Benji.
Image via The Local 913
Benji. aka Ian Welch was announced as the eighth member of the Spillage Village collective (JID, Earthgang, Mereba, 6lack, Jurdan Bryant, and Hollywood JB) in 2020 as part of the roll-out for their album, Spilligion. After being featured in the video for the lead single “End of Daze,” the Pittsburgh rapper would be featured on 3 tracks on the project; “Shiva” with JID, Earthgang, and Jurdan Bryant, “Hapi” with Earthgang, Mereba, and Big Rube, and “Jupiter” with JID, Earthgang, Mereba, Hollywood JB, and Jurdan Bryant. He also has production credits on 5 total songs, playing bass throughout the album.
Independently, Benji. released the mixtape, Uptown on SoundCloud, presented by producer, Courtesy. The project also features production by Benji.’s brother, Christo, who is known for his work with Spillage Village and its members. Standouts from the mixtape include “Mamma,” “Day Dream,” and the Kid Cudi interpolating, “Anonymous.” In 2019, Benji. signed a deal with Since The 80s, also home to JID, Earthgang, and Hardo, and would open up for Earthgang on their Mirrorland Tour.
In 2021 Benji. rereleased his debut project, Smile, You’re Alive! in association with Spillage Village. The project’s standout song comes on track 5 with “Black Satin.”
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In The Media
2021 Interview with XXL (Spillage Village)
