Mr Benn is a UK producer and DJ associated with reggae, dub, dancehall and hip hop-influenced club music. He is based around Bristol and is a leading figure in Leisure Recordings, a Bristol label he helps to run.

Style and production

His sound combines reggae skank, dub weight and dancehall energy with chunky hip hop beats. The result is built for dance floors and for DJs who play across breaks, beats and bass-heavy sounds. He also works as a remixer, and his production is noted for moving between original tracks and reworked versions of other artists’ material.

Releases

His debut 12-inch, Take It Back, introduces his Bristol sound to a wider audience. He follows it with The Jump, featuring MC Soul Liberation, and Trubble, featuring ragga vocalist Blackout JA. A later release, Long Time, pairs him with UK hip hop artist Black Twang and Blackout JA and appears as the first release on his own Square One Sound label. He also releases Police with Blackout JA on Square One Sound.

Collaborations and remixes

Mr Benn works with a number of MCs and vocalists, including Souls Liberation, Blackout JA and Black Twang. His remix work includes versions of Mark Rae’s Yes King project and Bastard Jazz’s The Magic Fly. He also makes “under the counter” reworks of pop songs under the name Mr Blennd on his Rhythm N Booze imprint.

DJ activity

He is a regular DJ in Bristol, including sets at Bristol HiFi, where he plays alongside Massive Attack’s Daddy G and Queen Bee at the Dojo Lounge. He also plays at venues and events beyond Bristol, with sets in Austria, London, Glasgow, The Big Chill Festival, WOMAD festivals in Spain, Singapore and the UK, and Sunday Best’s Bestival.

Reception

His records attract support from DJs and selectors including Mr Scruff, DJ Yoda, Sinden, Steinski, Black Grass and You Me and Them.

Selected releases

Looking For A Style; Skatwell; Take It Back / The Jump; Trubble; The Jump (Martin Brew remix) / Trubble (Jugoe remix); Long Time; Police.

Selected remixes

Haus Am Wald for Tuff Love; A Lot To Say for Leisure Allstars featuring The Good People; Rock This World for YES KING; Two Planets for Bastard Jazz’s The Magic Fly.