Bennie Bates, the American hip-hop artist from New York City, has been making waves in the music industry for over a decade. His journey started with the viral sensation dance group TEAMFRANKLIN, amassing millions of YouTube views. In 2012, he ventured into solo rap with "First Impression." In 2013, he received a million-dollar deal offer, moving to Atlanta for his music career. Though the deal didn't work out as planned, Bennie persevered. In 2014, Bennie's path crossed with legendary artist Ma$e, who signed him after a captivating BET Awards pre-show performance. Despite a short-lived partnership, Bennie's buzz grew, and he returned to New Jersey for his independent career. Notably, "Hands Like" in 2015 and "TOPDOG" in 2018 propelled him to local stardom, leading to a Phantom Boyz Music label deal. However, as of 2023, Bennie has taken the independent route, continuing to craft his unique melodic trap sound and build on his growing fan base while remaining dedicated to making a lasting impact in the world of hip-hop.