Radeem Haslam (born 8 March 1991), better known by his professional name Bena Di Senior or, in shorthand, as Di Senior, is a Jamaican record producer & entrepreneur based in Kingston, Jamaica. Bena is one of the most multi-talented Producer, Composer & Engineer in the music industry today. Whether making beats or recording, Bena has been hailed for his brilliance so far in creating some of the most authentic productions throughout the years.
Bena | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Bena "Di Senior" |
| Born | 8 March 1991 |
| Origin | Kingston Parish, Jamaica |
| Genres | Dancehall, Reggae, Hip Hop, Rap |
| Occupation | Record producer |
| Instrument(s) | FL Studio, Reason, Pro Tools |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Labels | Bena Records / Bena Production |
| Website | benadisenior |
Biography
editEarly life and career
editRaised by his mother along with his younger brothers, sister, cousins, aunt and other relatives in Kingston. He attended Kingston Technical High School. Following a computer studies in the 11th grade, and after realizing his true talent was making beats, young Bena began making beats on his computer at home and considered music production as a career. Bena Di Senior began promoting himself via Social Networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Hi5 and Myspace and also events in his community and at school. Radeem also known a Bena "Di Senior" at a young age has always had a passion for music at his early stages. Singing with his mother and dad after school every evening, both his parents used to play cassettes while they all sang or Deejay. During school like Bena was a drama student while in school, Singing and acting in front of hundreds of people, he carried on his passion for the arts of music throughout High School. He had made great accomplishments while in primary school by being best Actor and Best Singer throughout the whole school years.
In 2009, he met Icon, CEO of Icon Music Group and also one of the producers responsible for some of the hit songs for Vybz Kartel, Mavado (singer) & more which introduced him partially to the musical world. Bena is also well known by his signature tag, a short whisper of "Bena" followed by short delays, at the beginning and at the ending of his Beats / Riddim. In late 2009, Bena released his first solo record since childhood with Alliance Next Generation (ANG) Kalado on a riddim he produced himself.
Production style
editBena has said in radio interviews & online blogs that he admires songwriters such as Stevie Wonder for his instrumentation. He also stated that he draws inspiration from producers such as Di Genius, Timbaland, Young Chop, Mike Will, Lex Lugar and The Neptunes for their instantly recognisable production styles.
Equipment-wise, Bena stated that he started out producing with a single drum machine MPC, but has since moved on to multiple MPCs, keyboards, and a variety of audio editing programs, including Pro Tools, Reason and Fruity Loops.
Creating Hits
editCj King Entertainment has features the young dancehall Producer out of Jamaica "Bena" on their website for 2 consecutive weeks because of his different production style in his riddim."[1] In the year 2011 young dancehall icon Bena Di Senior has launched his official website which was designed by himself.[2] Bena Production has also create hit music that went No. 1 on YarkLink254.[3] Bena Producer compose buzzing single in Jamaica, Badness Inna We Longtime.[4]
2014–: Bad Dawgs Riddim
editOn 12 April 2014, Bena released the long anticipated "Bad Dawgs Riddim" produced by himself. Signature for its hard hitting synth laden juggling with an exciting artist line-up featuring Denno, Ding Dong (reggae musician), Kalado, Strent and Versatile.
2017-: Stylez By Di Senior
editYear 2017 was so far one of the most successful years for the producer himself where doing business as usual. The introduction of Stylez By Di Senior the dancehall producer's clothing and accessories one stop store.
Works
editBena Di Senior has listed a number of dancehall and rap artist that he has worked with from the start of his career via his Facebook page.
- Future Fambo
- Zhand-High
- Versatile
- Tatik
- MillionDalla Capo
- Tarnado
- Ding Dong
- Wayne Marshall
- Kalado
- Recruit
- New Money
- Natural Black
- Ikanji
- Strent
- Jah Marcus
- Robert Ffrench
- Natty King
- Patexxx
- Voicemail
- Shokryme
- Branxx
- Eklypse
- Mama's Girl
- Quick Cook
- Cubanis
- Fyakin
- Bruno Moon
- Dane Ray
- Squaddy
- Don Andre
- King David
- Kananga
- Syyyntex
- Rae Tay
- Voltage
- Kari Jess
- Xplosion
- King Asar
- Cornelius Grant
- Neutron Obliv
- Eldie Anthony
- Denno
- Shaddai Smith
- Tactical
- Vision
- Jula
- Vision Lineage
Discography
edit- Studio singles & albums
- 2009: Crime Scene Riddim – Featuring (Various Artist)
- 2010: Nuh Seh Nuttin – Watch Di Way She Whine
- 2011: Kalado – Provide "Frass Vybz Riddim"
- 2012: Blue Square Riddim – Featuring (Various Artist)
- 2013: Strent Ft. Ding Dong – Mad Up Di Party – Featuring (Bomb Shop Records)
- 2013: Under Control Riddim – Featuring (Y-Not Production)
- 2013: Deh Deh – Proud A Mi Money
- 2013: Strent – Big Spliff
- 2014: Bad Dawgs Riddim – Featuring (Various Artist)
- 2015: Conversion Riddim – Featuring (Various Artist)
- 2024: Tatik - Defend It
Chart singles
edit| Year | Title | Peak Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HypeTv Jamaica | Fiwi Choice Top 10 | |||
| 2011 | Party Cup Riddim Medley (featuring Ding Dong, Tarnado, Zhand-High & Eklypse Sicka) | 1 | 1 | Party Cup Riddim |
| 2011 | Provide (featuring Kalado) | 2 | 4 | Frass Vybz Riddim |
| 2014 | Badness Inna We Long Time (featuring Don Andre) | 3 | 9 | Blue Square Riddim |
| 2015 | Conversion Riddim Medley (Ft. Versatile, Tactikal, Don Vital & Eklypse) | 17 | - | Conversion Riddim |
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Party Cup Riddim Medley | Himself | First Video Appearance |
| 2011 | Kalado – Provide (Music Video) | Himself | Produced By "Bena Di Senior" |
| 2012 | Don Andre – Badness Inna We Long Time (Music Video) | Himself | Produced By "Bena Di Senior" |
| 2014 | Blingazz – Party Fi Di Year (Music Video) | Himself | Produced By "Bena Di Senior" |
| 2015 | Conversion Riddim Medley (Music Video) | Himself | Produced By "Bena Di Senior & Y-Not Production" |
Awards and nominations
editHDP Music Awards
editThe HDP Music Awards were established in 2012 by DJ Frass Vybz to celebrate dancehall performers, producers and music video directors.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Frass Vybz Riddim EP | Producer of the Year | Nominated |
Influences
editIn various interviews & blog posts, Bena (Producer) has named a number of musical influences on his own production work.
Dancehall / Reggae
edit- Stephen Di Genius Mcgregor
- Sly & Robbie
- Philip "Fatis" Burrell
- Tony "CD" Kelly
- Don Corleon
- Jordon Mclure & Isle Mclure (Chimney Records)
Hip Hop
editHip Hop / Rap Producers
editReferences
edit- ^ Bena featured as top producer for 2 week, Cj King Ent
- ^ Bena Producer launches official website in 2011 [permanent dead link], Bena Production official Website Live
- ^ Bena Production create hit music on YarkLink254 Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Yard Link 254
- ^ Bena creates hits on Jamaica air waves Archived 19 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine, The Jamaican Star
External links
edit- Bena Di Senior at Twitter
- Bena Di Senior at Facebook
- Bena Di Senior Official Website