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RJ Benjamin
South african singer

RJ Benjamin

The basics

Quick Facts

Intro
South african singer
Work field
Gender
Male
The details (from wikipedia)

Biography

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". 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.

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. This album featured collaborations with the Flash Republic, vocalist Tamara Dey, Kwaito/Hip Hop MC Pitch Black Afro, Artist & Producer Amu and R&B sensation Ishmael. 37MPH and Bongani Fassie also contributed to the album as producers on select tracks.

Track listingWritten by RJProduced by RJFeature
"Journey (The Storm)"Co-writer
"Wonderwall"
"Cry"Co-writer37mph
"Restless"Co-writerCo-ProducerPitch 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-writerCo-producerIshmael
"G-d Bless My Imagination"
"What'll It Be"Co-writer
"Who I Am"
"What Do You Need?"
"Consequence"Co-writerCo-ProducerTamara 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. The album is a mixture of 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. Collaborators on the album include, Zubz, HHP, Dan Patlansky, Nothende, and Slikour.

Track listingWritten by RJProduced by RJFeature
"Music"
"Gonna Make It on My Own"
"Say Yeah"
"Without You"Co-writer
"Shut Up"Co-writerZubz
"Burden"
"Soulful Love"
"Don't Wanna"Co-writerCo-producedNothende
"Anymore"Co-writer
"Nothing Left But The Music"Co-writer
"I Don't Love You"Co-ProducerDan Patlansky
"I'm Good"
"Overloaded"Co-writerHip Hop Pantsula
"Dreamer"Co-writerSlikour

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. The track was nominated for a Channel O Award and SAMA (South African Music Awards) for Best Dance Video and Song of the Year, respectively. It was also nominated for Remix of the year at the SAMAs. Following the huge success of Change the World, RJ released the album 'House Bound' which showcased his vocal and writing skills over house music. This flirtation with house music ultimately returned him back to his R&B/Soul roots and core sensibility.

Track listingWritten by RJProduced by RJFeature
"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-writerSlikour
"Feels So Right"Co-writer
"Into The Stars"Co-writerDr. Duda
"Blessed"
"Goodbye Baby"Co-writer
"Good Times"Co-writer
"Love Again"Co-writerDanny 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), re-interpreting them into Funk, Soul, Rock, Flamenco, Samba, Jazz and various other styles

Track listingWritten by RJProduced RJFeature
"Slowly"Co-writer
"Lifting Me into The Stars"Co-writer
"Runaway"Co-writer
"If We Can Love Again"Co-writer
"Her"Writer
"Goodbye Baby"Co-writer
"2012 Change The World"Co-writer
"Free Your Mind"Co-writerClint 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-writerAya
"Alright"Co-writer
"See the Light"Writer

Other Work

SongArtistAlbum TitleYearWritten by RJProduced by RJFeatureOther
"Someone To Hold"Kyle GrantWhen Dreams Go out to play2003Co-writer
"Magic"Zama JobeNdawo Yami2004Backing vocals
"Hey Hey"Zama JobeNdawo Yami2004Backing vocals
"Restless"Shimani ECTRunnin' Bizz2004Co-writerBacking vocals
"Jazzifield"DJ CleoEskhaleni & Mazansi House2004Co-writer
"My love"DJ CleoEskhaleni2004Co-writer
"Zoe"DJ CleoEskhaleni2004Co-writer
"These Girls"SlikourVentialtion Mixtape vol. 12005
"Let Me Change Your Mind"UnathiMy 1st Time2005Co-writerCo-Producer
"No Ciesta"Elan LeaRock The World2005Co-writerCo-Produced
"Do You Hear"Elan LeaRock The World2005Vocal Production
"If U Wanna B Free"Elan LeaRock The World2005Co-writerCo-Produced
"Mama My Hero"Elan LeaRock The World2005Vocal Production
"Someday"Elan LeaRock The World2005Co-writerCo-Produced
"Is This Where Its At"Elan LeaRock the World2005Co-produced
"Will Go On"Elan LeaRock The World2005Vocal Production
"Scream My Name"Elan LeaRock The World2005Co-writerCo-Produced
"Kick It One Time"Elan LeaRock The World2005Co-writerCo-Produced
"I Gotta Be Alone"Elan LeaRock The World2005Vocal Production
"Play That Song"KabeloBouga Luv Album2005Co-Produced
"Everything"Craig De SousaEverything2006Co-writer
"Clothes off"Danny KThis is My Time2006Engineering & backing vocals
"1000 Sorry's"Danny KThis is My Time2006Engineering
"Everything About You"Danny KThink is My Time2006Engineering, arrangement & backing vocals
"One Night"Danny KThis is My Time2006Co-writer
"It Doesn't Matter"Danny KThis Is My Time2006Engineering and Backing vocals
"I Must Still Love You"Veronique ft Gift GweAs I Am2006Co-writer
"Iris"LiraFeel Good2006Co-writerCo-produced
"Good Times"Ryan DentPlatform Music Presents Ryan Dent2006Co-writer
"I love You"Danny KThis Is My Time2006Co-writerCo-produced
"Love & Miracles"Vicky SampsonLicense To Sing2007Co-Producer
"I'm Still Here"Vicky SampsonLicense To Sing2007Co-producer
"Heart of Stone"Vicky SampsonLicense to Sing2007Co-Producer
"There's Only You"Vicky SampsonLicense To Sing2007Co-Producer
"Vicky"Vicky SampsonLicense To Sing2007Co-Producer
"I'm Gone "SlikourVentialtion Mixtape vol. 22007
"Showbiz"SlikourVentialtion Mixtape vol. 22007Co-writer
"Unstoppable"SlikourMusic From2007Vocal Production
"Dreamer"SlikourVentialtion Mixtape vol. 22007Co-writer
"This Is""Tumi"Music From2007
"When Doves Cry"Dent & MassiveThe Cover2007
"Chasing Lies"Gift gweBack To You2007
"2 Lovers"Gift GweBack To You2007Co-writer
"Back To You"Gift GweBack To You2007Co-produced
"Madd Dogg"Gift GweBack To You2007Co-produced
"Messed Up"Gift GweBack To You2007Co-produced
"The Long Run"Gift GweBack To You2007Co-produced
"Im Better With You"Karin KortjeForever & a Day2007
"Nothing Left But The Music"Karin KortjeForever & a Day2007Co-writer
"Back in Your Arms"Karin KortjeForever & a Day2007
"No Guarantee"Tumi(Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"If I Should"Tumi(Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"Lullaby"Tumi(Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"Trapped"Tumi(Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"You Played"Tumi(Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"Love You Girl"Tumi(Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"You Are Here"Tumi(Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"Ain't Not Good For You"Tumi (Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"Can I Make You Love Me"Tumi (Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"Give Me You"Tumi (Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"Gotta Be This Way"Tumi (Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"Here I"Tumi (Lane)No Guarantee2008Vocal Production
"Rock The World"ShugaSmakx ft Kwesta & HHPNumba 12008
"Change The World"Matserjam (Dr Duda remix)Soul Candi Sessions 42008
"Shout"Various artistsCampaign2009
"Private Show (oh no)"ZubzCochlea2009Co-writer
"Tradition al Her"ZubzCochlea2009
"Monday to Sunday"Kwesta & L-TidoHype Sessions/Jazzworx FM2009
"A Dor Do Cupido"Anselmo Raplh2009Arranged Strings
"Journey (37MPH Remix)"37MPH37 Energy Levels2009Co-writer
"Say Yeah (Nutty Nys Remix)"Nutty NysVintage Love2009Co-writer
"Show My Love"Iridium Project2009 Audioflux2009Co-writer
"Higher"Giggs SuperstarDeep House Chronicles 42010Co-writer
"Slowly"Dj KentI Can't2010Co-writer
"Not Love"MolekaneMy Good Eye
"Words"Kunle AyoIts About Time2010
"Delafunk"NegusA L'ombre De La Lune Noire2010Co-writer
"Don't Turn Your Back"Franky RizardoSoul Candi Sessions 52010Co-writer
"I'll Never Run Away"Dr DudaSoul Candi Sessions 52010Co-writer
"Free Your Mind"Chris Sen RemixF.Eu2010Co-writer
"Alright"DJ FreshF.Eu2010Co-writer
"Rise up"Jen Su ft Jr & Loyiso Bala2010
"Sweet Obsession"Jub JubFresh Air2010Co-writer
"Awete"Liz OgumboKensoul2010Co-produced
"Big Ass(Blues)"Liz OgumboKensoul2010Co-produced
"Give Them Hope"Liz OgumboKensoul2010Co-produced
"Ubuntu"Liz OgumboKensoul2010Co-produced
"Maropa More"Liz OgumboKensoul2010Co-produced
"Le Coeur Qui Crie"Liz OgumboKensoul2010Co-produced
"Could You Be (RJ's Take)"RJ BenjaminDa Essentials Vol 1 Pt12010Co-writerCo-produced
"Butterfly"Oran CohenSingle2010Produced
"Heaven's Song"ZeusFlipside2010
"Anniversary Theme"DJ Hamma ft HishaamCtrl Alt Del2011
"Real Man"KabomoAll Things Grey2011Co-writer
"Pressure"Rowick DeepUnleashed2011Co-writer
"Love To Remember"Vusi KhumaloReasons For Seasons2011
"If I Gave You Everything"Antonio LyonsWe Dance We Pray2011Co-writer
"Cry For Me"PebblesPhenomenal2011Co-writer
"Believe"PebblesPhenomenal2011Co-produced
"Higher"PebblesPhenomenal2011Vocal Production
"Ooh"PebblesPhenomenal2011Vocal Production
"Juju"PebblesPhenomenal2011Co-produced
"Over"PebblesPhenomenal2011Produced
"Phenomenal"PebblesPhenomenal2011Co-produced
"This Is My Journey"Kelly KhumaloThe Past, The Present, The Future2012Co-writer
"I Live For love"Kelly KhumaloThe Past, The Present, The Future2012Co-writer
"Give It To Me Baby"Kelly KhumaloThe Past, The Present, The Future2012Co-writer
"Imbali"Kelly KhumaloThe Past, The Present, The Future2012Co-writer
"Rise"Kelly KhumaloThe Past, The Present, The Future2012
"I Really Love You"Kelly KhumaloThe Past, The Present, The Future2012Co-writer
"Together Apart"Kelly KhumaloThe Past, The Present, The Future2012
"I Keep Fighting"Kelly KhumaloThe Past, The Present, The Future2012
"Little Girl"Kelly KhumaloThe Past, The Present, The Future2012
"If It Ain’t For Love"DJ Kuchi2012Co-writer
"You Belong"SABC 2 theme song2013Co-writer
"Stripped Down Season 1 Jingle"Produced
"Happy To Love"Wanda BaloyiLove & Life2014
"Let Me Love You"Vincent BonesIdols Sa Winners' Single2014
"Ups & Downs"ProverbThe Read Tape2014
"When Is It Love"Vincent BonesShaded Soul2015
"Love"EliezerSingle release2015Vocal-Production
"Move On"MeloSingle release2015Co-writer
"Gonna Be Alright"FortuneAbomrapper2015

Television

RJ Benjamin was chosen to be head vocal coach on the music talent TV reality show Project Fame. In 2013, he became the Musical Director Of "Idols South Africa" and "Clash Of The Choirs Season 1". He would reprise his role on the SAFTA award winning "Clash Of The Choirs Season 2" while becoming the "In-House Mentor" on subsequent seasons of Idols South Africa.

List of TV Shows RJ has 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

References

The contents of this page are sourced from Wikipedia article. The contents are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
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