25 Facts About Beenie Man

Beenie Man's awards include DJ of the Year Award eight years in a row.

Beenie Man was involved in the music industry from a young age, started toasting at the age of five, and was encouraged by his uncle Sydney Knowles, who played drums for Jimmy Cliff.

Beenie Man won the Tastee Talent contest in 1981, and Radio DJ Barry G introduced him to local sound system operators, who helped to establish the popularity of the young deejay, who became known as Beenie Man.

Beenie Man recorded his debut single, "Too Fancy", with record producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes in 1981, with Lawes including him on the 1983 album Junjo Presents Two Big Sounds alongside established stars such as Dillinger, Fathead, and Ringo.

In 1984 Beenie Man recorded some material with Barrington Levy, but his music career was put on hold while he finished school, and spent time travelling to the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.

Beenie Man was robed and crowned as King Of The Dancehall at the music festival called Reggae Sumfest in July of 2009.

Beenie Man continued performing and honed his craft beside the then dominant dancehall figures including Ninjaman, Admiral Bailey and Shabba Ranks.

Beenie Man found his artistic home at the Shocking Vibes studio where he continued to record singles with only moderate success in the early 1990s.

Beenie Man's career gained momentum after a performance at the Reggae Sunsplash festival in 1992, and a rivalry with Bounty Killer began the following year after Beenie Man was accused of stealing Bounty Killer's style and catch phrases.

Beenie Man had his first number one single in Jamaica in 1993 with "Matie" and he won the DJ of the Year Award the same year, the first of eight consecutive awards.

In 1995, Beenie Man collaborated with Dennis Brown and Triston Palma to release Three Against War and Mad Cobra and Lieutenant Stitchie on Mad Cobra Meets Lt.

Beenie Man took another step up the ladder in 1996, releasing the seminal Maestro, produced by Patrick Roberts and shot him to UK fame.

Beenie Man heard an instrumental rhythm by an unknown producer named Jeremy Harding, and demanded to add his voice to the rhythm.

Beenie Man appeared as himself in the 1997 film Dancehall Queen.

In 1998, Beenie Man headlined Reggae Sunsplash and signed to Virgin Records to release albums in the United States.

Beenie Man thus cemented his fan base on both sides of the Atlantic.

Also in 2004, The Associated Press observed that Beenie Man had "become a name-brand artist worldwide" and called him "king of the dancehall reggae scene".

Beenie Man was a judge for the 6th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.

Beenie Man later released the full album on 28 February 2011.

In September 2008, Beenie Man was cleared of charges of tax evasion.

Beenie Man married Michelle "D'Angel" Downer on 22 August 2006.

Beenie Man was removed from the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards after protests by gay-rights activists.

That same year, Beenie Man was stopped by police at Heathrow Airport in London, after the cancellation of a concert in the United Kingdom.

Beenie Man then issued an apology for the lyrics through his record company.

Beenie Man later denied that he had signed the act.