In this interview spotlight, we lift the mood quite a bit with the Braggadocious Rhyme of THE one, THE only, Riverside, California’s own, Benjiphonik!
Full Q&A below along with music video, links and more.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create?
I’m an OG rap lover from Riverside, CA, and I create Old school alternative Hip Hop and Nerdcore. Take one part RUN DMC, one part Beastie Boys, and then sprinkle with a goodly dousing of Run The Jewels and “Weird Al” Yankovic. BOOYA, you got Benjiphonik! No acquired taste necessary. My jams are sweet as candy… if candy was a bald white dude, stealin’ beats and spittinn’ rhymes!
MTM: What led you down this path of music?
I’ve been a musician for the last couple decades, playing and singing in rock and rap-core bands. In recent years I made music and performed for video game giant, Blizzard Entertainment (World Of Warcraft, Overwatch, Heroes of the Storm, etc.) with the band Songhammer. But all the while I harbored a secret love for Hip Hop. Groups like A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, and Public Enemy were always a part of my musical DNA. So, I figured it was time to consummate the relationship with my hidden passion, and dedicate my musical-life to Hip Hop 100%. Benjiphonik’s motto: One Kick, One Snare, One DOPE MC!
Benjiphonik – Braggadocious Rhyme (Official Video) https://youtu.be/0d4nSKJKocY
Tell me a little bit about the new music video, Braggadocious Rhyme? What was your motivation for this particular song?
I think that the idea for the Braggadocious Rhyme video, and song, can be best described in this press clipping:
In an outrageously bold statement Riverside, CA’s alternative rap Bad-boy, Ben “Benjiphonik” Stewart, accused the Hip Hop community at large of being “A whole bunch of Sucka MC’s!” The rapper was recently convicted of Stealing Hip Hop, and in a fit of pure rage recoded a brag-n-boast anthem against “Those unambitious, milk & tonic, rap-babies that ratted me out.” In a separate statement the International Hip Hop Consortium was quoted as saying, “Benjiphonik is a bald, nerd-rap, wannabe that shouldn’t quit his day job.” When we contacted the rapper for a comment on the IHHC’s remarks we’re pretty sure he started to cry. Benjiphonik’s Old School infused Hip Hop has been very popular in dive bars, as well as the Bat and Bar Mitzva party scene. Many are saying that the rapper is merely a legend in his own mind, and Phonik’s own Lucky Greek coworker, MCL, was quoted as saying, “That dude spends most of his time in some kind of Hip Hop VR dream world. He doesn’t get any work done, and he can’t dance worth beans!”
That pretty much sums it up!
MTM: Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
As a Hip Hop artist I’d have to say that nothing beats the smooth and smoky sound of vinyl (if you’re just talking about chilling and listening to music). It’s a fully tactile experience; hearing the music with that sweet scratching sound, looking at a really big representation of art on the cover, and listening to a whole album at a time. But I do love the versatility of MP3’s. The fact that I can email a tune to a radio station, publication, or fan, is just so convenient and cool. I love being able to connect with people so quickly in that way.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Why? How has this technology helped you, and what are some of the challenges?
Actually, I love Spotify! It’s dope to hear a full mix of the artists you’re diggin’ on. And as a Hip Hop creator, I love how global the reach is at Spotify. Apple Music and Google Play are both great, and I use ReverbNation and Soundcloud as well. You can find Benjiphonik music on literally dozens of sites. There are just so many great places to hear music these days. That can be both good and bad for the artist; good because you can reach people at the medium they sonically live, but bad because the saturation is so intense that artists can easily get lost in the crowd. The way we consume music and art is ever-changing, and as artists, we have to be willing to change the way we share our art as well. We’re not just musicians anymore. We’re content creators. That can be challenging.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
For listening to music, dancing, and getting’ down, you can find Benjiphonik on:
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/5CGr4Dej4Kb5CKvEes6wd0?si=4IVHw1l9RWCD-jEyE91yXQ
Apple Music/iTunes – https://music.apple.com/us/artist/benjiphonik/1466002403
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/benjiphonik
To connect with the wild world of Benjiphonik on social media just go to:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Benjiphonik
Twitter – https://twitter.com/benjiphonik
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/benjiphonik
You can also watch AMAZING Hip Hop videos on YouTube and get info at Benjiphonik’s website:
Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr3aAhehKp7FR7BxIOR9Xyw
Website – https://benjiphonik.com
Anything else before we sign off?
Just that I’m 100% thankful to be doing what I do! I LOVE making Hip Hop music, videos, and performing. Puttin’ a grin on people’s grill is my absolute favorite. And thank you so much, Joshua & MTM, for this interview. You are 8 kinds of AWESOME!!!
