Highlights
When it comes to legacy and longevity in media, few names carry the weight of BE'N ORIGINAL. A true pioneer, his journey from intern to influential journalist, publisher, and brand strategist is one rooted in passion, perseverance, and pure originality. With a sharp pen and an even sharper business sense, he’s spent over two decades shaping narratives and helping launch the careers of some of the culture’s biggest names.
From publishing New York Underground in the '90s to founding Urban Magazine and consulting for major brands like Def Jam and EA Sports, BE'N has stayed ahead of the curve while remaining authentically himself. In this exclusive interview with PVM Mag, we sit down with the multi-hyphenate to talk about his origins, the state of media, his eye for talent, and what’s next for one of hip-hop journalism’s most quietly powerful figures.
Let’s take it back to the late ’90s. You were still an intern when you launched New York Underground. What inspired you to start your own newsletter so early in the game?
That’s a great question. I have always wanted to be my own boss since I was a kid. One of my friends in high school, Poke of the iconic production duo TrackMasterz (Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., R. Kelly, among others), launched a successful music career while we were still teenagers. So, I witnessed what was possible from a front row seat. I wanted to tell the stories and support the artists I believed in. I am from a small college town about an hour north of the Bronx, where people have big dreams but lack the means to make them come true.
You received what many would call a “golden call”, which gave you the chance to interview Ludacris for The Source. What was that moment like for you, and how did it shape your path in journalism?
It was extraordinarily pivotal. Decades later, I still pay homage to the former music editor, Aliya S. King, for the opportunity, and publicist Simone Smalls for the referral. I had been faxing my resume to The Source on nearly a daily basis with no response. Fortunately, I had built some rapport with Aliya by simply praising one of her features. Talent can get you in the room, but it’s genuine kindness and professionalism that allows you to build the social currency to thrive there.
You’ve written for The Source, XXL, King, Vibe, Allhiphop.com, and Yahoo Music!-an all-star roster in hip-hop journalism. What kept you grounded in the industry through all those transitions?
I am a firm believer that your gifts don’t belong solely to you; they belong to the world. I am more proud of how I have helped people in their rise to fame than any of my personal accomplishments. There is practically always someone else who has done more. I didn’t get here by myself.
People, more specifically Black women, have given me nearly every opportunity I benefited from throughout my career. I have been fortunate in that I experienced a great deal of love since the beginning of my career—a little f*** s*** here and there, but mostly love (laughing).
Even with a successful writing career, you’ve said you weren’t satisfied. What was missing for you at that time?
I want it all. I have the biggest dreams. There are so many movies, television shows, and plays that live in my head and need to be shared with the world that I can barely sleep sometimes. I am happy with what I’ve done, but I want to do so much more. I have an insatiable desire to do the most.
When The Source began its decline, you pivoted to launching Urban Magazine and your own marketing agency. What gave you the courage to bet on yourself and take that leap?
I love that question. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from many of the best at what they do. Each interview has been a chance to learn how to succeed from the winners. If they could do it, so can you, so can I.
You’ve worked with so many iconic brands—from Lyricist Lounge to Talib Kweli to EA Sports. Is there one project that stands out as a defining moment for you?
While the biggest project I worked on was in collaboration with American Greetings Interactive and Def Jam, I am most proud of the work I’ve done with Dakari Eli. She is by far the most talented singer/songwriter I have ever known.
She’s a once-in-a-lifetime talent. To witness someone create such extraordinary art from scratch is a blessing. Many people who receive plenty of support can achieve amazing things, but she writes, sings, produces, mixes, and masters her own songs. Not many could do half that, and fewer can do one of those things half as well.
Urban Magazine has evolved from a print outlet to a digital platform that’s interviewed everyone from Alicia Keys to Dame Dash and cast members from Power and Snowfall. How do you decide who makes the cut?
I want to celebrate Black excellence as often as possible. What does this person contribute to culture? Will their story inspire our readers? These are the things that I contemplate. There are definitely some people I would never feature because I find them to be willfully detrimental, if not destructive, to the culture that has given me so much. I pick the people I believe in.
There’s a clear sense of intention in the content you put out. What’s your mission now with Urban Magazine and your publishing ventures?
I want to continue to build the brand, which will allow me to better serve others. I recently helped one of my favorite contributors, relationship expert Michelle Annaléise Coles, self-publish her first literary project, Unapologetically You: The Path to Unshakable Self-Love. I plan to release my debut novel, “Power Kingdom,” before the year ends. That’s going to be something special.
With all you’ve accomplished, what’s next for BE’N ORIGINAL? Any new ventures or passions you're about to tap into?
I’m currently exploring other opportunities in television and film to tell the stories of people who look like me. We have to keep building. There are a few things being pitched in Hollywood as we speak. Again, I am trying to do the most I can while I can.
What does being “original” truly mean to you, and how do you embody that in your work and life?
I believe everything I do is a manifestation of my God-given talent. There is power in being authentically you because there is no one else like you. That makes you and everything you create extremely valuable. At the end of this life, all that will remain is the work we leave behind. I want my work to live forever.
