“I feel like what was happening around me in my life was showing me if you don’t get your shit together, you’re next,” he said. was scheduled to open for on the hometown stop of Mac’s Swimming tour with J.I.D. Late 2018 also brought the accidental overdose of Mac Miller, a fellow Pittsburgh artist who Benji. No matter how low the moment feels, being alive means you always have the power to make the next moment an improvement on the last. I’m grateful that I have an opportunity to face my problems and make them better.” “I’m just thankful that I have the gift of life. He sees something precious about life that precursors our worst moments. ” He champions unquestionable potential even under the weight of the world. been a piece of shit, but I’m still immaculate. Yet, despite the invisible bindings, he still finds clarity rapping, “ Benji. The chorus has a slight distortion and a monotone delivery that leaves it sounding like Benji., but not the exuberant Benji. returned home from a walk, despite leaving earlier with plans to the contrary. “You’re alive right now, isn’t it so?… So many other things have become important only because you’re alive right now.” The speech broke an arcane silence one day in 2018 as Benji. “What is the most important thing right now?” The question, featured on “ Rain,” the opening track on Smile, You’re Alive!, is posed and answered by Sadhguru, an honored Indian yogi. turn his voice inward - to a battle he had to win for himself. But where Spilligion saw a choir of warriors turn their voices outward on the ills of the world, Smile, You’re Alive! sees Benji. Joined together under pandemic lockdown to process the year’s never-ending catastrophes, Spilligion sounded just like it was recorded - a sanctified bonfire session blazing brightly amid the fires of a plague-stricken country confronting its escalating police brutality. His solo debut album, which was released this week, is in some ways a personal epilogue to the ways he’s grown since the group’s 2020 album. recently joined the above MCs as the newest member of the Atlanta hip-hop collective Spillage Village. Younger brother to Christo, a long-time producer for J.I.D and EARTHGANG, Benji. And over the next few hours, he talked me through the spiritual journey that led him away from an intense depression to claim a new mantra powerful enough to title a debut album with: Smile, You’re Alive! Despite the solemn content of his confession, the words roll smoothly unaccompanied by misplaced shame or doubt. My life went from order to complete disorder.” This was Benji.
and the spiritual journey he went on creating his new album Smile, You’re Alive! After years of struggles, Benji., the newest member of the Atlanta hip-hop collective Spillage Village, has released his debut album, Smile, You’re Alive! Photo Credit: Neri For October’s First Look Friday, we spent time with Spillage Village’s Benji.