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Where are you from?
My name is Ben AKA Positive Society, I am originally from So. California. In 2016, I moved to Stockton, CA bringing my family here as well.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
Outside of music I enjoy spending time with my family & teaching martial arts.
What first got you into music?
I first got involved in music in 87' (Jr. High) writing raps as another friend would beat box. By 89' I was improving and known among a few as an M.C. Too Much. In 90', I got my first drum machine & began to make beats to rap over. During this time, my focus was more on martial arts which I had started in the 80's and I didn't take music very seriously.
What's next for you?
In 92' I began fighting in the ring and only rapped just to pass time, still not taking it seriously. In 93'/94' I began freestyle battling in Los Angeles. A favorite spot was on Friday evenings at a record store called Poisonous Records a few blocks from my house in LA. The owner, a DJ named Stephanie, would throw on beats and MC's would go at it against each other. Some evenings it would be so packed folks would spill out to the sidewalk outside. I was Boxing at the Broadway Boxing Gym in South Central LA after work Monday through Thursday, but would always make time after work Friday evenings for freestyle battles.
In 97' I finally married my wife and although martial arts was still an activity which took up much time, I would make CHH songs occasionally and record them to cassette tape but not do anything else with.
In 99' I recorded my 1st, 3 song CHH EP titled 'Life Goes On' with a friend and DJ, DJ Finah from Blaccommunity. (I believe the master tracks are still somewhere on a ADAT tape). For the next 8 years I focused on martial arts training and would only record some songs just for fun here and there, but again did not promote them at all.
In 2007, I recorded my first, 15 track, CHH album as Positive Society. The album was titled 'Zome' which was short for rhizome, which was a latin word for root. In Chinese medicine the root contained the nutrients which was being used. This was metaphoric to God providing us His gift of life if we would only Root ourselves in Him, to obtain His spiritual nutrients (gifts). This album contained an equal amount of beats created by both me and DJ Finah. After completion of this album, copies were printed and CD's were passed out and given away for free to those that needed to hear the gospel, with 6 of the songs streamed on MySpace. Again, I did not follow up as I was still training martial arts and working to support the family & raise children. In 2020, I decided to finally take music seriously 100 and dedicated myself to making good quality music to spread the good news. I released my 'Spiritual Warfare' album in 2021. I continue to make music for the Lord.
Tell us about your latest project/single (release date, title, tours, etc):
I just released a 17 track album January 5th, 2023 titled, 'Not On My Own' which featured a few of my favorite artists CYclone, Mouthpi3ce, and Monster Tarver. I feel there is a time and place, a season, for everything according to God's timing. Some of these songs are:
- We Fishin' (feat. Mouthpi3ce) expands on Jesus teaching in making us fishers of men and bringing the lost to HIM. One of two songs he graced us with on this album.
- On & Off the Court (feat CYclone) is metaphoric to not just talkin' the talk but walkin' the walk. Living for Christ not just in front of an audience, but off court behind the scenes. This song was fun to work on as CYclone(CY) has an ear for details & brought cool energy and rhyme scheme.
- Not By My Might (feat. Monster Tarver) speaks on the battle we all face when dealing with the enemy & defeating sin. Monster Tarver brought the energy to the enemy as we tagged-teamed up on this one.
All of the other songs on my album included topics I felt I needed to address such as keeping our focus on Yeshua, because we can't live through life without Him. I also touch on how it's not by our might, and the importance of being a witness for HIM, and understanding He is the reason I give praise.
Give us 2 quotes from yourself:
A couple personal quotes of mine would be ''I'm in the school of eternal life, no tuition'' & "told folks I made it this far myself...I lied''
Who is your dream collaboration?
I have had the opportunity to work with the artists mentioned earlier. These brothers are on fire for the Lord and that's the main goal in making music, to worship and bring others to Christ. I'd love to work more with them. As far as other collaborative work, I would love to possibly work with Angie Rose, Canon, Marty Marty & Fern, & of course my Stockton area CHH artists/friends.
Without saying too much yet, & with a little bit of secrecy I'm working on a song with a bay area artist who is doing great things right now in his community & in the studio. I'm also collaborating with a couple friends (twins) CHH artists from So Cal., as well as a well-known producer, artist, videographer, you name it, from Stockton - he does it all. When the time is right, I'll provide more on those projects, I'm excited.
Newsworthy mentions:
I recently released my 17 track album which has been receiving positive feedback. I'm thankful I've been blessed with so much, going from a single parent home as a kid to having a family of my own. God is great.
I've also recently collaborated on an international single song with Godwin Semwaiko, a CHH artist out of Africa. This Tanzanian MC flowed his verse in Swahili. This was great to be able to spread the message to those in another continent and in two languages. Stay tuned for more upcoming albums & singles. In the meantime, soak up messages of hope, salvation, and importance of trusting on the Lord from this 'Not On My Own' album. Share this message with others that would benefit to hear.
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