King Benj-I

King Benj-I is a US-based musician, writer, guitarist and performer from Kingston, Jamaica.

In his early twenties, King Benj-I had become a well respected recording artist Worldwide. He has worked with well known producers such as Henry' Junjo' Laws, Jo Jo, Whittey as well as bands such as Revolution, Roots Radics, High Times and Black Culture.

He has also recorded for Legendary recording studios in Jamaica, Channel One, Harry J & King Tubby. King Benj-I's first show was at the Odeon Theater in Kingston. King Benj-I started his own recording label Solid Rock with Raymond Smith who produced his first classic hit single 'Crazy Lover' and 'Poor Can't Take No More'.

Benj-I was a personal friend of Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, John Holt, Tinga Stuart, Latty Guzang, Errol Dunkley, Josey Wales, Papa Toyan, Lee Van Cliff, Israel Vibration, Dennis Brown, Sanchez, Bunny Maloney, Teddy Brown, Val (bass) Douglas, Johnny Bull, Sister Carol, The Cables, The Melodians, Sugar Minott, Derick Hinds, Tony Greene, Frankie Paul, and Denroy Morgan, Reggae Giants whom he grew up and worked with.

His works and success has earned him the right to be among the reggae greats. King Benj-I left Jamaica for the United States, to conduct a world tour starting in the US for his hit single “Crazy Lover” with Roots Radics Band, where they played several states through out the US, Mexcio and Canada In 1984.

Benj-I was featured on the Reggae Report, Dub Missive, Beat Magazine,, Jamaica Star, Home News Tribune , Caribbean Life, and IView Magazine.

He went on to play Symphoney Hall in Newark, NJ There he played alongside Mary Baracka, Leroy Jones, Black Democratic Connection, De La Sole, Jessica Corrum, Poet Paramore, Bouncing Soul, and the Calabash Sisters and Bigga Thomas Group

King released albums Reggae Girl, Outrage, Who Rule and Racial Profiling as well as the singles 'Girl Like You', 'Hail Up King Selassie-I', 'Don’t Hurt My Love' and 'Jah is the Assurance'.

King Benj-I has contributed to numerous charitable events, such as Hurricane Gilbert Relief Fund, for aid to Jamaica, Fireman’s Benefit for the Perth Amboy, NJ Fire Department, Marlboro Physchiatric Hospital.

Reggae Festivals: The Festival of Four Directions in Tuba City, Arizona, (on the Hope Indian Reservation), World Reggae Festival in Wichita, Kansas, Reggae Sunsplash in North Carolina, African American Festivals, Garden State Arts Center, NJ (the first reggae artist to play at Arts Center). International shows include: Sao Luis, Belem, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Ghana, Africa & Panama.

Colleges: King College, Montclair, Livingston College, Rugers College.