GET TO KNOW: BENNY MAILS

South London multihyphenate Benny Mails opens up about his intoxicating new single 'FUCK IT', forthcoming projects and Paris Fashion Week experiences.

Words Liam Cattermole (@liam_cattermole)

Photos Jake Elwin (@jakeelwin)

For Benny Mails, ‘FUCK IT’ is the mantra. The title of his latest single, which features close friends Lord Apex and Cesta, the track embraces the Do-It-Yourself mentality that’s defined each of the artist’s success so far. For the south east London rapper personally, it’s about embracing his creative freedom. Pushing the song organically, after over five years in the game, Benny’s become wise to the industry’s trials and tribulations, and refreshingly, you feel as if he’s making music with an uncompromising artistic process.

The first from a new project, due out this year, ‘FUCK IT’ was made during a writing camp with Lord Apex. Conceiving a wealth of new material, the artists knew they were on the cusp of something special, feeding off each other’s charm and pushing one another to write the best bars possible. Just a few weeks ago, ‘FUCK IT’ received a Benny and J-L.A Davis-directed music video. Hidden under a prismatic hunter’s hat and glasses, the wordsmith nonchalantly delivers his message before Apex spits some punk angst through his golden grills. Cesta adds unique verve and energy at the end, stunting with a lime green Arc’teryx jacket and Prada shades.

The last year has also seen Benny taking the fashion world by storm, from invigorating Bianca Saunders’ runway with meticulously crafted soundtracks to DJing alongside Earl Sweatshirt and Yves Tumor at after-parties. Valuing community, collaboration is a very visceral part of his artistic existence, and with plenty more to come this year, we wanted to find out more about Benny’s creative story: past, present and future.

Let’s talk about the new single, ‘Fuck It’, with Lord Apex and Cesta. It’s a crazy link-up! When and where was the track made and how long have you been sitting on it?

We made this one in August 2022. It was the night before my birthday, so it feels sentimental. AP and I have been friends for a while and we first worked together back in 2016. I think it’s super important to find artists you can collaborate with, with no ego or pretense involved.

You've said that the single is about ‘embodying our truest DIY mentality’. Why is it important to you to have this creative freedom, not only in the music but in your visuals too?

I just have a burning desire to explore my creativity in all avenues. The more I explore it, the more I feel like I can be honest with myself and my creative approach. More than anything, I find it fun to be a part of the whole process. The more fun I have the better the final product will be.

‘Fuck it’ is the first single off a forthcoming project. I think the scene is going to be incredibly exciting for this one. What does it sound like at this early stage?

It sounds like nu-London!

This year you’ve also been in Paris helping Bianca Saunders to soundtrack her second Paris fashion week show. For her previous runway, you analysed the intersection between dancehall, hip-hop and reggae. Firstly, how did you get into sound design? And secondly, what was the inspiration behind the soundtrack of her FW23 show?

January was her 3rd show! I have always loved film scores and being given the opportunity to do this with Bianca made me really push myself into sound design. For FW23 Bianca had the idea to sample the iconic Jamaican/British TV show ‘Blouse and Skirt’. We explored a load of references that Bianca saw fit and kept it simple! This show was the first where I didn’t make the whole score from scratch, instead utilising the song ‘Riding For A Fall’ by John Holt.

You and Bianca seem to go way back! When did you first become mates and strike up a collaborative partnership too?

Bianca and I started working together in 2020! I spent some time in her studio and we quickly realised we shared a similar taste in music. I shared some of my beats with her and the rest was history.

Sound design isn’t the only thing that you sink your teeth into during fashion weeks. At after parties, you’ve DJ’d alongside the likes of Yves Tumour and Earl Sweatshirt. Who’s the best artist that you’ve mixed with?

PFW is always a movie. A memorable night for me was meeting Dave Chappelle, Yasiin Bey, Talib Kweli, Gunna, Venus Williams and the Olsen twins all in one evening. It didn’t feel real.

The first post to your Instagram feed is of a t-shirt reading ‘J-Dilla changed my life’. What was the first Dilla production that made you realise this?

I’m going to have to say ‘Stakes is High’ by De La Soul or ‘Didn’t Cha Know’ by Erykah Badu.

As well as being an artist, you’ve supported the next crop of talent in campaigns with Nike, Nocta and Central Cee. Who’ve you worked with recently that you’re excited to hear more from in the future?

I've got a lot of hope in bib sama. right now.

To wrap up, what’s next for Benny Mails? Beyond music, are there any past-times or hobbies that you’ll be trying to master in 2023?

I really want to explore my own production and visual language more and more <3.