Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin

Richard Patrick Bennett , better known by the stage name Charlie Chaplin, 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. Bennett started his own Crown Production label, on which he released his own music. An album, Armageddon, was set for release in Summer 2016.

Compilations (4)

Also Appears On (35)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
1964-1981 Sweat The Royals 1964-1981 Sweat CD Tamoki Wambesi 1964-81 2005
Trojan Reggae For Kids Box Set Various Artists Trojan Reggae For Kids Box Set TJETD 262 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2005
Bushyard Telegraph Various Artists Bushyard Telegraph TWCD 1023 CD Tamoki Wambesi 1974-83
Roots, Vibes & Vision Various Artists Roots, Vibes & Vision TWLP 1025 LP Tamoki Wambesi 1975-83
Vision Of Reggae Various Artists Vision Of Reggae TWLP 1007 LP Tamoki Wambesi 1977-82 1986
Rasta Don't Take Bribe Knowledge Rasta Don't Take Bribe TWCD 1061 CD Tamoki Wambesi 1978X 2006
History Of Tamoki Wambesi Various Artists History Of Tamoki Wambesi TWDV 1002 LP Tamoki Wambesi 1979-84 1985
Dancehall Explosion Various Artists Dancehall Explosion CDTRL 430 CD Trojan 1979-85 1999
Dancehall Stylee Various Artists Dancehall Stylee CDTRL 416 CD Trojan 1979-85 1998
Strictly Rub-A-Dub Various Artists Strictly Rub-A-Dub CDTRL 439 CD Trojan 1979-85 2000
The Volcano Dancehall Albums Collection Various Artists The Volcano Dancehall Albums Collection DB2CD 143 CD Doctor Bird 1979-85 2024
Reggae Blasters Various Artists Reggae Blasters NE 1299 LP K-Tel 197X-8X 1985
Sonic Presents The Best Of The DJ's Bout Ya ! Various Artists Sonic Presents The Best Of The DJ's Bout Ya ! CD Sonic Sounds 197X-8X
Trojan Dancehall Roots Box Set Various Artists Trojan Dancehall Roots Box Set TJETD 243 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set Various Artists Trojan Roots and Culture Box Set TJETD 226 CD Trojan 197X-8X 2005
Reggae Mandela Various Artists Reggae Mandela VPCD 2524 CD VP 197X-9X 2019
Prison Oval Clash Don Carlos vs Earl Cunningham Prison Oval Clash TWLP 1018 LP Tamoki Wambesi 1980 1980
Volcano Eruption Henry Junjo Lawes Volcano Eruption VPCD 4162 CD 17 North Parade 1981-85 2010
The CSA Collection Vol 1 Various Artists The CSA Collection Vol 1 CSLP 9 LP CSA 1982-83 1983
Rub A Dubble Reggae Vol 1 Various Artists Rub A Dubble Reggae Vol 1 CSAP 102 LP CSA 1982-87 1988
A Live Session With King Stur-Grav Hi-Fi / Lee Unlimited Various Artists A Live Session With King Stur-Grav Hi-Fi / Lee Unlimited RRLL 007 CD Live & Learn 1983 1998
King Stur-Gav Hi Fi Lee Unlimited Various Artists King Stur-Gav Hi Fi Lee Unlimited LL LP 7 LP Live & Learn 1983 1983
Computer Various Artists Computer none LP Sunset 1985 1985
Inna Reggae Dance Hall Sugar Minott Inna Reggae Dance Hall HB 29 LP Heartbeat 1986 1986
Cornerstone Connection Josie Wails & The All Stars Cornerstone Connection none LP Corner Stone 198X
Herb Dust Various Artists Herb Dust TWCD 1054 CD Tamoki Wambesi 198X 2022
Junjo Lawes Hot Rocks From Volcano Various Artists Junjo Lawes Hot Rocks From Volcano CT 3024 CD Creole (Rhino) 198X 2001
Original Yardie Various Artists Original Yardie TWLP 1059 LP Tamoki Wambesi 198X
Reggae Sunsplash Showcase Various Artists Reggae Sunsplash Showcase CD Tamoki Wambesi 198X
Roy Cousins Presents Wambesi All Stars Various Artists Roy Cousins Presents Wambesi All Stars CDHB 35 CD Heartbeat 198X 1986
The RAS Portrait Series Various Artists The RAS Portrait Series CD RAS 198X
Total Recall - Volcano Vol 2 Various Artists Total Recall - Volcano Vol 2 VPCD 1190 CD VP 198X 1992
Trojan Eighties Box Set Various Artists Trojan Eighties Box Set TJETD 253 CD Trojan 198X 2005
Wambesi Showcase Various Artists Wambesi Showcase CDHB 3602 CD Heartbeat 198X 1995
Trojan Ras Reggae Box Set Various Artists Trojan Ras Reggae Box Set TJETD 152 CD Trojan 198X-9X 2004
15 albums
9 credits
10 labels
1982 - 1998