Tommy Lee Sparta

Leroy Russell Junior, born on November 4, 1987, and known professionally as Tommy Lee or Tommy Lee Sparta, is a Jamaican dancehall artist hailing from Flankers, Montego Bay. Rising to fame as a member of Vybz Kartel’s Adidjahiem Records and the Portmore Empire crew, Tommy Lee Sparta carved out a distinct identity in the genre with his dark, "Gothic Dancehall" style, often exploring themes inspired by horror and the occult. He began his musical journey in 2007 at Snipa Studios with his debut track, “Spartan Story,” and later gained traction after performing at Vybz Kartel’s 2010 birthday bash, which prompted him to officially join the Portmore Empire. His first hit, “Warn Dem,” followed later that year, but his major breakthrough came with the 2011 single “Some Bwoy,” which rose to the top of several Jamaican charts after its video release in 2012. That same year, Tommy Lee Sparta solidified his presence with singles like “Psycho,” “Buss a Blank,” and “Shook (Uncle Demon),” leading to high-profile performances at Reggae Sumfest and Sting. After Adidjahiem Records shut down in 2012, he launched his own label, PG 13, alongside Gaza Slim, and adopted the stage name Tommy Lee Sparta to avoid legal conflicts and reinforce his unique brand. His influence reached beyond music, with Jamaican Olympians like Usain Bolt publicly showing support. He responded by remixing tracks in tribute to the sprinters. Tommy Lee Sparta’s work has earned him awards and accolades, including the Youth View Award for Song of the Year in 2012 and a spot on the Billboard reggae albums chart in 2018 with his EP New Creator. In 2020, he was also nominated for an International Reggae and World Music Award in the Best Dancehall Stagecraft Entertainer category, cementing his legacy as one of dancehall’s most controversial and creative forces.