Benzino

Raymond Leon Scott (born July 18, 1965), better known by his stage name 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]

Not to be confused with Beenzino.

Benzino
Benzino in 2018
Benzino in 2018
Background information
Birth nameRaymond Leon Scott[1]
Also known as
  • Ray Benzino
  • Ray Dog
Born (1965-07-18) July 18, 1965
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Media proprietor
  • record producer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Years active1986–present
Labels
Member of
Children4, including Coi Leray

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.

Feud with Eminem

Benzino is known for being involved since 2002 in a widely publicized feud with rapper Eminem; the feud began after his The Source magazine rated The Eminem Show as four mics out of five. Eminem blamed the magazine and its co-founder Benzino for what he considered an unfair rating. Benzino 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] and "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 the diss mixtape Benzino Presents: Die Another Day: Flawless Victory, further disparaging Eminem.[7][8][9]

Personal life

Scott considered Edward DeJesus to be his father figure, especially in the duration of DeJesus's incarceration. Scott's sister Maureen is a medical doctor, and his other sister, Anita Scott-Wilson, has a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from the Tuskegee Institute.[10] Coi Leray is Scott's daughter.[11]

He has dated Karlie Redd and Althea Heart.[12] Scott 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.[13][14]

On March 29, 2014, Scott was shot after attending his mother's funeral in Duxbury, Massachusetts.[15] He suffered non-life-threatening injuries when the bullets hit his shoulder and back. His 36-year-old nephew Gai Scott was later arrested for the shooting.[15]

On April 16, 2019, Scott was stopped in Brookhaven, Georgia and cited for driving an uninsured vehicle. He was not the policy holder responsible for insuring the vehicle.[16]

On June 22, 2019, Scott was arrested for a bench warrant in DeKalb County, Georgia. Scott was taken to police headquarters for booking and was later jailed. As he was being transported there, he launched a racist tirade against a police officer arresting him, who was of Vietnamese descent. The tirade involved multiple racial slurs and maternal insults.[17]

On July 31, 2020, Scott was arrested and charged with criminal damage to property. He was accused of damaging the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck of a man who was in the company of Scott's ex-fiancé Althea Heart.[18][19]

On February 3, 2022, Scott was arrested and charged with one count of second degree criminal damage to property, a felony.[20]

Discography

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)

Charted singles

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". October 22, 2019.
  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) Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. 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. "Coi Leray & Benzino's Family History & Beef, Explained". HotNewHipHop. May 7, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  12. "What Happened on 'Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta' Ep. 6?". Vibe. July 24, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  13. "Pains Us to share this about Benzino & Althea Heart". Dallasblack.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2016.
  14. "REPORTS: Former 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta' star Benzino pleads guilty in drug case". January 17, 2019.
  15. "US rapper Benzino shot at mother's funeral". BBC News. March 31, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  16. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Caught driving uninsured car, Benzino claims "I don't even drive this car"". YouTube.
  17. "Ex-'L&HH' Star Benzino's Arrest Video Shows Full Meltdown". TMZ. Retrieved July 7, 2019.
  18. Burns, Asia Simone. "NEW DETAILS: Ex-'Love & Hip Hop' star Benzino arrested in Chateau Elan". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  19. "Ex-'L&HH' Star Benzino Busted for Alleged Property Damage After Jealous Rage".
  20. "Benzino and LAHH's Althea Heart have 'altercation' years after split". April 12, 2022.
  21. "Benzino Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
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