RJ Benjamin
| RJ Benjamin | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roy J. Benjamin |
| Origin | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres |
Contemporary R&B Soul Acid Jazz Light Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musical Director, Vocal Coach, Singer, Songwriter, Producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Soul Candi, Ghetto Ruff |
| Associated acts | Kabomo, HHP, Lira, Danny K, Mpho Pholo |
| Website | rjbenjamin.co.za |
RJ Benjamin is an award-winning vocalist, songwriter, composer, vocal coach, musical director 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 graduated from the Allenby Campus School Of Contemporary Music in 2000. In those formative years, RJ cemented several professional and personal relationships with fellow Allenby Alumni such as DJ Cleo, Proverb, Elvis Blue and Robin Kohl. Some of his most successful students include winner of Idols SA season 10 Vincent Bones, Vusi Nova, Naaq Musiq and Anatii.
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.[2] 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.
| Track listing | Written by RJ | Produced by RJ | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Journey (The Storm)" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Wonderwall" | ✔ | ||
| "Cry" | Co-writer | 37mph | |
| "Restless" | Co-writer | Co-Producer | Pitch Black Afro |
| "In 2 My Heart" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Letting Go" | ✔ | Amu | |
| "C U in My Dreams" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Lovespent" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Here With Me" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "I Wont Forget It" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Play Around" | Co-writer | Co-producer | Ishmael |
| "G-d Bless My Imagination" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "What'll It Be" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Who I Am" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "What Do You Need?" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Consequence" | Co-writer | Co-Producer | Tamara Dey |
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.[3] Collaborators on the album include, Zubz, HHP, Dan Patlansky, Nothende, and Slikour.
| Track listing | Written by RJ | Produced by RJ | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Music" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Gonna Make It on My Own" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Say Yeah" | ✔ | ||
| "Without You" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Shut Up" | Co-writer | ✔ | Zubz |
| "Burden" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Soulful Love" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Don't Wanna" | Co-writer | Co-produced | Nothende |
| "Anymore" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Nothing Left But The Music" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "I Don't Love You" | ✔ | Co-Producer | Dan Patlansky |
| "I'm Good" | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Overloaded" | Co-writer | Hip Hop Pantsula | |
| "Dreamer" | Co-writer | Slikour | |
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.[4] 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.
| Track listing | Written by RJ | Produced by RJ | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| "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" | Co-writer | Slikour | |
| "Feels So Right" | Co-writer | ||
| "Into The Stars" | Co-writer | Dr. Duda | |
| "Blessed" | |||
| "Goodbye Baby" | Co-writer | ||
| "Good Times" | Co-writer | ||
| "Love Again" | Co-writer | ✔ | Danny K |
| "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[5]
| Track listing | Written by RJ | Produced RJ | Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Slowly" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Lifting Me into The Stars" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Runaway" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "If We Can Love" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Her" | Writer | ✔ | |
| "Goodbye Baby" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "2012 Change The World" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "Free Your Mind" | Co-writer | ✔ | Clint Brink |
| "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 | ✔ | |
| "The Love" | Co-writer | ✔ | Aya |
| "Alright" | Co-writer | ✔ | |
| "See the Light" | Writer | ✔ | |
Other Work
| Song | Artist | Album Title | Year | Written by RJ | Produced by RJ | Feature | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Someone To Hold" | Kyle Grant | When Dreams Go out to play | 2003 | Co-writer | |||
| "Magic" | Zama Jobe | Ndawo Yami | 2004 | Backing vocals | |||
| "Hey Hey" | Zama Jobe | Ndawo Yami | 2004 | Backing vocals | |||
| "Restless" | Shimani ECT | Runnin' Bizz | 2004 | Co-writer | Backing vocals | ||
| "Jazzifield" | DJ Cleo | Eskhaleni & Mazansi House | 2004 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "My love" | DJ Cleo | Eskhaleni | 2004 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Zoe" | DJ Cleo | Eskhaleni | 2004 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "These Girls" | Slikour | Ventialtion Mixtape vol. 1 | 2005 | ✔ | |||
| "Let Me Change Your Mind" | Unathi | My 1st Time | 2005 | Co-writer | Co-Producer | ||
| "No Ciesta" | Elan Lea | Rock The World | 2005 | Co-writer | Co-Produced | ||
| "Do You Hear" | Elan Lea | Rock The World | 2005 | Vocal Production | |||
| "If U Wanna B Free" | Elan Lea | Rock The World | 2005 | Co-writer | Co-Produced | ||
| "Mama My Hero" | Elan Lea | Rock The World | 2005 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Someday" | Elan Lea | Rock The World | 2005 | Co-writer | Co-Produced | ||
| "Is This Where Its At" | Elan Lea | Rock the World | 2005 | Co-produced | |||
| "Will Go On" | Elan Lea | Rock The World | 2005 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Scream My Name" | Elan Lea | Rock The World | 2005 | Co-writer | Co-Produced | ||
| "Kick It One Time" | Elan Lea | Rock The World | 2005 | Co-writer | Co-Produced | ||
| "I Gotta Be Alone" | Elan Lea | Rock The World | 2005 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Play That Song" | Kabelo | Bouga Luv Album | 2005 | Co-Produced | |||
| "Everything" | Craig De Sousa | Everything | 2006 | Co-writer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Clothes off" | Danny K | This is My Time | 2006 | Engineering & backing vocals | |||
| "1000 Sorry's" | Danny K | This is My Time | 2006 | Engineering | |||
| "Everything About You" | Danny K | Think is My Time | 2006 | Engineering, arrangement & backing vocals | |||
| "One Night" | Danny K | This is My Time | 2006 | Co-writer | |||
| "It Doesn't Matter" | Danny K | This Is My Time | 2006 | Engineering and Backing vocals | |||
| "I Must Still Love You" | Veronique ft Gift Gwe | As I Am | 2006 | Co-writer | |||
| "Iris" | Lira | Feel Good | 2006 | Co-writer | Co-produced | ||
| "Good Times" | Ryan Dent | Platform Music Presents Ryan Dent | 2006 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "I love You" | Danny K | This Is My Time | 2006 | Co-writer | Co-produced | ||
| "Love & Miracles" | Vicky Sampson | License To Sing | 2007 | Co-Producer | ✔ | ||
| "I'm Still Here" | Vicky Sampson | License To Sing | 2007 | Co-producer | |||
| "Heart of Stone" | Vicky Sampson | License to Sing | 2007 | Co-Producer | |||
| "There's Only You" | Vicky Sampson | License To Sing | 2007 | Co-Producer | |||
| "Vicky" | Vicky Sampson | License To Sing | 2007 | Co-Producer | |||
| "I'm Gone " | Slikour | Ventialtion Mixtape vol. 2 | 2007 | ✔ | |||
| "Showbiz" | Slikour | Ventialtion Mixtape vol. 2 | 2007 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Unstoppable" | Slikour | Music From | 2007 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Dreamer" | Slikour | Ventialtion Mixtape vol. 2 | 2007 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "This Is" | "Tumi" | Music From | 2007 | ✔ | |||
| "When Doves Cry" | Dent & Massive | The Cover | 2007 | ✔ | |||
| "Chasing Lies" | Gift gwe | Back To You | 2007 | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| "2 Lovers" | Gift Gwe | Back To You | 2007 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Back To You" | Gift Gwe | Back To You | 2007 | Co-produced | |||
| "Madd Dogg" | Gift Gwe | Back To You | 2007 | Co-produced | |||
| "Messed Up" | Gift Gwe | Back To You | 2007 | Co-produced | |||
| "The Long Run" | Gift Gwe | Back To You | 2007 | Co-produced | |||
| "Im Better With You" | Karin Kortje | Forever & a Day | 2007 | ✔ | |||
| "Nothing Left But The Music" | Karin Kortje | Forever & a Day | 2007 | Co-writer | |||
| "Back in Your Arms" | Karin Kortje | Forever & a Day | 2007 | ✔ | |||
| "No Guarantee" | Tumi(Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "If I Should" | Tumi(Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Lullaby" | Tumi(Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Trapped" | Tumi(Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "You Played" | Tumi(Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Love You Girl" | Tumi(Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "You Are Here" | Tumi(Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Ain't Not Good For You" | Tumi (Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Can I Make You Love Me" | Tumi (Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Give Me You" | Tumi (Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Gotta Be This Way" | Tumi (Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Here I" | Tumi (Lane) | No Guarantee | 2008 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Rock The World" | ShugaSmakx ft Kwesta & HHP | Numba 1 | 2008 | ✔ | |||
| "Change The World" | Matserjam (Dr Duda remix) | Soul Candi Sessions 4 | 2008 | ✔ | |||
| "Shout" | Various artists | Campaign | 2009 | ✔ | |||
| "Private Show (oh no)" | Zubz | Cochlea | 2009 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Tradition al Her" | Zubz | Cochlea | 2009 | ✔ | |||
| "Monday to Sunday" | Kwesta & L-Tido | Hype Sessions/Jazzworx FM | 2009 | ✔ | |||
| "A Dor Do Cupido" | Anselmo Raplh | 2009 | Arranged Strings | ||||
| "Journey (37MPH Remix)" | 37MPH | 37 Energy Levels | 2009 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Say Yeah (Nutty Nys Remix)" | Nutty Nys | Vintage Love | 2009 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Show My Love" | Iridium Project | 2009 Audioflux | 2009 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Higher" | Giggs Superstar | Deep House Chronicles 4 | 2010 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Slowly" | Dj Kent | I Can't | 2010 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Not Love" | Molekane | My Good Eye | |||||
| "Words" | Kunle Ayo | Its About Time | 2010 | ✔ | |||
| "Delafunk" | Negus | A L'ombre De La Lune Noire | 2010 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Don't Turn Your Back" | Franky Rizardo | Soul Candi Sessions 5 | 2010 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "I'll Never Run Away" | Dr Duda | Soul Candi Sessions 5 | 2010 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Free Your Mind" | Chris Sen Remix | F.Eu | 2010 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Alright" | DJ Fresh | F.Eu | 2010 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Rise up" | Jen Su ft Jr & Loyiso Bala | 2010 | ✔ | ||||
| "Sweet Obsession" | Jub Jub | Fresh Air | 2010 | Co-writer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Awete" | Liz Ogumbo | Kensoul | 2010 | Co-produced | |||
| "Big Ass(Blues)" | Liz Ogumbo | Kensoul | 2010 | Co-produced | |||
| "Give Them Hope" | Liz Ogumbo | Kensoul | 2010 | Co-produced | ✔ | ||
| "Ubuntu" | Liz Ogumbo | Kensoul | 2010 | Co-produced | |||
| "Maropa More" | Liz Ogumbo | Kensoul | 2010 | Co-produced | |||
| "Le Coeur Qui Crie" | Liz Ogumbo | Kensoul | 2010 | Co-produced | |||
| "Could You Be (RJ's Take)" | RJ Benjamin | Da Essentials Vol 1 Pt1 | 2010 | Co-writer | Co-produced | ✔ | |
| "Butterfly" | Oran Cohen | Single | 2010 | Produced | |||
| "Heaven's Song" | Zeus | Flipside | 2010 | ✔ | |||
| "Anniversary Theme" | DJ Hamma ft Hishaam | Ctrl Alt Del | 2011 | ✔ | |||
| "Real Man" | Kabomo | All Things Grey | 2011 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Pressure" | Rowick Deep | Unleashed | 2011 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Love To Remember" | Vusi Khumalo | Reasons For Seasons | 2011 | ✔ | |||
| "If I Gave You Everything" | Antonio Lyons | We Dance We Pray | 2011 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Cry For Me" | Pebbles | Phenomenal | 2011 | Co-writer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| "Believe" | Pebbles | Phenomenal | 2011 | Co-produced | |||
| "Higher" | Pebbles | Phenomenal | 2011 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Ooh" | Pebbles | Phenomenal | 2011 | Vocal Production | |||
| "Juju" | Pebbles | Phenomenal | 2011 | Co-produced | |||
| "Over" | Pebbles | Phenomenal | 2011 | Produced | |||
| "Phenomenal" | Pebbles | Phenomenal | 2011 | Co-produced | |||
| "This Is My Journey" | Kelly Khumalo | The Past, The Present, The Future | 2012 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "I Live For love" | Kelly Khumalo | The Past, The Present, The Future | 2012 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Give It To Me Baby" | Kelly Khumalo | The Past, The Present, The Future | 2012 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Imbali" | Kelly Khumalo | The Past, The Present, The Future | 2012 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Rise" | Kelly Khumalo | The Past, The Present, The Future | 2012 | ✔ | |||
| "I Really Love You" | Kelly Khumalo | The Past, The Present, The Future | 2012 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Together Apart" | Kelly Khumalo | The Past, The Present, The Future | 2012 | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| "I Keep Fighting" | Kelly Khumalo | The Past, The Present, The Future | 2012 | ✔ | |||
| "Little Girl" | Kelly Khumalo | The Past, The Present, The Future | 2012 | ✔ | |||
| "If It Ain’t For Love" | DJ Kuchi | 2012 | Co-writer | ✔ | |||
| "You Belong" | SABC 2 theme song | 2013 | Co-writer | ✔ | |||
| "Stripped Down Season 1 Jingle" | Produced | ||||||
| "Happy To Love" | Wanda Baloyi | Love & Life | 2014 | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| "Let Me Love You" | Vincent Bones | Idols Sa Winners' Single | 2014 | ✔ | |||
| "Ups & Downs" | Proverb | The Read Tape | 2014 | ✔ | |||
| "When Is It Love" | Vincent Bones | Shaded Soul | 2015 | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| "Love" | Eliezer | Single release | 2015 | Vocal-Production | |||
| "Move On" | Melo | Single release | 2015 | Co-writer | ✔ | ||
| "Gonna Be Alright" | Fortune | Abomrapper | 2015 | ✔ | |||
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.[6] In 2013 he was the musical mentor of M-Net's music reality show, "Clash of the Choirs South Africa" and "Idols".[7]
List of Roles and Shows that RJ's been involved in:
- Project Fame - Vocal Coach (2004)
- Clash Of The Choirs South Africa Season 1 & 2 - Musical Director
- Idols South Africa Season 9 - Musical Director
- Idols South Africa Season 10, 11 & 12 - In-House Mentor
- The Voice South Africa Season 1 - Vocal Coach
- The Voice Nigeria Season 1 - Musical Director
Music Exchange
RJ Benjamin was signed up to speak at Music Exchange, which is South Africa's premier music, film and entertainment programme. He has now been involved in Music Exchange for the past 4 years (2013 - 2016). Music Exchange is South Africa's first independent music conference and is the brainchild of industry professionals Martin Myers & Peter Lacey. The 2-day conference is jam-packed with keynote talks and panel discussions and delegates will have access to over 20 key people.
References
- ↑ Big Talk – RJ Benjamin
- ↑ 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