Benjimin – Q&A Interview
For the music junkies who don’t know who you guys are, let them know?
Ahh so much to say but I’ll keep it brief. I’m an indie artist that’s been on the scene for a while now, I’d say the better part of 8 years. I hail from the lowly streets of Northeast Edmonton, Alberta. It’s a small city of just over 750,000 but it’s still got its problems like any other capital. I took my musical influence from street orientated hip-hop because it was, at the time, something I could identify with. Plain and simple. I gravitated towards the story telling aspect of rap and it really is one of the biggest influences I’ve ever had in my life so I decided to start making my own music. And 8 years later, through all the ups and downs I’ve come to this point. The Rapture is probably my favourite release to date and I’m really thankful for the positive feedback I’ve gotten so far. I pretty much have a whole new mixtape done and ready to record so I should have some new content come very, very soon! It’s gonna be a good summer.
Canadian Hip Hop is kind of lost out here in the U.S. Let us Know how you feel Canadian Hip Hop differs from U.S. Hip Hop and why is it that only wack clowns like Drake represents Hip Hop out there which is super wack!?
Haha, well I like to keep it pretty unbiased, or my public opinion at least… But I’ll tell you this much. I could go on for a bit about the problems facing Canadian Hip-Hop but I’ll explain a few of em’. First off most dudes I’ve met up here, not all but most, need to acknowledge that Hip-Hop is an urban art form from the streets of the USA. And what I mean by that is, recognize and respect that. If it wasn’t for ya’ll mf’s we wouldn’t even have this shit. You got all sorts of weird ass rap up here from juggalo rap to dudes who just rhyme a bunch of words but ain’t even saying anything. And then you got your typical posers and all that trying to be super thugs haha. The Hip-Hop I can remember growing up and even today coming from south of the border is always diverse, progressive and setting new standards for rap and the artists. And when I say that I’m talking about your Big Krit’s, Kendricks, J.Coles etc,.. Rap from the USA is and will always be the best. Like Hockey in Canada haha.
Secondly, I’m really sick of hearing Canadians say “oh I don’t listen to hip-hop these days I just listen to rap from the 90’s” and “rappers these days think they’re so hard and I don’t listen to all that”. This is a reality for some people and most lower-income urban folk. And like I said, most people up here ain’t rich but their comfortable so this isn’t a reality for them. Not only does it reflect in the quality or lack of it within the music scene but it leaves a big gap in the connection between Canadian hip-hop and rap from the USA. Don’t get me wrong theirs lots of good talent up here and hip-hop heads with good taste but we ain’t the majority. Call me crazy but that’s how I see it.
Congrats on success of the latest Mixtape, “The Rapture”. Feel free to breakdown the creative process of the project. (features, production, etc). Where can people find the project?
Well my inspiration for this project came from the state of Canadian underground hip-hop during the time. It might sound condescending but I’m just really not a fan of most of the stuff I hear. Not saying its bad but it’s just really not what I’m into. So I figured I’d body em with a solid mixtape aptly dubbed “The Rapture”.
I pretty much just roll up a few spliffs and let the music come to me. Nothing complex or a big deal just letting it flow ya know?
Any new project coming out for the year 2016?
Yea like I said earlier I got a whole new cd ready to be recorded this month and released March. The name of the project and exact release date is TBD.
With this industry being so fast pace, being so busy promoting yourself, and touring, what advice do you give to those who are barely releasing their first record, and trying to break into the business?
I’d say don’t let the spark die. And you ultimately need to ask yourself if this is something you are willing to make sacrifices for. Because you can best believe that your competition are out there grinding and making sacrifices. You can’t make half ass attempts in this music biz and expect significant results. Even with what little success I have I still have a long road ahead of me and lots of work to do. It can get discouraging at times but I still keep pushing. It’s either that or give up and I ain’t no chump like that!
How does social media playing a role in promoting Benjimin as a brand? How are fans / supporters helping the movement?
At this point my fans are like promo for my brand and music since I give it all away for FREE. I really need to step my social media game up but its a pain in the ass cause I’m from a different time before this whole social media thing. And frankly I find little to no interest in being on Facebook or Twitter all day. But even with that being said it’s still a very powerful tool I need to start utilizing more effectively.
With this being an underground hip hop site, we always ask this important question. What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?
I’d say my general definition of underground hip-hop would be anything that isn’t under any of the big labels. But what it means to me is a bit different. To me its anything that empowers the people and is against the establishment. Its like the alternative media to the big corporate media. Its music for the little guy and our culture. Because after all hip-hop is a culture not just a music but its been hijacked and exploited by money-grubbing mf’s who could care less about its roots. What I do love most tho about underground hip-hop from a rappers perspective is the come up. Watching someone come from a humble beginning only to reach greatness. It’s what inspired me from the get go to become an artist. Hopefully one day that will be the case with me.
Where can people find you guys on the internet? Drop all the vital links.
You can find us at
Youtube.com/Benjiminkings
Facebook.com/Benjiminkings
Twitter.com/Benjimin_
Lastly, and shout out?
Yea I’d like to give a shout out to my late Grandfather who helped me through all the good times and the bad. Along with my wife and younger brother. And lastly my best friend of the last 15 years Deejay Money. Without all their support I wouldn’t be in the position I am to bring y’all the music I do. Respect! I’m out!
