As dancehall stalwart Spragga Benz prepares to celebrate another milestone birthday, the deejay is turning the occasion into something far greater than a party. Instead, the entertainer is embarking on what he describes as a ‘Journey to Kingston’ — a multi-city celebration of music, friendship, growth, and legacy.

The series officially kicks off on May 30 in Miramar, Florida, before making additional stops in Philadelphia and eventually culminating in a major showcase in Kingston, Jamaica, — a city the deejay says remains central to both his identity and his artistry.

“Journey to Kingston… and we a kick it off in Miramar on the 30th of May with featured artistes like Wayne Wonder and Agent Sasco, and anyone who know we can easily see say is a Camperdown takeover,” Spragga Benz shared with a laugh. “We’re going to have a lot of guests passing through, though, for sure.”

While the event series celebrates another birthday, Spragga Benz says the vision is rooted in reflection and appreciation for the people who have walked alongside him throughout his decades-long career.

“It’s going to be a celebration of my journey in music to this point; people who me meet along the way, great friends who always support each other, and we’re getting the opportunity now to showcase it in a really clean and classical manner,” he explained.

The Kingston staging, however, is expected to carry a particularly emotional and cultural weight. The artiste revealed plans to blend reggae and dancehall nostalgia with orchestral arrangements, elevating the showcase beyond a traditional stage show.

“We’re going to have guest appearances from the Marley family. Stephen Marley, Damian Marley and Ky-Mani Marley a go come through, as well as the younger generation like Mystic, Yohan, and so we ago have an orchestra because Kingston is a classical city to me,” he said.

“We have Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts School of Music, which is one of the top schools of music in the Caribbean, so a we supposed to showcase the thing, and not just in a boogu-yagga way.”

The veteran noted that the performances will lean heavily into what his colleague and close friend, Wayne Wonder, jokingly refers to as their “lion-logue” — a deep catalogue of timeless records amassed over years in the industry.

“We have the lion-logue, as Wayne would call it, because it’s not a catalogue. All a we have dat and me alone can probably do the whole two hours, and so can they,” he said. “Each of us combined, it a go be something special. We won’t be doing every song from our catalogue, just specially chosen songs that mean a lot to us along our journey coming up.”

For Spragga Benz, whose career has evolved far beyond the boundaries of dancehall, the celebration also mirrors his own personal transformation over time. From music to film and other areas of entertainment, the deejay says growth has become one of the defining themes of his life.

“My career has moved a lot from where it start from, definitely, because now I’m even involved in movies and other aspects of entertainment as well. And, for a person who never even did see themselves as an artiste or deejay, it’s been a good ride for me,” he reflected. “I see a lot of growth along the way for me.”

That sense of maturity and gratitude is also reflected in his latest single, Hallelujah, which the entertainer says emerged from a place of introspection and thanksgiving.

“Yuh haffi give thanks inna everything and give thanks for the giving of thanks,” he said. “As we a talk about the journey and growth in life. Me see a lot of growth in myself, and Hallelujah kinda talk about a lot of that.”

“At one stage, as an entertainer, I was definitely out there, but now, at this age, mi see say mi nuh need fi be certain places or do and say certain things. And we have enough experience now to try impart knowledge to others and show dem say certain things never work and advise dem fi regroup when things nah work,” he added.

The storied entertainer added that the song now reflects the peace and balance he has found in this stage of life.

“Mi can kick back inna mi pajamas right now and be a better father, that’s what Hallelujah is for me.”

Spragga Benz also credited his long-time friend Banka for helping inspire the track’s concept.

“It was also inspired by mi friend Banka, too, who came up with the idea. We just took it from there and tell the story,” he shared. “We shot the video in Barbados, and it’s a good vibe, a good energy.”

As anticipation builds for the Journey to Kingston series, Spragga Benz’s upcoming celebrations appear poised to offer more than nostalgia. Instead, they promise a carefully curated reflection of an artiste still evolving — one honouring his roots, celebrating his peers, and embracing the wisdom that comes with longevity.

(Photo: Joseph Wellington)