Beenie Man

Anthony Moses Davis (born 22 August 1973; Kingston, Jamaica), better known by his stage name Beenie Man, is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay, singer and songwriter. Widely regarded as the "King of Dancehall," he has built one of the genre's longest and most prolific careers, spanning more than four decades and over eighteen studio albums.
 

Early Life

Davis was born and raised in the Waterhouse district of Kingston, Jamaica. He began toasting at the age of five, encouraged by his uncle, Sydney Knowles, a drummer who had played with reggae artist Jimmy Cliff.

In 1981, at the age of eight, he won the Tastee Talent contest, a victory that brought him to the attention of radio DJ Barry G, who introduced him to local sound system operators and helped establish his early reputation as a young deejay. That same year, he recorded his debut single, "Too Fancy," with producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes, followed in 1983 by his debut album, The Invincible Beenie Man: The Ten Year Old DJ Wonder.

He subsequently paused his recording career to complete his schooling, returning to music with a notable performance at Reggae Sunsplash in 1992.
 

Career

Beenie Man built his reputation through the 1990s on the Jamaican dancehall circuit, earning the title "Dancehall King" and the Deejay of the Year Award for eight consecutive years. His international breakthrough came in 1997 with the gold-certified single "Who Am I (Sim Simma)," followed by further crossover hits including "Romie" and "Girls Dem Sugar," featuring Mýa. In 2001, his twelfth studio album, Art and Life, earned him the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

The following year, his album Tropical Storm reached number 18 on the Billboard 200, buoyed by high-profile collaborations including "Feel It Boy," a duet with Janet Jackson. In 2004, a remix of his single "Dude," featuring Ms. Thing and Shawnna, marked one of his biggest US chart successes.

Over the course of his career, six of his studio albums, Art and Life, Many Moods of Moses, Tropical Storm, The Doctor, Undisputed and Back to Basics, have topped the Billboard Top Reggae Albums chart, and he has lent his voice to more than 800 riddim productions across the reggae and dancehall scene.

In 2023, he released the album Simma, and in August 2026 released Eminence via Billboard King Records, featuring guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Elephant Man, Rick Ross, Ashanti, T.I., Rotimi, Mýa, Lola Brooke, Etana and Stefflon Don, among others. Following the reinstatement of his US visa in late 2024, Beenie Man has returned to major American stages, including a sold-out headlining performance at New York's UBS Arena in 2025, his first major New York arena show in over a decade, and a 2026 headlining appearance at Brooklyn's Barclays Center as part of Nick Cannon's Wild 'N Out Live.
 

Personal Life

Beenie Man was married to fellow dancehall artist Michelle "D'Angel" Downer from 2006 to 2011; the couple share a daughter, Xiah. He is also father to several other children, including Deshagaye "Desha" Davis. He is currently engaged to British businesswoman Camille Lee.

Beyond music, Beenie Man is regarded as a cultural ambassador for Jamaica and has supported charitable initiatives in the areas of education, healthcare and community development. In 2024, he was conferred with Jamaica's Order of Distinction (Officer Class) in recognition of his contributions to dancehall and reggae music, cementing his legacy as one of the genre's most influential and enduring figures.