STATUS Magazine Cover Story, July 2018.

Imparting the age-old mantra of self-love, TAYLOR BENNETT is spreading the word with a fresh touch on his debut studio album Be Yourself.

Confidence is a mighty hard pill to swallow, but Taylor Bennett is drinking it all in. The 22-year old independent artist is baring all—literally and figuratively—on the cover of Be Yourself. He’s decked out in nothing but a pair of rainbow-splashed underwear, backed by balloons and confetti to signify his unshakeable belief in himself. Coming out as bisexual just before his 21st birthday, the rapper takes pride in his limitless potential and continues to shine under his own light. “I think I knew it was the right time to come out because I felt like it was the right time to come out. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be ready to be the artist I am today, or be as open as I am today,” he says. “I’m so thankful that I did that. I just stepped into the light and lived in my truth. There were no factors to consider but my happiness.”

Although Taylor maintains his encouraging outlook on life, he doesn’t turn a blind eye on the crackdowns plaguing his beloved Windy City. With ecstatic beats laid underneath his impressively smooth flow, the young hip-hop artist uses these real-world observations as ammo to strengthen his positive message. “I think I internalize these elements of my environment as a person first, then I might harvest those feelings that I’ve had time to think about when I play the music,” he explains. “That’s my gift. It pours out into the song. I wish I could explain it, but I can only thank God for it.”

“I’m an outstanding Afro-American bisexual having sh*t,” he proudly dishes on the album’s titular track. This is Taylor Bennett in his rawest form, dressed in Billionaire Boys Club from head to toe, and you can take it or leave it.

You accidentally spilled the title of your upcoming album, Be Yourself, during your recent Highsnobiety interview. Now that the cat’s out of the bag, guide us through your creative process for this record.
Yeah, I spoiled the title a little in that interview. This record was organic, really care-free, and very natural. With a lot of my music, I try to create some kind of marketing plan and promotion for it. But for this project, I feel like the message was so big that we didn’t need to do marketing and promotion. People felt it. It was something that was just real, and it was shocking. It was so much of a surprise. I don’t think you even had to market this project.

You’re on your way to becoming a seasoned studio veteran, but of course the story behind every album differs. What would you say were the challenges you had to overcome this time around?
I would say that the challenge was being more personal—talking about my sexuality, myself, Chicago, friends that have been killed, all types of, you know, those things. And I think that’s what gets harder and harder each time around, and as you get larger, it becomes more of a challenge to speak from the heart.

“A lot of my inspiration came not from just those albums, but also from the younger version of me that wanted to see me be successful and have the ability to speak about things that matter on my platform.”

Apart from your sexuality, where else did you draw inspiration from in regards to the creation of this album?
I drew inspiration from the innermost part of myself. When I was a kid and I used to get upset, I’d go outside and skateboard around for hours and drown everything out. Music was a huge factor during that time. I think some of the artists I was listening to were Lupe Fiasco, Twister—you know, real Chicago sh*t, man. I got a lot of inspiration from those guys and I remember how they impacted me as a kid. They helped me feel better and helped me feel like I can make it through. That’s why I decided to make music; I wanted to give that same feeling. A lot of my inspiration came not from just those albums, but also from the younger version of me that wanted to see me be successful and have the ability to speak about things that matter on my platform.

You’ve always leaned towards writing meaningful lyricism, using your single “Minimum Wage” as an example. Although you’re spitting bars over such a happy-sounding beat, the message of a person being unable to live on minimum wage is present. How do you find the balance in creating songs with powerful agendas that still appeal to the market?
It’s not easy, but I feel like that’s something that I did for the youth. It’s summertime, so many of us are working these super underpaid jobs that the city has to offer us before we go back to college. There are also so many of us that aren’t even working these shitty jobs because it’s easier to sell drugs in our neighborhood or to become a prostitute than it is to find a job. And in some cases, it’s easier to find a gun than it is to find a parking spot. I think there’s no balance, as much as it’s like, “Do you not see a problem there? Shouldn’t someone speak up?”

“My lack of experience moves me to use my platform to act. It may not be your problem, but I believe that as people we should still actively speak up and do something about it.”

Do you have any terrible minimum wage stories of your own?
I’m fortunate that I do not, but I have friends and family that do have them. And I’m speaking to my fans all the time, so I’m always hearing their experiences. My lack of experience moves me to use my platform to act. It may not be your problem, but I believe that as people we should still actively speak up and do something about it.

It’s been a tough year or so for POCs in America, with Trump’s immigration crackdown and these incidents of racism being more rampant as the days pass. How has the POTUS’ fixation on Chicago affected your city?
I think Donald Trump’s very sneaky when it comes to the work that he’s doing in the city. I haven’t seen anything in particular, although I’m sure there’s more stop and frisk all around the city. I’m sure there are more people that have been getting locked up over new legislation, whatever “facts” they put that out there. But my thoughts on Donald Trump—sh*t, not positive.

You’re currently the face of Pharrell and Nigo’s Billionaire Boys Club, a brand that you grew up admiring although couldn’t really afford. How does it feel to finally sport these pieces and appear in their collections?
It’s crazy. You know, when I was a kid, I used to live up the street from this now-closed store called Leaders 1354. They used to sell Billionaires Boys Club stuff and it was the most expensive sh*t you could get in the store. I could never ever afford it. Now, to be older and to be able to, is awesome. I’ve met Pharrell, worked with people like Ross who’s on the team in Europe—they’re great guys. Their brand means well, and they do great things for the community and for artists. Feeling like you’re a part of the BBC family is unbelievable. I think that if I was 13 years old and I told myself this, I’d pee on myself. So yeah, feels great!

“[The music industry] is also made like that by design to target people, like me, who grew up not having a lot of money. I’m glad I understand the business of doing it by myself, and things are working out.”

Going back to your music, your brother Chance the Rapper has always been very firm regarding his decision to remain an independent artist. Would you say you share the same views, or are there particular aspects you feel different about?
Right now, it’s f*ck all the labels. I think the reality of it is that any deal that you sign today is just going to be an advance, which is gonna be a recoupment. Let’s be honest, most artists only release an album every two years, right? Every two years you get an album from a major artist, so if you’re signed for five of those, that means you’re there for 10 years. I’m just thinking if I signed right now, then I wouldn’t be done until I was 32 years old. It’s truly a f*cked up industry. A lot of these guys that are taking these deals don’t understand it. It’s also made like that by design to target people, like me, who grew up not having a lot of money. I’m glad I understand the business of doing it by myself, and things are working out. And you guys are providing a platform for people like me to say this. So thank you guys.

@_TaylorBennett

Written by Sophie Caraan
Photographed by Raen Badua
Styled by Roderick Hawthorne and Nicholas Parrilli
Groomed by Suhailah Wali of SUH Studios