The first time the name “JTB x Benji” was announced was at the award ceremony at a hip-hop competition hosted in Oakland in 2019, where artist-producer Benji Mikel and poet JTB first debuted their collaboration. They have since released a string of local West Coast party hits over the last few years, including “ON GO,” “10ToesDown,” and “Solo,” building their audience on SoundCloud and beyond from their hometown of San Ramon, California. After moving to Southern California, they began refining their sound beyond their regional influence, most notably with the release of their latest album, “When it Hurts Too Much to Wait.” The album stands as an ambitious foray into different genres outside of hip-hop characterized by Benji’s captivating production and melodies in contrast with JTB’s sharp delivery and storytelling. Their music has incredible range, inspiring listeners to introspect, to dance, to feel heartbreak - the duo continues to push boundaries with their evolving style, creating timeless music that motivates their artistic peers and supporters to do the same.