Rhian Afua Benson

Singer, Song Writer It is not exactly the easiest thing for the everyday Ghanaian girl to make it on the international music scene; but that hasn’t stopped Rhian Benson from causing a sensation in the American music industry with her luscious voice and amazing talent for writing. This multi talented “Obaahema” with her unique blend of Ghanaian and British influences is clearly the epitome of artistic excellence. Rhian (pronounced Ree-Ann) Benson is enigmatic -- enigmatic because she defies categorization; enigmatic because her life and her music are framed by paradox. Complex and cerebral, Rhian's music is simultaneously warm and soulful, empathetic and ethereal. She's been compared to a diverse range of artists, from Jill Scott to Seal to Sade; from Lauryn Hill to Enya; Dinah Washington to Dido. Rhian's music has been described as R&B, soul, jazz, reggae, hip-hop and world beat - and, to illustrate the paradox of Rhian in only one of a hundred ways -- each of those genres apply. Rhian - born an Ashanti grew up surrounded by music and musicians. Her mother, from Wales in Britain - was a singer, and her father, an Ashanti dignitary, was also a guitarist. Rhian's grandfather led an acclaimed big band in the '50s and ‘60s; her eldest uncle was a popular highlife singer - and her youngest uncle a record producer. Home for Rhian was a place of music; her childhood was immersed in the sounds of Miles Davis, Earth Wind & Fire, Ella Fitzgerald and Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti among many others. Rhian was not meant to be a spectator, though, and her desire to become a musician coincided with a family move to India. Within weeks of arriving in New Delhi, Rhian's passion was fully ignited: she began playing the piano, and wrote her first song when she was 9. By the time she and her family returned to Ghana, Rhian was fully engrossed in the music - both listening and creating. While music was essential to Rhian, so was education; another paradox appears when one considers that Rhian left her artistic pursuits behind to attend the prestigious London School of Economics and then Harvard, ostensibly to pursue a career in the distinctly right-brained field of banking. But while studying in Boston, life intervened when Rhian's mother was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness which caused her to immediately move back to London, to be with her mother who was undergoing intense treatment. With her family spread throughout the world, Rhian, nurturing by nature and always close to her mother, became responsible for her mother's day-to-day care. It was during that time that Rhian rediscovered music: it became a source of strength for her, helping her to get through a tremendously difficult time. As her mother began to heal physically, Rhian began to heal emotionally-- through music. "It was a major turning point for me," Rhian says. "I couldn't ignore my deep-rooted desire to be creative and artistically expressive any longer. I came to realize that taking a risk, following your dreams and listening to your strongest instincts is the only way to become one with your spirit. One of my favorite quotes is by Paulo Coelho in his wonderful book The Alchemist. I'll never forget what he said: ‘to realize one's destiny is a person's only real obligation…when you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you achieve it.’" Although her mother's health had improved, Rhian recognizing the significance of music in her life, abandoned her plans to return to Harvard -- and began performing regularly at small venues in London, where she was discovered and signed. Rhian began working on her debut album over a year ago - in addition to singing and playing various instruments, she is writing all of the songs on the record, collaborating with a close-knit group of other talented musicians. She is also producing the album along with noted producers James Poyser (who has worked with Lauryn Hill, The Roots and Jill Scott amongst others) and Bob Power (D’Angelo, Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu). "I wanted to work with James and Bob, because they are wonderful musicians as well as warm and kind human beings, and I knew in my heart that they would understand my musical vision and help me achieve it" she says. The songs on the album reflect many of Rhian’s own experiences. "I love the entire process, from writing to recording," says Rhian. "There are so many things in life that I care deeply about, and it's very fulfilling to be able to capture and share them in song. The freedom of creating music is addictive - it reminds me of growing up back home in Ghana, with the sea, the skies, and wide open spaces everywhere." "These same feelings are why I feel at home in California," Rhian continues. "I've always been drawn to America and the sense of possibility that seems to lie around life's next corner." With Rhian in the studio and an album on the horizon, that sense of possibility is now more promise than possibility. But it's not about California, it's not about paradox, and it's not about enigma - it's entirely about Rhian. Rhian is returning to Ghana at the invitation of BET (Black Entertainment Television), to perform at the 1st Annual BET Ghana Heritage Festival. In addition, 4 lucky winners of the BET.com/Rhian Benson and KJLH-FM “Gold Coast Gateway” contests will be attending the Festival.