His voice has captivated many across the country and has breathed life into many of the greatest dance hits Bollywood has recently delivered. In conversation with us, he says that music is his first love. Recalling the first time he sang on stage with AR Rahman in 2008, Benny says that performing live has always been close to his heart — “It’s an amazing feeling!”
“Music has elevated my life and has given me something to look forward to every day. In fact, over the years, I’ve tried experimenting with styles and am proud to say that I have evolved,” he says and adds, “During tone of my concerts down South, people asked me why I hadn’t sung a Tamil song in a while. Most didn’t realise that I was the one who crooned Unakku yenna venum sollu from the movie Yennai Arindhal. My voice sounded different — but that’s an achievement for me!”
In a couple of days, his latest album with Bengaluru-based musician Brodha V is going to drop. Titled Round Round, it’ll be a fusion of Indian music and hip hop, with influences from the ‘90s. “I think independent music is the future. It’s high time people start appreciating such talented artistes instead of awaiting a movie song. Musicians too should start writing and composing songs of their own with videos — the audience should know who the face behind it is. That’s exactly how Michael Jackson became who he was,” says Benny.
“It’s good that covers of songs are being made, but that’s taking the easy way out. Listeners already know the song so they just go like it on social media. However, creating your own music is where the challenge lies,” he says, adding, “More such fresh, experimental music is the need of the hour.”
Ask Benny what he would have done if he was not a singer — “I would have been an RJ and made people listen to others’ music!” What does the busy performer do when he’s not recording or touring “I eat, sleep and workout.” For those of you who don’t know, he’s not just a singer but also plays the African udu, djembe, the Arabic darbuka as well as a ukulele! Brilliant much
