DONNIE BENZ crafts refreshingly creative, thought-provoking, introspective and conceptual music

Donnie Benz, born Donovan Cruickshank, is an artist hailing from Tampa, Florida. In 2005 he relocated there from Brooklyn, New York along with his mother and three sisters to escape the vigorous street life. He gave up his college basketball career in 2011 to commit himself to creating music. “Tampa Bay needed a voice and I decided to step up to the plate.” After only three years he has collaborated with numerous artists, including Locree on songs such as ‘Party Life’ and ‘Speed Boats’. Some of Donnie Benz’s better-known songs include ‘Million Dollars’ and ‘Roll. While on path to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing he has built a growing fan base among college communities in the Southeast area.

First off, Donnie Benz’ music is refreshingly original, creative, thought-provoking, introspective, and conceptual. It’s clear, listening to his tracks that he doesn’t have to deal with the pressures of major label behind-the-scenes people telling him what he had to do. Where most rappers are ready to sell out on their craft, Benz stays true to himself by showing his artistic capabilities throughout his songs.

His music, like on “Family and Money” Ep is very cinematic and has very good story-telling tracks with great beats, sounds and effects that make the songs larger than life and quite movie-ish. An example would be the instant classic track ‘TOP’ that sucks you in and takes you on a ride, through the different perspectives Donnie Benz throws into that track. The retro ‘big-band’ start of “FAM” really sets off the track and when Benz throws in his rugged rap style, it’s almost as if this is being listened to in the future. The Ep closes with the lyrically explicit, Barrio-styled “BOUNCE” –all wrapped-up in Benz’ sexual innuendo and aggressive verbal onslaught.

Through all his tracks, especially on “HOUSE ON ME”, “SELFISH” and “SPEED UP ft. Locree”, Donnie Benz’ manages to bring forth what everyone has probably grown to love about him: his honesty, his passion, his trials and tribulations, his soulfulness, and his ability to connect with the listener, which makes for a very relatable listening experience.

If you have never listened to Donnie Benz, give it a chance, I’m sure it will grab and grow on you. And go pick up his music on iTunes and check out the videos on Youtube too!