Rhian Benson A new sound has managed to echo through a dense music industry, a sound without a single genre or name, one that pushes beyond boundaries into the souls of individuals worldwide. The sweet melodies of Rhian Benson, an artist defying the norm, have crept through the nation and soon, the world, to mark her an invaluable musical newcomer.
Uniquely crafting refreshingly original beats, intertwining the appeals of reggae, jazz, R&B, African rhythms and soul, have made Benson the focus of innovation. This British, Ghana born musician/singer/songwriter creates music that aims to connect with a diverse group of listeners on a deeper level. She emphasizes, ?The only important thing is that it makes a connection of some sort.? Singing of life and all its components, Benson portrays an overall simple optimism amid complex realities.
With her debut album, ?Gold Coast,? available for purchase in the United States and soon to be released abroad in September, Rhian Benson is well on her way. She has been hailed as a ?breath of fresh air? by Billboard Magazine and said to be ?One of R&B?s brightest new talents? by USA Today. Having toured with Brian McKnight last September and currently hosting another season of Gold Coast, a lifestyle-oriented TV series with Black Entertainment Television (BET), Benson is making amazing strides.
Her two singles, ?Say How I Feel,? which was a top 10 favorite on urban AC radio in the United States, and ?Stealing My Peace of Mind,? whose video aired on BET and was in the top three on VH-1 Soul, show how receptive the public is to her relaxed style.
This 27-year-old artist writes her own music, composing most of it on guitar and keyboard. She co?produced her album with two Grammy Award winning producers, James Poyser, who has worked with Jill Scott and Lauren Hill to name a few, and Bob Power, who previously worked with artists such as Erykah Badu and A Tribe Called Quest. Benson stated that she knew ?they would understand my musical vision and help me achieve it.?
Benson, a London School of Economics Graduate, was studying for her masters in business at Harvard before ever embarking on her musical endeavors. She worked as an investment banker for a year, knowing her passions didn?t completely coincide with the profession. While in the midst of her studies at Harvard, Benson returned home to London upon hearing that her mother had been diagnosed with a life- threatening illness.
During this emotionally overwhelming time, she turned to music as an outlet. ?It was a major turning point for me,? she said. Immersed in music, she was able to get through one of the toughest times in her life, and thus, as her mother?s health improved, so did she. ?I came to realize that taking a risk, following your dreams and listening to your strongest instincts is the only way to become one with you spirit,? said Benson.
As Benson began performing at local venues around London, DKG Music, a record label based in Universal City, spotted her as a unique talent. She subsequently signed with them, moving to the United States to begin recording her music.
Currently, Rhian Benson is in the United Kingdom promoting the upcoming release of her album there. With multiple shows lined up throughout the month and a new remix of ?Say How I Feel,? featuring Dwele and Slum Village, soon to be released, this musical beauty refuses to accept anything less than success.
For more information on Rhian Benson and her music please visit www.rhianbenson.com.
