of homosexuals. He was removed from the 2004 MTV Music Awards precisely after protests from gay rights activists. In the same year, Beenie was stopped by the police at Heathrow Airport in London, after the cancellation of a show at Ingraterra. He was questioned about the "anti-gay" apologia in his lyrics by his record label. In 2005, the charges were dropped by the gay activist group, "OutRage!", after Bennie agreed not to play songs with homophobic content, thus being able to play in the country. The following year, he called out in his lyrics "Anti-Pedophilia", and no longer about homosexual relationships. In 2007, it was reported that Beenie Man and some other reggae personalities signed a term where everyone agreed to cease performances with homophobic content. He later denied having signed such an agreement, and for continuing with his "anti-gay" stance, he had shows canceled in several countries, such as New Zealand, Belgium and the Netherlands. In 2012, Beenie Man apologized to the gay community for his past homophobic lyrics:I want to make this clear and objective. I have nothing against anyone, regardless of race or creed... regardless of religious belief or sexual preference, including gays and lesbians. I respect all humans. Please, I'm begging you not to judge me for lyrics I wrote so long ago. I love everyone and I ask you to do the same."
However, in other interviews, he says that he "never apologized" and that he questioned gays about the natural origin of human beings, men and women.