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C8: Benisour is a French name. Are you French?
B: No I’m not French, but I am from Trinidad and Grenada. Both of these islands have a little French influence where it’s spoken plenty.
C8: In your opinion, how much of today’s hip hop is sold on image and presentation vs. exceptional song writing, composition and talent?
B: I feel it’s all of these things combined, because there’s different styles of Hip Hop within the genre itself. On one hand, you have some lyricists who need not to go for the flashy image and yet still sellout shows and records. Whereas others are based on the entertainment and fantasy end. Some have all of these traits, but it’s on how they to put it to use. At the end of the day, the artist should portray the image they feel is comfortable and true to themselves. It’s just harder for those on the majors because they have 101 executives swaying them into certain artist’s development ideas. These politics are part of business, but they aren’t barriers holding me back to sell my music. I’ll make that additional path.
C8: What does it take to “make it” in the music business?
B: GOD, hard work and perseverance. A lot of self confidence and a good team behind you to keep you grounded. I’ve seen many talents not achieve the level of awareness they deserve because of that lack of foundation and team. My main focus is to make music, but I also stay involved in other aspects of my business. I’d just be lying to you if I said I did it all. Having other people involved can be hard, but you just have to implement the right people to take on those tasks and believe in them as they do in you.
C8: What’s been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome in your career so far?
B: Not throwing in the towel and staying with it. This game is difficult. You gotta believe that it’s going to happen. I was first put on by the Nappy Roots, and since then I’ve seen plenty accomplishments, as well as frustration that the industry can bring. People try to sway you in every which way, thinking it’s the right formula for success. I’ve learned to take advice and implement it into my way of doing business and music for the long term. I love music, so why would I give up on my passion?
C8: What accomplishments have you not yet achieved?
B: The opportunity for the masses to hear my records and love my music on an international level. We have been building from the ground up, so it’s only a matter of time. I got love from Ozone Magazine this week, next week I want the Source, Rolling Stone and so on.
C8: Have you always been a car guy?
B: I’ve always liked cars. Never have been a fanatic per say though, but I appreciate it just as I do my music. You can stay with a classic style (which means different things to different generations), or be of the time. It’s like playing some 90s hip Hop, or the new stuff out on the radio. Some are hot, others are not!
C8: Do you have a favorite car?
B: I actually have 3: the 1971 Impala, the 1973 Impala, and the 1975 Chevy Caprice Classic. The 71’ is the first Donk style, before that it was boxier. The 73 has the best front grill for an Impala, plus the classic body shape. The 75’ is just the best and last of the convertible Chevy Caprice Classics made.
C8: What’s the next big thing in hip hop?
B: The continuation of the Hip-Hop movement is growing bigger and bigger. It doesn’t have to be something in point, but more of continued progression and influences. Not letting it get stagnant. Every artist out there contributes to the cause whether for the good or bad.
C8: What advice can you give someone trying to break into the music business?
B: You must pray. Be open to criticism and work hard. Don’t let a day pass without doing something music oriented because you’ll lose focus quickly.
C8: Rock, paper or scissors?
B: Rock!
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