Beenie Man is the stage name of Anthony Moses Davis, a Jamaican dancehall and reggae artist from Waterhouse, Jamaica, born in 1973. He begins recording at a young age and becomes one of the best-known figures in dancehall through a long run of singles, albums and collaborations across Jamaica, the UK and the US.

Early career

Beenie Man wins the Tastee Talent contest in 1981, when he is a child, and records his first single, Too Fancy, with producer Junjo Lawes the following year. By 1983 he is recording with established DJs including Dillinger and Fathead, and he releases his debut album, The Invincible Beenie Man: The Ten Year Old DJ Wonder, along with the single Over the Sea.

Breakthrough and dancehall rivalry

He becomes a prominent presence in Jamaican music during the 1990s. In 1993, at the Sting show, he accuses Bounty Killer of borrowing his catchphrase, “people dead”, and the dispute develops into a lyrical battle on stage and on air. In 1995, the two artists settle their differences publicly and record the album Guns Out together. That period also brings the single No Mama No Cry, a version of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry that addresses violence and is inspired by the murder of Pan Head.

Albums, labels and collaborations

With encouragement from producers Sly and Robbie, Beenie Man moves towards Rastafari. In 1994 he signs to Island Records and releases Blessed, which is described as critically acclaimed. In 1995 he releases a UK remix of Barrington Levy’s Under Mi Sensi and works with Dennis Brown and Triston Palma on Three Against War, as well as with Lt. Stitchie on Mad Cobra Meets Lt. Stitchie & Beenie Man. In 1996 he releases Maestro, produced by Patrick Roberts, which helps establish him in the UK.

In 1998 he signs to Virgin Records for US releases and issues The Doctor. In 2000 he teams up with Arturo Sandoval and Wyclef Jean for The Art & Life. His later crossover successes include Romie, Who Am I, and Girls Dem Sugar, the last of which features Mya. He also records the duet Feel It Boy with Janet Jackson in 2002, and a 2004 remix of Dude featuring Ms. Thing and Shawnna becomes another major US hit.

Style and standing

Beenie Man works mainly in dancehall and reggae, and is also associated with ragga and hip-hop. During the late 1990s he dominates Jamaican charts and is widely discussed as a possible “Dancehall King”, a title previously associated with Yellowman.

Notable incidents

He is also known for being booed off stage at a concert celebrating Nelson Mandela’s visit.