Today we’d like to introduce you to Khal Bennett Banks.
Hi Khal , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I go by Khal Bennett Banks, also known as SEXVXNNY — an independent artist, singer-songwriter, and genre-blending soul from Flint, Michigan. My journey through music wasn’t just about finding a sound — it was about finding myself.
I was born Javon Mikhal Banks on July 7, 1998, and music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It was always there — playing in the background, humming through my childhood, shaping me before I even understood what purpose it would serve.
Growing up in the foster care system, I bounced from home to home. I never really knew what stability felt like. My family history was full of blanks and unanswered questions — mysteries I had to live through instead of solve. That uncertainty became part of my DNA. Music became the only place I felt grounded — my therapy, my church, my mirror. When I couldn’t make sense of my pain, I turned it into sound. When I couldn’t speak my truth, I wrote it.
As I got older, I realized I wasn’t just making songs — I was documenting a life that was never supposed to make it this far. I was telling stories for people like me — the ones who’ve been silenced, overlooked, and underestimated. My sound can’t be boxed in, because my life never fit in a box either. One song might carry the ache of R&B, the hunger of hip-hop, the rebellion of rock, and the spirit of gospel — all in one breath.
I came up from nothing — no label, no machine, no backing — just truth in every beat. SoundCloud was my starting ground, my foundation, and from there I built everything brick by brick. My music is raw, diverse, and unfiltered. I blend genres the same way I’ve had to blend pain and peace — naturally. Because I never belonged to one category, so why should my sound?
I create to heal, to unite minds, and to help people innerstand that we have the power to govern ourselves. I speak on the things most people run from — abandonment, identity, survival, and love. My art speaks to the mind and spirit, aiming to spark unity, awareness, and self-power.
Deeply rooted in Black culture and inspired by the revolutionary spirit of those who came before me, my work is more than music — it’s a message. I represent the last of a dying breed — artists who bleed honesty into everything they touch.
The Lesson
If there’s one message I carry through everything I do, it’s this:
“Never give up.” – Naruto
Because no matter what you’ve been through, no matter how dark it gets — there’s still light inside you. You just have to believe that your story isn’t over yet. Mine definitely isn’t. I’m still writing it — one song, one breath, one truth at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My story wasn’t smooth — it was rough, real, and earned through pain. Growing up in foster care left scars I still discover every day. Never knowing where you’ll sleep next, or who truly cares for you, builds walls around your heart. You grow up fast, you stay alert, and you learn that love doesn’t always mean safety.
In adulthood, I’ve faced challenges that tested everything I am — mentally, spiritually, emotionally. I’ve been misunderstood, manipulated, and doubted. I’ve had to fight through betrayal, family tension, relationship struggles, and even false accusations that tried to break me down. But I never let it stop me. I faced myself, I took accountability, and I learned. Every test became part of my evolution.
People often misunderstood my bluntness — they mistook my honesty for hostility. But I’m not here to sugarcoat life. I speak from the gut. Over time, I stopped trying to explain myself to people who were never meant to understand me. Some people can’t meet you where you’re going, and that’s okay. Growth requires separation.
There were times I was homeless, scraping by, trying to survive while going to college, holding down jobs, and still finding the strength to support my girlfriend through her family’s medical battles. Life was heavy — but so was my purpose. Even when I wanted to quit, I couldn’t. Because my story deserves to be told. My art is living proof that pain can be transformed into power.
I’m not just a musician — I’m a voice for the voiceless. I’m building more than a career. I’m building a legacy made from truth, struggle, and transformation. My life is tragic but beautiful — tragic because of what I’ve endured, but beautiful because I still rise, I still love, and I still stand tall in the light God gave me.
People see the calm, the confidence, the clean presentation — but they don’t always see the fire I walked through to stand here. They don’t see the nights I questioned my purpose, the tears I hid behind closed doors, or the prayers whispered in silence. But that’s part of the story too — real strength doesn’t always scream. Sometimes it just keeps going.
That’s what I am. Quiet strength. Loud purpose. A warrior who moves with intention. I carry my pain with grace and when it’s time — I let my truth speak for itself.
I’m not supposed to look like I’ve been through the fire. That’s the point. My resilience is my armor. My survival is my testimony. GOD.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As an artist, my mission is simple: to make music that feels alive.
My sound fuses trap, rock, R&B, soul, and alternative — whatever emotion the moment calls for. I don’t chase trends, I chase truth. Every song is a confession, a piece of my life, a reflection of what it means to be human and healing.
Under the name SEXVXNNY, I write for the misunderstood — the ones still finding themselves, still fighting, still healing. My music speaks to the soul that’s been through something real. Every lyric, every melody is meant to remind people that they’re not alone — that pain can be fuel, not a finish line.
What sets me apart is my authenticity. I bring vulnerability and power into the same space. I don’t hide from the darkness; I use it to light the way. My art is connection — between the streets and the spirit, the past and the future, the pain and the beauty of being alive.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding my catalog, building with my audience, and creating a legacy that lasts beyond me. I’m not chasing viral moments — I’m chasing longevity, intention, and legacy. My music comes from the soul, not the algorithm.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Honestly, the biggest things that helped me grow weren’t apps or podcasts — it was art and inspiration in their purest form.
Drawing freehand has always been therapy for me. When I draw, I zone out of the noise and tap into something deeper — that quiet space where creativity and peace meet. It’s like meditation with movement. Every line I sketch helps me slow down, reflect, and visualize new worlds both on paper and in my music.
I also learned a lot from watching and reading about mangaka — the creators behind manga. Their discipline, storytelling, and the way they pour emotion into every panel taught me how to build emotion and meaning into my own art. The way they use imagery to show struggle, transformation, and redemption — that hit home for me. That’s the same energy I put into my songs.
And honestly, studying Tupac interviews played a huge part in shaping who I am as both an artist and a man. Tupac wasn’t just a rapper — he was a philosopher, a poet, a revolutionary mind. Hearing how he spoke truth to power, how he embraced his flaws and still stood bold in his message — that gave me a blueprint for authenticity. He showed me that being real, emotional, and passionate doesn’t make you weak; it makes you legendary.
Those things — art, manga, and Tupac — taught me more about discipline, storytelling, and purpose than anything else ever could. They helped me understand that greatness starts from within, and that creation is the truest form of freedom.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sexvxnny/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khalbennettbanks
- Twitter: https://x.com/sexvxnny
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@khalbennettbanks
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/khalbennettbanks
