Cape Town-based musician Jason Benson joined us on The Morning Cruise this morning for a wide-ranging and relaxed conversation, covering everything from his upbringing in Eerste River to his evolving sound and the meaning behind his new single, RAIN.
At just 26, Jason has already made waves in the local music scene with tracks like Fighting Temptations and Stolen, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. His newest release, RAIN, dropped earlier this year and is now available on all major platforms.
From Eerste River to Everywhere
Jason grew up in Eerste River, a place he describes as both familiar and expansive. “It’s quite big actually,” he said. “Like, it’s bigger than I expect sometimes. I can find myself just driving and I’m like, wow, we’re still in Eerste River.”
Though he’s spent time in Somerset West and studied at the Academy of Sound Engineering, Jason credits his roots and community with shaping the artist - and person - he’s become. “There’s a mix of people... it’s been the same for quite a while, but it’s a nice mix,” he reflected.
A Musical Journey with Many Turns
Jason’s musical background is rich and diverse, beginning early in life. “My mother... she tells me stories of how she put headphones on her womb while she was pregnant,” he said, laughing. He spent his formative years in church, where the vocal standards were high: “They don’t play.”
Over time, his influences expanded to include R&B, soul, jazz, and now, a distinctive pop-rock sound shaped by bands like Imagine Dragons and The Score. Despite the shift in genres, he says one thing remains constant: “I do enjoy making the music sound like something you would see, if that makes sense. So soundtracks for films are my inspiration.”
“RAIN”
Jason’s latest single, RAIN, blends introspective lyrics with soaring pop-rock production. But for him, the song is more than just a catchy track, it’s a personal mantra. “Rain meant two things. It meant fearlessness, number one... but also just faith,” he explained. “The chorus is literally me calling out the rain - like bring it, you know, I’m ready for you.”
He went on to say that music, in general, is his emotional outlet: “I would go insane if I needed to just keep all this emotion and these thoughts in myself. Music is... I haven’t found anything else that makes me feel as together.”
What’s Next?
While RAIN is only just gaining momentum, Jason is already working on new material, including a rap single that reflects yet another musical shift. “It’s a work in progress,” he said of his ever-evolving style. “But that’s the journey, right?”
And as for social media? “I’ve been doing it myself. You can see I’ve been doing it myself, eh?” he joked, noting he’s hoping to build a team down the line. You can find his Instagram @jason_benson_music, and his bio there contains links to his Spotify, Apple Music, and other socials. From all of us here at Bush, we want to wish him luck on his music journey!
Written by Ryan Growney
Morning Cruise Presenters: Mkuseli "Khusi" Veto and Ryan Growney
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