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What was the inspiration behind the album?
The album is inspired by the current state of affairs — global conflicts, the rapid advancement of technology, the rise of AI, and the growing awareness around mental health. These themes raise questions that I’ve been reflecting on, and my way of processing this stage of human evolution is through my art. The album explores these ideas and how we adapt as everything unfolds. There are strong themes of mental health in tracks like “Monster,” “All In,” and “Formula.” “Dejavu” advocates for human suffering, and in creating this, I’ve found myself advocating for emerging, disabled, and Black musicians through platforms like Help Musicians, Attitude is Everything, Black Lives in Music, and FAC. I hope the album serves as an empowering statement for other artists who feel unseen or marginalized.

Did the pandemic have an impact when recording the album?
I started writing this project during the pandemic, but I didn’t complete it until afterward. I remember creating a folder on my desktop titled “”Human,”” without fully knowing why, but I was feeling a strong connection — or perhaps disconnect — with my humanity. The lockdowns created physical and emotional distance from family, friends, and fellow musicians. Even though I kept showing up online and performing live virtual festivals, something was missing.

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on how the pandemic offered a unique opportunity for pause — a rare moment where we weren’t hustling, chasing, or running. It forced us to sit with our feelings, change our routines, and embrace discomfort. I personally picked up walking, journaling, meditation, and even started reading more during that time. So, while it was a dark and scary period, there were also silver linings in terms of personal growth. That said, the pandemic certainly had more negatives than positives, but I try to recognize both sides of the experience.

How long did the album take to create from start to finish?
The album took about four years to complete, starting in 2020. However, it was more of a touch-and-go process; I wasn’t working on it consistently the whole time. It was only when life allowed me some breathing room that I could return to it. I’m just grateful that I was able to see it through and finally complete it in 2024.

Which track was written first?
The first track I started working on was “Not Sorry.” It began as a skeleton idea and went through several iterations over the years before becoming what it is today. It’s been a journey refining it, but I’m happy with where it ended up.

Do you have any personal favourite tracks?
I find myself listening to “Monsters,” “Take a Chance,” and “All In” a lot. The songs I listen to often depend on my mood. When I need energy or motivation, I turn to tracks like “Formula,” “Dejavu,” “Big Karma,” and “All In.” For moments when I want something more chilled and emotional, I gravitate towards “Not Sorry,” “Take a Chance,” “Broken Off,” “Free,” and “Blasphemy.” Then there are songs like “Don’t Forget” and “Monster” that have deeper emotional layers and offer a sense of healing. So, I have favorites for different moods and emotions.

Were any tracks difficult to write?
“Not Sorry” and “Blasphemy” were particularly tricky in terms of production. “Blasphemy” especially was a song that didn’t want to come out easily — it felt like I was forcing it. I tried several times to push it through, but it only truly came together once I surrendered and let it unfold naturally. It was one of those tracks that needed time to show up on its own terms, and when it finally did, the process became much smoother.

What do you have coming up in the next 12 months?
I am still working my way through some unfinished tracks in the “Human” folder, and I’m almost there! So, more music is definitely on the horizon, as well as promotional activities to nurture and grow my audience. I feel like my sound is evolving, and my art is shifting, so I’m excited to take my listeners on that journey with me. I also have some surprises in store for the future, but for now, I’ll keep those under wraps. Let’s just say Project Human might not be over yet.

Genre: R&B, Rap, HipHop

Released: 17th October 2024

You can find out more about London artist Benny and “Project Human” on his website or via Amazon Music, Apple Music, Bandcamp, Deezer, Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tidal, TikTok, X (Twitter) or YouTube.

You can read my Independent Music Monday interview with Benny here and you can also read my interviews with him about his EPs “E-Motion” and “Chrysalis”.