OLDIES SUNDAY: Risto Benji – Gimme De Money (1987)

May is recognized as “Child’s Month“, and on “Oldies Sunday“, we highlight some of the yutes of yesteryear. Today’s selection comes from the late Risto Benji with the track, “Gimme De Money“.

Produced by King Jammys on the “Punanny Riddim” and released through the Jammy’s label in 1987, it’s all about the money for Risto Benji in “Gimme De Money”. Times are hard, and money solves most problems, and Benji wants it all in various currencies. In his extreme way, he wants the money to drive him crazy, and take him to the grave. “Gimme De Money” borrowed some of the cadence from Admiral Bailey’s “Punanny” track on the same Riddim that was released in 1986, and it turned out to be a popular track for the Child Star, instantly giving him fame. Benji was granted the opportunity to tour off of the success of “Gimme De Money”, but maintaining fame was difficult because he got caught up in a different kind of life outside of the music. Sadly, Risto Benji passed away in 2011, with many expressing that he had the potential be an even greater Artist, and solidify a more legendary spot in Dancehall’s hall of fame. Many still play “Gimme De Money” today, and remember the era of the former Child Star.