Meet Ben West

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben West.

Hi Ben, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
My story with music starts as far back as some of my first memories, from guitar lessons for years starting at age 6 or 7 to my older sister recording my first “music video” at 5 years old, haha. I started taking it seriously in HS creating a local buzz throughout high schools in the area. Ran away to live in LA soon as I could. Soon after that, I met who would almost instantly become a best friend/ brother and business partner, the late Fredo Santana, whom I signed up days after we first met. That launched my career into a whole new level at the time, from a single song with 1 million + views to 1 million views combined just on SoundCloud to a nationwide tour. Unfortunately, my best friend and label CEO, Fredo Santana, passed away suddenly years later in 2018. Along with the passing of 4 of my closest friends in the following 2 years. These passings had me at a loss mentally and emotionally and took me in a downward spiral of drug use and multiple stints in jail. I was at an all-time low especially as far as my motivation for music. After those tough couple years, I collected myself and became refocused, and started dropping some of my best music to date, receiving multiple offers from labels like Def Jam Records, Warner Brothers, etc. Since I didn’t feel like the offers I received weren’t what we wanted at the time, I have been working completely independent funding my last 2 project rollouts completely out of pocket and building a buzz that creates that leverage that’s necessary to get a good deal from a major label that we are in contact with right now. I am gearing up to release an EP with longtime friend and legendary producer Nate Fox, along with the second installation to my mixtape series “Legends Only.” Which I am very, very excited about. It is some of my best work to date. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any independent music artist has a “smooth road”; in fact, I think almost all of them will tell you the opposite. As I mentioned, I lost 5 of my closest friends/ brothers and cousin in the matter of a 2-year period, which sent me to a very dark place, especially adding jail time and drug abuse on top of all that. But I’m very proud to say I’m in a way better palace and my focus mentally has done a completely 360 over the past 3 years. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I would say I’m categorized as a rapper to the majority public, but I’ve been blessed to develop a cult-like fan base who really love my artist work that includes a lot of guitar-based songs mixed with auto-tune singing vocals and is kind of a genre of its own. These songs are featured in my trilogy album series, which includes “Warmest Winter” and my latest release, “Coldest Summer,” and I’m happy to announce the third installation of the trilogy album series, “Darkest Fall” is in the works and sounding better than ever. 

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Honestly, you learn so much as an independent artist, especially in the journey I have had. But I think the most important is through the ups and downs, is to stay focused on what made you start working on music in the first place, your pure love for music and everything that comes with it. 

Pricing:

• Show pricing – $300- $1000 (Depending on show details, location, travel, etc.)
• Feature pricing – $500 – $2000 (Depending on the artist, their budget, the record, etc.)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bennyfwest
• Twitter: @youngbenwest
• Youtube: @BenWestTV
• SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/w5opuAa14cZQjqaL6