Spragga Benz will not bow from his principles
From 1992 to now, 2023, Spragga Benz has put in the work to stay in his lane yet remain in demand as an entertainer in the highly competitive reggae/dancehall industry.
The Red Square Big Lion roared loudly when he hit the Digicel Reggae on the Hill stage in Barbados recently, taking a joy ride through his catalogue of hits.
In addition to rendering his tracks, his adlibs may have ruffled some feathers, but he remained true to his roots, refusing to promote any agendas that are not on par with what he believes to be right.
And this was in keeping with all he shared before the ‘She nuh ready yet’ bad man rocked the crowd.
Chatting with Loop Entertainment, the artiste who has been performing for over three decades, when asked what keeps him going and relevant, he confessed: “It feels like a mission.”
The man who sings, “Oh Jah! You are my pioneer, my engineer,” said that he feels like a messenger.
Admittedly, the veteran, with tens of hits over his years, said he is not a musical person in terms of training and background. He said he does “not have the perfect pitch, me nuh listen to no keys, but I come to a position of prominence as a artiste so I guess Jah put me in this position to talk to the people.”
He said that in his capacity he hopes for people to "really listen and read and understand, and learn to call a spade a spade".
“So that’s why the position me inna, and that’s why me still love doing music because it gives me the opportunity to bring the message,” he told Loop Entertainment.
And what is the main message Spragga Benz always wants to communicate, if nothing else, if he could deliver only one message?
Without hesitation or taking a second to internalise the question, out of his mouth in split seconds was the response – “Love Jah!”
“Love Jah! Believe in Jah. Jah love you.”
He said that is his thing to remind people because some people think because their prayers, wants or needs are not answered “same time”, that Jah does not love them.
But he asserted that the struggles, challenges and “agendas” appearing to people now are nothing new.
"It has been ongoing for a while and the agendas that are happening now, it is not last year, it’s not two years ago, it’s not 10 years, it’s decades and centuries, ages. Who ah keep up di ting for so long? That shows Jah still exists for so long, and He still loves you. It’s just it won’t happen on your time…but just remember Jah love you,” Spragga Benz said.
With a broad smile, he shared that that is also his secret to longevity, remaining relevant and even gaining new fans all these years later. He said it’s his belief and, “having a good heart with it”.
Giving some advice to upcoming artistes, he stressed:
That said, when asked if he has anyone he wants to collaborate with, he said he is even open to working with someone who has “no name”. He said he would work with anyone who comes with a good song “whether it’s a no name or a big name, once it’s a good song.”
And he said that he loves Afrobeats.
“Me love the energy of the Afrobeats. Me love the idea that it’s still our music, you know.”
So don’t be surprised if he pops up on one.
This was not Spragga Benz’s first time on Bajan soil and this time lived up to all his other experiences.
"It’s always a joy to be here, whether work or just chilling. It’s a great energy," he said.
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