IN CONVERSATION WITH BAD BENA
Interview by SAMO ŠAJN
BAD BENA from St. Ann, Jamaica, the birthplace of Bob Marley. She brings a rich blend of Jamaican and Puerto Rican heritage to her music. After moving to London in 2015 with little more than hope and determination, she worked her way up from couch surfing to landing her first major music break with Dancehall legend Bounty Killer. Balancing her love for fashion and music, Bena saved every tip to fund recording sessions, leading to her powerful new single "Holy Triad." Her journey is one of resilience, faith, and unwavering passion.
What inspired you to write ‘Holy Triad’, and what does the song mean to you personally?
‘Holy Triad’ reflects my journey through significant challenges. From the passing of my father to taking the bold step of migrating to the UK alone as a small island immigrant, I faced struggle head-on. Even through life’s obstacles like being robbed of my student cost of living I remained resilient. This song is about survival, perseverance, and the power to resurrect from pain and overcome life's battles and challenges.
You’ve mentioned ‘Holy Triad’ is a plea for protection. How has your faith helped you through tough times in London?
This song reveals a more vulnerable side of me, highlighting my faith as the anchor that has kept me grounded through the countless challenges I've faced in London alone. It’s a prayer anthem, where I call upon the Most High for guidance and protection during my lowest moments and in times when others doubted what I could achieve. Through it all, I place my trust in the unseen to guide and shield me.
The video for ‘Holy Triad’ was directed by British-Iranian filmmaker Bdot. What was the vision and creative process like for the music video?
The creative process was spontaneous and run-and-gun. As a fashion graduate, I loved styling my looks and convinced my manager to film in the beautiful St. James’s Church. B Dot, a genius with visuals, elevated my vision. Due to rain, we found random locations like the futuristic DLR station in West Silvertown and the Traffic Light Tree sculpture. I’m thrilled with how artistic and fashionable the video turned out, thanks to my amazing team.
You’ve faced a lot of challenges moving from Jamaica to London. What kept you going during the hardest moments?
I’m a Taurus, and my stubbornness—and a bit of what some call ‘delusion’—kept me going, even when people told me to give up. They said it was impossible to succeed in a foreign country with no money, but I was determined, not just for myself, but for my family and country. My belief in myself and faith in God got me through, from graduating in fashion to now pursuing my dream of becoming a successful recording artist. As a small island immigrant, I’ve come a long way—and this is just the beginning.
You’ve worked with big names like Bounty Killer and producers like Hot Money. What have you learned from these collaborations?
Bounty Killer saw something special in me, and collaborating on "Going All In" was a true blessing. Even though it's still unreleased, working with him in 2022 was invaluable—he’s like a maestro of A&R in the Dancehall scene, always discovering new talent. Hot Money has also been an incredible mentor and producer since 2023, guiding me through my artistic growth here in the UK and helping me connect with my true self. Both have been key in shaping who I am as an artist.
How has growing up in Jamaica and having Puerto Rican roots influenced your sound and who you are as an artist?
Growing up in Jamaica with Puerto Rican roots gave me a unique sense of identity. I was immersed in the arts from a young age, which fueled my passion and career path. Wanting to reconnect with my Puerto Rican heritage, I learned Spanish in high school and danced in a cabaret ensemble with Hispanic members. This rediscovery of my roots shapes my sound and identity as an artist, keeping my inner drive and passion alive.
What do you hope people feel or understand when they listen to ‘HolyTriad’?
I call my fans the BADEEZ, an acronym for Bold, Ambitious, Determined, Elegant, Empowered, and Zealous. My hope is to inspire my listeners to feel and embrace these qualities in their own lives.
Do you have any exciting projects coming up you can share with us?
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve got an upcoming dancehall EP on the way! It’s a beautiful and empowering project where I dive deep into vulnerability, showcasing a different side of me compared to my bold and fierce ‘Bad Like Bena’ EP. The name and release date are still under wraps, but trust me, it’s going to be worth the wait!
