ABSTRACT BENNA
PRESS PHOTOS
Abstract Benna is a South London-based storyteller and spoken word artist. He recently had his headline show 'Out of Darkness', which also served as his debut Audio Film (EP) launch. It paints a picture of the choices that were available to his younger self while growing up in the light and darkness of South London social housing culture.
Nurtured by a culture of storytelling, rap cyphers and the lyricism of his peers, Benna’s writing and performative skills evolved as he merged his love of authentic narratives with the rhythms and sounds of his environment. Honing his skills, he soon found himself sharing poems onstage, facilitating workshops and receiving corporate commissions. As this continued, Benna rapidly found himself needing to adapt to a variety of spaces and audiences. Out of Darkness is a reflective summary of this journey; growing up in inner city London and finding the tools to take on the unexpected.
An article I wrote for the Voice Newspaper online:
A word from Abstract Benna - Voice Online (voice-online.co.uk)
An article I wrote for I Am Hiphop:
OUT OF DARKNESS - A SHORT AUDIO FILM
OUT OF DARKNESS is a Spoken Word audio experience that combines intricate rhyme schemes, layered storytelling and Poetic imagery against a backdrop of Hip-Hop sonics and epic film score, capturing the listener’s imagination and emotions upon clicking play.
Set on a South London estate, this brutally honest audio film takes the listener on a fly-on-the-wall journey through the inner city and deep into the mind of a young Londoner as they navigate their environment.
The story unfolds as a set of choices young Londoners have to make and the life lessons they have to learn as they transition to adulthood, whilst figuring out who they are, and who they want to become. Benna performed the entire body of work at Richmix in Shoreditch.
Available on all streaming platforms
Abstract Benna is tipped to be recognised for his poetic excellence and social commentary.
He has worked with award winning Spitfire Audio composer Oliver Patrice Weder, and been featured in productions by the BBC, the Roundhouse, Richmix, City Hall, Virgin Media, Museum of London.
Insta: abstractbenna
Twitter: abstractbenna