_{THE STAR has been the leading entertainment newspaper for 59 years and so we have built up an impressive collection of photographs of some of our favourite entertainers. You name them, we have them.}

So in our latest feature, we will be digging deep into our archives to show you some of the oldest pictures of these artistes. After showcasing pictures of entertainers such as Sizzla Kalonji, ZJ Liquid, Lady Saw, Nadine Sutherland and Beenie Man, today we feature Spragga Benz.

_{Deejay Spragga Benz started his career in the early '90s. He was once known to his friends as 'Spaghetti' (tall and slim), but this was later shortened to Spragga. The Benz in his name came from the sound system for which he used to work, LA Benz. It was through the sound system that the deejay found his way into the music industry.}

His introduction was somewhat of an accident as it happened during a dubplate recording session with Buju Banton. Buju was slated to have done four dubplates for the sound system but only voiced two and told Spragga that he would have to go do the others for himself.

Since he was new to recording, he freestyled a couple of lines which were recorded. It turned out that this eventually was released and Spragga began a career that would take him through songs such as Jack It Up, She Nuh Ready Yet, Oh Yeah and Tiny Tot.

More than just a deejay, Benz tried his hand at acting in the movie Shottas. He is also known for his philanthropic side. In the late 1990s, Benz founded the Stay In School programme which provided help for needy students in his hometown of Franklin Town.

The deejay made a major change when he became an Rastafarian. This change has not only influenced his lifestyle but also his music.

Carlton 'Carlisle' Grant Jr, his 17-year-old son, was shot and killed by police in August 2008. Following his son's death, Benz founded the Carlisle Foundation, which stages the annual LifeFest show and is aimed at helping youths in Jamaica.

After