Q-Benjamin
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Q-Benjamin

Edmonton, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2012

Edmonton, Canada
Established on Jan, 2012
Solo Hip Hop R&B

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Music

Press


"Cover girl"

Here’s a photo of Edmonton’s latest rising starlet, Quanteisha Benjamin, on the set of the music video for her single, Cover Girls. Fierce! For more pics and behind-the-scenes footage, join her Facebook fan page.

Quanteisha was the winner of The Bounce 91.7 FM’s Showdown in 2008. The station is now playing two more of Quanteisha’s songs, Get Loose and Someday. All three of her tracks were written and produced by the Vancouver powerhouse of Mike James and Troy Samson, a.k.a. Hipjoint Productions.

In other Hipjoint news … their song, Unity, recorded by Kelly Rowland (of Destiny’s Child) is now a Top 20 hit in Canada. This week, it’s No. 16 on the mainstream adult contemporary chart. - SANDRA SPEROUNES


"Six times the Bounce winners"

Six of The Bounce’s Showdown champs, including Shiloh, will perform on Friday, Feb. 4 at the Edmonton Expo Centre. The lineup includes Kreesha Turner, who is working on her second album; Quanteisha Benjamin, who is nominated for a Canadian Radio Music Award for her single, DNG; Beatrice, Justin Blais, and the most recent winner, Bryan Finlay. - SANDRA SPEROUNES


"Edmonton's two Juno nominees"

Quanteisha Benjamin‘s Stars is nominated for R&B/soul recording of the year at this year’s Juno Awards, which will be handed out Sunday, March 27 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The 18-year-old is still trying to digest the news, let alone think about what designer she might don to the ceremonies.

“I have no idea what I’m going to wear,” she says.”After my mom and I were freaking out about the nomination, I stopped and said: ‘Mom, what am I going to wear?’ We’re still thinking about it.”

Director Michael Maxxis is nominated for video of the year for his work on Billy Talent’s Saint Veronika. He was on an airplane, flying from Edmonton to Toronto, when the Juno announcements were made, so he only found a few hours later. By e-mail, of course. “I immediately started hitting ‘Forward’ to my girlfriend, my family, a bunch of people, saying: ‘Hey look!’” he laughs. “It’s a digital reaction, these days.” - SANDRA SPEROUNES


"Edmonton’s Quanteisha is seeing ‘Stars’"

Anyone who caught the Junos, March 27 is bound to recognize this pretty face.

Quanteisha Benjamin represented her hometown of Edmonton well, as she went up to receive Best R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for her single “Stars”.

At only 18, Benjamin, who is known mostly by her first name, really hit her stride, but she should have gotten used to the fame long ago.

During her transition between Jasper Place High school and Ross Shepard High School, when Benjamin was gearing up to enter Grade 11, she won the Bounce’s Showdown contest, a feat that helped her became an overnight sensation.

The humble R&B princess had no idea she was even going to win her Juno, saying a few days earlier she had not even prepared a speech.

“I actually haven’t planned an acceptance speech,” she jokes. “I’m not really expecting to win. Being nominated is blessing and accomplishment enough.”

Benjamin went on to add her thrill at having the opportunity to wear Brandon R. Dwyer to the big event.

Not only has age really set Benjamin aside from the rest, but so has her image.

A classic beauty, she also manages to remain grounded and modest everywhere from her videos to her print ads, leaving the stereotypical female pop-star persona behind.

“As an-18-year-old female, I’m not going to try and act older than I am,” she admits.

“I want to be appreciated for my art — my music and my performance abilities or talent. I wouldn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize the respect that needs to be earned by fans and the public. Even if somebody doesn’t like the genre of music that I sing, or my look or something I’m doing musically or artistically, I’m still aiming to be respected as a person.”

Benjamin is probably best known for her single “Cover Girls” which overtook the airwaves in 2008.

The catchy tune, based on fun and catchy lyrics, was combined with Benjamin’s deep and soulful vocals, a surprising combination for this day and age.

Possessing that perfect combination of maturity and lightheartedness, Benjamin’s approach to the Junos was equally refreshing. It seems a huge part of what made the night special for Benjamin was interacting with other hip-hop and R&B artists. One of her favourites was the host of the evening, Drake.

“I really respect Drake,” Benjamin says. “He can do the whole “catchy hit” thing, while still staying true to real music.”

A gift, some may say, Benjamin shares herself.

As for how Benjamin feels about hitting the big leagues and leaving Edmonton behind, she admits to having mixed emotions. Though travelling is a part of the job, she is adamant about still being found visiting friends and family in Edmonton from time to time.

“I love Edmonton . . . Edmonton’s been supporting me from day one and this is where I came from you know?” she offers up sweetly. “This is where I started so I appreciate it so much — minus the weather!” - Danika McDonald


"Q Benjamin - See The Real Me | MTV"

MTV and Clean & Clear are teaming up to celebrate 8 inspiring girls with the courage to tell their stories. Our third feature tells the story of Q-Benjamin as she finds out what it takes to be a female in the music industry. - MTV


Discography

"Use Me" February 21, 2020 [Single]
"But (You Got Something)" 2017 [Axe Deodorant Promo Single

"RED" 2015 EP [5 Songs]

"Got You ft. Nevon"  2014 

"Stars" 2010







Photos

Bio

Q’s major artistic influences include: Michael Jackson, Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey, as well as The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and Jay-Z. Growing up, Q was predominantly influenced by hip-hop; she began imitating raps, as well as singing and dancing along to songs as early as 2 years old. At the tender age of 8, she began writing short stories and poetry, which would later help to develop her songwriting skills. Q’s musical taste has an eclectic range. She grew up listening to many different genres of music from Soul/Funk, Dancehall, Pop to Rap and even some Rock. This appreciation for all types of music resulted in her gaining extensive musical knowledge and a passion to pursue a musical career of her own.

The subject matter in her music is shaped by her life experiences and personal perspective. The element that made her fall in love with Hip-Hop and R&B during the 90’s was that artists told stories, you could picture the words they were painting, they had soul. Q intends to depict messages of independence, self confidence, and empowerment through her music.

“I want to capture moments of real life; from situations to people to feelings. I think that’s seldom seen in music today.”

Q-Benjamin’s past accomplishments include winning a talent competition in her home city of Edmonton and winning a Juno award for best R&B/Soul Recording of the Year (commonly known as the Canadian equivalent to a “Grammy”). Q has a tenacious and incredibly charming personality to match her level of talent and an exceedingly bright future ahead of her. She sets out to inspire, influence and provoke the emotions of listeners through her music. Her overall goal can be summed up in 5 simple words: “I want to be great.”


Band Members