Benzly Hype: a cut above the rest

Jamaica deejay-turned-actor Hemsley 'Benzly Hype' Morris Jr is fast becoming the next step on the evolution ladder for Jamaican entertainers.

He has arguably made one of the most successful crossovers from music into acting ever seen in the history of Jamaican entertainment landscape.

With the creation of Me And Mi Kru, a television comedy series heading into the third season, he shows that it is possible for artistes to multitask. With Me and Mi Kru, he plays the lead but is also the owner, creator, writer and producer. Now in its third season, Me And Mi Kru, which has consistently pulled an audience of over 500,000 households in Jamaica, will be moving to TVJ this year.

"People love the show. It is one of the most anticipated and loved show. They feel like they're a part of the show, it is in the streets, made for the people, by the people, for the people. They believe everything in the show, it is true to lif, and that makes them love it more," Benzly Hype said.

Inspired by the real-life experiences of Benzly Hype and the Innocent Kru, the programme was transmitted to over 500,000 homes via CVM station two times per week in Jamaica and syndicated to more than five countries.

"The demand for the show has exploded overseas, and this season is going to be even more exciting as we introduce a new character, Ricky Villa, the famous selector from La Benz back in the day. Now we are going to TVJ, so we are going to triple our viewership," he said.

Speaking to Hype, he seems to have an enormous appetite for knowledge and success and a deep seated love of originality. He believes that his life can be a beacon to disenfranchised inner-city youth.

"I want the youths to have some hope, because really and truly options for the youths of Jamaica are limited. So if they observe me doing what I'm doing, they could say to themselves, 'well, if Hype can do that and that, then I should be able to do the same or greater'. That's what I thought when I was growing up and looking up to my father, we are all role models, we can't hide from it."

He has assembled a competent marketing and public relations team to help promote his singles, and the popular TV show. He has been working alongside his team to create new innovative ways to entertain people, and he currently has various projects in the pipeline such as a mini-movie set around his single, Friday. He is enjoying some amount of commercial and critical success with the rhythm project, 'Iron Dawg'.

"The streets are saying that this is the truest dancehall rhythm production in years. The Gappy Ranks' song, Dog Vs Pussy Cat, hit number one in Holland on the reggae charts, while Tanya Stephens' Feeling It is number five, and my song, Fatty Stushy Stushy is number 14 and climbing. In Russia, the dance school over there has done their own video for the song, it ah tek off," he said.

He shot the Fatty Stushy Stushy video last week, and it will be released later this month. Other artistes on the Iron Dawg rhythm include Spragga Benz and Masicka.

Benzly says he will continue to stay grounded and never stop pushing the envelope. "Your dreams are your limits," he said.

(from Jamaica Star)