SPOTLIGHT: Mr Benny Atlas
Words - Tajinder Hayer
Photography - Jennifer Loup
Exploring the Depths of Masculinity and Melody with Benny Atlas
In the dynamic landscape of UK Soul and R&B, Benny Atlas has emerged as a compelling voice, articulating themes of love, masculinity, and personal growth through his music. With the release of his debut mixtape, Better Now You Know, set for April 12th, and his latest single How To Be A Man, Benny invites listeners into a deeply personal journey marked by introspection and raw emotion.
Better Now You Know is not just an album; it's a narrative of Benny's romantic encounters and the lessons they've imparted. Laced within the mixtape are skits named after London postcodes, serving as audio vignettes that provide glimpses into Benny’s experiences and the urban backdrop against which they unfolded. These elements combine to paint a vivid picture of his emotional and physical landscape, enhancing the listener's experience and understanding of his music.
Benny’s musical voyage began with his debut single Paradise in November 2020, followed by the Honey Rum EP, which garnered acclaim for its infectious grooves and Benny's robust vocal delivery. His career has since been on a promising trajectory, bolstered by support from platforms like BBC Radio 1 and Spotify, where he recently featured as the cover artist for the R&B UK playlist.
Benny shared insights into the creation of his mixtape and the intentions behind How To Be A Man with The Rakish Gent "This was the biggest project I’ve ever put together," he revealed, noting the challenges and excitement of collaborating extensively for the first time. The process pushed him into vulnerable spaces, a move encouraged by executive producer Stephen Collins, aimed at extracting genuine emotion and authenticity in his lyrics.
When asked about the cathartic nature of his songwriting, Benny acknowledged the complexity of revisiting past experiences. "Most of the topics are based on real experiences of mine, most of them are old stories for me, so it didn’t feel as personal to me as it may have sounded," he explained. This detachment allows him to craft songs that resonate universally, touching on shared human emotions and experiences.
The theme of honesty recurs throughout Benny's work and is particularly poignant when discussing masculinity. "I think artists should always make themselves available to be as honest as possible," Benny stated. His commitment to authenticity is evident in his willingness to confront uncomfortable truths in his music, making his songs not only relatable but also therapeutic for listeners.
Fans of sultry, smooth R&B can look forward to more of Benny’s signature style in Better Now You Know. Additionally, his recent musical influences include the soulful echoes of Teddy Pendergrass and the eclectic sounds of Khruangbin, hinting at the diverse inspirations that inform his music.
Looking ahead, Benny is eager to pivot back to lighter themes, focusing on feel-good, summer love songs. He also plans to collaborate more freely with other artists and perform live, with an upcoming show in London on May 21st alongside Everything RNB/DJ Ace.
Benny Atlas is not just crafting songs; he's weaving a tapestry of personal growth, emotional depth, and musical innovation. His journey from the release of Paradise to Better Now You Know and How To Be A Man marks not just an evolution of his sound but a profound exploration of what it means to navigate the complexities of life and art. For those attuned to the rhythms of R&B infused with genuine storytelling, Benny Atlas offers a rich, resonant soundtrack.
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