Beenie Man unveils his new album ‘Eminence’

With Eminence, Grammy Award winner Beenie Man takes a broad look at what dancehall can sound like when it meets reggae, hip-hop and R&B. The 16-track album, produced by Kemar McGregor, is packed with collaborations, bringing together a long list of Jamaican and international artists, from Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and T.I. to Ashanti, Mýa, Rotimi, Lola Brooke and Stefflon Don.

The album opens with 876/305, where Beenie Man and Rick Ross connect Jamaica and Miami over a track that also features the vocals of Rènata Crista Hunt. Don’t Rush shifts into smooth R&B territory, with Mýa supplying the silky melodies while Beenie keeps his delivery relaxed. Then there’s Do It, where Brooklyn’s Lola Brooke joins the Dancehall King for a lively crossover between Brooklyn hip-hop and Kingston dancehall.

One of the album’s biggest collaborations is For You, which mixes a West Coast G-Funk feel with dancehall. Beenie Man is joined by Snoop Dogg, Stefflon Don, Elephant Man, D’Yani, Shaneil Muir, Tifa, Vanessa Bling, Kraff and Pamputtae. Make Out brings Ashanti and T.I. into the picture, combining their 2000s hip-hop and R&B flavour with Beenie’s dancehall presence. On Hat Tip, Rotimi supplies the soulful hook, while Beenie Man and Rick Ross take the verses in different directions.

There are also moments that lean firmly into Jamaica’s reggae tradition. Etana features on Guide Over Us, while veteran singer Stevie Face appears on If I Follow My Heart. Both tracks add a warmer, more soulful reggae side to the album.

But here’s where Eminence may divide Beenie Man’s longtime fans and dancehall followers. The sheer number of guest artists can sometimes take the focus away from the Dancehall King himself. For fans who want Beenie Man front and centre, the most satisfying moments are the tracks where he doesn’t have to share the spotlight.

And that’s exactly what we get on tracks such as Immortal, Doll, Marijuana In The Kouchie and Friends For Life. With Beenie Man carrying the tracks himself, there’s less distraction and more of the artist we’ve followed for so many years. Here Beenie sounds most at home, giving us the unmistakable dancehall energy that has made him a favourite for decades. For the hardcore Beenie Man crowd, those solo moments are most likely to be the real highlights of Eminence.

Last words are for Beenie Man himself who reflects: “‘Eminence’ represents my longevity, experience, and influence within dancehall and reggae over the past three decades. Throughout my career, I’ve been able to take Jamaican music around the world, and this album represents another stage in that journey. ‘Eminence’ reflects the legacy I’ve built while showing that I’m continuing to grow, experiment, and push my music into new spaces.”