Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Charlie Chaplin performs during Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest's 'Top Ranking - The Dancehall Salute' at Pier One in Montego Bay in July 2006. - Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

Blessed with a sense of humour, a memorable voice and an ever conscious mentality, deejay Charlie Chaplin is a pioneer in the dancehall. While the image of an English comedian with a quirky moustache may come to mind when one hears the name, Richard Bennett a.k.a. the Jamaican Charlie Chaplin, is far removed from the man in the bowler hat.

Chaplin's career began in 1980 when he began working with U-Roy's King Stur-Gav sound system, replacing its resident deejay. He became extremely popular throughout Scarborough Middle School, memorable for his saying "this could happen to you", which became the title of his first album. This was followed by Chaplin Lecture and both achieved major successes in Jamaica.

Que Dem, produced by George Phang, was phenomenally popular and was one of the most critically acclaimed albums of the time. Chaplin worked with other greats such as Bunny Roots, Josey Wales, Sly & Robbie, Junjo Lawes, Roots Radics and Doctor Dread. However, the artiste's popularity declined in the late 1980s and 1990s, as he silently stepped away from the dancehall.

Chaplin exhibited a business sense far beyond his day, starting Border Patrol, a security company that he still runs today. Although he may not perform as often as when he first began, his name still evokes memories of when live dancehall was great.

How did you get the name?

My name came from when I go school. I was always di one talking and making jokes. I could walk just like the Charlie Chaplin from England.

Did you always want to do music?

Yeah, always - from I was small. I would build some likkle boxes and pretend is a sound system and I was the one playing. Eventually, I was on King Stur-Gav, a sound with U-Roy and Josey Wales.

How did you get started in the business?

From the same sound, through U-Roy and Ranking Joe. They used to play and I would follow it around. When the number one DJ got tired in the 4 o'clock, I would take from there and people started to hear me.

How would you describe your music?

My music deal wid more reality and culture. I prefer to use my voice to give God praise than talk about what's under girls, guns and violence. I prefer to uplift people.

How did the relationship with U-Roy come about?

When the deejay decided to leave for another sound, he couldn't find someone to play. People came to him and told him bout the likkle yute who always a talk when di dance done, dem mek him hear a demo tape and he came looking for me.

How did the relationship between you, Josey Wales and Bridagier Jerry come about?

We were called 'Three di hard way'. Me and Josey were on King Stur-Gav, Briggy was on another sound 'Sir Jah Music'. But we always do a culture type of music, we had a similar sound, so he would invite us to his sound, we invited him to ours. When it was time for tours, di people loved us together, that combination. We're still close. The sound still play today, me and Josey going England soon. Next week we playing in Market Place.

You had an album entitled 'Que Dem'. What was that about?

There was too much slackness wid men like Yellowman in dancehall then, so mi seh mi a queue dem up. The album was a culture ting, a lot of social commentary on dancehall, government, Jamaica, the U.S., everything. It did very well.

Where did you get your inspiration?

Direct from God Almighty, but mi listen to Burning Spear, Bob Marley, U-Roy, Ranking Joe. Mi patronise dem style a likkle, but is di Almighty straight.

Is there anything that you regret in your career?

You can't regret too much, 'cause it would be ungrateful to God. But I wish I knew a lot more back then. Like the rights in the music. Back then we neva know bout registering your songs. Lots of people tek our lyrics and mek records. People listen to us in the dance and go home and record it.

What is your most memorable experience in the business?

When I got six encores on Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay. As a young artiste of bout 23 at dis big festival. It was my first time working on it. Tommy Cowan kept calling me back, di crowd wouldn't let me go.

What do you think has changed the most in the music business since your days?

The beat, it get faster, no music nah compose again wid a bridge. People are just riding the beat. The music get bigger.

Do you perform a lot?

Yes, abroad and on the sound. In Negril I do a lot of things in the mid-week. In the Caribbean, Antigua, St Martin. I pick the shows I go on; I don't like the violence thing.

Why did you fall off the scene?

I had crashed on the road wid my bike. I was out for a while. I came out wid a song "who seh Charlie crash and dead?".

What's next for you?

Well now I'm recording, listening to a lot of new artistes, one very talented one called Kishaon Clark. I'm finishing up on an album coming out wid a 45 and a video within the next two weeks.

How would you like to be remembered?

A man dat deal wid truths and rights. Always good to people and help people. No lavish ting, God fearing.