GET TO KNOW: Benicio

For British-Ghanaian rapper Benicio, music provides a natural meeting point between the two cultures that have shaped him. Drawing from contemporary UK rap while remaining closely connected to his Ghanaian heritage, he is developing a sound where HipLife, Afroswing and hip-hop can comfortably exist alongside one another.

That intersection takes centre stage on new single ‘Eve’, the first introduction to his forthcoming debut mixtape, A Beautiful Day. Featuring collaborators COLLINZ and SLO, the vibrant track builds around a sample from Ghanaian HipLife legends VIP, transforming it into an upbeat celebration of attraction, romance and cultural identity.

So with the new single out now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and influences over the years.

What was the first band or artist you fell in love with?

I would say Eminem was the very first. I didn’t pay too much attention to lyrics when I was younger but I loved his flow and comedic style. Plus as I grew older I came to appreciate his storytelling and introspective songs more

Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?

Before RUDEWRLD I was in a rap group called F Side. It consisted of three other rappers, two of whom I went to boarding school with. We didn’t end up releasing much music as a collective together but we used to rap together all the time with other students whether in classrooms or on the field during inter college sports events. We mainly prioritised hip-hop as a genre throughout our secondary school day but started to experiment with other genres like Afrobeats and Alternative R&B

What has been your primary inspiration in writing music?

As cliche as it sounds my life experiences serve as my primary motivation. It’s easier the chanel life experiences into music because they’re events I experienced personally. It’s easy to write when it comes from a first person point of view.

What is a song you wish you had written yourself?

Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst by Kendrick Lamar. I remember first listening to that song and being so overwhelmed with emotion. It was the song that made me want to start making music and I’ve been trying to replicate that feeling in my songs ever since.

If there was any moment in your career you could relive, what would it be?

I would say the very beginning. Although I had no idea what I was doing I was much more free and less concerned about what people thought about my music. It was just fun to me. The older I’ve gotten the more conscious I am of the music I make. Not because I wish to adhere to what others want me to make but I’m well aware that I wish to peruse this as a professional career. So subconsciously I pick my singles and make songs from a strategic standpoint. The counter this I try as much as possible to stay true to my roots but I just miss when I had no care in the world about who would listen and how many streams I would get.

Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?

J. Cole definitely. He’s my favourite rapper and I’ve have a good number of rappers I look up to but he’s undoubtedly my favourite.

And is there an artist you would love to collaborate with as well?

J. Cole is definitely at the top of that list! Other than him there’s soo many. Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Kwesi Arthur, Little Simz, Jhene Aiko just to name a few

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Going on tour, performing for people who connect with my music and getting to meet them.

Listen to Benicio's new single 'Eve' below.