Benga Starts A Very Necessary Conversation via Twitter; Openly Discusses Mental Health Issues

By now the news regarding UK dubstep OG Benga is circulating heavily on the interwebs. His retirement from DJing and production last year was met with confusion in the media and upset from his many fans. Benga and Skream shaped dubstep before wubs and wobbles and heavy bass manifested themselves in the United States and Canada through Skrillex, or Excision and Datsik. And while they both had seemed understandably burnt out, mentally and physically exhausted, Benga’s announcement to DJ and produce nevermore came with shock, disappointment, and a lingering confusion filled with unanswered questions about the decision.

Until now.

Earlier today, Benga announced via Twitter the reason for his Irish exit from the music world. He tells fans, news sources, mental health advocates, and anyone else attuned to the artist’s tweets.

I might as well explain it on here. My bipolar was brought on by drugs and the schizophrenia was the result of excessive touring. ????????

— BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015

Which is why I dont want sympathy but to raise awareness. Because if I had help early the damage could have been controlled! — BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015

If you know someone that suffers from mental health issues you’ll understand how alone you feel until it’s regonised. Many people suffer.

— BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015

The stigma around it is what makes you so alone…. Nobody regonises it. ???????? — BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015

The above tweets frame this story and give you some information. After reading them, we should take a moment to commend Benga even though he most likely wants none of our praise. It is quite obvious that this bold, courageous line of communication is an attempt to hereby commence a conversation surrounding mental illness and the stigma it carries. He was so obviously nervous, later tweeting, “well that was easier than I thought.” This is the shit that separates gods from kings, kings from men, and men from boys. Speaking of boys, Benga shouts out his long time colleague Skream for supporting him through these exceptionally trying time. Benga was already royalty before today, but using his power as an artist for such good as this is an action worthy of an entity greater than man. Lives will be saved as a result of his words and this effort. One of the fans says to him in solidarity that she too suffers from what is known as an invisible illness. He admittedly suffers from bipolar and schizophrenia, and addresses the stigma surrounding them. Even talking to a few fans and followers of these heroic efforts helps to stomp out stigma, comforting sufferers all over the world. I know personally the level of comfort and solidarity in knowing you are not alone in your struggle. No one ever wants to have this conversation, but someone needed to force it into existence. It is scary and it is sad, so awkward and hard to handle. Benga managed to reign in the larger social issues here and is steering us towards to destigmatization of mental illness through awareness and support.  Lastly, there is this:

Who wants to do my lead interview on my mental health issue I would like to get this heard now. I’m asked so much about my retirement. ????????

— BENGA (@iambenga) September 16, 2015

I responded to the tweet (@loribegins) eager for this opportunity. We have had such similar experiences that this would be the realest, most raw, honest interview. I highly doubt he will see this, but it would be such a fitting honor to tell his story.

Johann Goethe said, “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.” Take care of yourselves and each other out there.

Benga Starts A Very Necessary Conversation via Twitter; Openly Discusses Mental Health Issues