Written by: Oliver Heffron

Pittsburgh artist Benji. is the kind of multifaceted talent that can’t be boxed in. The genreless crooner has quickly become a rising star with an infectious sound somewhere in the neighborhood of melodic rap and old-school R&B.

As a singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, he’s built a reputation for crafting music that feels deeply personal and universally resonant. 

Benji.’s first break came when he joined the acclaimed collective Spillage Village and contributed to the standout Spilligion album in 2020. Since then, his solo work has consistently turned heads, starting with his 2021 debut album, Smile, You’re Alive!

But Benji. ’s touch has extended beyond his own releases. His production and musicianship shone on JID’s The Forever Story with contributions to “Kody Blu 31” and “Better Days,” while his lyrical finesse made waves on EarthGang’s “Bobby Boucher” in 2023, earning him a shoutout from Adam Sandler.

His new project, Love Gun 3, displays Benji.’s rare ability to balance introspection with versatility. Tracks like “Spaceship” and “Gimme” showcase his knack for blending soulful melodies, sharp lyricism, and genre-defying creativity.

With his breakout trilogy complete, Benji. sat down with NUANCE to discuss his musical upbringing, unique sound, and the production process for Love Gun 3. 

Raised in Homewood, a “rough” East Pittsburgh neighborhood, Benji. grew up playing sports and going to camps to keep him out of trouble before he “caught the bug early” and fell in love with music. Benji. describes how that passion came about naturally in his family: “With my family, everybody’s musically inclined. My parents are singers and musicians. My sisters, my brother, same thing. So, it was just kind of the family thing to do.” 

Benji. reflects on the styles and genres he was drawn to growing up: “My parents were pastors, so gospel music was a big part of my life growing up. I started playing drums in church with the choir when I was four or five, going to rehearsals every week, and watching my parents write and direct music together. But it wasn’t just gospel—we had everything from Billy Strayhorn and George Benson to the Gap Band and Anita Baker playing at home, and I soaked it all up from an early age. That early exposure to so many styles is where my love for music really began.” 

Discussing the musical legacy of his home city, Benji. proudly states, “music is no stranger to the city of Pittsburgh. For me, it’s an honor to be from there, pursuing what I have been pursuing for a long time.”

On how he would describe his genreless sound, Benji. says, “It’s always been a challenge for me, as an artist gifted in multiple facets, to have a singular voice. I love blending genres and influences—hip hop, R&B, gospel, jazz, rock—into something cohesive, rather than sticking to one specific style. For me, it’s about crafting layers and pulling the best pieces from everywhere to create something beautiful, not reinventing the wheel but building a better car.”

Reflecting on his goals for the Love Gun trilogy, Benji. explains, “I wanted to give myself the freedom to say what I wanted, how I wanted, and explore both new musical elements and the ones that inspired me early on.” For Love Gun 3, he says it “was about returning to my natural voice and expression—a release of tension and a return to center. It feels less experimental and more direct, which was intentional and, to me, a meaningful way to close out the trilogy.”

Discussing the hit track “Space Coupe,” a funky, retro jam off Love Gun 3, Benji. shares, “I made that song back in 2018, during a period when I was really inspired by Rick James—his writing, his funk, and the expressive, immediate energy of his music. As a bassist and a musician, funk has always had my heart, so I wanted to create something true to what I genuinely love, without trying to emulate anyone else. I’m really happy that Love Gun 3 became the perfect home for it.” 

Recalling how the lyrical bop “Gimme” came together, which he performed on his recent On the Radar Freestyle On the Radar Freestyle, Benji. says, ““Gimme’ was one of those songs that hit me immediately—I knew I had to do it. I met Simon, an amazing producer, in 2021 when I was in LA, and he was working out of the old Death Row studios. He played me a bunch of beats, and the second one he played instantly sparked something in me...”

“…I came up with the melody for the first verse right away, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2023 that I finished the second verse and the hook, which I rewrote four times before settling on something that felt right. I envisioned the hook as if an ensemble of trumpets was playing it. The song’s vibe, influenced by Music Soulchild’s melodies, became one of my favorite tracks I’ve ever made, and I’m really glad it turned out the way it did.”

On what he’s working on currently, Benji. shares, “I’m back working on another project with my brother (Christo)—we’re doing our first duo composition, which should be really fun, given all the success he’s had with JID, EarthGang, and Spillage Village. I’m also piecing together my next solo album, reworking ideas I’ve had on my hard drives for years to match who I am today. I’m excited for the future, and while I can’t say for sure what will happen, I know both the solo project and the one with my brother are going to be amazing, plus I’ll be featured on some upcoming work with really good artists. I’ll definitely be everywhere.”