7 Little Known Facts About Beenie Man: Junior Reid Feud, Favorite Song, Dream Collabs & More

Ever wondered what’s Beenie Man’s favorite song in his entire catalogue? Or which artists the Billboard chart-topper still wants to collaborate with?

The King Of The Dancehall divulged these and more details in Teach Dem’s candid bonus interview. The eighty-minute exchange was recorded before the other installments but was shelved momentarily for technical and production reasons.

Following the overwhelming success of the redone segments, Teach Dem posted the bonus, and though most of the points were repeated, some novel points stood out in the first version of The Doctor’s story. 

1. Beenie Man plays many instruments.

More than just a singjay/ songwriter, Beenie Man made it clear to Teach Dem that he’s actually a skilled musician. “Me can tell di musician which key, an which note, an which chord, which singer fi tek me can do dat. This is what I do, cause is music me do”, said Beenie. Insisting his focus has always been voicing tracks, he added, “Me nuh tek musician job. Because me can play drum, me ah go play drum? No. Me can play drum, play guitar, play keyboard.”

2. He and reggae/dancehall heavyweight Junior Reid have been at odds since 1988. 

The two had a falling out during a show over what Beenie calls a “silly thing” which escalated due to Reid’s “bag ah badness an ray ray”. When asked if they would ever be able to see eye to eye, Beenie said he still respected him as an elder but reconciling was unlikely as Reid had disrespected him too many times over the years.”Man try disrespect me all inna dance enuh bredrin, park all infront ah me, kick all mi van door an bend up mi van door. Me an him will never be dat friend.”

3.  He once performed a poem for then Prime Minister Michael Manley.

In 1980, the 7-year-old Beenie Man was on his way to Maverley Primary School to perform a poem at the principal’s request. He claims he saw Michael Manley jogging through the community and chased him all the way to Molynes road for his chance to impress the leader. According to Beenie, “him read di poem, seh is a great poem, yow yuh deven know wah happen to me, a skip me skip go back a school. Principal tek di poem an seh di same ting weh him seh, ‘great poem’, an me ah seh yeh, mi ah di man. 

4. Despite their differences, Yellowman is one of his biggest influences. 

Teach Dem touched on the brooding controversy between the rival royals, but Beenie actually went on to name Yellowman first when asked about his earliest influences. Also among the prestigious list were Michigan & Smiley, Ninjaman, Don Carlos and Jimmy Cliff who his uncle played percussion for.

Michael Jackson and Kenny Rogers also made the cut, but Beenie cites his greatest inspiration as spitfire 80’s sensation General Trees. “Me did waah fi be as great as Ninjaman on stage, and as big as Shabba worldwide,” Beenie said.   

5. What’s left for Beenie Man to achieve?

After 43 successful years, a Grammy award, several smash hits and a stellar Verzuz appearance under his belt, there’s very little the ‘10 year old boy wonder’ hasn’t grown up to accomplish. So what’s next for the Girls Dem Sugar? “Do it again” is what he says, “dats all yuh haffi do. If yuh doh waah do it again, resign. And I’m not resigning.” 

6. What’s Beenie’s favourite song from his catalogue?

The veteran said it would be hard to choose from such an extensive list especially since he connects with each track he’s ever recorded in some way. His first gospel song, Gospel Time, as well as his first calypso hit, Jump and Wine, were both particularly special to him, however.

He was also able to pin down his favourite collaboration — the thumping, synth-heavy Girls Dem Sugar featuring Mya and produced by the Neptunes. The song was met with wide acclaim when it was first released and appeared on his Grammy award-winning record Art and Life.

7. Who else would he love to collaborate with? 

From Sanchez to Mya and Nicki Minaj, there’s no shortage of enviable collaborations in Beenie’s archives. Is there any dream joint project that hasn’t yet materialized?

The King’s reply was simply, “Jay-Z, ah mi don man. Me an him do some work already but not me and him personally.”

Asked about local acts, Beenie quipped, “Mi nuh work wid Chronixx yet enuh. And mi nuh work wid Koffee. All ah di young artists mi waah work wid: Popcaan, Quada, Kemar Highcon, Dre Island, and Jada Kingdom.