Video: Jarren Benton – “XXL Freshmen 2014: Jarren Benton Freestyle”

Funk Volume Rapper Continues Touring, Set to Perform at XXL Freshmen Showcase in NYC on June 9th

05.27.2014

Critical Praise for Jarren Benton:

“Benton has an extraordinarily nimble flow and sense of rhythm.” – HipHopDX

“…already creating his own lane and plans to turn a lot of heads.” – XXL

“As [My Grandmas Basement] unfolds, one thing becomes clear: [Jarren Benton] can handle himself just fine.” – Creative Loafing, 4/5 review

The Video:

Alas, XXL shares Jarren Benton‘s Freshmen 2014 freestyle. “My brain works like a deranged jerk,” he raps acapella, before threatening “f*ck eggs, I will throw Justin Beiber at your house.” After winning the “People’s Choice” vote, Benton was announced as one of ten rappers to be featured in XXL’s Freshmen Class of 2014. “I owe all that shit to just fans, man,” says Jarren in a recent interview with HipHopDX about the accomplishment, adding “I contribute all that shit to them. That’s the only reason I’m on that bitch is because they go so hard for it.” Following Funk Volume label mates Hopsin (Class of 2012) and Dizzy Wright (Class of 2013), Benton’s win makes the label the first to have had artists included for three consecutive years.

On June 9th, Benton will be performing at the Best Buy Theater in NYC for the XXL Freshmen 2014 showcase, alongside his Class of 2014 peers – Chance The Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, Ty Dolla $ign, Rich Homie Quan, Vic Mensa, August Alsina, Troy Ave, Kevin Gates, Lil Bibby and Jon Connor. Before and after that date, Benton will continue on Tech N9ne‘s 70+ city Independent Grind Tour, which is working its way down the West Coast and into the South.

Watch the XXL Freshmen 2014 Freestyle video: http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2014/05/jarren-benton-xxl-freshmen-2014/

Check out Jarren’s XXL Freshman Profile: http://www.xxlmag.com/xxl-freshmen-2014/2014/05/jarren-benton-2/

Interview with HipHopDX: http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.2405/title.jarren-benton-recalls-winning-over-funk-volume-s-fans-rapping-for-outkast

Interview with HotNewHipHop: http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/shooting-the-shit-with-jarren-benton-news.10661.html

Jarren is currently working on his next project and is on a 70-date tour with Tech N9ne and Freddie Gibbs. Tickets available here: http://myfunkvolume.com/artist/jarren-benton/

2014-05-27 – Midtown Music Hall – Bend, OR
2014-05-28 – The Historic Ashland Armory – Ashland, OR
2014-05-29 – Arcata Community Center – Arcata, CA
2014-05-30 – Knitting Factory Concert House – Reno – Reno, NV
2014-05-31 – Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA
2014-06-01 – The Catalyst – (16+) – Santa Cruz, CA
2014-06-02 – The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
2014-06-03 – Riverside Auditorium & Events Center – (18+) – Riverside, CA
2014-06-04 – House of Blues – Sunset Strip – (18+) – West Hollywood, CA
2014-06-05 – House of Blues – San Diego – San Diego, CA
2014-06-07 – Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
2014-06-08 – The Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ
2014-06-10 – Saltair – Magna, UT
2014-06-11 – Mesa Theater & Club – Grand Junction, CO
2014-06-12 – The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
2014-06-13 – Aggie Theatre – Fort Collins, CO
2014-06-15 – Sunshine Theater – (13+) – Albuquerque, NM
2014-06-16 – Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX
2014-06-17 – Cactus Courtyard – Lubbock, TX
2014-06-18 – Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK
2014-06-19 – Lucky Mule Saloon – (18+) – Abilene, TX
2014-06-20 – Emo’s – Austin, TX
2014-06-21 – House of Blues – Houston – Houston, TX
2014-06-22 – House of Blues – Dallas – Dallas, TX
2014-06-24 – Cains Ballroom – Tulsa, OK
2014-06-25 – Cotillion Ballroom – Wichita, KS
2014-06-26 – R. C. McGraw’s – (16+) – Manhattan, KS
2014-06-27 – The Blue Note – Columbia, MO
2014-06-28 – Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland – Kansas City, MO

Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Jarren Benton.

Jarren Benton Background:

For an artist with serious mainstream aspirations, Decatur, Georgia’s Jarren Benton has spent his career going against the grain. One of Funk Volume’s premiere acts, Jarren admits, “I love the music I do now. I do it in the safe-mode.” That’s rather shocking for an artist whose last album, Freebasing With Kevin Bacon lived up to its name, at least in attitude and style, evident on single “Skitzo.” He continues, “I want to take it a lil’ further. I just haven’t had the balls to go all the way there yet, ‘cause I presently want to keep a foot in the mainstream too.” After two successful digital releases and a video with over one million YouTube plays, Jarren is currently promoting his Funk Volume debut album, My Grandmas Basement, which debuted at #4 on the iTunes Hip Hop Chart. In 2013, Jarren went on the My Grandma’s Basement Tour, his first ever headline U.S. tour and joined Rittz on his The Life And Times Tour. Benton is currently on tour with Tech N9ne on his Independent Grind Tour and was recently named a XXL Magazine Freshmen for 2014.

Funk Volume Background:

Funk Volume is a Los Angeles-based record label, marketing, and production company that been cited as a leader among independent rap labels with nearly 60 million YouTube views, over 400,000 Facebook likes, consistent Top 10 chart placements on Billboard and iTunes and high profile write-ups in media outlets such as Hypebot, Billboard, Huffington Post, SPIN, LA Weekly, and many more. Founded in 2008 by internationally recognized rap artist Hopsin and Stanford MBA grad Damien “Dame” Ritter, the label was created with one thing in mind: protecting the integrity of the artist’s vision. Currently home to rappers Hopsin, SwizZz, Dizzy Wright, and Jarren Benton and more recently, DJ’s and producers Hoppa, Kato, and Rikio, the label has quickly transformed into being a label to watch by fans and industry insiders alike. Funk Volume recently released their first documentary, Independent Living, which captures the artists’ swift rise during their 44-date national tour in 2012. The latest release from the Funk Volume label is marquee artist Hopsin’s Knock Madness. For more info: www.myfunkvolume.com