This story originally appeared in i-D’s The Royalty Issue, no. 370, Winter 2022. Order your copy here.
“I’m just doing this i-D interview. All right, bro. I’ll call you after this – sorry, I’ve got this event for Off-White tonight,” Benji B explains apologetically, hanging up the phone as we sit down in his North London studio to discuss the ‘mixtape’ of artists he’s selected for this story. “I just landed from playing in Ibiza, flew straight there from playing in LA and I’m only now just putting together this week’s radio show!”
Benji is a man in demand, which isn’t a surprise having established himself as London’s chief musical tastemaker over the last two decades – working tirelessly to introduce audiophiles around the globe to the emerging artists and sounds he’s discovered: whether via presenting his BBC Radio 1 show, DJing at his club night Deviation, or working within the fashion realm to soundtrack various runway shows and presentations, from Phoebe Philo era Céline to closely collaborating with his longtime friend Virgil Abloh during his time as Artistic Director of menswear at Louis Vuitton.
It’s easy to trace parallels between Benji’s formative years to his unique career path and highly-respected standing today. A “musician first and foremost”, he started to learn the saxophone at an early age, during a period where it became apparent he had an ear for something different to mainstream tastes. “At that point in time, I didn’t really have contemporaries that were into the same stuff as me. I loved jazz, Charlie Parker, and John Coltrane – it’s weird for 12-year-olds to be into that,” he explains with a smile. “I also loved rap – East Coast hip-hop was probably the most seismic influence for anyone in my generation’s life.”
The “explosion of rave and breakbeat” in the 90s started an obsession with DJ and club culture, initially via listening to London’s pirate radio shows before inevitably sneaking into nightclubs while still underage. “I was a sponge: I was that kid you’d see on the dance floor, literally until the lights came on, waiting for them to play another record,” he reflects. “That’s really my background, I’d say that informs everything.” Having a passion for something you love is one thing, but the dedication to make it your life’s work is another, and it’s what sets Benji apart in many ways. “Wherever I am in the world, whatever’s happening, I will always make the show,” he simply states when discussing the work that goes into discovering and selecting the tracks for his late-night slot on Radio 1 which he has hosted for over twelve years now. “It keeps me musically fit, it’s my hundred press ups every week.”
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Despite the fact that many of us can find music at the touch of a button in 2022, his positive outlook on the concept of the curated radio show is seemingly unwavering. “In this streaming age, which is democratic and offers amazing access – I must say that I still love the radio as a format,” he says. “When I say ‘radio’ I’m talking about the rich history of legendary specialist radio that we have in the UK, on commercial, pirate, national, and local stations – that paved the way for me to be able to do what I do. I’m so lucky and it’s an insane privilege to have two hours of national air time to literally play whatever I want. There’s no influence.”
Speaking of influence, it’s difficult to trace Benji’s career without touching on the hugely revered club night he co-founded with Judah Afriyie, Deviation; “I believe that we really influenced promoters in London and around the UK to change the way they did nights,” he reflects, “because we were the first people to ever book Moodymann and Flying Lotus on the same lineup, or Kenny Dope and Hudson Mohawke – those combinations you weren’t really seeing before.”
The event, which has seen performances from the likes of A$AP Rocky, Arca and Dean Blunt, and also established itself as a permanent stage at Notting Hill Carnival, is about to celebrate it’s 15th birthday, which feels like a symbolic testament of Benji’s commitment to club-goers over the years. “It just happens naturally. It’s about the community that’s created around Deviation and the opportunity you give people to meet their future collaborators, co-producers, mothers and fathers of their children… It’s about giving back to and influencing the culture of the city that gave me everything. It’s correct.”
Sure, that aforementioned community might be coming for a good time, but the thing that binds them is their shared appreciation of Benji’s infallible track selections – an instinctive process he describes as an “immediate lightning bolt with unwavering clarity” whilst also revealing that “there’s no amount of plugging, coolness or pressure that can make a record be played, all I care about is what’s coming out the speaker.”
This uncompromising clarity was the reason we asked him to curate the exciting UK-based musicians, DJs and producers you’re about to meet in this story. Some of them connect with each other in a collaborative sense, but all of them have a thread which runs through them that Benji describes as “soul, to be honest. Soulful music extends to house, drum and bass, grime; there’s a certain feel, a certain sound, and a certain rhythm that connects all the music that I play. Whenever you try to put it into words, it sounds very pretentious, but as soon as you hear it, it sounds perfect.”
Ojerime
Benji: I discovered Ojerime through Mansur Brown. She’s got a phenomenal voice, but she’s also in this pocket of traditional R&B without being traditional. It’s so soulful, but it’s also very UK and mixed with Mansur on the guitar everything blends into this cocktail that’s just like; ‘Ok, this is immediately being played tonight.’
What’s the best message of support you’ve received during your career?
Ojerime: To keep going, even when it feels like the odds are stacked up against you.
If you could only listen to one artist for the rest of your life, who would it be and why?
Ojerime: Lisa Left Eye Lopes. I watched the documentary on her last days recently and I saw myself in her. I needed that connection. I waited years to watch it because Lisa’s passing was a huge loss, and watching it now meant I had the experience to really understand who she was.
What’s your motto?
Ojerime: Don’t spread yourself thin tryna win!
Errol & Alex Rita (Touching Bass)
Benji: I see Errol & Alex Rita (Touching Bass) very much as a leading light in the next generation of club nights and DJs. They’re all great selectors with great taste in music. They remind me a little bit of Deviation in that they have built out their community and they clearly are students of the rich lineage of club culture that we’re all lucky to have experienced and participated in and contributed to.
What is your dream place for a Touching Bass takeover?
Alex: The club in Janet Jackson’s “Got ‘Til It’s Gone” music video.
Who would headline a Touching Bass festival?
Alex: Minnie Ripperton (RIP) and Theo Parrish.
Errol: Ruff Sqwad, Georgia Anne Muldrow, André 3000, Garnett Silk (RIP), Sade, Kaidi Tatham, Hanna. It will happen.
What’s the best career advice you ever received?
Errol & Alex: Be intentional, don’t compare yourself to others and good things sometimes take time.
M Huncho
Benji: I can’t play music with average production, but every now and then a rapper comes along where the beat becomes almost irrelevant. That’s certainly true, in my opinion, of M Huncho. What a don. I love his song “Breadwinner” in particular, which I’ve played a lot on my show. His phrasing, his vocal delivery, his style, obviously his bars, lyrics, all of it. There’s just something very unique about his sound. It sounds completely different, it’s in its own lane.
You changed your famous mask earlier this year for a new one designed by Lucien Clarke, could you explain the thought process behind that and the reason why you wear it?
M Huncho: I feel like music gets overlooked. You know, people are very invested in an artists’ personal life and stuff like that. Sometimes it’s the music that just does the talking, and there’s so many stories that a song, a mixtape or album can tell you.
What’s the one thing you have to have on your rider?
M Huncho: Definitely need some Raw Rolling papers and Ginger Lime tea.
You came into the i-D office for your shoot, how was that experience?
M Huncho: The idea of this was great, man. I’m just happy I didn’t fire anyone!
Shy One
Benji: Shy One, what a legend. One of my favourite people in the music scene at the moment. It’s been beautiful to watch her journey as a producer and a DJ. She’s a real DJ’s DJ, I tip my hat. She plays different styles, often sitting in the house tempo, but like in a broken beat kind of style, with a bulletproof selection. Her music knowledge is clear for everyone to see and she’s just brilliant on the radio as well. One of the good ones.
Where did your stage name come from?
Shy One: I was fourteen and was already DJing under another name. I wanted to make and send my beats out without being judged because I was a girl, so I chose a quick and temporary gender-neutral name that related to not wanting to have my identity known. I used to Photoshop a cartoon face over my head in photos and only revealed my face seven years later when Scratcha DVA arranged the artwork for my debut EP.
What’s your motto?
Shy One: Don’t force it.
What’s your favourite conspiracy theory?
Shy One: That monarchies, governments, and authorities do not have the people’s best interests at heart.
Eliza
Benji: Clearly Eliza’s passion is soul music. I can hear that in the way she wears her influences on her sleeve with her new work. It’s been really beautiful to see her journey into making the music that she wants to make and I hope that she can long continue to do so.”
You just released your new album A Sky Without Stars, where did the title come from?
Eliza: If you live in the city or a town you never get to see the wonder of the universe, the stars and planets. I just wanted to draw attention to that and though I don’t sing about it specifically in the songs, it’s a feeling that runs throughout the album.
Who is your biggest musical influence?
Eliza: D’Angelo. His music brings me balance and makes me feel like I’m home.
What is the greatest invention of all time?
Eliza: The telescope! Especially that big one we just put in space recently. I can’t wait to see what it shows us. Beans on toast is a close second.
Mini Kingz
Benji: MiniKingz are a super powerful crew, but first we have to talk about some of the artists individually, as they’re all amazing and I want everyone to listen to their solo material too. I discovered Ragz Originale through my friend Acyde – I think he had just produced “Shutdown” for Skepta. His output as a producer and an artist is so consistent and unique, it feels super London to me. BenjiFlow, my namesake, I first discovered through a song called “Deep End”. Then he followed it up with a tune called “Can’t Lose”, one of my most played tunes over recent years. I asked him to come and play on our stage at Notting Hill Carnival, he came squad deep and absolutely smashed it! Oscar Worldpeace was introduced to me by those two, the first time I heard him was a tune called “Mmm”. Incredible. When their mixtape dropped together as MiniKingz it was just pure music to vibe out to. I love these guys.
You all had your own music careers going on before joining forces, how did that come about?
Oscar: God always aligns you with your tribe.
What’s the best thing about living in North London?
Ragz: The food, 100%.
E-Whizz: Knowing that I’m in a place where I can be myself creatively and become an individual.
You dropped your anticipated mixtape ICONICY earlier this year, what did you learn about each other while making the tape?
BenjiFlow: That Oscar can fall asleep, wake up and still get his verse done. Ragz really likes Juicy Roots. Rxlls has the deepest voice in MK. And my studio is the best studio out of all of us.
Describe where you grew up to someone who’s never been there?
Ragz: Come as you are, and as you are only… It’s a place for individuals.
Oscar: Imagine collecting all the spices across the world then mixing them together and making a stew.
Describe your music in three words?
Ragz:: The future, now and forever.
BenjiFlow: Bounce, journey and energy.
RXLLS: Smooth, honest and heartfelt.
Karen Nyame KG
Benji: Karen Nyame KG is one of my favourite producers right now within the dance music space – and what a sick DJ. She DJs in the style that she produces, and produces in the style that she DJs. Any time a new song by her pops into my inbox, I’m always excited. There are a few tunes by her that I always play in every set. She’s been doing her thing for a while and as far as I’m concerned is at a very, very high-quality level with great taste, and represents a particular kind of pocket and feel in dance music that is my favourite, really – and is not represented enough.
Describe your music in three words?
Karen: Rhythmically potent and sensual.
Who is your biggest musical influence?
Karen: Missy Elliott is the official blueprint for me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Karen: Be steadfast in creation; create always, even when no one is looking. You will become a master of your craft that way.
Anz
Benji: I feel like my discovery of Anz has been quite late! I came across her work as a producer first, then I was playing at a festival with her about two years ago and heard her DJ and I was like, ‘Okay, wow.’ I have a feature on my radio show called “In 3 Records” where you get to know an artist from them playing three records. Hers is possibly my favourite of all time. Just the sheer precision. She’s clearly got an amazing record collection, and is super well-informed about dance music, obviously, as you would be if you’re that good at playing it!
What’s your favourite conspiracy theory?
Anz: My absolute favourites are definitely the silliest ones, like Obama being in the “Whoomp There It Is” music video or the Avril Lavigne replacement theory. Also Sneakbo turning into a cat, I probably think about that once every couple of months.
What’s the best career advice you ever received?
Anz: My mum always says: “You’re the one driving the car”. I find her advice so lovely and comforting to remember in those times of pressure and doubt. Don’t feel bad if you need to slow down, speed up, make a sharp left turn or pull over and reset. No matter how many people are in your ear telling you their version of what’s best, you can always make your own decisions. You’re the driver; anyone else is just along for the ride.
What’s your life motto?
Anz: Trust your gut. It shouldn’t steer you wrong.
Nala Sinephro
Benji: All I can say is that it is my strong belief that her album, Space 1.8 will be a future classic. Often when we’re experiencing things in real time, whether it be a nightclub or a piece of art, we don’t have the right level of reverence. But I do have that level of reverence about what she’s created with this LP, and I know for a fact that just as people dig for classic jazz records or soul albums today, people will be crate-digging for this in the future. It’s very unusual to hear a project this sophisticated, this developed, which incorporates all of its elements so effortlessly.
George Riley
Benji: I never really count up how many times I play anything, but I reckon if you were to do that this year, “Jealousy” or “Delusion” by George Riley might be among my most played songs. I never get bored of her music. Her new EP is called Running On Waves. It’s really outstanding. It links so many different types of music, soul, R&B, dance music, electronic… I only discovered George in 2020 but I can feel that there’s serious potential. It’s only going to get more exciting.
Describe your music in three words?
George: Eclectic space fantasy.
What’s your favourite conspiracy theory?
George: Favourite is a strong word, they’re usually horrible revelations about corruption but I am super interested! I watch a lot of Adam Curtis… One thing I was surprised to learn was how the Illuminati situation was a ploy by the CIA to gauge how gullible the American public is. They concluded: very.
Instagram or TikTok?
George: I was very anti-Tiktok but it’s a lot of fun. Brain-rotting, money-hungry fun. I find it very entertaining but I don’t know how to use it. Instagram has always been a hell hole, may it continue to crash and burn.
Elmiene
Benji: He’s a very special one, this kid. I was working on Lil Silva’s album at Church Studio, and Elmiene was there. He introduced himself and during a break asked if he could play us a song he was working on. We gave him the aux cable and he played “Golden”. My immediate reaction was ‘What am I hearing right now? And can I hear it again?’ Three months later, it was around Thanksgiving, and the last time I spoke with Virgil – we were texting each other tracks for the Louis Vuitton show in Miami. I sent him “Golden” and he replied in all caps: ‘APPROVED’. I have absolutely no doubt that Elmiene will go on to produce completely uncompromising, beautiful, world-class music. He is the real deal.
Who would be your dream collaborator, alive or dead?
Elmiene: Donny Hathaway, no doubt. I don’t think anyone has mastered conveying emotions through vocals better than he has. Listen to his live rendition of “A Song For You” and you’ll understand. You’ll also cry.
Who is your biggest musical influence?
Elmiene: 100% D’Angelo, he’s my absolute hero musically. I just hope to finally see him live someday soon.
What is the greatest invention of all time?
Elmiene: Kebab vans.
Lauren Duffus
Benji: I need to credit Femi Adeyemi of NTS as the source for this selection – he put me onto Lauren Duffus. I checked out her work and I was like, ‘Thank you, because this is amazing.’ She was an artist that only had a couple of songs at the time but you could tell she has sick influences and taste and she’s gone on to develop track after track after track. Everything I hear is great. I don’t know too much about Lauren admittedly, but what I know is that I like her ear.
If you could only listen to one artist for the rest of your life, who would it be and why?
Lauren: Chief Keef, because his music does so much. I can swap how the same song makes me feel at different times by focusing on different bits, especially if I change the tempo and pitch. He gives us emotive instrumentals that can be gloomy but also satirical, amusing, lyrics that can be dark and reflective or aggressive or funny.
What are you currently obsessed with at the moment?
Lauren: MOGU MOGU lychee drink and Monster Pacific punch.
What’s on your phone lock screen? What does it mean to you?
Lauren: It’s a picture of a dove with the first line of St Francis’ prayer on it: “Make me a channel of your peace”.
Mansur Brown
Benji: Mansur Brown is without question one of the most exciting guitarists I’ve ever heard in my life. I first heard his music about five years ago and it immediately just blew my head off. There was a song in particular called “Mansur’s Message” that I just could not get out of my head. It’s not just his skill alone, there’s also texture and taste. He could play one note only, and you’d know it’s him.
You just released your new EP NAQI Vol.1, could you tell our readers a little bit about the project and your mindset going into crafting it?
Mansur: Naqi means pure in Arabic, and is about the process it takes to reach peace of mind and true content with oneself. I draw all my inspiration from God. Choosing the word Naqi for me interprets the concept of purity as being a truly balanced human being in all aspects of life.
What’s the one thing you have to have on your rider?
Mansur: Chocolate Fingers.
Who would be your dream collaboration?
Mansur: Prince, Tame Impala, Bryson Tiller and Hans Zimmer.
Vegyn
Benji: Vegyn’s just amazing, man. The only thing I wish he’d stop doing is making albums with 76 tracks on them! His records are just so well produced. From a technical standpoint, they bang. They’re just completely different. They’re not necessarily in the lineage of ‘I’m going to make rap beats for someone to rap over’, and they’re not necessarily in the lineage of ‘I’m going to make an electronic music album for Pitchfork to give a good review to’. His work feels cutting edge… he’s just phenomenally talented.
You were last in i-D in 2019, what’s the main thing you’ve learnt in life since then?
Vegyn: Patience.
Describe your music in three words?
Vegyn: Out of place.
Where do you see yourself in ten years time?
Vegyn: Like everyone else, in the bunker.
Novelist
Benji: I think I’ve known Nov since he was about 17. He’s still so young, but he started so young. Novelist is an amazing MC and artist and performer. But he’s really a producer first. He’s a serious music man, super well- informed with a strong sense of self-confidence that’s not arrogance, he just knows he’s here to do something. He’s very dialled in, very connected and appears to have a sort of laser focus when it comes to creating music – his catalogue speaks for itself. I also think that his staunch independent approach is hugely inspirational. There’s no rules, he does exactly what he wants at all times.
You’re only 25 but a veteran of the game at the same time, how do you feel about that?
Novelist: It’s assumed that, because I have been doing music for so long, I must be older; I’ve been spitting bars and making music for over ten years. That time is all experience and learning. I’m the youngest OG.
If you could only listen to one artist for the rest of your life, who would it be and why?
Novelist: The Golden Gate Quartet from the 1930s to the 1940s – they are the best MCs of all time.
Describe your music in three words?
Novelist: Excellently put together.
Lil Silva
Benji: Lil Silva, where do we start? First known for his funky house smashers like the anthem of carnival for the last 20 years “Seasons”, it felt essential that he was included here as he just released his debut album, Yesterday Is Heavy. It’s a huge pivotal moment because he finally caved in to all of us telling him that he should be on the mic. Silva hasn’t been afraid to really develop his style and make music that is beyond genre, beyond category. He’s also one of the safest people I’ve ever met in music, period.
What’s your golden rule when it comes to creating with others?
Lil Silva: Trust in the process. There are no limitations and no “wrong” things. You should always do what lights you up and always be recording to never miss a moment. And remember to have fun!
What’s your advice to anyone who wants to become a musician/artist?
Lil Silva: Take influences like a pinch of salt, you don’t need to add everything to the mix. Focus on what you want the music to sound like, so if ten “wrong” things still sound great to you, run with it.
What’s the best career advice you ever received?
Lil Silva: Choose your team wisely.
Charisse C
Benji: There’s a certain presence that Charisse C has when she plays; a striking energy and a confidence. She just sets pace, basically. She’s gonna sit at the tempo she wants to sit at, and she’s gonna let the records breathe. I love that. When she’s played at Deviation before it’s like ‘Right, I can’t play any amapiano tonight, because I’ve got the actual authority on the genre here in the building’. We invited her to our stage at Notting Hill Carnival this year and her slot was after the 3:00 PM silence for the Grenfell Tower tragedy. To follow such a justifiably emotional and highly charged moment is not easy, but the way she did it was just so beautiful. It was perfect.
You founded Abantu on the ever-popular No Signal Radio. Could you describe the show to someone who’s never heard it?
Charisse: The Abantu radio show started during the first lockdown in 2020 as a bi weekly show dedicated to representing the vastness of Southern Africa, with a combined effort of music and storytelling. As I was starting this radio show, amapiano was becoming a global phenomenon. I wanted to create a hub; to share and archive the stories of the people and cultures behind the music.
You were born in Zimbabwe before moving to the UK, could you talk a bit about that experience?
Charisse: Growing up in the diaspora meant there was a lot I was disconnected from, but I’ve always had music. Music has always kept me close to who I am. It’s a part of our everyday lives and one of the main ways we commune with one another; my parents’ collections, family gatherings, hall parties, church; they have all influenced my knowledge of and the way I listen to music.
What’s your life motto?
Charisse: I’m going to use a Toni Morrison quote that I have tattooed on my right arm: “I stood at the border, stood at the edge and claimed it as central. l claimed it as central, and let the rest of the world move over to where I was.”
Credits
Photography Bolade Banjo
Fashion Louis Prier Tisdall
Hair (Ojerime and George Riley) Christabel Blackwood
Hair (Eliza) Amidat Giwa at Bryant Artists using Wella Professionals
Hair and makeup (Charisse C) Fiona Radebe Zondo
Makeup (Nala Sinephro) Nina Fay Robinson using NARS
Makeup (Karen Nyame KG) Tracy Grabs using NARS Cosmetics
Makeup (Eliza) Mata Mariélle using Rose Inc
Makeup (George Riley) Maya Man using BYREDO
Photography assistance Beatriz Puppo Amo
Fashion assistance Connie Ng