Artist: Twisted Minds
Genre: Rock/Rap
Director: Supermen
Label: Twisted Minds Records
Website: TwistedMindsOnline
“Twisted Minds unique blend of gritty Afro Pop, UK grime/house, and Hip-Hop is definitely helping the duo carve a niche for themselves in the ever increasingly crowded Nigerian music scene. Though only formed in 2009, Twisted Minds possess Chemistry indicative of a group that has been together for years.
David Etete (P.R.E) and Benedict Adeniyi Fasina-Thomas (Benny B) met in 2006 shortly after high school, and instantly became best of friends. They were both pursuing solo careers in music at the time.
A confident and outspoken P.R.E, which stands for “Pretty, Rude and entertaining,” lived between the UK and Nigeria, and spent some years cutting his teeth in the UK underground Hip-Hop scene before moving back to Nigeria in 2009. Inspired by artists such as shyne, Jay Z, Notorious B.I.G, KRS 1 and Dead Prez, he developed his flow and a penchant for freestyle battling. The light-skinned, mixed race, charismatic, self-proclaimed swaggaholic rapidly started making a name for himself especially amongst the Nigerian community in London, which led to him opening for Nigerian Hip-Hop sensation, MTV award winner and BET award nominee, M.I, the first time he performed in the U.K. P.R.E or 16 King as he is sometimes known is a versatile lyricist, poet and Hip-Hop aficionado.
Benny B was born in Rome, Italy on the 1st of August 1986, and is a mult-lingual and multi-talented producer, singer/rapper that performs in three languages, Italian, English and Yoruba. A very hyper active performer, he was greatly influenced from a very early age by listening to his Mother sing in the Church Choir. As he grew older his passion for music escalated to new heights as he watched his Uncles become household entertainment personalities in Italy and occasionally accompanied them as they performed and DJ’d in Italy and across Europe and the rest of the World.
He has a wide variety of influences which include, Fela, R.Kelly, Common, J Dilla, Bob Marley, Salif Keita, King Sunny Ade, Coldplay and Lil Wayne. Benny B produced and featured on the track “Jaiye Lo” by Nigerian pop artist, Kiba which made it to number three on the Top 7 Jams at 7 on Rhythm 93.7FM and ranked high on other charts in Nigeria. Despite his European upbringing, Benny really strives to represent his African heritage, especially through his production, lyrical delivery and dress style.
The duality and diversity of the duo, inspired the name Twisted Minds. They have been able to seamlessly twist and blend two very opposing styles of delivery and musical vibes together. They call their style and sound Salelebe, an original term which simply means enjoyment. Around November 2009, they released their first single “Ota,” for which they shot a video which has received rave reviews. The song was produced by rising star producer, Ikon, who also produced tracks for several renowned Nigerian Hip-Hop artists such as Ikechukwu of Mo Hits Records. They also recorded a remix of “Ota” with Nigeria’s rave of the moment Terry G, who produced the record, for which they also shot a music video. They have also collaborated with African Dancehall champion, General Pype and top UK DJ, DJ Sose on the house music infused track “Eyes to the Sky,” as well as with R n’ b songstress Myst on “Superhuman.”
Performing on several high profile concerts certainly has helped boost the profile of the group. They have performed on Sound City’s Celebrity basketball tournament in Abuja, Face Off, alongside the majority of Nigeria’s finest artists as well as the widely televised Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant alongside Jefferey Daniels of the historic 80’s pop group, Shalamar (A night to remember). Other notable performances include the Monster Musik UK invasion event, where they performed on stage with UK hit maker Gracious K (Migraine Skank) and also opening for Africa’s premier pop artist, Tuface at GET arena.”
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