Benny Mails

Name, where are you from?
Benny Mails, Norwood Junction.

Describe your style in three words?
Kind but cold.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Stevie Wonder at Bestival. Was a life-changing experience, never thought I’d be able to see him, euphoric.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
James Brown, he had shit on lock, wouldn’t wanna go after him though.
Pink Floyd because I’d like to look and learn.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Most hip-hop subcultures, the breaking and writing world specifically, garage too. I’m probably a soulboy.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Rammellzee - I think he could tell me all I want to know.

Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
Probably OMEARA, small but sounds good and it’s a beautiful space.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Mansur Brown, he’s a guitarist/bassist that plays with drummer Yussef Dayes often. He’s showing off on 'Strings Of Light'. Well, at least I think he is. Legend.

Benny Mails was brought up in the midst of South London’s grime scene. Listening to heroes like Nas, and discovering his family’s funk and jazz records, Benny's early experiences of playing live weren’t that of a typical London rapper: Benny break-danced and performed contemporary dance from a young age with the likes of b-boy legend Crazy Legs and the Zulu Nation. This filtered into his songwriting, the early results of which were brought together in his 2017 debut mixtape 'Aware'.