A Sit down with young rapper Benezeri

A rapper that definitely qualifies for the who is the "leader of the New Skool" discussion in UG hip-hop, Benezeri is one of the most hardworking new school rappers giving his peers a run for the money; he has released three albums so far, ‘I'm Benezeri' 'Champion' and ‘Made in UG' which he released in May with a mega concert at Madhivani hall in Lugogo, his lyrical ability is unquestionable as he has won lyrical battles before proving he has knack for amazing spit.

He has had series of song releases and video releases since 2016 kicked off, I picked his brain on a couple of topics about this project and life in general.

Let's talk about your growth as an artist on this new album ‘Made in UG'. What makes it special?

I've grown musically, and on this album you can hear a few hardcore rap songs, some reggae and dancehall fusions for the non-hip hop fans. I'd say this is my graduation album, hits only and beautiful music. A lot of fusion but unlike Kanye who fused with rock, I'm fusing with dancehall, reggae and zouk.

We have seen you pushing the moniker ‘Clansmen' around, what is that all about?

‘Clansmen' is a group of rappers that met to do a few songs together. Regrettably, I've taken a break from the group to focus on my individual career.

You have released more songs and videos non-stop in quick succession than any of your peers have done recently, what has inspired that approach?

I came to the realisation that all the successful musicians in the world are always releasing songs and videos. It's our responsibility. If you look at the discographies of Radio and Weasel, Wizkid, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Rihanna and others, they are very long. I believe as a musician it's my responsibility to leave music behind. I'm not a perfectionist either. So I don't spend years worrying about a song, I just get inspired and keep creating, and I find that I improve with every song and my market base grows wider.

I have talked to some of your peers and other people in hip-hop circles; they seem to think it doesn't work for the case of longevity in the game?

Everybody has their approach and this is mine. I would advise them to pursue theirs and leave me to pursue mine. If they were working as much as they were talking maybe I'd pay attention but I'm not going to stop. If this approach is bad, time will tell. I also think that there are many routes to the top and so we might all probably end up at the same summit just that our stories will be different but as a doctor's job is to treat patients, a teacher's job is to teach, mine is to make music and I'll make it as long as I can. Hopefully I'll leave behind as much music as Elly Wamala, Bob Marley, Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Lucky Dube and others.

At the beginning of the year, we had the Under 25 discussion that was sparked by the CODE vs Tucker HD beef. What's your take on whole situation?

I believe they are both good, each has their own fan base and I think that their beef brought unparalleled attention to the hip hop genre this year.

What do you think the younger rappers like you and others have to do to dominate the mainstream and win over more fans to UG hip-hop?

Personally, fusion is the best way and if you listen to Abeyo, Togwamu Suubi, Ndiwabulijjo and Give me love, you will see what I'm talking about.

Where can someone get copies of your ‘Made in UG' Album and other previous works?

My music is very easy to access. You can actually support a brother by going to iTunes and buying my songs. Only that way can we grow Ugandan Hip Hop together.

Future Plans?

To make the world believe that Uganda is so talented. Hip Hop wasn't made for Americans or Europeans, it was made for the world. The whole world will soon know that Benezeri from Uganda is kickass.