After his 2025 birthday party in St Croix, Spragga Benz’ management planned an even bigger event to celebrate his 57th year in 2026. They got that and more at “Step Into A Journey to Kingston”, which took place on May 31 at Miramar Cultural Center in South Florida.

The 800-seat venue was sold out as the guest of honour was joined by fellow artistes for an evening that tracked his career from its early days in Dunkirk, East Kingston to the present.

Allison Hunte, who coordinated “Step Into A Journey to Kingston”, described it as “a magical event” that did justice to one of dancehall music’s most enduring artistes.

“Things ran like a well-oiled machine. It was a sold-out event with patrons still on the outside, I think that speaks for itself,” said Spragga Benz.

Among the acts sharing the stage with him were Wayne Wonder, Beenie Man and Don Yute who all enjoyed chart success during the 1990s when dancehall music made inroads in the American pop market.

Three Marley brothers — Stephen, Damian and Ky-Mani — performed at “Step Into A Journey to Kingston”, as well as Yohan, Stephen’s son.

Agent Sasco, who like Spragga Benz and Wayne Wonder, are from the Dunkirk community of East Kingston, also showed respect to the veteran artiste. As did Everton Blender, Pressure, Zumjay, Alley Cat and Kabaka Pyramid.

A graduate of Camperdown High School, Spragga Benz’ career started while he attended the Caribbean Maritime University. Jack it Up, produced by the Arrows label in East Kingston, was his first released song in 1992.

Spragga Benz is also known for songs like A1 Lover, Girls Hooray and Wi Nuh Like. His guest appearance  on the remix to Turn me On, Vincentian singer Kevin Lyttle’s 2003 single, helped that song enter Top 10 charts in 16 countries including the United States and United Kingdom.

— Howard Campbell