Mic Fyah Tru


     
     
     
ILL NA NA

The June 2001 issue of The Source magazine, quotes Foxy Brown as stating that Spragga was the only person she had a relationship with during her separation with Dogg Pound Gang member/ Philadelphian rapper, Kurupt.

It has also become a hackneyed topic of conversation in the local entertainment scene as well. Bearing this in mind we opted not to get too up close and personal with the deejay about his relationship with the 22 y/o rapper.

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W: Your affiliation w/ Foxy, its all over the place that you two are an item- has this familiarity with her broadened the scope of producers/persons who you get to work with? And would you say that you have influenced her music this time around since her album has a distinct dancehall flavour to it?

SB: Not work with. You meet a lot of people- more on fi 'dem side of di industry. I don't think I influenced her music. She definitely had an interest in Jamaican music before and probably she wanted to do something that was different from the norm- experiment with the music.

SHARK NIGGAZ

The belief that dancehall is losing its edge, and the rawness it became notorious for is being replaced by unoriginal, clichéd phrases is arguably one of the most pressing concerns on the minds of its listeners. The overabundance of 'sing over tunes' or covers that have saturated the airwaves has become infuriating to say the least. It raises the issue of the lack of originality and the prevalence of piracy or 'biting' in the Jamaican music industry. "But we dance, and dat a di whole objective of the artist, the music is made so that you can dance. A lot of them do it, but do it in their own original way too. I see rappers do it all the time. Even Jay-Z, mi see Jay-Z flow a whole verse like Biggie Smalls. So a music…music build music," says Spragga.

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DI BIZNIZ

W: If you could change something about the music industry in Jamaica what would it be? Is there anything that really irks you about the state of the music today?

SB: I wouldn't really change anything because the way it is makes it what it is. (Although) Probably di man dem have to get more serious with what dem a do, creatively and professionally. I don't think there is a lack of creativity (per se) but you always have lulls. Sometimes yuh hear some foolish songs dat dem play all along…yuh'd a wonda, 'caw yuh know seh is some nice songs out there… and mi nah call no name…it happen so much time yuh couldn't start call name. Some stupidness… an' it jus a play over and over-when you know dat dem have some more sensible things out there or some more vibesy ting dan dat!

RESPEC' DUE

We speak at length about his Stay in School campaign, an idea brought to life by himself and former manager, Sandy Thompson, with the aim of assisting disadvantaged schools and students. Spragga on several occasions would go to schools around the island to talk with the students face to face providing them with support and encouragement and in many instances monetary donations. His latest venture involves assisting his alma mater, Camperdown and he intends to build a library in his old neighbourhood, Dunkirk where he believes that " With this whole stay in school campaign you can stay in school even if you are out of school, as long as yuh a read. Dat me a try encourage, the reading, especially with kids"

Carlton Grant, a.ka. Spragga Benz, radiates positive energy, the man has nothing negative to say about anything or anyone. He does not get caught up in the dark side of the music business. It's a beautiful thing, especially in an industry preoccupied with image, beefs, rivalries, and ego-trippin. "I don't have any particular image. Basically di same person still… Jus' gwaan stay how yuh stay…jus focus pon wah yuh a do an do wah yuh enjoy. Jus gwaan mek some tune."

True 'dat.


FULL 'UNDRED

W: Marital status? SB: Unmarried

W: Any children? How many? SB: Yes, a lot

W: What do you when you have time off?
SB: Chill with kids and hang out wid mi bredren dem…try get back down to reality.

W: Favourite hang out spot? SB: Home

W: What do you drive? SB: A black '94 Honda Civic

W: Favourite clothing designer? SB: (Looks at tee shirt tag)…Jockey! High end- I like Hugo Boss.

W: Favourite sound or disc jockey?
SB: La Benz- di wickedest soun' inna di worl'! Mi like Matterhorn vibes and Renaissance

W: Shoes? Nike all the way? SB: Most of the time

W: Favourite drink? SB: Fruit punch

W: You smoke weed? SB: Yeah, now and then- now more than then (Laughs)

W: What kind of woman appeals to you?
SB: A woman weh different and a woman weh smart…can reason wid- dat can keep up her end of the converation. She haffi look good and all dem ting deh. Confidence is important but not the most important ting.

W: What do you think about Cecile's line "Mi nuh tink Spragga Benz can dweet!"
SB: (Laughs) Nice. She's entitled to her opinion.



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