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.
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.
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.
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.