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Spragga Benz's journey to recognition in dancehall began in the early nineties. His first single "Jack It Up", an explicit song about his sexual prowess, marked his entry into an industry where at the time the recurring musical theme was either guns or girls. Not putting much thought into even becoming a deejay, Spragga describes his decision to enter the music business as a spontaneous one. "I used to always collect records… and (then one day) I decided I could do this too…the whole dancehall flow at the time influenced me- Shabba, Major Mackerel, and Pinchers."

Previously signed to Capitol Records before the label "shut down its Black music department", Spragga is now working on his fourth album, which will be released independently on the Red Square label (which got its name from his old hang out spot in Dunkirk).

Whaddat: With all the conflicts and rivalries going on in dancehall you have managed to stay out of melée. (As far as we know) No deejays have anything bad to say about you and you continue to maintain a high standard musically. What do you attribute this to?

Spragga Benz: I try keep outta 'dat. 'Dat (the conflict/rivalries) nuh necessary. Jus' stay focus pon wah yuh a do and do what you enjoy. Jus gwaan mek some tune.

W: When we were doing our research for this interview, we could hardly find anything about you, with the exception of bios. Do you consider yourself media friendly?

SB: Well the media is as friendly as they want to be to who they want to be. I don't think it (the lack of media attention) makes it any harder for me to make a song.

YUH NAH FI HYPE

You would probably expect someone like Spragga with all his success and talent to assume the role of the 'over confident, 'can't chat to nuhbady' deejay.
He definitely doesn't possess the "I-Am-The-Man" tendencies that are so common with established artists. Chill in a pair of dark blue jeans, a Jockey tee, and Nikes, the only indication of his prosperity is the 'bling bling' on his ears, neck, and wrist.

Appearing as lead in the soon-to-be-released movie SHOTTAS, a local production, Spragga doesn't make too much fuss about his acting debut, a starring role at that. "It's basically like shooting a video- only longer, that's the best way I can describe it," he says smiling while shrugging his shoulders. "I went through the script and it was...interesting…Fully Jamaican owned, independent, and based off of a true story," also "the whole Jamaican vibe…" appealed to him.

W: Would you consider acting again or even producing your own movies?

SB: Yeah I would act again. Is a nice vibes, I enjoy it and we have fun. As long as is a show weh mi can flex like how mi waan flex- I would do it again. Like Shottas, yuh coulda improvise and do whatever, an' if it looked good on the camera yuh jus work wid it! As far as producing films, anything is possible in the business, I just might do it.