Charlie Chaplin (born Richard Bennett[1]) is a Jamaican dancehall and ragga deejay and singer. It was common for Jamaican deejays of the era to name themselves after film stars or characters. Bennett, however, had been nicknamed after the comedian since his youth.[1] His career began in 1980 when he began working with U-Roy's Stur-Gav Hi-Fi collective.[1] He became extremely popular throughout Jamaica, memorable for his focus on cultural and social themes instead of the "slack" (rough, violent) lyrics that were popular at the time. His popularity as a live performer prompted Roy Cousins to produce some recording sessions with the young DJ.[1] Chaplin's debut album was the Cousins-produced Presenting Charlie Chaplin in 1982, with several albums following for the producer over the next 3 years. The contrast between Chaplin's 'culture' lyrics and the slackness of the other major deejays of the day led to the 1984 'clash' album with Yellowman Slackness Vs Pure Culture. Que Dem (1985), produced by George Phang was popular, and was one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the time. His popularity declined sharply in the late 1980s and 1990s, though he continued recording, working with Bunny Roots, Josey Wales, Sly & Robbie, Henry "Junjo" Lawes, Roots Radics and Doctor Dread.
Bibliography
- Bradley, Lloyd (2001). This is Reggae. New York: Grove Press.
- Chang, Kevin O'Brien and Wayne Chen (1998). Reggae Routes. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
- Weber, Tom and Brian Jahn (1998). Reggae Island: Jamaican Music in the Digital Age. New York: Da Capo Press.
References
- ^ a b c d Larkin, Colin: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books, 1998, ISBN 0-7535-0242-9
