Deejay Artikal believes that for reggae and dancehall to survive globally, artistes and musicians must create music with substance.

“We need to change the direction of how we create the music and where we are sending the music. We need to be making music that last, not just for a month. If we continue to put out multiple songs each week, we are making it bad for ourselves and putting pressure on the artistes,” he said.

Artikal is the son of 1990s dancehall artiste New Kidz.

I grew up in a household where music was prevalent. My father is New Kidz and my grandfather Fitzroy Bennett was involved in music. At an early age, I was going to studios and stage shows. Being around it and learning the craft, it was natural. I saw what studio life was really about and I have always held the notion that if you’re not doing what you like, you won’t be happy,” he shared.

Artikal, whose real name is Shaquille Bennett, grew up in Brook Valley, Duhaney Park. He attended St George’s College and completed sixth form at Calabar High School.

He is currently promoting the song Grim on the No Sleep rhythm. It is produced by Coppershot Music/Castanheiro Music.

“ Grim is about my reality and what I have experienced. Partying, having fun, the girls and hanging out. Inspiration and motivation for me are two of the biggest things. You need self-motivation but sometimes you need the few good people around you to reassure and motivate you,” Artikal reasoned.

Originally, he planned to get into acting and theatre production, but that changed after the release of his first recording Let it Go in 2014.

“I did Let it Go for Adrian Locke and Steve Locke and it gave me the confidence. The doors it opened were really recognition and respect. The more good music you put out, the more ears will open to your music. And I decided that music was what I was going to continue doing,” Artikal explained.

Money Time, She Like it and Pree (featuring Projexx) are some of his other songs.