Carlton Errington Grant (born 30 May 1969), known by his stage name Spragga Benz, was born in Kingston, Jamaica. He grew up in the McIntyre Villa community of eastern Kingston (often called Dunkirk) and lived with his mother, Esmie Grant, until she died in 1991.
He attended the well-regarded Camperdown High School in Kingston and later enrolled at the Caribbean Maritime University. He has said he attended “very good schools” and that he “grew up knowing the importance of a good education” during his youth.
His mother also encouraged his musical interests from a young age. Spragga Benz later recalled that she had enrolled him in piano lessons as a child. Although he did not continue with the lessons, he said this early training helped pave the way for his later interest in music.
| Fact Category | Information |
| Full Name | Carlton Errington Grant |
| Stage Name | Spragga Benz |
| Date of Birth | May 30, 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Kingston, Jamaica |
| Nationality | Jamaican |
| Profession | Dancehall deejay, recording artist, actor |
| Career Start | Early 1990s, emerging from Kingston’s sound-system culture |
| Years Active | Over 30 years |
| Most Successful Song | “Turn Me On” (with Kevin Lyttle), peaked at No. 4 on the US Hot 100 |
| Spragga Benz Net Worth (2026) | Estimated between $5 million and $6 million, |
Spragga Benz (Carlton Grant) is a Jamaican dancehall deejay and musician whose career has spanned three decades. He emerged from Kingston’s sound-system culture in the early 1990s and built a reputation for sharp lyrics and energetic performances.
Over time he became an influential figure in dancehall, releasing multiple albums and collaborating with international artists. He is also known for roles in films like Shottas and for community initiatives in Jamaica.
Spragga Benz has consistently updated his style and remained relevant, most recently releasing the album Endeavors (2025) and continuing to perform worldwide.
Spragga Benz began as a local DJ (“toaster”) in East Kingston, originally nicknamed “Spaghetti” for his tall, slim frame. He adopted the name “Spragga” from this nickname and “Benz” from the L.A. Benz sound system where he performed.
His break came in the early 1990s with hard-hitting singles like “Could a Deal” and “Girls Hooray,” which showcased his rapid-fire delivery on digital dancehall riddims. These hits led to his debut album Jack It Up (1994, VP Records), compiling many of his early singles.
The success of Jack It Up earned him a deal with Capitol Records, which released his second album Uncommonly Smooth (1995), an effort that included collaborations with soul singer Ben E. King.
During this period he worked with top Jamaican producers (Dave Kelly, Bobby Digital, etc.) and cemented his place on the dancehall scene with a string of street anthems.
Spragga Benz is celebrated for his sharp, charismatic stage persona and distinctive lyrical style. He blends hardcore dancehall with conscious and reggae-fusion elements, often addressing themes of street life, love and community.
His flow is known to be commanding and versatile he can “give them a good impression of what our culture is about,” as he noted when representing dancehall in international forums.
Over the years he has bridged genres by collaborating with hip-hop and R&B artists like KRS-One, Foxy Brown and Wyclef Jean, bringing Jamaican patois and rhythms to broader audiences.
His adaptability from classic 1990s dancehall grooves to modern digital beats has made him a model for younger deejays. Industry observers note that Spragga has maintained a blend of raw street energy and polished sound, influencing the next generation of dancehall artists.
Spragga Benz, Jamaican dancehall icon, built a three-decade career through lyrical skill, global performances, respected collaborations, and lasting cultural influence. Spragga Benz’s discography and hit songs mark the milestones of his career:
- 1994 Jack It Up (VP Records) Debut album featuring early dancehall hits “Girls Hooray” and “Could a Deal.”
- 1995 Uncommonly Smooth (Capitol Records) Major-label album including the duet “A-1 Lover” (with Chevelle Franklyn) and a reggae remake of Ben E. King’s “Spanish Harlem.”
- 1999 Two Badd DJs (with Beenie Man) Joint album featuring the chart-topping Jamaican single “She Nuh Ready Yet (Hype Up).”
- 2000 Fully Loaded (VP Records) His third album, which reached No. 6 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. It included hits like “Jack It Up” and dancehall crowd favorites.
- 2002 Thug Nature (Empire Musicwerks) Continued his string of albums into the early 2000s.
- 2007 Live Good An album that reflected his seasoned status in dancehall.
- 2010 Shotta Culture His sixth solo album, released on VP Records, showing his veteran presence.
- 2019 Chiliagon (Red Square Easy Star) A major comeback album that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Reggae chart and topped iTunes Reggae charts. It featured collaborations with artists like Rebel U.C.A., General Levy and Sean Paul.
- 2020 The Journey Chosen (Red Square) His eighth studio album, which entered the US Reggae Albums chart. Featuring guests such as Ky-Mani Marley and Konshens, it was described by Spragga as “geared towards lovers of 1990s-flavoured dancehall.”
- 2025 Endeavors (Red Square LMR PRO) His latest album released August 29, 2025 with 13 tracks that continue his dancehall legacy.
Throughout these releases, Spragga Benz has also put out many notable singles and guest appearances. His collaboration “Oh Yeah” (with Foxy Brown, 2001) reached No. 63 on the US R&B Hip-Hop chart, and his feature on Kevin Lyttle’s “Turn Me On” (2003) became an international smash, peaking at No. 4 on the US Hot 100.
These chart successes especially “Turn Me On” remain among his most recognizable achievements. Other hallmark tracks include “A1 Lover,” “Run Things” and collaborative remixes that blended dancehall with R&B and pop influences.
Spragga Benz’s influence extends well beyond Jamaica. He made history in 2019 when he became the first reggae dancehall artist featured in the Grammy Museum’s Spotlight Series in Newark, NJ.
Speaking at that event, he noted the honor of representing dancehall on an academic stage, performing live and explaining the culture of Jamaican music. He said it was “a good feeling because I think that I have enough material to represent dancehall,” and that he aimed to give the audience a “good impression of what our culture is about.”
On the charts, Spragga holds records at age 50 he was the oldest dancehall artist to debut at No. 1 on Billboard’s Reggae Albums with Chiliagon.
His crossover appeal is reflected in years of touring abroad from Europe and the US to Africa and the wider Caribbean where he’s headlined festivals and concert series.
Critics and peers often regard him as a dancehall “silent giant” whose work quietly set high standards. He won a Dancehall Legend Award (2024) recognizing his longstanding contributions, and Jamaican media regularly cite him as one of the genre’s enduring stars.
Beyond performance, Spragga Benz has contributed to Jamaican society. He founded the Stay in School Foundation to support local youth and has spoken publicly on educational and social issues.
This off-stage work, along with his charitable efforts (including the Carlisle Foundation for young people), underscores his commitment to using his platform for community uplift. Together with his musical legacy, these efforts enhance his reputation as a respected cultural figure and role model in Jamaica’s creative industries.
Spragga Benz has successfully branched into acting, bringing authenticity to films set in Jamaican life. He made his on-screen debut in 1999’s Brooklyn Babylon (as himself) and gained wider exposure playing the gangster “Wayne” opposite Ky-Mani Marley in the cult classic Shottas (2002).
His gritty portrayal in Shottas resonated with audiences worldwide and remains a standout in Caribbean cinema. Later, he appeared in international productions; for example, he co-starred in the U.S. drama film Second Chance (2022) directed by Cleon A. James, which filmed in Florida.
In addition to acting, Spragga has hosted and appeared at entertainment award shows (he co-hosted the Urban Music Awards in 2007) and participated in cross-genre music projects (like remixes and soundtracks). These roles outside music have helped him reach new audiences and demonstrate his versatility as an entertainer.
Spragga Benz remains active in music today. His latest album, Endeavors (2025), continues his tradition of blending dancehall with global influences and collaborating with up-and-coming artists.
He has also released recent singles and videos (for example, “Nuh Kinda Law” and collaborations with younger deejays), showing his willingness to innovate.
He continues to tour internationally, headlining reggae festivals and sound-system events, and appears regularly at concerts featuring dancehall’s new wave.
Looking forward, Spragga has expressed intentions to keep evolving he has discussed exploring Bollywood-inspired sounds and other fusion experiments in interviews.
For now, he juggles promoting Endeavors with performing live, while also planning his next album project. His career trajectory, from street to stage to screen, underscores his status as a veteran artist still pushing boundaries.
As he puts it, music must be fun, and Spragga Benz’s ongoing work shows he is still making music that he loves and that speaks to his global fan base.
As of 2026, Spragga Benz’s net worth is estimated to be between $5 million and $6 million. This estimate comes from entertainment wealth tracking sites and has not been confirmed by major financial publications such as Forbes or Bloomberg. He is a Jamaican dancehall artist who has built his wealth through a decades-long music career.
He released albums such as Jack It Up(1994) and had hit singles like “Oh Yeah” (with Foxy Brown) and “Turn Me On” (with Kevin Lyttle), the latter reaching #4 on US charts. He has also acted in Jamaican films (e.g., Brooklyn Babylon, Shottas).
Spragga Benz is a Jamaican dancehall deejay, musician, and actor known for his lyrical delivery and long-standing influence in dancehall music. He emerged in the early 1990s from Kingston’s sound-system culture.
His real name is Carlton Errington Grant. He performs professionally under the stage name Spragga Benz.
Spragga Benz was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, specifically in the McIntyre Villa area of East Kingston, often referred to as Dunkirk.
He is best known for his role in shaping 1990s dancehall and for international hits such as “Turn Me On”with Kevin Lyttle. He is also recognized for his acting role in the film Shottas.
Yes, he became the first dancehall artist featured in the Grammy Museum Spotlight Seriesin 2019. He also received a Dancehall Legend Award in 2024for his contributions to the genre.
Yes, Spragga Benz remains active, releasing new music and performing internationally. His most recent album, Endeavors(2025), reflects his continued involvement in the industry.