Delivering thought-provoking lyrics about New York street culture, C4. Benard's brand new mixtape Dark Is A Mantra sees the artist find clarity, delivered through dreamy, and often dark, soundscapes and heartfelt bars.
Swinging from hard-hitting drill ("To Drill or Not to Drill (Interlude)" to the optimistic melancholy of "I Don't Wanna Smile", C4. Benard shows a refreshing versatility and an ability to see everything from two sides, collaborating with other artists (G-OFF and Travis Manley) to further broaden his field.
"Drift Away" particularly stands out, building on the work of C4. Benard's hip-hop predecessors for a conscious, explorative yet reflective offering that is produced to perfection with melodic, reggae-tinged rhythms and heartfelt lyrics that uncover the realities of the cycle of street culture.
Beautifully raw-cut, polished to perfection, yet brutally honest and eye-opening, C4. Benard is a true poet with a sonic ear to match his powerful and accomplished artistry.
He shares: “This project is a reflection of what I was going through throughout the year. I wanted to experiment with new sounds and make music people can legitimately relate to. The world is a messed up place, but we’ll be fine.”
This one is absolutely not to be missed.
Connect with C4. Benard: Instagram