Runkus 438

Born Romario Sebastian Anthony Bennett aka RUNKUS to parents veteran entertainer Determine and artiste manager and booking agent Paula Francis, he started recording at the tender age of seven (7) years old with songs like Ghetto Youths, Those Niggas and Back on the Street Again on his parents Zulu Productions label.

Runkus is a past Campion College student, who did exceptionally well in his CSEC and CAPE Examinations. He was also a very active member of the student body, being President of several clubs including Media Production, Green Generation and the Music Club.

At the age of 15, he recorded a Mixtape with his father Determine entitled “Like Father Like Son” which was well received and allowed him to perform in the United States. The following year (2010) he entered a Talent Search which was organized by RETV, alongside his guitarist Scot Leslie who is now the lead guitarist in his band, (Runkus and the Old Skl Band). Being the only contestant with a difference, that is, an acoustic style to his set, he astounded the judges and won the competition, which gave him the opportunity to be on the RETV School tour performing alongside Beenieman, Denique, Ding Dong, Khago, Cherine Anderson, Stacious and Voicemail and also the the opportunity to do his first official music video for song entitled “Badmind” on the Magician Records label, which got heavy rotation on television and radio.

Runkus has also had the opportunity to perform on Sting 2009, St Mary Mi Come From, and Champion in action, alongside his father. Recently, Runkus has performed on Live From Kingston, Keznamdi Live, Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Water Front during the Bob Marley Celebrations, and most recent the Earth Hour Acoustic Concert at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Center, of which he has performed two consecutive years.

He sets himself aside from others in the field, simply because he doesn’t have a set type of music style as he does what comes to mind and what feels right. “To say that I only do one or a few genre of music is limiting my scope, I simply do music, not just reggae, not just dancehall, not just roots rock… I DO MUSIC!” stated the young musician.

Most of his music is guitar driven due to his love for the instrument and prior to the fact that he does engineering for his father (in his home studio, Matches Boxx Production), he is able to compose enough to fabricate a finished product in his mind and bring it to life in the studio, like what was done with “Rain Start Fall” which was a collaborative effort of the Old Skl Band and Majah Label Music Group. He recently released a single accompanied by a music video with Bassick Records JA entitled “Victim” which is receiving positive feedback and support from many.

Runkus and the Old Skl Band have just completed a project with his production team Majah Label Music Group. It also consists of songs produced by Bassick Records JA, UIM and Krs Allen. The project entitled “Welcome Paula Son” consists of eleven (11) fiery tracks and a bonus track, displaying his versatility, lyrical prowess and his appreciation for various genres. It includes collaborations with his father Determine, his mother, Keznamdi, Royal Blu, and Eva. The Project was showcased on March 27th, 2015 at Suzies in Kingston and had guest appearances from upcoming artiste Meleku and Royal Blu, which was well received by an audience of over two hundred patrons.

Runkus is really a force to be reckoned with, a very promising artiste and new world sensation.