BNXN (pronounced “Benson”), born Daniel Etiese Benson on May 14, 1997, is a Nigerian Afro-fusion singer, songwriter, and record producer .
Early Life & Musical Roots
- Feels rooted in Lagos, Nigeria—growing up in Gbagada and later in Ogun State
- Initially performed under the stage name Buju, also once known as “Bujutoyourears,” before changing to BNXN in 2022 to avoid confusion with reggae icon Buju Banton
- Discovered his vocal gift during secondary school, singing tenor in the choir. Later studied theater arts at Babcock University from 2014, took an internship, dropped it, and instead focused on music
Career Breakthroughs
- 2018: Broke onto the scene with singles like “Catch a Vibe”, “A Day in Lagos”, “Wahala”, “Energy”
- 2021: Released debut EP Sorry I’m Late, featuring standout tracks “Kilometre” and “Never Stopped”, earning nominations and praise
- Aug 2022: Dropped Bad Since ’97, his second EP with high-profile features from Wizkid, Olamide, and Wande Coal
- Oct 2023: Released first full-length album Sincerely, Benson, featuring tracks like “Gwagwalada” with Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez. Reached #11 on Billboard World Albums
- April 2024: Released collaborative EP RnB with Ruger after resolving past conflicts; recorded in just three days
Collaborations & Accolades
- Featured on tracks with Zlatan (“Spiritual”), Pheelz (“Finesse”), Ladipoe (“Feeling”), Wizkid (“Mood”), and more
- Won prestigious awards: 2022 Headies’ Next Rated Artist, Best Rap Single (Ladipoe feat. Bnxn) and 2023 Soundcity MVP Best Collaboration for “Finesse”
- His song “Finesse” climbed European and US charts, including Billboard’s Global 200
Artistry & Style
- Fuses Afro-pop, R&B, soul, neo‑soul, amapiano, and dancehall—mixing English, Nigerian Pidgin, and Yoruba
- Known for introspective lyricism—balancing grit and sensitivity, storytelling rooted in real experiences from Lagos, heartbreak, ambition, and hustling
- Cites inspirations like 2Baba for storytelling and Burna Boy for artistry and work ethic. He even lived with Burna during the “L’enu” remix and was influenced by his Grammy-winning creative process
- Vision for longevity: “I want legendary status… I’m going to get a Grammy just doing what I do.”
What’s Next?
- Continuously evolving his sound and channeling personal growth into new music.
- Aiming for global influence through strategic collaborations and authentic storytelling.
In summary, BNXN is a rising force in Afrobeats and Afro-fusion, celebrated for emotive vocals, storytelling rooted in real-life experiences, and a bold artistic evolution marked by hit records, chart success, and award wins. From Gbagada’s choir lofts to recording studios with Burna Boy, his journey radiates ambition, heart, and a keen drive toward long-lasting musical impact.