He crafted beats for Drake and helped make Yeat a superstar. Now BNYX is reshaping hip-hop

by

I recently got a peek inside BNYX’s Hollywood studio before our interview, and wow, it’s all about the details! He really wanted to show me everything he’s collected to make his workspace perfect. As a huge fan of his work with artists like Yeat, Drake, and Travis Scott, it was cool to see his creative space. He was so excited talking about things like the metal shelf he built himself with wood from Home Depot, this amazing faux cement wall he had shipped from Miami, and even skylights he put in every room just to keep track of the time! Plus, his soundproofing panels were covered in really unique art made by his friend Gabriel Rozzell – it all just felt so him.

BNYX’s upcoming debut compilation, “Genesis FM,” showcases his unique talent for blending different musical styles. The album seamlessly combines the energy of European dance music with modern hip-hop and the heavy basslines of progressive metal, creating a surprisingly natural sound. This fusion came about through several key experiences: seeing the raw energy of a Gesaffelstein show, growing up listening to progressive metal, and realizing how early Migos’ rapping style worked with his dance beats. A major inspiration was discovering how his fast-paced drumming enhanced the impact of Drake, SZA, and Sexxy Red’s track, “Rich Baby Daddy.”

BNYX explained to the Times that when Drake initially played him the track, it was just a basic instrumental. BNYX then removed some of the drum work done by producer Gordo and reworked the song’s main melody, envisioning a faster, Miami bass-inspired sound. He added that working on this particular record heavily influenced the rest of his album.

Though BNYX is currently a solo project, Benjamin Saint Fort comes from a musical family. Growing up in Philadelphia, his father led a band at their Haitian church and insisted on formal music training for his children. The lessons were rigorous, and their teacher wasn’t afraid to correct mistakes firmly.

BNYX believed the man was motivated by a desire to create a team of assistants, saying, ‘He wanted to build his own little workforce.’ BNYX fondly remembered their weekends together, which were filled with practical tasks like yard work, plumbing, and home repairs, as well as making music at church.

The producer learned music playing bass with his family – his siblings on guitar and drums, and his father on keyboards. They often changed instruments, adapting to the specific sound his father envisioned. Every Sunday, they’d perform at different churches, both American and Haitian, tailoring their music to fit each congregation’s style.

BNYX explained that the artist would often sing in Haitian Creole while performing American gospel songs. He also blended the two styles by taking American gospel tunes, adding a Konpa rhythm – a traditional Haitian beat – and singing the lyrics in French.

I think the seed for BNYX’s musical journey was planted by his dad, who always had eclectic tastes. But it really took off when he discovered Comcast On Demand. He dove into the metal section and stumbled upon DragonForce, and it completely blew his mind. He remembers being around 12 or 13, seeing this incredibly fast guitarist, and just being instantly hooked. This was back in ’07 or ’08, and it clearly left a lasting impression!

By 2019, I was really starting to admire BNYX as a musician. He’d clearly been through a lot to get where he was. His brother, Felix, first got him into hip-hop, and he’d even tried art school, but it didn’t quite work out. He hustled, working at AT&T while making music in his free time. I was amazed by his dedication – constantly going back and forth between Philly and LA, chasing his dream. He was even smart about it, making YouTube tutorials to fund his passion by selling drum kits. It’s inspiring to see how far he’d come.

BNYX was searching for someone to help him bring his unique musical ideas to life. He found that collaborator in Lancey Foux, a rising artist known for his unconventional style. Lancey sent BNYX 100 instrumental tracks, and they quickly connected in the studio. BNYX was immediately impressed by Lancey’s artistic depth and shared curiosity. Lancey had listened to every beat and loved the experimental sounds BNYX had been developing privately. This meeting sparked a successful eight-year partnership, resulting in tracks like the explosive “OUTTAMYMIND!” featuring Lil Yachty, and proved to BNYX that his vision for a new sound was achievable.

Besides Foux, another key artist BNYX connected with was Yeat, whom he first met on Discord a few years later. BNYX was immediately impressed. “I knew he was going to be huge!” he remembers excitedly. “When I played his music for people, they didn’t get it. But even though I couldn’t understand the lyrics, I could hear the incredible melodies, his unique flow, and how well he combined everything with the beat and synths.” He soon discovered Yeat had already contacted him because of his work with Foux. Their first collaboration was the track “Tonka 2,” which BNYX describes as sounding like an alien abduction set to music.

BNYX explained that with every track he sent to Yeat, he aimed to push creative boundaries. Whether it was nu-metal, experimental dance music, or even a quirky beat from a Nickelodeon show, he always wanted to excite Yeat with something new. They both gained popularity as their music became increasingly unique and unconventional.

BNYX shared that Yeat had a significant impact on their life. They explained that Yeat’s influence allowed them to communicate and collaborate with others in a way they couldn’t before.

As Yeat and BNYX gained popularity, their concerts became incredibly energetic and wild. Young fans, often men, used the music as an outlet, losing themselves in the escapism it offered. BNYX was pleased with the unique sound he’d helped create, and this success ultimately led to a collaboration with Drake.

BNYX was invited to Houston by 40, Drake’s producer, to work on arrangements for the “It’s All A Blur” tour. Drake was impressed with BNYX’s work and asked him to stay an extra week to help finish his album, “For All The Dogs.” That week turned into three months of recording in unusual locations – often on Drake’s private plane and in hotel rooms. BNYX remembers a hectic time, even eating spaghetti on the plane! However, the most important takeaway for BNYX was seeing Drake’s massive crowds, including a particularly large all-female audience. He realized Yeat needed to reach that same level of broad appeal. BNYX aimed to create a sound for Yeat with catchy, singalong hooks and a polished feel, inspired by Drake’s approach to treating every rap song like a pop song and striving for perfection.

Being on Drake’s tour sparked a breakthrough for Yeat and BNYX, leading to their hit song “COMË N GO” in 2025. BNYX shared with us an early version of the track – originally just a freestyle over a simple beat. He explained how it gradually evolved, from crafting the catchy chorus to structuring the verses with clever pauses and adding complex sound effects. It’s Yeat’s most mainstream, pop-focused song to date.

BNYX believed this song would broaden Yeat’s fanbase beyond young men to include a wider audience. Having toured with Drake, he was eager to create music that would get people dancing. This track aligned with his shift towards dance music, and around the same time, a techno show he attended sparked a new creative direction. Inspired, he began researching dance music, experimenting with combining the energetic Miami bass sound of his earlier work with elements of French club music, progressive metal bass, and contemporary hip-pop.

BNYX experienced a breakthrough moment when he convinced Quavo to recreate his rap style from Migos’ 2016 hit, “Commando.” Surprisingly, it blended seamlessly with the techno beat of BNYX’s song, “HunchO STEP!” – the second single from his album, Genesis FM. This combination of rap and industrial sounds became a signature element of BNYX’s music. He traveled to Atlanta hoping Quavo would be open to trying something new. BNYX remembers asking Quavo to revisit the flow from “Commando” on the new beat. Quavo agreed, needing just two hours to record. BNYX was incredibly nervous while waiting, even playing NBA 2K to distract himself. When Quavo sent the finished track, BNYX was deeply moved, calling it the first official song completed for the album.

BNYX continued developing his unique sound by collaborating with various vocalists, including Kid Cudi and Don Toliver. However, his longtime collaborator, Foux, proved to be the most impactful. Knowing Foux could deliver a distinctive, dark vocal style over a driving beat, BNYX featured him on the album’s standout track, “Squeeze.” The song perfectly captures the feeling of being lost in the energy of an underground dance club, and ultimately defined the sound of BNYX’s solo project.

So, what about a family band of his own? BNYX now lives in LA with his wife and their two young daughters. He says he’ll let them pursue whatever interests they have, but notes they already love music. His wife constantly introduces him to new sounds – recently, Pakistani and German dance music which he’s been exploring. And his daughters, though only five and three years old, are already making their own beats. With a proud smile, he played one of their creations – a vibrant Baltimore/Jersey club track with a chopped vocal sample – filling his studio with sound as sunlight streamed through the skylight.

Read More

2026-05-11 13:32