Urban Vault caught up with Gastonia, North Carolina based emcee/producer Beni-Hana to ask him some questions about his new album NEMESIS & more…

What can Underground Hip Hop fans expect from dirty south emcee Beni-Hana this year? You got it, hardcore rhymes, banging boom-bap beats and a whos who list of Carolina emcees to discover.

What is your name?

Beni-Hana

Where are you from?

Asheville, NC

How long have you been making music?

About 14 years now – give or take a year.

How many songs /albums have you released to date?

Beni-Hana : Antholgy (2014)

Beni-Hana : Hell Hounds & Honeysuckles (2016)

Beni-Hana : The Masking Tape (2017)

Beni-Hana : Escape NY (2019)

Beni-Hana : Generations (2020)

Beni-Haaa : The Masking Tape (2020)

Beni-Hana : Nemesis (2020)

Tell us more about your latest album ‘Nemesis’?

This album Nemesis is just really just kind of a me vs. myself kind of project. I had the cover designed so that the character on the front was facing his inverse reflection. For people that create art – we are constantly our own biggest critic and the biggest idea with Nemesis was to get out of my own way. The lyrics really reflect looking at my past and acknowledging I could have worked harder at music early on in my life. So in a way – Nemesis is just the beginning of a lot of content to come from Beni-Hana and the artists around me. Increasing the volume of product by creating less self-created distractions and excuses.

Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?

Jellyroll, Bubba Sparxxx, Snowgoons to name a few but I really got some new stuff on the way with Conway the Machine and a couple of joints with DJ Green Lantern. Ill Bill, Al’tarba, Pete Cannon, Stu Bangas, and Snak the Ripper are also on that record so, more soon to come as far as the features and whatnot.

Who would you like to collaborate with in the future?

I have an album coming out this January with my guys Sammy Slugga and Destro called the ‘Elder Gods’. I’m really excited about that as far as collaborations go. Carolina Cracker and I also have a project dropping in February called ‘Huck and Fin’ so I am really set on collaborations and features right now.

What inspires you when you make your music?

I just try to look at my bars like if I was a graffiti artist on Style Wars doing a big masterpiece. I like to have a main idea and structure for what I’m trying to build – but all the real beauty is in the little doo-dads and details. Sound effects, adlibs, movie samples – all that stuff is what made me love Jedi Mind Tricks and Atmosphere records during the LimeWire era of rap music. I just try to make the record that a 16-year-old me would think was dope.

How have you ended up in the music industry?

My manager Juan Salas thought I could rap really well back in 2012. From there we organized some local shows and ended up rocking some sold-out shows with Jelly Roll, Twiztid, Insane Clown Posse, Mushroom Head, Three 6 Mafia, and Rittz. From there we just have been focusing on trying to be locals that can pack those same venues out.

What do you think of the music industry in 2020?

I think no shows due to the rona and what not has changed up the way artists are getting paid. I have dropped like 4 records this year vs. before I would only drop a project every year or two. To make up for the show money I’v had to sell more t-shirts, verses, beats, merch, etc. Which is fine you just gotta adapt and we have done that thanks to my homies WeaponLord and Tre Mars.

What have you got planned for 2021?

My team over here in North Carolina is planning on releasing 10 albums next year so expect to hear a lot from us.

What’s your favorite track at the moment?

My video ‘Out of the Woods’ with all my friends is definitely my favorite joint right now. My guys Slugga and Destro killed that. Jacc D. Frost and Carolina Cracker are great on that song and shooting in the hood over in Gastonia with WeaponLord was awesome. Big thanks to my man Greg Burris.

What do you do when you’re not making music?

Right now I am playing Assasins Creed and the new one ‘Valhalla’ just dropped. So a lot of drinking beer and playing that game is about to be happening right now.

Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter?

Facebook – I’m old.

In a few words sum up your thoughts about Urban Vault and what we’re trying to do?

Awesome site for Hip Hop and it’s a great place to get rare joints for all the Hip Hop connoisseurs out there.

Thank you for your time and may you carry on making dope, fresh music…

Salute!

Beni-Hana – Nemesis via iTunes/Spotify

https://beni-hana.com
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