Benzilla The International Thrilla "Gets Crushed!"
Mr. Benjamin Stewart, Producer and Owner of 4MATA Studios and C.E.O of 4Shigadare Undertainment was kind enough to invite me into his well customary yet quaint studio based in Brooklyn New York. Mr. Stewart prides his passion on many factors, one being that his sharp ear for unusual sound allows him to produce beats that are appealing to all walks of Hip Hop. Having everything a man should need to create cuts that place him outside the box and in a Hip Hop world of his very own; Benjamin aka Benzilla “Da International Thrilla” has gone literally to the other side of the Hip Hop World to Tokyo, Japan to learn, create and truly define himself. So please vibe with me as I “Crush” the cookie and find the fortune inside. 
Benzilla Da International Thrilla has got to be the wildest alias I’ve heard so far. Break it down for us.
Well my Japanese brother Kashi actually gave me the name. He said that I’m as big as “Godzilla” and you know they call me Ben, short for Benjamin so the name was born. I am BenZilla!
Ha-ha! Ok pimpin’! Check it, I’m super nosey, the type that just has to know so here’s another question. What’s the deal with the number four? I mean it’s in everything you deal with so there has to be some meaning behind it.
Well, it’s simple; the number 4 happens to be my favorite number and it’s whole. 4MATA= Fermata is a musical notation that instructs the artist to hold a note. So I kind of flipped it and played around with the spelling.
Hhhmmm (harmonizing my BEST “Mariah”) See that people, we learn something everyday, it isn’t all cotton candy and bubbles here with PinkCookiz. There are lessons behind each crush and…and…fuck it, pass the popcorn!
Ha-ha! You’re crazy girl!
Tell me about your adventures in Tokyo, Japan “Daniel Son”! How dope was it to see something that started here in NYC, you know; the Hip Hop culture reach across the globe with such powerful force?
It was the most amazing dopest experience ever. They’re so into hip hop, more so than us over here in the States. Funny thing, I went over there for research through college but it opened me up to want to do my own thing. I felt at home, damn near like a celebrity. Anyone who has been to Japan knows what I mean, people there were so interested in who I was. Everyone is very welcoming, willing to embrace and learn anything that is different. My goal is to go back and stay for a while to get that raw experience because my first few times there was a definite eye opener.
So it was like an epiphany? (Sings mantra) Next time you go; will you take me?
Lol!! Yea, an epiphany, word up and to tell you the truth I will need an entourage next time I go, so…?
(Cheesing) Yay! I’m going to have my passport ready!! Yes-yes! (Pumps fist) I already have my name “PinkCookiz the international treat!” You like that right? I know, don’t sweat it though. Ha-ha! Ok back to you, who or what made you fall in love with this thing called hip hop?
Man I remember it so clear, my dad made me and my twin brother sit down and listen to Lords of the Underground and Nas’ “One Love”. After that, it was a wrap! I never felt so in-tune with my culture until I listened to them.
Ok, let’s recreate that beautiful Saturday morning in 1994. Your dad comes in sporting a classic Kangol, gazelle shades and an Adidas track suit with matching kicks. NO laces! You and your brother are minding ya’ll own business trying to enjoy a bowl of “Dig ‘em Smacks” and watching Dragon Ball Z. Here he comes looking straight up like Kool G-Rap. Slams the boom box on the table (boom), milk splashes everywhere (splash) and you’re pissed but can’t say shit cus that’s pops. You and your twin sitting there dumb as your dad locks and pops the robot to “Chief Rocka” blasting in the background.
LMAO! Yea man, that’s pretty much how it went down, minus the clothes, but damn I got the visual and all. Ha-Ha! That’s crazy; you’re crazy and I like that. But you know music is in my family I was influenced by everyone around me. Man ever since I can remember hip hop and well, music in general has been a focus for me, a passion, it has always moved me.
Yea I’ve been told I can be very dramatic, visual and “mental” (clears throat) ha-ha anyway. I noticed from some of the tracks you let me hear that you have a dope understanding of music and its history. You’re right not just hip hop but music in general. That’s hot, you have to respect it! When did the flame flicker to actually produce?
Umm, I was six years old. I fell in love with music in general. As I got older I grew tired of hearing the same stuff over and over. To be honest the south movement hurt me when it started to get away from the Outkast vibe, I decided I wanted to make music the way I want to hear it. So I got myself a BA in music, taught myself programs like Sony Acid and Pro-Tools. I already knew how to play the piano, shit all you need is a computer a microphone and a program these days and you can produce music. I have no excuse not to contribute to hip hop!
I feel you. That’s why I do what I do baby, contributing to Hip Hop, doing “my” part, doing something because on some real shit this is a revolution and it will not be “radio-vised!” ha-ha! But man, so long as it sounds fresh I’m with it! I don’t conform to one genre or style when it comes to loving music. I feel like music feeds off of music, you dig? Break out momma pots and pans for crying out loud! When did you make your first track?
Oh you KNOW I dig Pink and on some realness I look everywhere for samples. Like I said music theory is my study I used to beat on anything just to get a rhythm going. My first beat came along in the fall of 2002; I was introduced to the MPC. I didn’t know what I was doing when I would mess around with it but I loved the feeling it gave me, I had so much fun. I remember my brother putting me onto MadLib; I admire his style to this day. DJ Scribble too and Jay Dilla may he rock the Heavens, that man was incredible. It seems like your forced to love and respect hip hop once you hear Dilla’s vibe. I know for me, from that point on it was a done deal; I was pretty much devoted to the music.
Damn, that’s as real as it gets ‘Zilla. Check it, what’s up with the lab? I mean I like it in here, it’s cozy and looks like your beakers are bubbling with something crazy. {Touching-pressing everything} “oooo” what does THIS button doooo?
Believe me when I tell you that button does everything, don’t touch. Don’t touch that one! Ha-ha! Sit your ass down girl.
(All up in the booth, signing off tune) Benny baby!? Ha-Ha you know you love me! What else you got going on in here?
Well I’m working with my dude GlacierDon from Brooklyn, NY, BIZNESS also from the BK, Al_e_baba, out in California, trying to set up something with my guy from the CHI Sycosis, and my boy “Z” and Prehistoric from DC. Hopefully soon I can get you on some track luv. I’m always putting together tracks and I’m pretty much keeping busy, doing my thing, Benzilla of course. (Playing a track from Sycosis)
"I decided I wanted to make music the way I want to hear it.I have no excuse not to contribute to hip hop!"
Nice! I’m really not a fan of music that doesn’t remind me of The Brooklyn Bridge. But I’m feeling this. I see you got a little something going on, is that a bass guitar (pointing to a hanging Fender bag)
I’m a big fan of sampling but my heart lies with live acoustics. I try to keep it as authentic as possible. I got my sax, trumpet, drums, bass guitar and keyboard. I love what I do my music moves me, this is what I feel. I don’t mean to blow my own….uh I’ll stop right there. Whomp, whomp waaaa….Ha-ha!
Blow baby blow! Look at you; you are doing so much with your music and for Hip Hop. It’s sweet. Even the “little” things count. Truth! That’s why I do what I do.
You’re right; I really try to keep an open mind when dealing with music, exposing myself to different genres. I don’t discriminate at all. My main love is hip hop but if you don’t know about other music genres you really can’t be hip hop, it’s a blend of so many .
What software are you currently using; compare it to the software you used when you started.
I'm currently using Sony Acid Music Studio, Pro Tools LE 7.4 and CoolEdit. By far Sony is my favorite because it it hella easy to use and I can get the right sounds I need when I want to sample something. But at the top of my list Pro Tools is the best I have ever used. The plug-ins are bananas and the mixing is ridiculous!!!
Name one mainstream artist that you want to work with.
Well I'd jump at the chance to work with the ROOTS Crew! But man I could through in Common, Kanye, Busta, RZA and Dre!!! Its not all about producers first. LOL!
Ok baby boy let’s get you “Crushed”. Let’s play “Useless Questions”
Cool! I’m ready
What’s in your left back pocket?
Umm some lint, air oh yea, nothing.
Ha-ha!! (Mental note “no money”) Ok what do you prefer to eat for breakfast, cream of wheat or oatmeal?
Cream of Wheat
Oh yea? Good choice! Ok, do you slide your shoes on or use the lace? What?! It’s called “Useless Questions!” duh!
Ha-ha! Ok Pink, I slide my shoes on. When I gotta go I gotta go! Plus I just kick of my shoes and relax my feet. Party on down to that Xscape Beat!!! LOL!
LOL! Me too! My six year old hates when I do that, she comes behind me and unlaces them! That’s crazy! Benzilla “Da International Thrilla”! Thanks for getting “Crushed by Pinkcookiz”! Before I put this joint out, are there any smoke signals you want to send?
Shout out to you love yea no doubt, everybody get “Crushed” by my girl PinkCookiz! Big Ups to Pre-Historic, YAMZ & The GCC, S. C. Crew, DJ Hi-D, Mix Master Masa, Al_e_baba, Conscious, Sycosis, HTYB and anyone I forgot, one love!
Yes, I wonder who shall “Get Crushed” next from that list. YAMS , scream at cha girl ma-ma!!Much love right there. Keep banging baby!
From New York City “China Town” to China this young man has just about seen it all and won’t stop, can’t stop there. Check out more of what the “international dope star” has in store and show your love for the beats he creates. I am blessed to have heard his passion live and I’m sure you’ll dig what he has dug up from the crates. But ya don’t have to take my glossed lips for it! Wax off and wax on over to"BenZilla"and peep what he has on wax
2fingers---
"It seems like you're forced to love and respect hip hop once you hear Dilla’s vibe."
Benzilla Da International Thrilla has got to be the wildest alias I’ve heard so far. Break it down for us.
Well my Japanese brother Kashi actually gave me the name. He said that I’m as big as “Godzilla” and you know they call me Ben, short for Benjamin so the name was born. I am BenZilla!
Ha-ha! Ok pimpin’! Check it, I’m super nosey, the type that just has to know so here’s another question. What’s the deal with the number four? I mean it’s in everything you deal with so there has to be some meaning behind it.
Well, it’s simple; the number 4 happens to be my favorite number and it’s whole. 4MATA= Fermata is a musical notation that instructs the artist to hold a note. So I kind of flipped it and played around with the spelling.
Hhhmmm (harmonizing my BEST “Mariah”) See that people, we learn something everyday, it isn’t all cotton candy and bubbles here with PinkCookiz. There are lessons behind each crush and…and…fuck it, pass the popcorn!
Ha-ha! You’re crazy girl!
Tell me about your adventures in Tokyo, Japan “Daniel Son”! How dope was it to see something that started here in NYC, you know; the Hip Hop culture reach across the globe with such powerful force?
It was the most amazing dopest experience ever. They’re so into hip hop, more so than us over here in the States. Funny thing, I went over there for research through college but it opened me up to want to do my own thing. I felt at home, damn near like a celebrity. Anyone who has been to Japan knows what I mean, people there were so interested in who I was. Everyone is very welcoming, willing to embrace and learn anything that is different. My goal is to go back and stay for a while to get that raw experience because my first few times there was a definite eye opener.
So it was like an epiphany? (Sings mantra) Next time you go; will you take me?
Lol!! Yea, an epiphany, word up and to tell you the truth I will need an entourage next time I go, so…?
(Cheesing) Yay! I’m going to have my passport ready!! Yes-yes! (Pumps fist) I already have my name “PinkCookiz the international treat!” You like that right? I know, don’t sweat it though. Ha-ha! Ok back to you, who or what made you fall in love with this thing called hip hop?
Man I remember it so clear, my dad made me and my twin brother sit down and listen to Lords of the Underground and Nas’ “One Love”. After that, it was a wrap! I never felt so in-tune with my culture until I listened to them.
Ok, let’s recreate that beautiful Saturday morning in 1994. Your dad comes in sporting a classic Kangol, gazelle shades and an Adidas track suit with matching kicks. NO laces! You and your brother are minding ya’ll own business trying to enjoy a bowl of “Dig ‘em Smacks” and watching Dragon Ball Z. Here he comes looking straight up like Kool G-Rap. Slams the boom box on the table (boom), milk splashes everywhere (splash) and you’re pissed but can’t say shit cus that’s pops. You and your twin sitting there dumb as your dad locks and pops the robot to “Chief Rocka” blasting in the background.
LMAO! Yea man, that’s pretty much how it went down, minus the clothes, but damn I got the visual and all. Ha-Ha! That’s crazy; you’re crazy and I like that. But you know music is in my family I was influenced by everyone around me. Man ever since I can remember hip hop and well, music in general has been a focus for me, a passion, it has always moved me.
Yea I’ve been told I can be very dramatic, visual and “mental” (clears throat) ha-ha anyway. I noticed from some of the tracks you let me hear that you have a dope understanding of music and its history. You’re right not just hip hop but music in general. That’s hot, you have to respect it! When did the flame flicker to actually produce?
Umm, I was six years old. I fell in love with music in general. As I got older I grew tired of hearing the same stuff over and over. To be honest the south movement hurt me when it started to get away from the Outkast vibe, I decided I wanted to make music the way I want to hear it. So I got myself a BA in music, taught myself programs like Sony Acid and Pro-Tools. I already knew how to play the piano, shit all you need is a computer a microphone and a program these days and you can produce music. I have no excuse not to contribute to hip hop!
I feel you. That’s why I do what I do baby, contributing to Hip Hop, doing “my” part, doing something because on some real shit this is a revolution and it will not be “radio-vised!” ha-ha! But man, so long as it sounds fresh I’m with it! I don’t conform to one genre or style when it comes to loving music. I feel like music feeds off of music, you dig? Break out momma pots and pans for crying out loud! When did you make your first track?
Oh you KNOW I dig Pink and on some realness I look everywhere for samples. Like I said music theory is my study I used to beat on anything just to get a rhythm going. My first beat came along in the fall of 2002; I was introduced to the MPC. I didn’t know what I was doing when I would mess around with it but I loved the feeling it gave me, I had so much fun. I remember my brother putting me onto MadLib; I admire his style to this day. DJ Scribble too and Jay Dilla may he rock the Heavens, that man was incredible. It seems like your forced to love and respect hip hop once you hear Dilla’s vibe. I know for me, from that point on it was a done deal; I was pretty much devoted to the music.
Damn, that’s as real as it gets ‘Zilla. Check it, what’s up with the lab? I mean I like it in here, it’s cozy and looks like your beakers are bubbling with something crazy. {Touching-pressing everything} “oooo” what does THIS button doooo?
Believe me when I tell you that button does everything, don’t touch. Don’t touch that one! Ha-ha! Sit your ass down girl.
(All up in the booth, signing off tune) Benny baby!? Ha-Ha you know you love me! What else you got going on in here?
Well I’m working with my dude GlacierDon from Brooklyn, NY, BIZNESS also from the BK, Al_e_baba, out in California, trying to set up something with my guy from the CHI Sycosis, and my boy “Z” and Prehistoric from DC. Hopefully soon I can get you on some track luv. I’m always putting together tracks and I’m pretty much keeping busy, doing my thing, Benzilla of course. (Playing a track from Sycosis)
"I decided I wanted to make music the way I want to hear it.I have no excuse not to contribute to hip hop!"
Nice! I’m really not a fan of music that doesn’t remind me of The Brooklyn Bridge. But I’m feeling this. I see you got a little something going on, is that a bass guitar (pointing to a hanging Fender bag)
I’m a big fan of sampling but my heart lies with live acoustics. I try to keep it as authentic as possible. I got my sax, trumpet, drums, bass guitar and keyboard. I love what I do my music moves me, this is what I feel. I don’t mean to blow my own….uh I’ll stop right there. Whomp, whomp waaaa….Ha-ha!
Blow baby blow! Look at you; you are doing so much with your music and for Hip Hop. It’s sweet. Even the “little” things count. Truth! That’s why I do what I do.
You’re right; I really try to keep an open mind when dealing with music, exposing myself to different genres. I don’t discriminate at all. My main love is hip hop but if you don’t know about other music genres you really can’t be hip hop, it’s a blend of so many .
What software are you currently using; compare it to the software you used when you started.
I'm currently using Sony Acid Music Studio, Pro Tools LE 7.4 and CoolEdit. By far Sony is my favorite because it it hella easy to use and I can get the right sounds I need when I want to sample something. But at the top of my list Pro Tools is the best I have ever used. The plug-ins are bananas and the mixing is ridiculous!!!
For you, what was or is the hardest thing to learn about beat making?
I could go on all day about learning how to work the programs and do the peripherals. But for me the hardest thing is establishing a signature sound for myself and staying consistent with that. I love all types of music and I tend to go all over the board with it. I guess having a BA in music kinda did that for me!!!
Name one mainstream artist that you want to work with.
Well I'd jump at the chance to work with the ROOTS Crew! But man I could through in Common, Kanye, Busta, RZA and Dre!!! Its not all about producers first. LOL!
Ok baby boy let’s get you “Crushed”. Let’s play “Useless Questions”
Cool! I’m ready
What’s in your left back pocket?
Umm some lint, air oh yea, nothing.
Ha-ha!! (Mental note “no money”) Ok what do you prefer to eat for breakfast, cream of wheat or oatmeal?
Cream of Wheat
Oh yea? Good choice! Ok, do you slide your shoes on or use the lace? What?! It’s called “Useless Questions!” duh!
Ha-ha! Ok Pink, I slide my shoes on. When I gotta go I gotta go! Plus I just kick of my shoes and relax my feet. Party on down to that Xscape Beat!!! LOL!
LOL! Me too! My six year old hates when I do that, she comes behind me and unlaces them! That’s crazy! Benzilla “Da International Thrilla”! Thanks for getting “Crushed by Pinkcookiz”! Before I put this joint out, are there any smoke signals you want to send?
Shout out to you love yea no doubt, everybody get “Crushed” by my girl PinkCookiz! Big Ups to Pre-Historic, YAMZ & The GCC, S. C. Crew, DJ Hi-D, Mix Master Masa, Al_e_baba, Conscious, Sycosis, HTYB and anyone I forgot, one love!
Yes, I wonder who shall “Get Crushed” next from that list. YAMS , scream at cha girl ma-ma!!Much love right there. Keep banging baby!
From New York City “China Town” to China this young man has just about seen it all and won’t stop, can’t stop there. Check out more of what the “international dope star” has in store and show your love for the beats he creates. I am blessed to have heard his passion live and I’m sure you’ll dig what he has dug up from the crates. But ya don’t have to take my glossed lips for it! Wax off and wax on over to"BenZilla"and peep what he has on wax
2fingers---
Labels: benzilla, Brooklyn ny, coast 2 coast ny, coast2coast, cooki, crush, crushed, hip hop, pink, she loves hip hop
posted by PinkCookiz at
8:20 AM
10 Comments:
Pinkcookiz is FRESH!
GET CRUSHED
ha-ha!
This post has been removed by the author.
I enjoyed every lick of it.
Great shxtttttttt.
BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks For the Pub LUV!!!
Benzilla! Congrats man! You are the best homie. Let's pop some J' Roget and celebrate your success!
Congrats Benzilla! KEEP HIP-HOP ALIVE! We taking over! Black Knights REPRESENT!
PinkCookiz the article was hot ma! keep doing your thing
Benzilla, way to do your thing, you're quite the inspiration my man! Pimpin' all over the world, much love from Cool Chris & Custom Whipz Magazine!
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