Reggie Benjamin is a Canadian pop singer.
Reggie Benjamin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Canada |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 1997-present |
| Website | www |
Early life and career
editBenjamin was born in Canada to parents that had recently immigrated from India. At the age of nine his parents moved to the US and his childhood and youth was spent in Chicago. His father was a Christian preacher, who raised Benjamin on Elvis Presley's gospel music.[citation needed] He graduated from Chicago's Columbia College with a degrees in Music Voice and the city's College du Page with a degree in Business Communications, both in 1997. Upon leaving school he founded the recording label Club 2X Records.[1][2] He began the label with $110, and by July 2001 the label had more than $2,000,000 in turnover.[3] As of 2019Reggie Benjamin is currently one part of a Pop Duo called Rewona. (The Duo Includes Reggie Benjamin himself and Iwona Benjamin [1] ) managed by Mark Shayatovich. The Duo has had much success all over the world and has sold out many venues (all music is written and produced by Reggie Benjamin). Reggie Benjamin has appeared as a singer on many TV shows including The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.[2]
Recording career
editIn 2001 Benjamin broke out from the Chicago club scene by filming a music video at the Playboy Mansion for his debut single Hurry Up from his debut album 2X Centrix, which became popular in India. The video reached the number two spot on MTV Asia that year. The single Hurry Up also reached the top 10 charts of fifteen countries, including Italy, Spain and Russia. At this point he had already signed five additional acts to his label.[1][4][5] The full album was released in May 2002, with newspapers naming him the "first Indian pop star".[6] Benjamin collaborated with Joanie Laurer on the album (better known as WWF wrestler Chyna), which served as Laurer's debut album.[7] He also collaborated with reality television contestant Sarah Kozer on the song "Crazy Freaky".[5] In 2004 Benjamin and Laurer released a second album called Smile.[8]
In 2005 E! Entertainment named Benjamin one of the ten most influential Indians living in the United States (citations needed), as the first Indian-American to ever reach a position on the US Billboard music charts.[9] The statement was made during an on-air Celebrity Uncensored segment entitled "First Indian Pop Artist in America",[10] featuring Benjamin's career and his hit song Ride reaching number four on the Billboard Breakouts for Hot Dance Club Play chart. Overall, he his music has reached the music charts of more than fifteen countries. In May 2005 he was invited to sing the national anthem at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game and he was nominated at the 2006 Black Music Awards for Best New Artist and Best Neo-Soul Song.[2] He was the winner in the America's Next Star/Best New Artist category.[11] That year he was also named by Bibi Magazine as one of the world's sexiest men.[2] By 2006 he had recorded ten hit songs reaching the charts in more than twenty-five countries.[12]
Film career
editReggie produced and scored the documentary on ending human trafficking, called Save Her, Co-financed and produced with Producer Nitish Kannan. It will be released on Amazon Prime in 2020.
Rewona and Reggie Benjamin as of 2019 are working with award winning producer Michael Lloyd (Who has over 150 Gold and Platinum records under his belt) on a new album entitled Gin Dobry.[13] Reggie Benjamin also wrote a song for charity against human trafficking and many celebrities including Justin Bieber have shown their support.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b Martin Desmarais (February 1, 2003). "Club 2X Records chases elusive American stardom". IndUS Business Journal.
- ^ a b c Kalyani Vasan (February 3, 2006). "Black Music Awards '06: Reggie Benjamin nominated for best new artist" (PDF). The Indian Express. Retrieved March 19, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ S Sahaya Ranjit (July 16, 2001). "Crazy Dreams". India Today. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ Gary Dretzka (July 24, 2001). "With Hef's help". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ a b Terry Armour (July 27, 2003). "All about the Benjamin". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ Henry Stuttley (May 6, 2002). "Indian Pop Singer Hopes to 'Hurry Up' Fame". Daily Herald. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Destiny's Child, Kim Mathers, J. Lo, C-Murder, Elton John, Le Tigre & More". MTV News. October 22, 2003. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ "BIOGRAPHY: Joanie Laurer". Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ "Indian Pop Star Reggie Benjamin Performs At Kids Of Hope Benefit To Support Tsunami Relief Efforts". Top40-charts.com. May 20, 2005. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ "Reggie Benjamin". Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ "Big Honor for Reggie Benjamin at LA Black Music Awards". NRI Pulse. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
- ^ "Indian American pop singer to perform at Grammy's". IndiaGlitz. January 4, 2006. Archived from the original on January 6, 2006. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
- ^ "Why Did Justin Bieber Write 'Save Her' on His Hand? — See the Pic". Us Weekly. October 7, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2019.