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{{Short description|British DJ, radio presenter and record producer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox presenter | name = Benji B
| birth_name= Benjamin Benstead
| birth_date={{birth based on age as of date|39|2018|08|31}}
| birth_place=[[London]], United Kingdom<ref>{{Cite web|title= Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/4c23351c-957e-11e8-95f8-8640db9060a7|access-date=2021-03-21|website=www.ft.com}}</ref>
| years_active=1998–present
| occupation={{hlist|[[DJ]]|[[radio presenter]]|[[record producer]]|[[music director]]}}
| show = Benji B
| station = [[BBC Radio 1
| timeslot = Wednesday night - Thursday
| style = [[disc jockey|DJ]]
| country =
|
}}
'''Benjamin Benstead''', known professionally as '''Benji B''', is a British [[Disc jockey|DJ]], [[Radio personality|radio presenter]], and [[record producer]]. A longtime [[BBC Radio]] producer and presenter, he has presented a weekly show on [[BBC Radio 1]] since 2010 that highlights an eclectic mix of hip-hop, [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], and [[electronica]]. In 2018, he was appointed music director of [[Louis Vuitton]] by [[Virgil Abloh]], having previously consulted for [[Kanye West]] and fashion brands like [[Celine (brand)|Celine]].
== Early life ==
Benjamin Benstead was born in London to a composer and former dance teacher.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=DJ Benji B|url=https://www.ft.com/content/4c23351c-957e-11e8-95f8-8640db9060a7|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Financial Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901114417/https://www.ft.com/content/4c23351c-957e-11e8-95f8-8640db9060a7 |archive-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> He was raised between [[North London]] and [[South London]], and attended the [[Hendon School]] until he was sixteen. He completed his [[A-Levels]] while working at [[Kiss (UK radio station)|Kiss FM]] on the weekends.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=BENJI B|url=https://www.i-p.world/phoebe-lovatt-benji-b|access-date=2021-03-21|website=IP By Phoebe Lovatt}}</ref> As a child, he played saxophone and was in a [[gamelan]] ensemble, before becoming interested in DJ culture through [[pirate radio]].<ref name=":3" />
== Career ==
Benji B began his professional career in 1995 when, at age sixteen, he began producing [[Gilles Peterson]]'s WorldWide radio program on [[Kiss (UK radio station)|Kiss FM]] and later worked as a producer under [[Jez Nelson]];<ref name=":4" /> he moved to [[BBC Radio 1]] with WorldWide in 1998. He joined [[BBC Radio 1xtra]] as a presenter when the station launched in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Benji B|url=https://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/en/artists-speakers/benji-b/5704/|access-date=2021-03-21|website=ADE}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Soar|first=Sophie|date=2018-11-12|title=How I Became... Music Director for Louis Vuitton Menswear|url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/workplace-talent/how-i-became-music-director-for-louis-vuitton-menswear|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-21|website=The Business of Fashion|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117083608/https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/workplace-talent/how-i-became-music-director-for-louis-vuitton-menswear |archive-date=17 January 2021}}</ref> In September 2010, Benji B began presenting on Radio 1, taking over the 1am–3am slot Wednesday nights / Thursday mornings previously inhabited by [[Mary Anne Hobbs]];<ref name=":1">{{cite web|date=2010-09-06|title=Benji B moves to Radio 1|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storyCode=1042442§ioncode=1|accessdate=2012-06-04|publisher=Music Week}}</ref> later, his show Deviation<ref>{{cite journal|last=C|first=Scott|year=2006|title=Devious deviant|url=http://www.montrealmirror.com/2006/092806/music3.html|url-status=dead|journal=[[Montreal Mirror]]|publisher=Communications Gratte-Ciel Ltée|volume=22|issue=15|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116013118/http://www.montrealmirror.com/2006/092806/music3.html|archivedate=16 January 2011|accessdate=2010-08-11|ref=scott2006|df=dmy-all}}</ref> began simulcasting to 1xtra and the [[BBC Asian Network]]. He also previously presented a weekly radio show called of the same name on [[Couleur 3]], a national Swiss radio station.<ref name=":1" />
In 2007, he founded the London [[Nightclub|club night]] Deviation.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collins|first=Hattie|date=2016-04-14|title=benji b breaks down the secret of deviation's success|url=https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/xwdkkw/benji-b-breaks-down-the-secret-of-deviations-success|access-date=2021-03-21|website=i-D}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Crate Diggin': Celebrating 10 years of Deviation with Benji B - fabric blog|url=https://www.fabriclondon.com/blog/view/crate-diggin-celebrating-10-years-of-deviation-with-benji-b|access-date=2021-03-21|website=fabric london}}</ref> Deviation began a hiatus in 2017-2018.<ref name=":3" />
Since the early 2010s, he has collaborated with American rapper [[Kanye West]]. He is credited as an additional producer on the track "[[On Sight]]" from ''[[Yeezus]]'' and as co-producer on the track "[[Fade (Kanye West song)|Fade]]" from ''[[The Life of Pablo]]''. In 2019, he helped produce the inaugural [[Sunday Service Choir|Sunday Service]] performance at [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2019-10-22|title=Benji B on Working With Kanye & Virgil on Music: Listen Now Here|url=https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/benji-b-on-the-record-podcast/|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Highsnobiety}}</ref> Benji B is a credited producer on a handful of tracks by other artists including [[Jessie Ware]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramli|first=Sofiana|date=2019-11-07|title=Jessie Ware previews new album with clubby single 'Mirage (Don't Stop)'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/jessie-ware-new-club-single-mirage-dont-stop-2565375|access-date=2019-11-27|website=NME}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Benji B|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/35326-Benji-B|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Discogs}}</ref>
Benji B has a well-documented history of working with fashion brands and designers.<ref name=":2" /> He began curating music for [[Savile Row]] runway shows before working as the music director of [[Celine (brand)|Céline]] under [[Phoebe Philo]] from 2015 to Spring 2018.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":0" /> In Summer 2018, he was named the music director of [[Louis Vuitton]] by longtime friend [[Virgil Abloh]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Benji B Appointed Music Director Of Louis Vuitton - Antonia|url=https://www.antonia.it/ae/blog/daily-news/benji-b-appointed-music-director-of-louis-vuitton|access-date=2021-03-21|website=www.antonia.it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Magazine|first=Wallpaper*|date=2020-01-17|title=Soundtracking fashion with Benji B|url=https://www.wallpaper.com/fashion/soundtracking-fashion-with-dj-benji-b|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Wallpaper*}}</ref> Over the years, he has also worked with brands including [[Gieves & Hawkes]], [[Supreme (brand)|Supreme]], [[Stüssy|Stussy]], and [[Yiqing Yin|Poiret]].<ref name=":4" />
In December 2020, Benji joined a band of British jazz musicians to play on the ''[[Bitches Brew]]''-inspired, self-titled album ''[[London Brew]]'', which is set for release on 31 March 2023 by [[Concord Jazz]].
In August 2024, Benji performed in "We Humans are Movement" dance spectacle as a music director and a DJ with Wayne McGregor Company and a selection of young dancers at Biennale Danza during Venice Art Biennale.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-08-05|title=Biennale College Dancers - We Humans are Movement
|url=https://www.labiennale.org/en/dance/2024/dance-performances/biennale-college-dancers-we-humans-are-movement|access-date=2024-08-05|website=Venice Art Biennale official website}}</ref> The show received a standing ovation. <ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-08-05|title='We Humans Are Movement' Di Wayne Mcgregor - Biennale Danza 2024, Lido (VE) 2.8.2024 (Curtain Call)
|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qace_t0GM7w|access-date=2024-08-05|website=YouTube}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
As of 2015, Benji B has a record collection of 15,000 to 20,000 records.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-23|title=Crate Diggers: Benji B|url=https://thevinylfactory.com/features/crate-diggers-benji-b/|access-date=2021-03-21|website=The Vinyl Factory}}</ref>
== References ==
*{{citation|ref=moult2006|first=Lisa|last=Moult|date=2006-10-26|page=126|title=Interview with Benji B: Conducted at 2.30pm, 11 August 2004, at the Offices of the British Council, London|work=The Effect of Management and Policy Change on the Diversity of Output Broadcast By BBC Radio One and BBC 1xtra Between 2000–2004|publisher=[[University of the Witwatersrand]]|accessdate=2010-08-11|url=http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/1474}}▼
{{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==
==External links==▼
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00v4tv3 ''Benji B''] (BBC Radio 1)▼
▲* {{citation|ref=moult2006|first=Lisa|last=Moult|date=2006-10-26|page=126|title=Interview with Benji B: Conducted at 2.30pm, 11 August 2004, at the Offices of the British Council, London|work=The Effect of Management and Policy Change on the Diversity of Output Broadcast By BBC Radio One and BBC 1xtra Between 2000–2004|publisher=[[University of the Witwatersrand]]|accessdate=2010-08-11|url=http://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/handle/10539/1474}}
▲== External links ==
▲*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00v4tv3 ''Benji B''] ([[BBC Radio 1]])
*{{discogs artist}}
*{{Twitter}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benji B}}
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]▼
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:BBC Radio 1 presenters]]
[[Category:BBC Radio 1Xtra presenters]]
[[Category:Radio presenters from London]]
[[Category:Hip hop DJs]]
[[Category:DJs from London]]
▲[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
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