From starting out in the midst of a pandemic to hitting a milestone number of streams, a young rapper from Lancashire shares the story of his music journey so far.
Ben Sharp Knowles, known as BSK, is a 20-year-old rapper from Chorley who has released two albums experimenting with hip-hop, Drum and Bass, and House.
BSK started out as an entrepreneur but when the pandemic paused business, he decided to embrace his love for music and began his career as a rapper.
Speaking on how he made the shift from business to rap, Ben said: “Entering the music industry during the pandemic gave me a lot of time to think and be inspired.
“We all know that this field (music) was one of the industries that got hit the hardest. At first I had doubts to enter, but in the end I looked at the positive side.
“I used my time and effort to write more songs, record them and make music videos which gave me a lot of enjoyment and excitement to share my music.”
This year, the house rapper released his latest single ‘Bad Boy Baby’ which is the lead on his second album titled ‘BSK: British MC’.
While London was the birthplace of the UK rap scene before branching out to Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester, it was actually the Lancashire town that’s been BSK’s biggest inspiration.
The Chorley artist said: “It is in the countryside where I have a lot of time for myself and create music.
“My town gave me more space to breathe in and it make me think clearly the best lyrics of my songs. I also can imagine things unlimitedly.
“I sometimes just walk around town, sit in a bench and feel the fresh air Then words pop up in my mind, I immediately take note and arrange it. That's how some of my music got its inspiration.”
With the support of family and friends, BSK immersed himself in songwriting and production and released his first tracks throughout 2021.
Now, BSK is looking to broaden his versatility with new genres, catchy lyrics and a club-feel to his music.
The music video for ‘Bad Boy Baby’ features BSK in a club setting to match his “joyful and full of high energy” feel.
Ben said: “I was finalising one of the songs of the album and I found the instrumental for ‘Bad Boy Baby’, I sent to one of my friends and started to put lyrics to the song. The rest is history. Get ready to dance.”
Inspired by artists including Eminem, Kendrick Lamar and Run The Jewels, he added: "I am ready to solidify myself as a big name in the UK music scene."
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