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Here Are The Creamfields Chile Set Times For 2023

This weekend, EDM fans in Chile will gather at the Club Hípico de Santiago racecourse in Santiago for the latest edition of Creamfields, the long-running dance music festival organized by music promotion trio Cream. While the main event is usually held somewhere in the UK, there are numerous spin-off festivals including in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand. This Saturday’s Chile edition is headlined by Tiësto, with performers including Afrojack, Steve Aoki, Porter Robinson, and more, spread across eight stages. You can see the schedule of set times below.

Here Are The Set Times For Creamfields Chile 2023

Main Stage:

DJ Plastik (1:00 – 1:40), Sistek (1:40 – 2:20), B Jones (2:20 – 3:20), Francisco Allendes (3:20 – 4:20), Sam Feldt (4:20 – 5:20), Morten (5:20 – 6:20), Steve Aoki (6:20 – 7:20), Porter Robinson (7:25 – 8:25), Afrojack (8:30 – 9:30), Tiësto (9:40 – 11:10)

Alternative Stage:

B-Low (1:00 – 2:00), Magnuz (2:00 -2:45), Cytrax (2:45 – 3:30), Cesqueaux (3:30 – 4:30), Ghastly (4:30 – 5:30), BTSM (5:40 – 6:40), Frontliner (6:45 – 7:45), Da Tweekaz (7:45 – 8:45), D-Block & S-Te-Fan (8:45 – 9:45), Radical Redemption (9:45 – 10:45)

Cream Stage:

Sepha (1:00 – 2:00), Felipe Venegas (2:00 – 3:00), DJ Boring (3:00 – 4:00), Shimza (4:00 – 5:15), Gui Boratto (5:15 – 6:30), Andrea Olivia (6:30 – 8:00), Kölcsh (8:00 – 9:30), Joris Voorn (9:30 – 11:00)

Feral Stage:

Lore Manz (1:00 – 2:00), 5Universos B2B Molinari (2:00 -3:00), Wask (3:00 – 4:00), Deniz Bul (4:00 – 5:15), Onyvaa (5:15 – 6:30), Ida Engberg (6:30 – 8:00), Âme (8:00 – 9:30), Nicole Moudaber (9:30 – 11:00)

BudX Stage:

Galgo (1:00 – 2:00), Sole Guzman (2:00 – 3:00), Drunvaloop (3:00 – 4:00), Dapi Habira (4:00 – 5:00), DJ Fisa (5:00 – 6:00), Soulfia (6:00 – 7:00), Redfingers (7:00 – 8:00), Nico Ferrada (8:00 – 10:00)

Neo Stage:

Zevlad (1:00 – 2:00), Jagerboy (2:00 – 3:00), Truffy (3:00 – 4:00), Ironik Girl (4:00 – 5:00), Lizz (5:00 – 6:00), Deekapz (6:00 – 7:30), Lady Shaka (7:30 – 9:00), DJ Ram (9:00 – 10:00)

Chill Out Stage:

DJ Noovydi (1:00 – 3:00), Vlntna B (3:00 – 4:00), Boogie Mike (4:00 – 5:00), La Maria Rockola (5:00 – 6:00), Bruno Borlone (6:00 – 7:00), Manu Da Banda (7:00 – 8:00), Orbeats (8:00 – 9:00), DJ Belecox (9:00 – 10:00)

Grieta Stage:

Enemigo (1:00 – 2:00), Mix Grieta I (2:00 – 3:00), Linx 04 X Pulusosz (3:00 – 4:00), Mix Grieta II (4:00 – 5:00), René Rocco (5:00 – 6:00), Mix Grieta III (6:00 – 7:00), Kamila Govorčin (7:00 – 8:00), Mix Grieta IV (8:00 – 9:00), Fiat 600 (9:00 – 10:00)

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All The Best New Pop Music From This Week

This week saw the release of a ton of great new pop music. One of Blackpink’s members is back in her solo era with a killer new tune. Noah Kahan teamed up with Kacey Musgraves for a creative crossover reinterpretation of a fan-favorite. And so much more not to miss.

Check out the rest of Uproxx’s Best New Pop Music roundup below.

Jennie — “You And Me”

This week, Jennie from Blackpink is back on her solo career. She dropped both a regular version of “You And Me” and a remixed Coachella version, as she performed it with the girls during their festival set earlier this year. “I’m making a song that’s by Jennie, the most Jennie and something unique that is only Jennie’s,” she previously told Harper’s Bazaar South Korea (via Rolling Stone).

NewJeans — “Gods”

NewJeans recently partnered with League Of Legends to perform the game’s world championship anthem, resulting in their new song, “Gods.” They are the first K-Pop act to have the honor. “It was fun to try a new genre and sound,” the girls shared in a statement.

Holly Humberstone — “Kissing In Swimming Pools”

Holly Humberstone is just a few weeks away from the release of her new album, Paint My Bedroom Black. Over the past few weeks, she’s treated fans to early previews of songs — the latest being “Kissing In Swimming Pools.” The personal track finds her showing off a romantic side, with a bit of childlike and teenage wonder mixed in.

NCT 127 — “Fact Check”

“Fact Check” finds the K-Pop boys hyping themselves up as they tell listeners, “Check the facts, go check that / Check the stats, go check that.” In the music video, they travel around Seoul, bringing their addictive choreography along the way.

Omar Apollo — “Live For Me”

Omar Apollo described “Live For Me” as a time of “coming to terms with the person I was becoming and letting go of the old to be able to feel like myself and whatever purity I had left.” He added in the statement, “Addressing parts of me I’ve compartmentalized, leaving myself feeling a bit exposed… I feel lighter now and ready for the next phase of whatever life has to offer.”

Nessa Barrett — “Club Heaven”

“Club Heaven” finds Barrett grieving under the glittering lights at a club she used to go to with a late loved one. The emotional track was dedicated to her friend who passed away. While she previously said she wasn’t sure if she’d ever release it, fans now get the chance to hear it — and find their own connections.

Noah Kahan, Kacey Musgraves — “She Calls Me Back”

Noah Kahan has become a rising presence as a folk-pop performer, and what better way to boost that than by a collab with Kacey Musgraves? The result is their hypnotic duet, “She Calls Me Back,” a new version of the loved track from Kahan’s 2022 album, Stick Season.

(G)I-DLE – “I Want That”

(G)I-DLE is coming for revenge on their fiery “I Want That.” As the lead single from the band’s first English EP, Heat, the girls find themselves waking up and breaking up with their relationships.

Dorian Electra – “Idolize”

Dorian Electra is shining a light on the dangers of what happens when we “Idolize” — specifically, in terms of musicians and celebrities. Featured on Electra’s new album, Fanfare, it also doubles as a story of a chaotic love dynamic.

Brynn Cartelli — “Lucky To Love You”

Brynn Cartelli’s “Lucky To Love You” might already be recognizable, especially if you love reality TV. The new song was featured in the recent season of Netflix’s Love Is Blind. It was also produced by Keith Vargon, who previously has worked with The Aces and more.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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Where To Watch The ‘Frasier’ Reboot

It’s time to check in with Frasier, though this time he’s landed back in Boston after all these years. We have spent the ‘80s, ’90s, early 2000s, and now the 2020s with him. Where was he in the 2010s? Don’t worry about it!

Kelsey Grammer once again stars as the titular lead who heads to Boston to surprise his son Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott), who seems a little reluctant to bond with his father. The series streams on Paramount+, with the first two episodes premiering on October 12th, then weekly through December 7th. Episode 7 will even be directed by Grammer himself.

Frasier (2023’s Version) also includes Nicholas Lyndhurst as Frasier’s pal Alan, Jess Salgueiro as Freddy’s roommate/love interest Eve, and Anders Keith as Frasier’s nephew David. Here is the official synopsis:

Same Frasier. New skyline. The new series follows Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) in the next chapter of his life as he returns to Boston with new challenges to face, new relationships to forge, and an old dream or two to finally fulfill. Fraiser has re-entered the building!

While longtime fans might be grateful to see their buddy back on the small screen, early reviews are calling the series “charming” while many others are asking, did we really need this? You can see for yourself starting this week on Paramount+.

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‘Five Nights At Freddy’s’: Everything We Know About The Next Live Action Video Game Adaptation Coming To Theaters

Just in time for Halloween, Five Nights at Freddy’s will hit the big screen (and Peacock) later this month. Based on the popular horror video game, the film adaptation will bring the murderous animatronic creatures to life as poor Josh Hutcherson is forced to fend for his life in the murderous pizzeria.

Here’s everything we know about the Five Nights at Freddy‘s movie:

Plot

Much like the hit video game, the Five Nights at Freddy‘s movie will center on a security guard whose night shift at a pizzeria is not the quiet evening he was expected. In fact, it’s anything but as the animatronic creatures also have an after-hours task: Kill.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Can you survive five nights? The terrifying horror game phenomenon becomes a blood-chilling cinematic event, as Blumhouse — the producer of M3GAN, The Black Phone and The Invisible Man — brings Five Nights at Freddy’s to the big screen. The film follows a troubled security guard as he begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. While spending his first night on the job, he realizes the night shift at Freddy’s won’t be so easy to make it through.

Cast

The Hunger Games star Josh Hutcherson will lead the cast as unlucky security guard Mike Schmidt. Elizabeth Lail plays Vanessa, Matthew Lillard plays Steve Raglan, and Mary Stuart Masterson rounds out the cast as Aunt Jane.

Release Date

Five Night’s at Freddy will open in theaters and be available for streaming on Peacock on October 27.

Trailer

You can watch the official trailer for Five Night’s at Freddy below:

Five Nights at Freddy’s hits theaters and Peacock on October 27.

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Reported Friction Between James Wan And Amber Heard On The ‘Aquaman 2’ Set Led To Alleged Selfie Frustration And Cut Scenes

Jason Momoa’s second Aquaman outing might be in more trouble than we thought.

A recent investigative report from Variety details a toxic work environment on the set of the James Wan-directed sequel with most of the conflict centering around star Amber Heard’s legal dispute with ex-husband Johnny Depp. The two were embroiled in a very public defamation trial last year with Depp accusing Heard of damaging his reputation following a 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post. Once the trial was over, Depp’s fans paid to have notes from Heard’s therapist — which were used as evidence of abuse by Depp during the hearings — released to the public. Those notes paint a grim picture of Heard’s experience working on Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom.

Along with accusations that Momoa showed up drunk to set and dressed as Depp, the notes reflect Heard detailing her strained relationship with Wan, who allegedly reprimanded her over the negative publicity surrounding her personal life.

“He raised his voice @ me — ‘I can’t even post about Aquaman’ — made it like it was my fault – I said ‘I’m sorry,’” the notes read. “Nobody could take selfies with me on set given blackout.”

While Wan has declined to comment on the situation, DC has pushed back, saying, “James is known for treating members of his cast and crew with the utmost respect and for fostering a positive, collaborative environment on set — the Aquaman films were no exception.” Still, according to Variety, Wan did try to get Heard fired from the film. When that didn’t happen — reportedly due to the interference of Elon Musk — the director cut some of Heard’s scenes. Her character, Mera, was supposed to feature in a fight scene with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Black Manta as well as a love scene with Momoa — both of which no longer appear in the movie’s final cut.

Heard’s lawyers reportedly tried to prevent the release of the therapy notes, and the actress has declined to comment on Variety‘s reporting.

(Via Variety)

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Here Are The Austin City Limits Set Times For Weekend Two In 2023

Austin City Limits is running the second weekend of the 2023 festival in just a few days. For those who are attending this year, here’s what to know about the set times — and key acts not to miss.

Tickets are still available for the festival, with more information to be found here.

Friday, October 13

Nessa Barrett at 2:25-3:10 p.m. (American Express stage)
Ethel Cain at 3:25-4:10 (IHG Stage)
Raye at 4:10-5:10 (Honda stage)
Blondish at 4:10-5:10 (Tito’s stage)
Lil Yachty at 4:10-5:10 (American Express)
GloRilla at 5:10-5:55 (T-Mobile stage)
D4vd at 5:10-6:10 (IHG)
Maggie Rogers at 6:10-7:10 (Honda)
FKJ at 6:10-7:10 (Tito’s)
Portugal. The Man at 7:10-8:10 (Miller Lite stage)
The Revivalists at 7:10-8:10 (IHG)
The Lumineers at 8:10 (Honda)
Kendrick Lamar at 8:40-close (American Express)

Saturday, October 14

Jessie Ware at 2:00-3:00 p.m. (Honda)
Declan McKenna at 2:00-3:00 (American Express)
Gus Dapperton at 3:00-4:00 (T-Mobile)
Rina Sawayama at 4:00-5:00 (Honda)
Thirty Seconds To Mars at 6:00-7:00 (Honda)
Tegan And Sara at 6:00-7:00 (Tito’s)
Alanis Morissette at 6:00-7:00 (AmEx)
Tove Lo at 7:00-8:00 (IHG)
Noah Kahan at 7:00-8:00 (T-Mobile)
Foo Fighters at 8:00 (AmEx)
The 1975 at 8:15 (Honda)

Sunday, October 15

Suki Waterhouse at 3:15-4:15 p.m. (Miller Lite)
Del Water Gap at 3:15-4:15 (T-Mobile)
M83 at 4:15-5:15 (Honda)
Niall Horan at 4:15-5:15 (AmEx)
The Breeders at 5:15-6:15 (IHG)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs at 6:15-7:15 (Honda)
Hozier at 6:15-7:15 (AmEx)
Death Grips at 7:15-8:15 (IHG)
Odesza at 8:15 (Honda)
Mumford & Sons at 8:30 (AmEx)

Some of the artists mentioned are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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The Orlando Magic’s Biggest Question And X-Factor For The 2023-24 Season

After an extended period in the wilderness, there are strongly positive signs around the Orlando Magic. The Magic won 21 and 22 games in back-to-back seasons but, with the addition of No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero, the development of Franz Wagner, and relative stability with the roster, Orlando took a step forward with a 34-48 mark a year ago. Now comes the difficult part for the Magic, as the rebuild starts to turn the corner toward competitiveness, even in an Eastern Conference full of intriguing, talented, and experienced teams.

Expectations are raised for Orlando and, with that, there is one major question and one X-Factor on the roster that need to be explored.

Biggest Question: What’s Next For Paolo Banchero And Franz Wagner?

This is both obvious and also the correct question to ask. For teams on the rise, there is often a point in which it becomes clear that every player is not a “core player” for the future, and that could happen with some of the guards (see below) in Orlando. There is a pretty good feeling that Banchero and Wagner are core pieces, however, and Banchero is coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign after being drafted No. 1 overall. That is usually a formula for at least a long, fruitful career at the NBA level, and Wagner’s versatile, effective game makes him the envy of many teams and general managers across the league.

With that out of the way, the big question is whether there is a real, contending-level team to be built around Banchero and Wagner as the top two, or even two of the top three, pieces on the squad. Banchero faced real efficiency issues (52.9 percent true shooting) as a rookie and isn’t a dynamic off-ball threat at this juncture. Wagner has almost no uncertainty as a secondary piece after a season in which he averaged 18.6 points on 58.9 percent true shooting, but can he scale up? Orlando’s supporting cast might be what dictates win-loss success in 2023-24, but in the big picture, it’s all about Banchero and Wagner for the Magic. This season could begin to paint a very, very intriguing picture.

X-Factor: Jalen Suggs

In some ways, the X-factor could be the entire backcourt for Orlando. The Magic have talented guards like Markelle Fultz, Cole Anthony, and 2023 lottery pick Anthony Black, but Suggs is perhaps the biggest enigma right now. Suggs, a former top-five pick, has appeared in only 101 games through two seasons and, on the offensive end, his limitations have been evident. That includes a career 48.7 percent true shooting mark and a 17.5 percent turnover rate that is unsustainably poor. On the positive side, Suggs has shown a great deal of aptitude and effectiveness on the defensive end but, in short, that is not why guards are drafted in the range where he was selected.

Can Suggs find more efficiency? Can his shooting come around? Beyond that, what is his best role moving forward on a team that will almost certainly play heavily through its forwards? A lot of questions should be answered over the course of the next few months.

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Here’s The Release Date For Travis Scott’s Air Jordan 1 Low Golf ‘Neutral Olive’ Sneakers

Travis Scott’s creative ventures know no limit. The chart-topping musician’s latest album, Utopia, birthed his cinematic visual project Circus Maximus. Also, due to the overwhelming crowd participation during the Rome concert, Scott’s hype nearly caused fear of an earthquake. The fate of the Blade movie, which Scott hopes to executive produce the soundtrack, remains uncertain. However, there is one thing fans can hang their hats on: Scott’s sneaker drops.

Scott’s latest Air Jordan release is hitting online vendors soon. No, it’s not the fancy “Cut The Check” footwear showcased in his official video for his single, “KPop.” The forthcoming launch is for his Air Jordan 1 Low Golf sneakers. Here’s the release date for the neutral olive sneakers.

According to Esquire, Scott’s Air Jordan 1 Low Golf sneakers in the neutral olive color scheme will be released this Friday, October 13. The sneakers will be exclusively available via Nike’s SNKRS app. However, the outlet does note that a few global stockists will offer it to their customers. The sneakers will reportedly retail for $170.

During an appearance on ESPN’s The Jump, Scott opened up about his love for sneakers. When asked by host Rachel Nichols what inspired his widely successful leap into sneaker designing, he replied, “I’ve always liked sneakers. I’ve always been a fan of Jordans and Nikes. So, just being able to curate, design, and put different aesthetics that I like into my everyday life as well as things I’ve seen growing up as a kid, it’s fire to me.”

The neutral olive Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low OG Golf will be available beginning October 13 within Nike’s SNKRS app. Find more information here.

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Community rallies around teacher after she’s put on leave for secret OnlyFans account

It’s a pretty well known fact that public school teachers are severely underpaid in comparison to the cost of living in their individual areas. They often have to buy classroom supplies and decorations out of pocket, while also securing extra school supplies in case some of their students are in need. Their work doesn’t stop just because the last bell rang for the day.

It’s nearly impossible for them to get work done during their planning periods. That’s when they answer parent emails, attend IEP meetings or call guardians about concerns so they often have to take their work home. Grading tests, papers and homework is suddenly happening when they’re supposed to be catching up on their favorite shows or spending time with their own children.

Most other industries a person working 20 extra hours a week would equate to a hefty amount of overtime on their checks. But teachers aren’t afforded this luxury. These extra hours, though necessary, are unpaid.


The unpaid labor doesn’t stop there if the teacher offers after school tutoring. All of these demands on teachers for no extra money means they often have to take on a second job or get creative when it comes to earning extra money. High school English teacher, Brianna Coppage, 28, found herself struggling to make ends meet on her $42,000 a year salary in St. Clair, Missouri, a suburb about an hour west of St. Louis.

In order to help bring in extra income, the teacher turned to OnlyFans, an adult entertainment website that requires a paid subscription in order to view the mostly x-rated content. Coppage told the St. Louis Dispatch that her content on OnlyFans brought in an additional $8,000-$10,000. That’s no small amount of cash, but someone reported her page to St. Clair High School, where she works resulting in her being placed on leave.

At this point most people would expect that the community would be outraged or shocked by the teacher’s secret life but that wasn’t really the case. Parents supported Coppage and her right to create adult content off the clock.

“Surprisingly, a lot of parents were supporting me. A lot of community members were saying, ‘Leave her alone, this is her private business. It has nothing to do with her in the classroom,’” Coppage told The Missourian.

Tiffany Ray, a relative of a student at St. Clair High School even started a petition to help the teacher keep her job. It currently has over 2,700 signatures with community members writing messages of support int he comments.

“She became my son’s English teacher at the start of the year. He has improved so much with her help. It’s her private life, she does not press it into her coworkers or students. Let her live her life,” one woman writes.

“If the state of Missouri doesn’t want their teachers moonlighting then they should pay livable wages,” another petition signer declares.

“This is in the privacy of her own personal time. She is none[sic] of the only teachers who has actually done their job and helped my daughter when she needed it. Most teachers don’t even try and help,” one mom says.

Judging by the comments on the petition, comments under social media posts and support she’s personally received, it’s clear people are more concerned about teachers low pay. Coppage didn’t wait to see if the support helped to reverse the decision, she resigned from her position at the high school.

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BNXN Peels Back The Curtain With Complete Honesty On ‘Sincerely, Benson’

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been two years since BNXN (formerly known as Buju) landed the biggest moment of his career with a feature on Wizkid’s “Mood.” BNXN wasn’t new to the spotlight at that point as two years prior, Burna Boy lent him a verse for a remix of his “Lenu” record. What “Mood,” and months later, “Finesse” with Pheelz brought BNXN is a future at new heights and the chance to accomplish lifelong dreams in the music industry.

BNXN recently released his third project Sincerely, Benson which, compared to his first projects Sorry I’m Late and Bad Since ‘97, feels like a more proper release thanks to its 15 songs. During an interview with Uproxx over a video call, BNXN tells me that Sincerely, Benson feels like the transition from “small boy to teenager” and it’s the discovery that his music is “very, very expressive,” something he further expounds on with his new project.

Elsewhere in this interview, BNXN spoke about the special cast of features on Sincerely, Benson, his spirituality, and how he makes sure to live in the moment – regardless of how successful he gets.

This album Sincerely, Benson is a letter to your fans and supporters. What is the message that you’re trying to deliver to them?

I used to be in a relationship and I got out of that relationship, or rather, I messed up that relationship by cheating. That’s one part of what inspired this album, the fact that I need to make an apology, but at the same time, I need to give it my all. I need to fully accept fault, I need to be as transparent as possible. That emotion created songs like “Pidgin and English,” “Regret, “Realize,” and “Toxic.” There are songs that describe me and the things that I go through personally — or artists go through personally — that people don’t get to see, even when they’re close to you. There are [other] songs for people to feel good to [and] to groove because I know how it is for me to share my emotion with you all, share my pain with you. But it’s like, every time you meet somebody you’re always telling them about the problem. It’s not a good look. So it’s like I’m here to also show you that in this same space of many things going on, I’m still happy. I still find time to enjoy myself. I still find time to appreciate the little things that matter

On “Maximum Damage” with Headie One you say, “I’m from a place where nobody makes it out without people thinking it’s magic / Cause if they can’t have it you can’t have it / You see that mentality just tragic.” How has that mentality made things harder for you and how have you made sure not to have that mentality yourself?

Sometimes you still get that weird feeling. I’m gonna be honest men, there are times at this level that you can look to the next man, or the next man looks at you like, “What are you doing differently that’s bringing you all this?” At that point, it’s a natural feeling. Envy is a natural feeling, but it’s like, you just got to snap out of it. The sun has its time to time, the moon has its time to shine. You can look at somebody from two angles: from the angle of envy or from the angle of inspiration. Like, “This is how this guy is moving. I like it. I’m going to amplify what to a level whereby it kind of feels like that.” That is motivation, that is literally somebody inspiring us to do something. It’s different when someone is doing it and you’re like, “Huh? Why is it him that is doing it?” or “Why is it them that doing it? I can do better than that.” Personally, I have once felt like that before, but it’s something that you have to outgrow. It’s something you have to snap out of because it’s a very terrible feeling. If you’re feeling like that, it kind of hinders a lot of blessings.

The guest features on this album mark the first time that you’ve worked with these artists. How did it turn out this way rather than it be with artists you’ve worked with before?

These features were selected because of the level at which I knew they could deliver and how the story of the song kind of affects them or what it means to them. You hear the songs and it’s not hard for you to interpret them. You can tell your life story or express yourself, I’m talking about artists that featured themselves.

For “Maximum Damage,” Headie hears the song and is like, “This is the song whereby I can literally show everybody that there’s been a whole lot of things going on.” That song helped Headie express that this is what I want for my life. 2Baba hears “Regret” and he sees this is a perfect opportunity for me to be able to express something solemn and express an apology that is sufficient and precise. With Popcaan, “Final Answer” is about literally nothing and can really stop what is about to come. The trajectory is miles up high and Popcaan understood that.

With songs like “Pray” on the album, your spirituality and religious outlook are clear. How has your faith, in whatever regard it plays out, helped you as an artist over the years?

All this and everything I have that’s good comes from God and he’s always guided my decisions. I’m not the most perfect person, but it’s like I always feel like there are certain things that would not happen naturally with my own power. There are times, even as I am, I still pause to pray for help, guidance, or assistance. That’s the reason I feel like I always have God. This industry is crazy, there are certain things in this industry that just be happening. My parents are very spiritual too, so I’m a very spiritual person. I just always know that there is good and evil and I have to pick a side. My music is personal and everything that happens to me I have to be able to express. I always have to direct some songs back to God and what he’s done for me. On the last project, there was “Modupe,” and on this project, there’s “Pray” and “Final Answer.” Spirituality is just something I hold very dearly [to myself].

How did this collaboration on “Regret” come to life and what was your reaction when it finally happened?

“Who could bring the difference to the song?” My friend said 2Baba on this song and whenever I heard the song I couldn’t stop hearing 2Baba on the record, so I just had to reach out. I reached out to Larry Gaaga and I sent it to Larry and Larry sent it to 2Baba. It’s hard to imagine a song like that having 2Baba be that transparent and open. I was happy he let that happen. Some stories are very personal to people. So whenever they share it or express it, it’s very nice. Especially if you’re not really an expressive person, it’s very hard to do. It’s such a special record, it’s why I left only he could’ve done that to that level — a level whereby I can feel it.

What is your favorite memory in the process of creating this album Sincerely, Benson?

I don’t know, *laughs* it’s from even getting a name for the project. I was in the club with Burna [Boy], and he’s like, “I need you to have your name or your album. Your album has to have your name there.” It’s like wow, okay I’ll take that. It’s crazy that after having that conversation months later, he dropped Love, Damini. So many things were going on man. With this project, one minute there’s nothing going on, the next thing I’m in the studio I’m just recording something. N****s telling me to try shrooms for the first time. I didn’t try it, but after that conversation, I go in there and I record “My Life” and some many [other] beautiful records. I don’t know, there are too many memories. Traveling, the producers, the sessions — they were always so warm and very sweet. I just really had fun making this project.

With all of the success you’re having in your career, what are some things you do to make sure you live in the moment and don’t time and things altogether pass you by quickly?

I like to take time to reflect. It’s where a lot of my songs come from. I take a lot of time to analyze everything so I can know how this thing works. After this phase of the album, I intend to get into a phase where I “just play.” What I mean by play is holding back a little seriousness from the music just to see what the dynamic is. Mainly because what I do is afro-fusion and I feel like it’s a fusion of everything. I need to be able to give you Gbedu (groove), play around with it, and have fun. I feel like that’s the next stage I’m about to move to.

Sincerely, Benson is out now via TYE and EMPIRE. Find out more information here.