By Kimberly Small
On August 23, 2008, Spragga Benz suffered a parent’s nightmare. The dancehall artiste suddenly lost the son named after him, Carlton Grant Junior.
His son, more affectionately known as Carlyle, was fatally shot, allegedly by policemen, in downtown Kingston.
Since his son’s passing, the dancehall star has repeatedly honored the memory of Carlyle, and later this year, he will carry on with the release of his first album in seven years called The Journey Continues.
As though giving proof of a parent’s unconditional love for his children, the dancehall artist has once again found an avenue through which to keep the spirit of his son potent.
Spragga Benz has collaborated with his son’s best friend, Lamar ‘LMR Pro’ Reynolds, for the production of the album. The entertainer describes the experience so far as effortless and a long time coming.
“It began a little bit after Carlyle passed away. We just started working together,” Spragga told The Sunday Gleaner.
“We were always making music throughout the years. We watched his growth,” Spragga said. The entertainer describes their relationship as familial, though not patriarchal.
“I’d say I’m like an uncle to him,” he clarified.
Ten years ago, just before Carlyle’s tragic passing, Reynolds began his production career, a venture he and his friend planned to pursue together.
“I knew him as Carlyle’s father but I wasn’t doing music in the capacity that I am now, until after Carlyle’s passing,” the producer told The Sunday Gleaner.
Reynolds is CEO of his own music-production entity called LMR Pro Productions. He has worked with local artists like Kranium, Black Ryno, and international ones like Ty Dolla $ign and Troy Ave. Reynolds’ production career soared with the success of his collaboration with Kranium on the hit song Nobody Has to Know, released in 2015.
“First time we worked together was around 2010 or 2011 when I approached him to voice on a compilation I was working on. The vibes and energy grew from there,” Reynolds told The Sunday Gleaner. “I learnt a lot from working with him. Never ran into a musical roadblock working with him,” the young producer continued.
Always Have Music
And according to Spragga, “We’ve been working throughout the years. There are many songs not released, so it’s like we always have music there.”
It was alleged that Carlyle and another young man were riding a bicycle in downtown Kingston when they were stopped by two policemen. The story alleges that these policemen told the young men to run, and that while running, shots were fired at them. Supreme Court Judge Horace Marsh, who presided over the murder trial, ruled that the policemen did not have a case to answer. He then directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. Constables Audley Lawrence and Andre Hare were freed.
Since Carlyle’s passing, the artiste had spent some of his time developing The Carlyle Foundation, which has been on hiatus for a while. The charity venture hosted fundraising concerts with all-star line-ups. Spragga explained to The Sunday Gleaner that since he now spends the majority of his time in the United States, strict and steady attention has not been paid to maintaining the foundation’s charitable efforts.
“Mi nuh really deh home suh much, but things inna di pipeline. We just getting wi self established internationally as Red Square Productions the proper way. We have quite a few artists getting ready for the road. We’re getting there,” Spragga affirmed. As for The Carlyle Foundation, the artist does not have any solid plans but says “it can manifest”.
You must log in to post a comment.