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Life after Carlisle... Spragga Benz reflects
By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston
Sunday, February 01, 2009
August 23, 2008 is a date that dancehall DJ Spragga Benz will not find easy to erase from his memory. It was the day he was greeted with the shocking news that his son Carlton Grant Jr aka Carlisle was shot and killed by the police.
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| SPRAGGA... it was hard, but I didn't break down, I had to stay strong for those who were looking to me for strength |
Somehow, the DJ found the strength to do what he must in ensuring that everything that had to be done was carried out. With a philosophical smile Spragga told Observer that breaking down was just not an option.
"It was hard, but I didn't break down, I had to stay strong for those who were looking to me for strength. I couldn't afford it," he quipped.
Although he was a tower of strength to his family the DJ still had to deal with the sadness and pain of not having his son around come Christmas.
The 17-year-old was greatly missed at their annual Christmas dinner. According to Spragga, it put a big gap in the festivities, but the family dealt with it the only way they could - by keeping his memory alive.
"As a family we tried to deal with it, the kids talk about him," he said.
With a faraway look in his eyes, Spragga shared his memories of his son. "Carlos used to play a lot. He liked children and you would forever see him clowning around with them. He was a fun-loving person..." he said as he reminisced about his son's character.
Facing this loss has made Spragga even more determined to treasure those around him. New Year's Eve saw him staying the entire night with his loved ones. Although it has always been the norm for him to ring in the new year with his family and then go out, he decided to forego the going out part.
"I just want to kick back and chill with them at home," he informed.
Moving on
His son may be gone, but Spragga is determined to ensure his memory lives on. It is with this in mind that he has established the Carlisle Grant Foundation which will be involved in helping students who are achieving.
"This will not be about handouts. It's for kids with potential," he explained. The DJ also pointed out that there will be "strings attached" to scholarships that are given. "Recipients will have to maintain a certain grade...if they fall below that then it will be reviewed," he shared.
According to Spragga he is now in the process of registering the foundation.
Another big project in the works is an Edufest which he will be staging in tandem with producer Salaam Remi a hip hop producer and keyboard player, known for his association with Nas, Amy Winehouse, and his reggae-tinged approach to production.
Come May Spragga will be having a memorial celebration for his late son. "It will be music and a lot of party vibes, that was Carlisle style," he said.
Looking ahead
Careerwise, Spragga says he is "browsing through some scripts" but as yet there isn't anything that catches his eyes.
"I want something different and creative. I've been seeing a lot of scripts about shottas or vampires... that's not me, I don't see myself in that realm," he told Observer.
Until something really grabbing comes along the DJ will be focusing on putting out a few quality songs out on the market, while "leaving space for other artistes."
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