Richard Patrick Bennett , better known by the stage name Charlie Chaplin,Larkin, Colin: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae, Virgin Books, 1998, is a Jamaican dancehall and ragga singer and deejay. It was common for Jamaican deejays of the era to name themselves after film stars or characters. Bennett, however, had been nicknamed after the comedian since his youth. His career began in 1980 when he began working with U-Roy's Stur-Gav Hi-Fi collective. He became extremely popular throughout Jamaica, memorable for his focus on cultural and social themes instead of the "slack" (rough, violent) lyrics that were popular at the time. His popularity as a live performer prompted Roy Cousins to produce some recording sessions with the young DJ. Chaplin's debut album was the Cousins-produced Presenting Charlie Chaplin in 1982, with several albums following for the producer over the next three years.
The contrast between Chaplin's "culture" lyrics and the other major deejays of the day led to the 1984 "clash" album with Yellowman Slackness Vs Pure Culture.
Que Dem (1985), was produced by George Phang and he continued recording, working with Bunny Roots, Josey Wales, Sly & Robbie, Henry "Junjo" Lawes, Roots Radics and Doctor Dread.
In 2013, Bennett was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government.Campbell, Howard (2013) "Honours in Order ", Jamaica Observer, 7 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013
Bennett started his own Crown Production label, on which he released his own music.Bonitto, Brian (2016) "Serious messages from Charlie Chaplin", Jamaica Observer, 27 January 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016 An album, Armageddon, was set for release in Summer 2016.
Discography Presenting Charlie Chaplin (1982), Kingdom Red Pond (1982), Tamoki Wambesi Chaplin Chant, Tamoki Wambesi One of a Kind (1983), Trojan Fire Burn Them Below (1984), Power House Roots & Culture (1984), Vista Sounds Sound System (1984), Arrival Que Dem (1985), Sonic Sounds Quenchie, Tamoki Wambesi Yellowman Meets Charlie Chaplin, Power House – with Yellowman Live at Maypen Clarendon (1988), Tamoki Wambesi Two Sides of Charlie Chaplin (1989), RAS Take 2 (1990), RAS Cry Blood (1991), RAS Old and New Testament (1992), RAS Kings of the Dancehall (1994), VP – with Josey Wales Too Hot to Handle (1994), RAS The Negril Chill (1997), Shellshock – with Yellowman Gwaan U Ways (2001), P.O.T. Free Africa, Sonic Sounds
Compilations 20 Super Hits (1991), Sonic Sounds Dance Hall Rockers, Sunset Dance Hall Rockers vol. 2, Harry J Ras Portraits (1997), RAS Face to Face (2000), Cactus Respect Due (2000), Creole DJ Roll Call (2006), RAS Kings of Reggae, Nocturne
Bibliography Bradley, Lloyd (2001). This is Reggae. New York: Grove Press. Chang, Kevin O'Brien and Wayne Chen (1998). Reggae Routes. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. Weber, Tom and Brian Jahn (1998). Reggae Island: Jamaican Music in the Digital Age. New York: Da Capo Press.
References
External links Discography at Roots Archives