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Entertainment

Benzly Hype revving up sitcom support

BY ISAIAH HILL Observer writer hilli@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, August 17, 2012



NOW that the Olympics and the Jamaica 50 celebrations are out of the way, entertainer/producer/lead actor Helmsley 'Benzly Hype' Morris is again actively seeking sponsorship of his TV sitcom Me And Mi Kru.

The sitcom, which was aired on CVM TV in February last year, had its plug pulled when the title sponsor, telecoms provider Claro, sold its Jamaican assets to Digicel Jamaica in 2011.

"Before the ink could dry, the rug was pulled from under my feet," Benzly Hype told the Jamaica Observer. "So, I had to 'reshuffle the cabinet'. We've been hunting sponsors since."

Me and Mi Kru started airing on local television in 2009 and ran for two consecutive seasons.

"We've started shooting some scenes, but that slowed due to lack of funding," Benzly Hype said.

The sitcom also starred Audrey Reid, Professor Nuts, Everaldo Creary, Macka Head, and Copper Kid.

Benzly Hype, who was part of dancehall quartet Innocent Crew, said he has not abandoned his musical roots. He said the group is back in the studio.

"We're working on a brand new album titled: Me and Mi Kru. We did some work with Clevie and Sly and Robbie already for it," he said.

The group had moderate success with Impossible Train, Turn It Up and Not Guilty.

The artiste said he has recently released a riddim — Iron Dawg — which features top artistes from both reggae and dancehall genres. These include: Tanya Stephens; Spragga Benz; Masicka; Gappy Ranks; and, the late Courtney 'Clumsy Daps' Morris, cousin of Benzly Hype, and Innocent Crew member.

He said the feedback has been positive.

"A lot of people think that the Iron Dawg riddim is authentic dancehall material. This, for me, is a continuation of what Benzly Hype has been doing over the years as it relates to producing music," he said.



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