Beenie Man

Beenie Man (born August 22, 1973) is one of the most famous DJs in Jamaican history. He was a child star at a young age, when he won the Teeny Talent contest and recording a single, "Too Fancy", with record producer Junjo Lawes. By 1983, Beenie Man was recording with Dillinger and Fathead, and had released a debut album, The Invincible Beenie Man and hit single, "Over the Sea".

After a break, Beenie Man returned in 1992 at Reggae Sunsplash, where he made waves by insulting Bounty Killer, a popular performer. In 1993, Beenie Man was booed off a stage and left Kingston, Jamaica for a year. Upon his return, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer made up and recorded an album together, Guns Out. This was followed by a single, "No Mama No Cry", which condemned violence; it was inspired by the murder of Pan Head, another popular DJ. Partially as a result of prodding from his producers, Sly & Robbie, Beenie Man soon converted to Rastafarianism.

Beenie Man released a series of early 1990s hit singles, including "Praise him" and "World Dance", as well as multiple LPs, such as Defend It and Dis Unu Fi Hear. After signing to Island Records, he released his most acclaimed album, Blessed. In 1995, Beenie Man released a remix of "Under Mi Sensi" (Barrington Levy) in the United Kingdom, and then two duet albums with Dennis Brown and Triston Palma (Three Against War) and Lt. Stitchie (Mad Cobra Meets Lt. Stitchie & Beenie Man). In 1996, he released another critically acclaimed LP, Maestro, which launched his fame in the UK. In 1998, Beenie Man signed to Virgin Records to release albums in the United States.

His first American release was The Doctor (1998), followed by Y2k. In 2000, Beenie Man teamed up with Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean (the Fugees) to release The Art & Life.