#benjaminstarr

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[neonvmag]

in the booth: benjamin starr

starting off the neonV mag music series of ‘in the booth’ interviews, i had the opportunity to chat with higher level entertainment recording artist and south carolina native, benjamin starr. topics ranged from his current project, guns and roses, to his musical influences and who he think he’d beat in a rap battle.

III: what inspires you to devote your time and energy to making music?

benjamin starr: my family, how I grew up, where I grew up - music as well all of these things play a big part for inspiration as far as making music goes. i think my story isn’t that different than a lot of guys growing up my age. i was born in the late 80’s; single mom, we didn’t have everything but we had enough to make it. a lot of guys i know can relate to that- and the music, coming up in the 90’s listening to 2pac, biggie, scarface; real dope hip hop- all of that inspires me to make music now.

III: when did you know that this was something you wanted to pursue full time?

bs: it was around 2009, one night before we were all going to go out, we were all in my manager, troy’s, kitchen freestyling. i started rapping and everyone was like, “whoa where did that come from?” we knew we were on to something. we started really putting in work and me and my friends formed higher level entertainment.

  III: love that! what do you consider to be your confirmation of success? and do you think you reached that pinnacle of success?

  bs: i don’t think i’ve reached my zenith yet as far as what i am capable of musically. but another dope story comes to mind; my first cousin, his name is benjamin also, and we grew up like brothers. he is actually locked up now but, his birthday is april 1st and when me and the guys got together and decided we were actually going to pursue this officially and get our llc, the day that the state of sc recognized us as an official business was april 1, 2009. that was confirmation that i knew i was doing the right thing, and this is what i am suppose to be doing in life.

III: your sound and flow, some may categorize as “old school” sound. who did you grow up listening too and what artist were most influential besides biggie and 2pac that you mentioned before?

  bs: i grew up listening to a lot nas, outkast, scarface, the ghetto boys, ugk, common, jadakiss, snoop dog and dr. dre. i just liked dr. dre’s sound he had that soul in his sound and that was around alot because my mom played betty wright, aretha franklin, micheal jackson and sam cooke. so, from hip hop to those soul records, that’s where my sound comes from.

III: explain the thought behind naming the LP "guns and roses"- why the extreme contrast for a title?

  bs: well, the last project, the scorsese sessions was a mood album and to me when people listen to it i wanted them to sink into a certain mood and let it play out like a story. with this album (guns and roses), i wanted it to be more of everything - the good the bad and the ugly. i didn’t want it to be too much of a theme or conceptualize it.  in the intro of the album, andre 3000 says “we put this thing on hip hop that says it has to be gangsta all the time or all conscious, or all pro black, but hip hop is all of that.” so, i wanted to give you the stories leading up to where i am now, the good times and the low points, and showing that balance. that’s how life is, it’s balanced,; its guns and roses.

III: you sort of eluded to this already but what do you want people to experience when they press, play?

  bs: i just want people to experience me as an artist and i want them to be able to relate to the stories that i am telling and see themselves in it. a lot of guys do not always know how to articulate their emotions so, i just want them to press play and know that it is o.k. to be human but also have integrity.

III: my favorite songs on guns and roses are: prophecy, good morning, sorrows boulevard and heaven knows. what are you favorite songs on this album and why?

  bs: heaven knows: i was able to talk about my dad a little bit. he is a major influence to me because of how i felt about him not being around. but, now at the age of 25, i am at a point where i am not upset with him anymore. i could either complain or forgive him and maintain my integrity.

  ease your mind: this is a true story. i meet a girl that was really cool, beautiful and independent but she also liked to light up-too much! [laughs] it’s a dope story.

  american dream: this record is me. the american dream for young black men is slightly different from the standardized american dream; we want to be successful, we want a beautiful woman who is strong and supports us, to take care of and build a family. so, yeah i love that record.

III: name three tracks that would be on the sound track to your most recent dream

  bs: awh man, it would have to be biggie’s sky’s the limit, nas’ stay, and kanye west’s white dress.

III. nice! so, if you could have a rap battle with and beat anyone in the game now (famous or underground) who would it be? and what is it about your musical intelligence that you know you would challenge and beat them?

  bs: j.cole or k.dot. i like their music and i respect them on a lyrical level. personally, i am witty and i know how to use symbolism and metaphors in a slick way to get exactly what i want to say across. i am not heavy into pop culture so, when it comes pop culture metaphors that’s a “gimme” that you can hear in any rappers bars. you have to dig a little deeper. so, my wit and unconventional metaphors would be my advantage.

for more benjamin starr, check out his latest lp: guns and roses and http://www.hlevation.com/ hit him up @benny_starr

  III: carmela wingfield

accessories, music +travel director

live in neon.

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