Tommy Lee Sparta

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Tommy Lee Sparta, born Leroy Russell Junior on November 4, 1987, is a Jamaican dancehall artist from Flankers, Montego Bay. He is also known as Tommy Lee and Tommy Lee Sparta. He became famous as part of Adidjahiem Records and the Portmore Empire, led by Vybz Kartel, and is known for a Gothic-influenced style in dancehall.

Early life and rise
Tommy Lee began deejaying in 2007 at Snipa Studios in Flankers, where he recorded his first song, Spartan Story. He sometimes opened for local shows and caught the attention of Vybz Kartel, who invited him to Kingston to join the Portmore Empire. He initially declined but later joined after a pivotal performance at Vybz Kartel’s Birthday Bash in January 2010.

Career milestones
His first recognized hit was Warn Dem in 2010 on Da Wiz’s riddim, with a music video directed by Dk Konsepp. He broke through with Some Bwoy (Link Pon Wi Chain) in 2011, which gained popularity after Kartel’s arrest and a 2012 music video release. Songs like Psycho, Buss a Blank, and Shook (Uncle Demon) brought him significant local and international exposure. In 2012 he headlined Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay and the Sting festival in Portmore.

Name change and style
In September 2012, he changed his stage name to Tommy Lee Sparta for trademark reasons and to differentiate himself from the famous Tommy Lee of Motley Crue. The “Sparta” part came from the area of Flankers where he grew up.

Notable moments and achievements
Tommy Lee Sparta’s Gothic-influenced music drew both fans and critics. He was recognized with the Chart-topping Song of the Year award at Jamaica’s Youth View Awards in 2012 for the track Psycho. In 2018 he reached the Billboard reggae albums top 10 with his EP New Creator. In 2020 he received a nomination for an International Reggae and World Music Award (IRAWMA) for Best Dancehall Stagecraft Entertainer. His 2021 LP Transition continued his ongoing musical output.

Bounty Killer feud
In 2012 a feud with Bounty Killer began after a series of heated Twitter posts. Sparta released a diss video called Goat Head, and Bounty Killer answered with two diss songs. A planned Sting clash was cancelled after Sting’s promoter suggested Sparta might win. The two artists later stated the feud was over.

Personal life
Tommy Lee Sparta grew up in a tough environment and faced many challenges, including losing his father at a young age. He attended Anchovy High School and had his first child at 14 with his longtime partner, Donna. He obtained an American visa in 2014. In 2014 he was charged in connection with a lottery scam, but the case was dismissed in 2018. In March 2021 he pled guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and was sentenced to three years in prison, with release in March 2023.

Discography highlights
Extended plays include titles like Pussy Mechanic, Psycho, Some Bwoy, and New Creator. LPs feature Grim Reaper, Save Dem Soul, Sparta Boss, Diamond Blessings, New Creator, Reincarnation, and Transition. His work spans dancehall, reggae, rock fusion, and EDM, reflecting his diverse influences and prolific output.

Summary
Tommy Lee Sparta is a prominent Jamaican dancer and musician known for his dark, Gothic-inspired dancehall style. From his early days in Montego Bay to joining the Portmore Empire and rising to international recognition, he has remained a controversial and influential figure in the genre, with a career marked by hits, feuds, legal challenges, and continued musical evolution.