Benzino

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Not to be confused with Beenzino.
Benzino
Scott in 2018
Scott in 2018
Background information
Birth nameRaymond Leon Scott[1]
Also known as
  • Ray Benzino
  • Ray Dog
Born (1965-07-18) July 18, 1965 (age 56)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Media proprietor
  • record producer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Years active1986–present
Labels
Associated acts
Children6 including Coi Leray

Raymond Leon Scott (born July 18, 1965), better known by his stage name Ray Benzino, is an American urban media proprietor, television personality, rapper, and record producer. He produced records (as part of the production team Hangmen 3) and co-owned the magazine The Source.[2]

Career[]

Benzino has said one of the primary inspirations to enter the genre of rap stems from his fondness of the film Wild Style.[3]

Benzino was a founding member of rap groups the Almighty RSO and Made Men. He has appeared on the reality television show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, since 2012.

On September 4, 2020, Benzino released a single titled "The Bigger Picture" with an accompanying music video on YouTube.

Feud with Eminem[]

Benzino is known for being involved since 2003 in a widely publicized feud with rapper Eminem, the feud began after his The Source magazine rates Eminem's "My Name Is" song as four mics out of five, only just because of his race. Eminem blamed the magazine and its co-founder Benzino. Eminem even refused to help promote his movie 8 Mile during his performance in Puerto Rico. Benzino later released diss tracks towards Eminem, titled "Pull Your Skirt Up" calling him "2003 Vanilla Ice",[4][5] "Die Another Day", while Eminem released "The Sauce" and "Nail in the Coffin".[6] As a continuation of this animosity between the two, Benzino released a diss mixtape Benzino Presents: Die Another Day: Flawless Victory, further disparaging Eminem.[7][8][9]

Personal life[]

Benzino considered Edward DeJesus to be his father figure, especially in the duration of DeJesus's incarceration. Benzino's siblings include his sister Maureen, who took up medicine to become a medical doctor. His other sister, Anita Scott-Wilson, studied veterinarian medicine at the Tuskegee Institute for a nine-year period, in order to receive her master's degree.[10]

He has dated Karlie Redd and Althea Heart.[11] Benzino and Heart had a son together in November 2015, but they broke off their engagement shortly thereafter. They appeared together on Season 6 of the television show Marriage Boot Camp chronicling their broken relationship.[12][13]

On March 29, 2014, Benzino was shot in the shoulder and back by his nephew Gai Scott. The shooting took place in the town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, at his mother's funeral.[14]

On April 16, 2019 Benzino was stopped by Brookhaven, Georgia police officer James McArthur after he failed to stop at a stop sign in a silver Acura. McArthur found the vehicle had no insurance as the policy holder of the insurance, who was not Benzino, had failed to renew the policy with GEICO. The vehicle was towed and Benzino was cited for driving an uninsured vehicle.[15]

On June 22, 2019, Benzino was arrested for a bench warrant in DeKalb County, Georgia. Benzino was taken to police headquarters for booking and was jailed. As he was taken to jail, he launched a racial tirade against a police officer arresting him, who was of Vietnamese descent. The tirade involved multiple racial slurs and maternal insults.[16]

Coi Leray is his daughter.[17]

Discography[]

Charted singles[]

  • Rock the Party (2002, US #82)

Studio albums[]

Collaboration albums[]

Remix albums[]

Mixtapes[]

  • Die Another Day: Flawless Victory (2003)
  • When the Heavens Fall with 1st 48 (2010)
  • Caezar (2011)
  • Blue Bag with 1st 48 (2011)
  • The Magnificent 757's with Stevie J (2012)
  • Crushed Ice (2013)
  • Welcome to Texaco City with OJ da Juiceman (2015)

Filmography[]

Television[]

Year Title Role
2001 2001 Source Awards Himself
2003 Soul Train Himself
2005 Bloodline Store Clerk
2012 RapFix Live Himself
2012–2014 Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta Himself
2014 2014 Soul Train Music Awards Himself
2015–2016 Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Himself
2016 The Next :15 Himself
2016 Hollywood Hearts Himself

References[]

  1. ^ "ACE Repertory".
  2. ^ "MC Benzino Says Hip-Hop is in Critical Condition". Boston Globe. January 18, 2003. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  3. ^ "Music Bliss Hip Hop Interviews Done Right". Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  4. ^ "A Breakdown of Benzino and Eminem's Heated Feud".
  5. ^ Dukes, Rahman (November 22, 2002). "Benzino Ignites Beef By Calling Eminem '2003 Vanilla Ice' – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  6. ^ Eliscu, Jenny (January 3, 2003). "Benzino, Eminem Feud Heats Up | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  7. ^ Cantor, Paul (October 13, 2010). "Rapper Huddy 6 Killed In Car Accident – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  8. ^ Adaso, Henry. The Greatest Hip-Hop Battles (...and Their Winners). About.com. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  9. ^ "Magazine impresario Benzino talks about his music, Hip-Hop's future & his feud with Eminem". Philadelphia Daily News. March 3, 2005. Retrieved January 21, 2009.
  10. ^ "MARY A. (TIMAS) SCOTT's Obituary on Boston Globe". Boston Globe. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  11. ^ "What Happened on 'Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta' Ep. 6?". Vibe. July 24, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  12. ^ http://dallasblack.com/entertainment/former-love-hip-hop-atlanta-star-althea-heart-arrested-after-fight-benzino
  13. ^ "REPORTS: Former 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta' star Benzino pleads guilty in drug case". January 17, 2019.
  14. ^ "US rapper Benzino shot at mother's funeral". BBC News. March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  15. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ULBVvSDih4
  16. ^ "Ex-'L&HH' Star Benzino's Arrest Video Shows Full Meltdown". TMZ. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  17. ^ "Coi Leray & Benzino's Family History & Beef, Explained". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 26, 2021.

External links[]

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