Karate is latest single by US-based dancehall rapper El Benzo.

“Everybody loves this song because it’s different. It’s my first dancehall song, speaking about my Jamaican roots. I got a lot of friends that aren’t Caribbean, so my goal is to make people understand and learn from my music through both genres,” said the artiste, whose real name is Lorenzo Gayle.

Karate was released on all digital platforms in February on the Chase Mills Records imprint.

Born in the US, the artiste grew up in New Jersey and attended Bloomfield Tech. His mother hails from rural St Catherine, but relocated to Kingston. The artiste said he was close to his Jamaican roots, as he visited family members every summer.

“Music was always a talent for me since I was a kid. Everybody around me always noticed it and encouraged, so I couldn’t stray away from music even if I tried,” he said.

“My style of music is a blend — dancehall rap, reggae hip hop,” he said.

He plans to release an EP later this year and producers have started to send beats his way.