RJ Benjamin
| RJ Benjamin | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roy J. Benjamin |
| Origin | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres |
Contemporary R&B Soul Acid Jazz Light Rock |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Soul Candi |
| Associated acts | Kabomo, HHP, Lira, Danny K |
| Website | rjbenjamin.co.za |
RJ Benjamin is an award-winning vocalist, songwriter, composer and producer from Johannesburg, South Africa. Ghetto Ruff owner, Lance Stehr, once described him as "the best composer/singer/musician this country [South Africa] has ever produced".[1] He has been a vocal coach to some of South Africa's hottest stars such as Lira, J'Something and Toya Delazy[2]
Education
RJ Benjamin graduated from Allenby Campus (now Damelin) in 2000 and stayed on, at 22 years old, as a teacher. The likes of Idols South Africa winner, Elvis Blue and producer, Robin Kohl are some of those who have passed through his classroom during his tenure at the now defunct school.
Discography
Who I Am
In 2004, RJ Benjamin released his debut album Who I Am, through the Ghetto Ruff record label, which has been described as funkadelic [Neo Soul] played by top jazz musicians.[3] This album featured collaborations with the Flash Republic vocalist, Tamara Dey and R&B sensation Ishmael. 37MPH and Bongani Fassie also contributed to the album as producers on select tracks.
| Song | Featured artist | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| "Journey (The Storm)" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "Wonderwall" | Producer | |
| "Cry" | Co-writer | |
| "Restless" | Pitch Black Afro | Co-writer, co-producer |
| "In 2 My Heart" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "Letting Go" | Amu | Producer |
| "C U In My Dreams" | Writer, producer | |
| "Lovespent" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "Here With Me" | Writer, producer | |
| "I Wont Forget It" | Writer, producer | |
| "Play Around" | Ishmael | Co-writer, co-producer |
| "G-d Bless My Imagination" | Writer, producer | |
| "What’ll It Be" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "Who I Am" | Writer, producer | |
| "What Do You Need?" | Writer, producer | |
| "Consequence" | Tamara Dey | Co-writer, co-producer |
Swimming in the Soul of Music
RJ Benjamin's 2008 release, Swimming In The Soul Of Music, won the award for Best RnB Album at the Metro FM Awards later that year. It has roots and influences from Soul, Jazz and Funk. . RJ has said that the album came about when he had lost his way in his life, prompting him to go back to his musical roots so he "drowned" himself in the creation of the album.[4] Collaborators on the album include, Zubz, HHP, Dan Patlansky, Nothende, and Slikour.
| Song | Featured artist | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| "Music" | Writer, producer | |
| "Gonna Make It On My Own" | Write, producer | |
| "Say Yeah" | Writer | |
| "Without You" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "Shut Up" | Zubz | Co-writer, producer |
| "Burden" | Writer, producer | |
| "Soulful Love" | Writer, producer | |
| "Don't Wanna" | Nothende | Co-writer, co-producer |
| "Anymore" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "Nothing Left But The Music" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "I Don’t Love You" | Dan Patlansky | Writer, co-producer |
| "I'm Good" | Writer, producer | |
| "Overloaded" | Hip Hop Pantsula | Co-writer |
| "Dreamer" | Slikour | Co-writer |
House Bound
In 2009, RJ Benjamin recorded Change The World, which introduced him to South Africa’s House music audience. This song of inspiration was featured on the Soul Candi Session 4 compilation album. It became an instant hit on radio stations and dance floors all over South Africa.[5] The track was nominated for Channel O Awards and SAMA (South African Music Awards) for Best Dance Video and Song of the Year, respectively. Following the huge success of Change the World, RJ released the album House Bound that showcased his vocal and writing skills and his House flirtation that ultimately returned him to his R&B/Soul roots and core sensibility.
| Song | Featured artist | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| "Go On" | Co-writer | |
| "The Moment" | Co-writer | |
| "You Can Be Anything" | Co-writer | |
| "Could You Be" | Co-writer | |
| "Take It Right Back" | Co-writer | |
| "2010 Change The World" | Slikour | Co-writer |
| "Feels So Right" | Co-writer | |
| "Into The Stars" | Dr. Duda | Co-writer |
| "Blessed" | ||
| "Goodbye Baby" | ||
| "Good Times" | Co-writer | |
| "Love Again" | Danny K | Co-writer, producer |
| "Free Your Mind" | Co-writer | |
Inside
After three years of a self-imposed sabbatical, RJ Benjamin remixed and “soulified” House tracks featured on his House Bound album, as well as popular House tracks on which he was featured with Dr Duda, DJ Kent and DJ Fresh to create Inside (2012). He has taken 13 house tracks o which he had previously sung and re-interpreted them into Funk, Soul, Rock, Flamenco, Samba, Jazz and various other styles[6]
| Song | Featured artist | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| "Slowly" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "Lifting Me Into The Stars" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "Runaway" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "If We Can Love" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "Again" | ||
| "Her" | Writer | |
| "Goodbye Baby" | Co-writer | |
| "2012 Change The World" | Co-writer | |
| "Free Your Mind" | Clint Brink | Co-writer |
| "Let’s Take It Right Back" | Co-writer | |
| "Just The Moment" | Co-writer | |
| "Why Don’t We Go On?" | Co-writer | |
| "Having Some Good Times" | Co-writer, producer | |
| "The Love" | Aya | Co-writer |
| "Alright" | Co-writer | |
| "See the Light" | Writer, producer | |
Television
RJ Benjamin was chosen as the head vocal coach on the music talent TV reality show Project Fame where he was voted the most popular teacher.[7] In 2013 he was the musical director of M-Net's music reality show, Clash of the Choirs South Africa.[8]
References
- ↑ Big Talk - RJ Benjamin
- ↑ In Tune - RJ Benjamin & Kings of Chaos 17 May 2013
- ↑ RJ Benjamin Retrieved on 11 June 2013
- ↑ RJ Benjamin on His New Album
- ↑ The Soul of Music with RJ Benjamin 4 March 2009
- ↑ RJ Benjamin the vocalist and composer of the massive hit “Change to world” speaking at Conference He is a true crossover artist. 7 March 2013
- ↑ World Music: National Geographic - RJ Benjamin Retrieved 11 June 2013
- ↑ COTCSA – Meet RJ Benjamin Retrieved 11 June 2013