Determine

Reggae superstar Determine doing a dubplate at Calico studio in NY.

Biography

“DETERMINE to make it to the top” that is the decision of Rohan Alexander Bennett, when he left his home town of Annotto Bay, St. Mary to start his musical career in Kingston, Jamaica. Born in 1972 under the sign of Pisces, Determine is the product of a strong, supportive and close-knit family. His father, Bobsey Bennett is a fisherman, and his mother, Reverend Lucilda Bennett is a minister of Religion. Determine credits his mother and Bob Marley as his greatest source of inspiration.

Determine is a past student of the Holy Trinity Secondary School in Kingston and the Port Antonio Secondary School in Portland, JA. Here he excelled in Home Economics and Accounts. He was offered the opportunity to further his studies in Accounts, but because of his love for music he declined the offer and went to pursue his musical career in Kingston.

Like numerous other Jamaican artists Determine began performing on the Jamaican sound system circuit. He soon managed to reach such a popularity that he won the Rockers award for best new deejay in 1995. Meanwhile he had the opportunity to visit various recording studios and a series of singles followed including “Burn Up”, Dem No Know Love”, “Bulls Eye Part 2” (in combination with with Brian & Tony Gold) and his debut single “Lion In Zion”, done on the King Jammy$ label. The latter made a significant impact both locally and abroad. But it was his first international single release, “Selassie I”, that finally brought him his breakthrough. Selassie I went to the number one position on the British pre-release chart.

The Big Hit

However, alongside the top ranking dancehall deejay Beenie Man Determine scored his biggest hit to date with “Kette Drum”.  A duet that has topped Reggae charts in Jamaica, the U.S., Canada and Europe. Hailed as one of the hottest dancehall hits of 1995. Originally intended as a solo effort Determine invited Beenie Man to record it as a combination. It not only affirmed the revival of Nyabinghi drumming on record but the huge success of the riddim led to some notable answer versions from artists like Bounty Killer, Shabba Ranks & Cocoa Tea and Garnett Silk.