User:Reggie Benjamn

Reggie Benjamin: Model, Personality, Singer, and Actor……

Forming “The Reggie Benjamin Band” in 1983 when he was in junior high school, Reggie and the group stayed together throughout high school playing at schools, colleges and talent shows but somehow managing to avoid paying weddings and bar mitzvahs. Immediately after high school Reggie put together his next band that included “R.P.M.” It wasn’t long before Reggie was singing original songs instead of covering other artist. Showcasing his own music was a dynamic feeling. College students throughout Illinois, Indiana and Western Michigan were the first to preview it and it appeared to be a hit with them.

But merely doing well wasn’t enough for the determined Benjamin so he sought his sights on making R.P.M a regular at Elixir, one of Chicago’s hottest clubs. Armed with the knowledge that Thursdays are the slowest nights in dance clubs, he approached Elixir’s owner and offered to play on Thursday nights, free of charge if R.P.M. doesn’t pack the club. Once the agreement was made, Reggie and the band quietly got the news out to the legions of R.P.M.’s fans that Thursdays at Elixir is the place to be. It wasn’t long before R.P.M. featuring Reggie Benjamin were officially the house band at Elixir, drawing standing room crowds only.

I’m sure there were doubts that we wouldn’t sell even half the house,” remembers Reggie. “The great thing was that I already knew we could reach a lot of people who were already fans…I just didn’t know if we could pull them out on a school night!”

But success hasn’t spoiled Reggie Benjamin. Positioning himself to break of as a solo artist, he recruited top Producer/Re-mixer, Eric “E Smoove” Miller to assist with recording his first album. The album appropriately titled “2X-Centrix” with the first single “Hurry Up,” 12” mix climbing Italy’s Club Charts, making it all the way to #7. Reggie, himself directed the “Hurry Up” video, which includes scenes and footage shot at the legendary and famed Playboy Mansion. Things for Reggie went into warp speed after the release of his first cd. Selling out the Dallas Convention Center, Atlantic City’s, Trump Taj Mahal and Chicago’s own, Allstate Arena to a standing crowd of adoring fans you would think would be satisfying enough. Named Black Music Award’s Best New Artist, Sexiest Indian man alive three years in a row, and listed as one of the top 10 most influential Indians in America has kept Reggie busy. Reggie was privileged to have his cd placed inside the honorees, winners and presenters gift bags for that year’s Emmy Awards.

Billed as the first Indian pop star is both humbling as well as appreciated by Reggie but his wish is to one day share that appreciation with all his loyal fans around the world as he gives his acceptance speech at the Grammys.