Run The Trap Guest Mix 010: Beni Haze + Exclusive Interview

Beni Haze is an up and coming producer, singer and songwriter from Roanoke, VA. His skill set has given him the ability to work along side The Neptunes, Timbaland, Nottz, Planet VI and many others. Beni was also part of the group Pnuma Trio with Alex B. (Paper Diamond), and is still an active member in Mansions on the Moon. Beni has been all over the world fine-tuning his craft and is now ready to release a flood of heat that he has been holding on to – kept safe in a vault.

Peep our exclusive interview with Beni Haze, as well as an exclusive guest mix showcasing some of his musical stylings. (Mixtape & more music located at the bottom of the interview). You’re going to want to keep tabs on Beni via his social media below, nothing but big moves coming from this dude in the near future.

Beni Haze

Soundcloud | Twitter | Facebook 

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Exclusive interview with Beni Haze: 

RTT: Some people might not know this, but you played keys in “Pnuma Trio” with Alex B. (Paper Diamond), and you’re part of “Mansions on the Moon”. What made you go to the solo producer side of things from the livetronica w/ a band type stuff we’re used seeing you involved in?

Beni: It’s not anything I haven’t been doing all the time whether it be on the road or at home. I love making beats and I love writing songs. I live a simple life with cool happenings, the road can be tough on the body and mind. I’ve spent almost a decade of my life touring. I guess through help of my band, close friends in the industry it seemed like this transition in my life needed to happen. A major factor was my health.

RTT: Are you going to keep working with Mansions on the Moon, or is that on hold for the time being?

Beni: I definitely am still working with my band. We are making what seems to be like a new EP worth of music every time we are in the studio. We have some awesome releases set for 2k14 and just recently dropped the ‘Full Moon’ EP, which is a body of work I’m really happy with.

RTT: You’ve already dropped some huge collabs with Pusha T and Juicy J, how did those collabs come into fruition?

Beni: Relationships, persistence, tenacity and luck.

RTT: What other collaborations (and/or releases) can we expect in the future?

Beni: I don’t like to spoil xmas by telling them what they are gnu get, but I will say that the collaborations and artists I am working with and the stuff yet to be released is stuff that I’m very excited and proud to be a part of. I think as far as collabs, we might have every genre covered. whoop whoop

RTT: I heard that you’re a classically trained musician from Berklee College Of Music, how do some of those skills apply when you’re in the studio or putting together a track?

Beni: Not classically trained really at all. I went to a berklee summer session and then got cray. My mom went there for school. But yeah, that’s the scoop on that. Berklee is an amazing place. The bass player in my band(Mansions on the Moon) went there and you can tell. He falls asleep playing bass. 

RTT:  Where else do you find inspiration when you’re in the studio?

Beni: I got a really tight camp right now between the band (MOTM) my various production partners, including Sunny Norway, Seb, Bvvkus, Jlit, we are all over the place but go super hard when we are together. On a mainstream level I listen to the radio when my fiancé puts it on and there is some cool stuff happening. I try not to listen to a lot of other people’s music. Kinda stopped when I got an idea how to make it myself. My crew is my inspiration, especially my bandmates in Mansions on the Moon.

RTT: I heard you spent some time in both Neptunes’ and Timbaland’s studios. Those are some of the best producers of all time in my book. Any tips or lessons you learned from working with and being around these guys?

Beni: From timbaland, drums need to slap, melodies need to be wild and cray. The  neptunes, I was always drawn to there chord selections and timeless toplines. {Pharrell is a big advocate of just being you and staying true to that. i try to apply that to all aspects of my life. There is just something in the water in VA. That’s where we are all from. 

RTT: I heard you recently signed to CAA with a real boss agent, Hunter Williams. Do you have any events/ tour plans in the pipeline for 2013/14?

Beni: Yes! Hunter is amazing and a blessing. For someone like myself who was making the transition to be a more settled studio guy. He was extremely understanding of what my goals and vision were. I couldn’t ask for a better guy in my corner. 2k14 will be a lot of fun, the shows are gna be a party for sure, can’t release dates with out the elders permission. Hopefully ill be in your city soon. 🙂

RTT: What can we expect from Beni Haze in 2014 and beyond?

Beni: A lot of awesomeness and then some more of that, big collabs. working on my own EP that’s less feature based and focused on all the things that I do with my production, songwriting and singing etc. I’m really stoked for that. 

RTT: Anything else you would like to touch on?

Beni: Stoked to be pumped about being hyped…. stay tuned you might stay in a state of surprise. 

 

Run The Trap Guest Mix 010: Beni Haze | Free Download

BENI HAZE  – It’s On Me feat. Pusha T & Planet VI

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Beni Haze X Juicy J X Kyle – Distance

Run The Trap Guest Mix 010: Beni Haze + Exclusive Interview