Benzino always lands on his feet. No matter what the situation is with the rapper/entrepreneur, he manages to persevere. Since his 2005 departure from The Source magazine (he was co-owner beside David Mays), Benzino has been busying himself with other ventures. He started Hip-Hop Weekly, reuniting with Mays the following year in 2006, and is preparing to drop his first batch of music since The Antidote in 2007. The Boston native is working on a mixtape, CAEZAR, due for release in less than a month. He says that he’s also created an entirely new sound for Hip Hop on his upcoming LP, VEGAS MUSIC, complete with live band instrumentation and vocalists.
Still, even with his hectic work schedule, trouble seems to find Benzino. On July 8th, he was arrested in Miami Beach and charged with driving erratically. The police are also saying that there was a firearm in the vehicle that shoots rifle rounds. It’s just another hurdle for Benzino to cross but he’s definitely not the type to get easily discouraged. DX had the opportunity to talk to the made man about the CEAZAR project, his goals, and why he’d be open to collaborating with Havoc despite bad meeting evil.
Benzino said the case is still open so I can’t say too much but I’m definitely getting exonerated. Charges will be dismissed and I’ll be exonerated.
He also told reporters right know they are still doing Hip-Hop Weekly, he and his partner David Mays.
Hip Hop Weekly’s been present for a while now, and pretty consistent…
After the situation with me and Dave founding and subsequently leaving The Source, we just thought it was only right that we put out another magazine. The whole format of Hip-Hop Weekly, coming out every two weeks was just something we couldn’t resist, the name was available and the rest is history. We’re in our sixth year, we won a couple of awards, we’re doing pretty good he said.
Benzino also said he has been working on an album, and a mixtape called, CAEZAR that one should be coming out in about a month or two. We’re still mixing a few songs down here in Miami. I’m working with my son and daughter on a few projects.
“Yeah, Coli’s 14, she’s doing more stuff; you can check some videos out on my YouTube channel. All my kids grew up in the studio, so it was only natural with her watching her brother Ray Ray that she’d pick up a pen. She writes all her own stuff too, most everything,” he said.
J Prince is like a brother, so when we were on Rap-A-Lot [Records], it was nothing but love, you know what I’m saying? And he’s like one of the pioneers in distribution as far as Hip Hop goes. So you know, times change and I can’t speak for nobody else but it was all love with J Prince.
Some of features on Caezar are Waka Flocka Flame on it, Ray J, Lloyd, my guys from Boston… I got a few people, but I wanted to pretty much get it in myself on this one.
Benzino Rock The Party Warner Music
