Interview with Rock Benjamins

The GMV sat down with the enigmatic Rock Benjamins to get a deep dive into the mind behind the track 'Deadman' which is currently sweeping its way through the underground rap rooms. Keep reading to discover his motivations, passions and inspirations!

We've noticed that you don't go by a stage name - you go by your actual name, Rock Benjamins. What was the inspiration behind that?

R: First off, I feel like my name is not like any other person's name. God put it in such a way that it fits perfectly together. 'Rock' is a statement; it has a lot of meaning that was attatched to it by my parents while 'Benjamins' is a name that my parents added to our family name because they wanted something different. So yeah, 'Rock Benjamins' just worked. Also, I make money like my last name and go hard like my first name.

How did you get into music?

R: Well I started doing music when I was 9 years old. I actually released a single called 'My Time'. Nobody really knows about it but it was on NTA (Nigerian Television Authorities - a TV channel) and everything. After that I joined the opera for three years as an alto. From there I just wrote a lot; I'd make sounds and then add lyrics to it. I was also always into poetry and everything so it just really came together as time went on.

What is 'VAME'?

R: 'VAME' is Rock Benjamins. It started out in 2016 as a fashion brand because I'm really into fashion. After that because the brand never launched, I took my time with it. 'VAME' doesn't really mean anything, though it sounds like it does, it sounds like an actual word. I think it really developed meaning this year when I was really taking my time to understand what 'VAME' really was to me, I realised it meant a lot while not meaning anything. It's kind of like speaking in tongues - when someone speaks in tongues it can seem like a lot of nonsense but in reality it means so much. That just became what 'VAME' was for me - God's own testament for Rock Benjamins-Laniyi, something that means so much but doesn't necessarily have meaning. The meaning is in what it means to me and not the spelling or what the word means on a human level. So 'VAME' is everything, a description of me and my different talents: graphic design, fashion design, videography, beat production, music writing, everything. 'VAME' is that experience that I want to give to people.

Okay so earlier in the week you came out with your lovely debut 'Deadman'. What we'd like to know is if you had anyone in particular in mind when you created that song.

R: Yes, and I hope he hears of or sees this interview somewhere. 'Deadman' was finished on March 3rd, 2020 and was written around February 16th. The energy was targeted at the people I was working with at the time. I was a project manager at TJX Companies Inc. and I had this coworker named Asher, who stood in for the person who was originally supposed to be my supervisor. This guy snaked me. It was discrimination. it was the fact that I was black and I fit a certain stereotype. He looked through my books, saw that I wrote music and got me fired not only because I wrote music but because I used the 'N-word' while performing.

And they had a problem with you doing that as a black man?

R: Yeah, they had a problem with me fitting that stereotype and still doing well at work. I remember, the day I was fired I asked him what exactly I did wrong and he said that my work was good but the issue was my work ethic. I then asked him what exactly was wrong with my work ethic and he said it was the way I "carry myself". As soon as I heard that I knew that he had his own thoughts about me. They had the security take me out by both my hands like I was a criminal. They didn't even let me pack up my stuff; they just brought it all outside. It was horrible experience. 'Deadman' was written before that, but the reason I was able to attack it the way I did was that I channeled the rage I felt from talking to people who hate on my blessings.

What does your music tell us about the kind of person you are?

R: My music describes a variety of things. As a thinker and someone who likes to reflect, my music is not only about me, but also about the situations that other people are going through in real life. What my music in its entirety is meant to portray, all the way down to the beat and the lyrics, is the truth of who I am and who other people are and what we're collectively going through. The emotion or tone or atmosphere any piece of music I make tries to create is meant to be a reflection of just that.

What does music mean to you?

R: Music is everything. I can't get it out of my head. I can't get it out of my body. I'm a very vocal person, if you know me. I love to speak. I love to communicate. Music is the one medium you can use to communicate to every single person in the world, regardless of language or positioning. Music can always speak to someone. As someone that likes to communicate and express himself but also has trouble articulating himself, music acts as my own perfect form of articulation and communication.

Do you have any advice for anyone that wants to get into music right now?

R: Yes! Stay true to yourself! The first part of making music is not making music for making music's sake or putting it out there just to get fans. Music should come from a very personal place, and I guess for music to have meaning and mean something to others, the most important part is that you take time to perfect your everything. Whether or not you have talent, the delivery, production, mixing and mastering and execution is very important. You have to be a perfectionist. So, if you are going to put out stuff, even if music is not your talent or something you're particularly passionate about but you'd still like to do, then my number one piece of advice is to take time to perfect your execution. Also, invest in your vision - it's going to cost you money!

Can we expect anything from you in the near future?

R: Yes you can! I plan on dropping something for you guys at least every month. I've planned the whole year out. Right now I'm sitting on 72 songs because I planned myself properly. I really want to make sure everything goes perfectly and according to plan. So yeah, theres a lot to expect not only from me but from the whole Benjamins-Laniyi family, with my brothers as well. 2021 we're putting it down your throats. It's 'VAME' 2021 - not just in music, but with fashion, engineering, anything that's an art form . We want you guys to be ready and waiting!

Interview done and written by Oluwadara Apampa

*This interview has been edited for clarity.

Follow Rock Benjamins on social media to stay updated on his journey!

Instagram: rvck_benjvmins_

Click here to listen to his latest track, 'Deadman'