THE reggae music scene in New York is quite competitive with a flood of artistes trying to create a stir. However, BG Benton (real name Benton Grant) is hoping to make his mark with his style of music.

“My style of music is not as raw. It is a flavour of R&B and I also do hardcore reggae. The more intellectual type of music,” Benton said in a recent interview.

Benton, who decided to use his initials as part of his stage name because it defined who he is as an artiste, grew up performing in the church. He played bass guitar and the drums, a move he felt was important for the development of any artiste.

Said Benton, “for me it was important to learn to play instruments. I can pick up on wrong notes and keys. Artistes in general should learn to familiarise themselves with instruments.”

He cites the experience he gained from performing in a church choir in his teenage years as a pivotal platform. “It helped me to prepare for the secular world and it also developed my art in performing; something that is soulful. It also helped me to write songs,” he explained.

Influenced by the soul sounds of the 1970s as well as the music of Garnet Silk, Benton is banking on two of his current singles Protect Me and Señorita to give him the attention that he craves.

“Both tracks were recorded in the Bronx and they basically speak about fake friends and my adoration for the female populace,” the artiste added.

Benton describes the New York music scene as being quite competitive. “Reggae in New York is very big on music in general. Eighty-seven per cent of the music played in the local clubs is reggae. There’s a strong West Indian presence there but once you start getting your voice heard then you get your big break. Getting that big break is kinda hard or kinda easy depending on the contacts,” Benton confided.

His long-term goals and objectives? “I want to leave my mark on reggae. I would like my music to get the type of response even 20 years after I have died. I also want to be recognised as one of the most positive artistes making an impact,” he concluded.

Shocking Murray tackles tattoos and piercing in new single

There is no need for tattoos or piercings. At least, that is the message being promoted by Portland native, Shocking Murray, on his latest single, Natural Livity. The song has been getting exposure in Europe and locally.

An artiste with ample experience in the business, Shocking Murray recorded at Black Scorpio studio as early as 1990. He also recorded for the Tuff Gong label in the early 1990s.

He garnered a bit of visibility in 1995 with a collaboration called Woman You Want Me, which inspired him to expand his career into Europe, where he currently resides.

He released his debut album, Rise to the Top, in 2006.

With his sophomore album, Troddin’ On, set for release in 2011, Shocking Murray has his hopes set on increasing his fan base in Jamaica.

Natural Livity was recorded in his hometown, Snow Hill.

Britney Spears earns her fourth number one single

Hold it Against Me, the hot new dance track from Britney Spears has not only become her fourth number one Hot 100 singles in America. It is also the 18th song to debut at number one.

Spears is the second artiste on that list to have debuted in the top spot. She did it in 2009 with ‘3’. Mariah Carey has done it a few times with One Sweet Day (featuring Boyz II Men), Honey and Fantasy.

Spears’ number one titles include Baby One More Time, Womanizer and 3.

The last artiste to debut at number one on the Hot 100 chart was Ke$ha. In November last year she blasted her way into the top spot with We R Who We R.

Bruno takes the prize in the UK, but loses his grip in America

Bruno Mars had the number one song in America up to last week. Grenade has now made way for a new number one, Hold It Against Me by Britney Spears.

Ironically, it’s a different tale on the other side of the Atlantic. Grenade made an explosive move into the number one spot removing Rihanna’s What’s My Name featuring Drake from the number one spot.

Rihanna still has reason to smile about, as her album Loud continues to dominate the UK album chart.

Did You Know

In 1976 porn star Andrea True Connection soared to the top of the charts with her disco hit More More More. But did you know that the song was recorded in Jamaica? True was on a visit to the island during a state of emergency and couldn’t leave.

She recorded the track at Federal Records in Kingston and the tune became a global smash topping charts in several European countries.

These days True Connection is an astrologer and resides in Florida, USA.