EXTRA THOUGHTS

Here are some extra thoughts/tidbits about each beat on the EP!

Co-Produced w/ ProdByTy

1. Text Back

Shoutout to ProdByTy — the moment I heard his sample, I knew I had to build a beat around it. The instruments had the perfect blend of old-school and modern vibes. The guitar, keys, and bells gave off that classic, nostalgic feel, while the vocal sample added a fresh, contemporary touch. I kept the drum selection more old-school too, but it still hits hard like it's 2025.

This beat, along with 'Gone Tomorrow,' are definitely my favourites on the EP.

2. City Bricks

I made this beat back in 2021 during the pandemic, and originally planned to drop it as a stand-alone track when I first launched my Spotify profile. Long story short: I didn’t, so it ended up being a perfect fit for this EP. I drew a lot of inspiration from The Neptunes on this one — especially when it came to the instrument sounds (check out 0:44 for the chorus sound).

For all my producers out there: if you're curious about the side-to-side percussions, they came from this sample. I just chopped it up and placed it where I wanted. I think the unique sound of those percussion really makes this beat stand out!

Co-Produced w/ BSIDES

3. Petals

This was the last beat I chose for the EP, a decision made in January 2025. I knew I wanted a knocking, yet smooth track to sit right in the middle of the project. As soon as I heard the bounce and the swag of the track, I knew it would be a perfect fit. Big shoutout to Phxntom808 for the smooth instrument sample. Naturally, This track felt like the missing piece — symbolizing passion and sensuality, which ties into the 'middle' this storyline.

4. Shower Steam

This beat wasn't originally meant for the EP, but I stumbled upon it while digging through my folders and realized how well it fit the narrative. The name alone made it a perfect addition. When I made it, I was inspired by one of my favorite Timbaland beats — "Can We" by SWV. You can hear that influence in the guitar and the grooviness of the percussion on 'Shower Steam.' I was really aiming to create my own version of 'Can We.' Did I nail it? Not sure — both beats ended up with a completely different vibe — but I am definitely proud of the bounce that I created here.

5. Gone Tommorow

This and 'Text Back' are my two personal favorites on the EP. This beat was inspired by another Timbaland classic: "Sexual Needs" by Adina Howard. If you skip to 1:31 in the Adina Howard track, you'll hear where I tried to mimic the saxophone — both the sound and the notes — which became the foundation of this beat.

Fun fact: this beat was also used for TYUS’s lead single "How Far" back in 2019. If you've been following my journey, you'll know that this placement opened a lot of doors for me, especially with Ye Ali (he discovered me off this beat -- and we've gone on to make over 8+ songs).

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

First off, thank you so much for supporting this EP and for reading this far! I never thought I'd be the type of producer to release instrumental EPs/albums, but here we are! The idea for this came out of nowhere—as soon as it popped into my head, I got to work on putting this project together. Everything, from the music to the artwork to the website and even the products I'm selling, came together in just two weeks (from late December 2024 to January 2025!). It took a ton of hard work to get this off the ground, and I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish. This marks the beginning of a new chapter in my journey as a producer. It feels like a necessary step, one that’s been years in the making.

I’m a bit mad (but mostly grateful) that I’m finally in a position to do this—thinking bigger and building my brand while finding new ways to monetize my music. Now more than ever, I realize how important it is to sustain myself through my craft. I also believe that releasing these instrumental tapes and building my profile from this point will help get my name out there to bigger names. At the end of the day, all I really want is to make and release great music, whether it’s beats or songs—but you know, there’s nothing like having a hit record, and that only comes with an incredible song.

I think this EP is the stepping stone I need to access the rooms I want to be in. So, once again, thank you for downloading it—I genuinely appreciate your support! Welcome to the STARPLAYERS community, and keep streaming "R&Ben Vol. 1" on all platforms!

P.S. At the time of writing this—I'm still finalizing the mixes for the EP—even though I submitted to the streaming platforms already 🤦. I'm always trying to make last minute tweaks (SMH).

P.S.S. I'm probably dropping again in Feb ;)

  • Benny
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