Give us a general description of you as an artist. What cultures and experiences cultivate this persona or identity of yours?

I think to answer your question I'd have to give some background about myself. What some don't know about me is that my family is from Cameroon, an African country in West Africa. I was born in Durham, North Carolina, but lived my life in Maryland. Waldorf to be exact. Growing up I was always in to music. I loved listening to music, but I always had a hard time remember the names of artists.

My mom would always sing around the house too.

Back in Cameroon and probably most, if not all African countries, music is an important part of the culture.

I'd say that I'm a hybrid of many different genres.

I wish I could box myself in a category to describe myself as an artist, but at the same time I think that's what makes me different. RnB was my first love. I was introduced to rap music by my two good friends Darnell (Nell/Nellstalgic) and Darrius Funderburk. As a creative, it's just crazy how you gravitate to other creatives without even trying...

Growing up in Maryland we had music like GoGo that was/is really popular. Of course we have Wale and Tone P, Black Cobain, Logic is kind of new to me, but we still got him. NoName Gypsy is also a good mention, but I didn't start listening to her until maybe 2015. I also listened to a lot of Chris Brown and Trey Songz. All of these artists are from the same area [DMV area] and I kind of just embraced the diversity and put it in my music.

As far as my persona, or this identity of made for myself, I'd say it came from exploring and finding myself. I believe I was destined to be an artist and it was only a matter of time until I picked up the hobby and fell in love with it.

How has your experience in the industry been thus far?

My experience has had some ups and downs. Right now I will say I'm somewhat at a stand still with music. I started recording my music at the age of about 13 or 14. I've grown so much in my skills. I honestly think I was/have been so ahead of my time.

Since I started making music, I've recorded and dropped so much music I could have probably made about 10-12 albums by now. If you look at my older work it's really trash [laughs].

At the same time I have grown and matured at a quick rate. While I've been growing as an artist, I've been growing as a producer, beat maker, and engineer.

Do you have an outstanding moment since you got into the music industry that makes you realize how important it is to make music like this? If so what would that be?

The moments I have are very intimate, but I usually from time to time get DM's, comments, emails, texts, from fans or other artists on how they really like my music and the crazy thing is people feel like I'm so intimating.

I'm so chill, like I take the time to respond to everybody and thank them for feedback like that. I remember a time when nobody would give me the time-of-day.

Even my own family members passed my material as garbage.

I just think it's my responsibility to inspire and motivate other artists to follow their dreams no matter how big or small it may be. I feel like I play a small part out of a big plan. I've helped a lot of artists just by being a genuine person.

I think it's important to continue to make music because it's an outlet for everyone.

Instagram post by BENCOBAINN * Sep 22, 2017 at 1:42pm UTC

39 Likes, 1 Comments - BENCOBAINN (@bencobainn) on Instagram

What do you think personally sets you apart from the rest of your peers in the music industry? What do you bring to the industry that you believe no one else has the ability to bring?

I bring quality.

For everyone that knows me, the music I dropped has always sounded top notch for someone who only has a laptop and a microphone. I don't know all there is to know about music, but I've spent a lot of hours teaching myself how to mix and master properly.

I've practiced studio etiquette. I also bring diversity. I'm not afraid to try new things. I've made pop, rap, rnb, rock, trap. Pretty much everything, but country [laughs].

The funny thing is, I actually do these other genres very well. I don't want to be a regional rapper, so I always try to expand my horizons.

Is there any one song that you’ve made that stands out from the rest? Any songs that people should listen to that will get people hooked?

I love all my songs the same. Old and new. They all stand out in their own way and I feel like they don't compete against each other. I think the first song that I knew was like straight fire was this one song I got with my good friend and brother Ryan Bevolo called "Advances."

It was the first time working with him that I incorporated new sonics, new ideas, new methods on mixing, it was a crazy time when I made that.

Ryan and I have been working since 2016 and that boy talented. I got some songs that we made that are unreleased that I know people would go crazy, but I'd say people should definitely pay attention to my last album "Guidance 2."

Every song is great in its own way and it's my first solid album where everything went right. There's nothing else I would do to change that album. It's memorable for me.

What keeps your current audience listening and why should people start listening?

I think what keeps my current audience listening is the quality. I'm not a really big artist, but most of my fans/audience are either people I know, people I grew up with, people I've networked with, other artists, or just people looking for new music. I've very sociable and I've really approachable. I think the fact that maybe I come off as a really dope guy people come back because they like the person I am. If you haven't heard my music, it will be refreshing. The sonics are crazy...

Who do you listen to on a regular basis?

T-Pain, Tory Lanez, Anderson Paak, Future, Charlie Wilson, Lucky Daye, Nellstalgic, J. Cole. There's probably more mainstream artists, but I honestly listen to way more underground/unknown artists on SoundCloud. You know when you're playing a song and then it goes to a related genre or artist based off what you were previously listening to? I usually get put on to dope artists that are just like me and are undiscovered with no clout, but they're the most talented people you'd come across. Those are the people I listen to the most.

Are these the same people who inspire your sound? Or are there other factors that come into play?

Yes. Anyone you listen to that you genuinely like will have an influence in your music one way or another. Whether it be how you enunciate your words or just you beat selection. Everybody influences everybody. I use Auto-Tune on a regular basis and T-Pain was probably the first artist I studied. Crazy hooks, always delivers a crazy verse, just how he composes a song as a whole. I could imagine how many layers of tracks he has in his sessions! He inspired me to always bring the creativity in music no matter what song or whose track you're on.

What do you think is the most important aspect of music as a concept, personally and objectively?

I think the most important concept of music is remembering you're probably influencing somebody somewhere.

Sure, music should be an extension of ourselves and we should express ourselves. At the same time, I don't think we should be destructive.

As a concept, music should never be boxed-in.

There shouldn't be rules to it, or at least know how to break those rules artistically.

Lastly, what advice or experiences would you like to share with your peers or anyone else who is up and coming in this industry?

Don't let anybody tell you what you should or shouldn't do. If you're passionate about something, try it out. Always educate yourself in your field and remember to have fun while doing all this. It's very easy to make music a chore to the point you're only pumping out your product because it needs to be. The fun and creativity subsides and it will be evident in the long run.

Also, is there anything you'd like for us to promote?

Yes, I want everyone to follow me on all social media (@bencobainn) and make sure to check out my album "Gudiance 2" which was produced by Ryan Bevolo. Out on ALL platforms!

Guidance 2: http://smarturl.it/guidance2

Underrated, never faded.. Instagram @BENCOBAINN Twitter @BENCOBAINN Booking | bencobainnasap@gmail.com

Big shout to to Ben Cobain for agreeing to be featured on Nefarious Supply be sure to check out his music via his SoundCloud above as well as show him love on his Instagram, as well as Twitter. If you enjoyed this interview please leave a like and comment your favorite song by Ben Cobain. To stay up to date with content coming out of Nefarious Supply you can follow us on Instagram, as well as Twitter, like your Facebook Page, and to hear new music constantly from underground and emerging artists be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.