? I always loved music, singing & rhyming. I had a few guitar lessons in my early teens & was actively involved in music in school. I wrote my first raps on my Dad’s 1980’s style answering machine when I was about 9 years old . Dad was an aspiring actor at the time so he insisted he be the one who performed the lyrics, so I can remember coming in with some pretty solid chuck ins & I guess I was the hype man. My inspiration at the time may have been Run DMC, LL Cool J or grand master flash. When I was about 11 or 12 years old I started listening to NWA & groups like 2live crew which inspired me to form a small group with a couple friends we caught up over a few weekends & I wrote raps over keyboard beats & we recorded our music over a tape deck, it wasn’t great quality, but it was a start. I continued to write raps through my teenage years, I was experiencing some family problems & we formed small gangs with friends, got up to mischief, got into fights, graffiti, stealing, drinking/smoking weed, etc & was getting in trouble with the Police often during this time. I found I could relate to what many of my favourite rappers at the time would rhyme about. I continued to write rhymes & found it to be a really good outlet, to get my mind off things & get into something positive. I would often freestyle or perform my writtens at house party’s and social gatherings with friends, then first started recording in the studio with my old crew Bouncer in 2005.
Where are you currently based and what is the music scene like there?
I live in Melbourne the music scene is banging over here at the moment, great vibe & a lot of new artists breaking through.
How did you first start playing music and in particular rap
Who or what influences your music?
I’m influenced by all forms of music. I’m most passionate about Hip hop, Rnb, Soul, reggae (urban music). My life inspires my rhymes.
You are also a boxer, please tell us about how you first started boxing and where you are at in your boxing career at the moment:
Very similar to how I got into hip hop, it was a great outlet during my troubled teenage years.I was always a pretty strong kid. My mother is German and my Oma & Opa fed me very well when I was young, my parents broke up when I was young but my father is Australian of Scottish & part Nigerian decent, not sure if genetics has anything to do with it. I was never a bully but I always stood my ground, I was taught to stick up for myself. I use to love wresting & playfighting more so than sports that involves a lot of running. Although my stepfather got me into AFL & I played that for a few years. I first put on the boxing gloves when I was about 9 at an Irish classmates birthday party, the theme was Olympic Games. I lost all the other events, but when it came to boxing I knocked all the other kids off their feet & gave the birthday boy a blood nose. They quickly gave me the gold medal ?. It wasn’t till I was about 15-16 that I joined a proper kickboxing gym then from there transitioned to boxing.
How do you juggle being a boxer and a rapper?
At the moment I’m focussed on building & expanding my business ‘Bennys Boxing’ there’s a lot of work involved & it’s extremely physical plus putting the time in to keep myself in shape . I’m very passionate about both music & boxing so it’s all I’m thinking about most of the time, & if I’m not training can’t wait to start creating new songs or exploring my next musical venture.
Does the boxing world support your music?
I have performed at Boxing & MMA events in the past, & came out to the ring to my track ‘How We Do’ before my last fight last year. But haven’t performed at any Boxing events lately & a bit more support from the boxing community would be great but no expectations, I’m great full for the support I get from anyone, & is also like to be respected as a musician not just a boxer who raps as I’ve worked just as hard if not harder at my music over the years.
Your new single ‘Fly Away’ is out now, please describe the creation and writing process for this track:
Fly Away’ reflects on freedom & moving through difficult times. The song was written through a tumultuous stage in my life. However on the day it was written I was given an opportunity to train at a gym in California in preparation for a professional boxing fight I had scheduled. I purchased a plane ticket & arrived in the studio on the same day to meet with Mr. Leigh who produced the track & Rebecca Janz who is the female vocalists. The song certainly captures the moment.
Where and when did you record?
It was recorded at the home studio of a friend Barney Medlin in the winter of 2016 & mixed by Jase Beathedz at his home studio over 2017-18.
How do you usually go about writing music?
I like to have an idea, then write to the beat. This style works best for me.
What can we expect from your upcoming album ‘Don’t Take It Personal’?
Ambiance, words of truth, knowledge, wisdom, experience respect, variety of sounds. A unique sound in Australian hip hop
What message do you aim to push through your music?
-Positivity, the underlining message behind the Four Agreements
Who are you listening to at the moment?
So much music at the moment to long to lust all the artists as -I’ve Been enjoying making big fat playlists on Spotify featuring some of my music but at least 50-100 songs on each playlist that have inspired me musically to date. I’ve made 12 so far and if you search Benny Sinclair on Spotify they should all come up.
What do you have planned for the remainder of 2018 going into 2019?
Starting to write my next album ‘Assumptions ’ brainstorm for ideas & work with a new producer which I’ll keep under raps for now because he’s become a pretty big name. I plan to do an album launch in early months of 2019 TBA
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Schnitzel, seafood & salads, German Club or German/European restaurants (to embrace abit of family culture with family & friends), anywhere they play hip hop or Rnb, boxing & sporting events.
