Kirk "Kirkledove" Bennett
Drummer - Songwriter - Producer - Artist - Author
Kirk Andre Bennett, born July 5, 1978, in Trelawny, Jamaica, is one of the most accomplished and versatile figures in contemporary reggae and dancehall music. Known the world over by his artist name Kirkledove (and affectionately as "Drummy" by industry peers), Bennett is a Grammy-nominated drummer, prolific songwriter, celebrated record producer, recording artist, and published author whose fingerprints can be found across decades of Jamaican music history.
Raised in Montego Bay, the vibrant second capital of Jamaica, Kirk's passion for music was evident from childhood. At Muschett Comprehensive High School, he joined the school band and discovered a God-given talent for drumming. He went on to hone his craft with the Trelawny Marching Band before working the North Coast hotel circuit at Sandals Resorts, Hedonism Super Clubs, and aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
It was at one of these performances that the legendary Beres Hammond spotted young Kirk's extraordinary talent and invited him to join the world-renowned Harmony House band. That decision launched one of the most celebrated drumming careers in reggae history. Bennett served as Harmony House's principal drummer for over 17 years, anchoring hits including "I Feel Good," "Come Down Father," and "Who's That Sound."
THE MAN BEHIND THE BEAT
"Unique and different, soulful and lively - that is a Kirkledove production."
DRUMMING GREATNESS
Kirk Bennett is widely regarded as Jamaica's top session drummer in the modern era. His playing is celebrated for deep pocket, technical precision, and emotional intelligence, qualities that have made him the first call for reggae's biggest artists and producers for over two decades. In a poll by LargeUp.com, Bennett ranked among the top ten reggae drummers of all time.
Bennett cites as his greatest inspirations Sly Dunbar, Carlton "Carly" Barrett of The Wailers, Lloyd Knibb of The Skatalites, and jazz icon Steve Gadd. His session discography spans every corner of Jamaican music, from Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, and Toots Hibbert to Busy Signal, Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Maxi Priest, Elephant Man, Julian Marley, and Jesse Royal, among many others. He also served as principal drummer for the legendary Roots Radics band.
A selection of iconic recordings featuring Kirk's drumming:
• "My Dream" - Nezbeth
• "Avocado" - Jah 9
• "Let's Do It Again" - J Boogs
• "I'd Love You to Want Me" - Stevie Face
• "Cheater" - Maxi Priest
• "Who's That Sound" - Beres Hammond
• "Reggae Music Again" - Busy Signal
• "Lion Paw" & "Haunt You" - Tarrus Riley
• "Solid as a Rock" & "Thank You Mama" - Sizzla
• "Lioness on the Rise" - Queen Ifrica
• "Mi Caan Sleep" - Romain Virgo
• "Bedroom Bully" - Busy Signal
Photo: Reggaeville.com © Steve James
GRAMMY RECOGNITION
Kirk "Kirkledove" Bennett's artistry has been formally recognized by The Recording Academy across multiple Grammy Award nomination cycles, a distinction held by only a handful of reggae musicians worldwide. Each nomination reflects not only his drumming mastery but his role as a producer and musician shaping the sound of Jamaica's most celebrated albums.
YEAR ALBUM/RECORDING ARTIST ROLE
2016 Strictly Roots Morgan Heritage Musician
2017 Vrakedabra Morgan Heritage Musician
2018 Reggae Forever Etana Drummer/Producer
2019 As I Am Julian Marley Musician
2019 The Final Battle Sly & Robbie Drummer
vs. Roots Radies Roots Radies
LEGACY & GLOBAL INFLUENCE
Kirk "Kirkledove" Bennett occupies a rare position in Jamaican music, as a musician's musician whose name may not always headline the marquee, but whose heartbeat is at the center of reggae's greatest recordings. The Jamaica Gleaner called him "the most prolific drummer and producer you've never heard of," and yet his Grammy nominations, decades of world touring, hit productions, solo artistry, and now a published children's book paint the portrait of a true renaissance man of reggae.
He has performed on stages across the globe, from Billboard Live Tokyo to Reggaeville festival stages in Europe, bringing the pulse of Jamaican music to international audiences year after year. His collaborations span continents and generations, from roots reggae legends to the hottest names in contemporary dancehall. In a LargeUp.com poll, Kirk Bennett ranked among the top ten reggae drummers of all time, sharing the list with the very legends who shaped his craft.
"I have gotten the chance to tell my story, to speak to the hearts of music lovers, to show my incredible talent through my album, the many artists and producers I have worked with, and have most definitely transformed me into the person I am today."
Kirk "Kirkledove" Bennett
Photo: Reggaeville.com © Natasha Jasperson