Up Close with Producer Benji B. on creating his new Future Rising Track

Up Close Up Close with Producer Benji B. on creating his new Future Rising Track

For London-based producer Benji B., music doesn’t happen in a bubble – it’s a living, breathing thing. From playing an array of instruments as a child, to producing a track on Kanye West’s Life of Pablo album and hosting a weekly radio spot on BBC’s Radio 1, Benji lets inspiration of any kind fuel his work. And creating a new track with rapper Bohan Phoenix as part of W Shanghai’s Future Rising festival was no different – except that they wrote, recorded, and mixed the entire track from right inside the W suite.

Watch as we go behind the scenes at W Shanghai where these two talents put their sounds and skills together, creating a killer track to premiere at Future Rising.

Read how Benji B started turning a love for making beats into releasing club-ready hits.

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Benji B getting ready for W Shanghai's Future Rising event

How did you start making music?

 

Benji B: I started playing instruments at the age of 7 and then different musical pursuits have taken over at different times since then.

 

 

How would you describe your individual sound?

 

BB: It is hopefully true to whatever I’m feeling at that time.

 

 

Who are your main inspirations?

 

BB: Anyone who makes music without worrying if it fits a box.

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Mid production with Bohan in the W suite.

Which city is your favorite to DJ in?

 

BB: London.

 

 

How does your home city of London influence your work?

 

BB: In every single way – musically speaking, it made me who I am today.

 

 

What is your biggest late-night indulgence?

 

BB: Tea and toast.

 

 

What are three things you can’t travel without?

 

BB: Passport, headphones, hoodie.

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The Bund is always inspiring.
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Bohan and Benji on stage at Future Rising performing their hit!

If you could work with anyone, who would it be?

 

BB: Quincy Jones

 

 

What is the most unique element to the city of Shanghai not found in other cities?

 

BB: Every city is its own unique thumbprint, but Shanghai has an intense energy not comparable to many other places I have been.