Nairrad Benjamin, named after the legendary Andre Benjamin, has taken his surroundings and used them to construct lyrical motion pictures with his latest release, RAW is available on iTunes on, June 2nd, leading with the single, YKWTFGO – A feel good anthem for the summer – The EP discusses a wide range of topics from financial literacy to anthems that inspire you to just be yourself . I like to
blend several different genres and create a mix of Rap, R&B, Soul, Jazz, Rock & Roll, and even Country and Punk. Twenty four year old Nairrad Benjamin, born Darrian Smith, grew up in the Southwest area of Atlanta which he claims has had a major affect on all elements of his music. Atlanta is the heart of urban southern culture, my city is legendary for its beautiful women, the birthplace of the civil rights movement, and the hub of all drug trafficking in America, with highways that lead you to any part of the country. My mother went to high school with both members of Outkast and raised me in the very neighborhoods they rapped about. It inspired me to use the imagery of the melting pot around me and it molded my sound. Atlanta is the place where the Malcom X minded college graduate enjoys going to the strip club. Growing up listening to artists like Kurt Cobain, Micheal Jackson, Pharell, Marvin Gaye, and Outkast, Nairrad went from writing poems in middle school to recording well constructed records. I had a love for poetry and I had been writing poems since I was 5 years old. My older cousin was hustling and he was recording with So So Def Producer Ced Keyz International, one day he found one of my poem books and taught me how to format them into songs. I started doing what he taught and eventually began recording and giving out mixtapes at my high school. It wasn’t until he was given an opportunity to perform during the half time of a pep rally when his basketball team won the state championship that he really decided to take music serious. DJ Greg Street who is the radio DJ at one Atlanta’s biggest Hip-Hop stations hosted the rally and over 4000 people came out. I fell in love with performing music and watching people enjoy themselves listening to something I created. From there he went on to open up for major recording artist Jody Breeze and also had the chance of being a part of BET’s freestyle competition. I have a passion for the music that makes me work harder and ultimately create better product. The industry is over-saturated so your product has to speak for you. I want people to be free, be themselves and have faith in what they believe in. Be on the look out for Regency Park II, and check out Supreme EP on iTunes now.
