Swirling with easygoing, intoxicating R&B warmth, “Roses” follows a lover oozing with charisma and effortless charm, wooing the object of his affection with the most romantic gesture in the world. For Benzo Trill, leaving a lush bouquet of roses at her door is the ultimate expression of his devotion, a tangible way to celebrate the passion, desire, and joy she has brought into his life. His melodic soundscape floats like a crisp summer breeze, enveloping listeners in a lazy river of sultry sentiment, buoyed by spacious harmonies and a silky smooth delivery that could only come from someone truly struck by Cupid’s arrow. If he could, he would live in this feeling forever, losing himself to her mind, body, and soul, flaws and all. It may not be perfect, but it’s perfect to him. Each note soothes like a steady reassurance, as if to say: I’m here, I love you, and you’ll never have to worry again.

Rather than diving headfirst into a romantic affair, the “Roses” music video opens by flashing back to Benzo Trill’s military career, juxtaposing the young, untested man who first enlisted and quickly found himself in trouble, with the strong, unflinching man who eventually left that world behind for good. As tears roll down his cheeks, the scene gives way to a luxurious paradise drenched in a fitting red palette, brought to life alongside visionary director Josh Jones. At the center stands Benzo Trill, alluring and poised, dressed in his finest, with his beloved bearded dragon Lizzy by his side and a red leather Bentley convertible blanketed in velvety petals. Coming into his own as a performer and a dancer, he commands the frame effortlessly, drawing viewers into the heat of the moment with every glide, slide, and swoop. As the tension builds and snapshots of their romance unfold as film frames, the chemistry between him and his lover comes to a boil. At last, he makes his move, sweeping her up and carrying her off into the night.

What made now the right time to fully step into music?

I have always been in music since the 5th grade. But music to me is like a relationship, it’s ups and downs. So around 6 months (pre-COVID-2020), I decided to step back from music and just be a father. I developed a 5-year plan to join the army as a 1st Lt., save until my daughter was 4 or 5. Get out of the army if it wasn’t fit for me, take a year off after the military, 6 months to regroup and therapy, and 6 months of commercial Audio / Visual to brush up on my skills. Somewhere during me starting music college and the last day of school, I realized I was called to do music. So now was the perfect time because I tried to do everything to walk away from music, but it’s my calling and now is the time.

You’ve been through a lot early on. How did that shape who you are today?

What I have been through early on in my life is a wonder. Amazing, and a myth even to myself, when I sit back, have those moments to myself, and think about life and how far I have come. But to say the least, it has made me the person in every molecule and molecular structure of me. From the way I think, to the way I talk, the way I am aware of myself, others, and my surroundings. From my fashion being clean and cut to flamboyant, edgy, and street. Being able to read rooms, adjust, and adapt in high-pressure environments or moments, I took it all and made a gumbo of myself lol. Looking back a lot of years were built on struggling, hustling to make, spend and save money, being confused in life, and also the chaos and drama of life. It was all lessons to prepare me for the person and moments of today. Would I go through it again? I don’t know; that’s tough. I kinda wouldn’t trade it. Would I be here if I hadn’t gone through it but learned from it?

What did your time in the Army teach you?

My time in the Army taught me that I already knew who I was and what I could do. I figured that out the first week at every duty station I laid boots on. What I really learned, which was valuable, was going into the Army. I learned to shut up, keep quiet about my dreams, and execute. When Benzo Trill posted the videos and pictures of Benzo Trill graduating from basic training! People thought I was on set for a movie because I had locked in on my goal and didn’t tell anyone; I only showed proof of the accomplishment. Also, when I got out of the military, it showed me no one is to be trusted; my chick turned on me, and every friend I helped in there on Jr. Enlisted stabbed me in the back. I was framed on 5 charges, 2 of the highest charges with jail time, including assault with a firearm on an Army base; that’s a whole thing in itself because you’re not supposed to have a firearm on your person without it being checked into the armorer and vehicular Endangerment /assault. What that showed me was I needed to get back closer and grounded with the higher power before going into the world, so it forced me to be righteous in a sense on one hand, and when I did that, the almighty showed me walking free, telling my story, and being a massive artist, writer, and producer in the industry. Then it showed the discipline, obedience, and the fight I had in me to represent myself in court and beat all charges. It showed me how people will turn on you with accusations and lies, but it also showed me I didn’t need those people around me anymore. It was all yin and yang; more bad things happened in the army I learned from and could apply to life, and def some good situations and people. Unfortunately, the bad outweighs the good on that one. Oh yeah, and of course, combat and how to defend with brute or deadly force, that’s always a must nowadays

What changed for you after moving from Port Arthur to Hollywood?

Moving from Port Arthur, Texas, to Hollywood was, first and foremost, in my calling and what I had to do in the world during my lifespan. Quick story: I was prophesied to by a pastor one day, and in the moment, I was like, why is he drawing all this attention to me, talking loudly, telling my business in front of strangers? Then I thought, how does he know my business? At that moment, I knew he had some truth to himself. It wasn’t him; it was the message!! The moment was recorded, and I still have it. I watched it the other day, just thinking back after settling into my new place, when this pastor told me it was the West Coast and that it was time for my life to bloom. I believed him, but after the moment it took about a year for me to get out of the army and everything transpired, but standing in the Hills of Hollywood today if you told me it would be like this I couldn’t have handled it. But growing up and living in Port Arthur and in the line of work I’m in, it wasn’t a wise decision for me. I had been on TV, from Lucky’s car wash, C&R clothing, The Blackout Parties and Clubs, Music, and plumes, just being me was a lot to deal with and I was still in that city, no matter what I did, it was a limit, a cap. You can only go so far back. Then, social media wasn’t as big; it’s a small town of maybe 50,000 people. I started feeling to big for the city, it couldn’t accommodate me anymore for the music and film culture, and the dreams and goals I aspired. But being in California, I feel like a fresh rose blooming and enjoying and taking in everything, everyone, and every moment that pertains to the cultures and things I enjoy and admire, whether business or recreational.

What does ‘Chosen One’ mean to you?

Chosen One to me means a person that have found THEIR light, not “The” light or “a” light, but “THEIR” light in this dark world. It’s many graveyards that are filled with people who never got to express themselves, some of whose ideas were never expressed, some who expressed themselves had inventions but didn’t know their calling. Some just had a calling. I feel in life being a Chosen One comes with understanding and knowledge of life and all that comes with it, nothing in exceptions. To some it’s a lot to me it’s simple. It’s some things I believe I won’t get too deep into now, but there are people on this earth who are chosen to do a specific task at a specific time and specific place. We will never understand, but it’s real, and we have seen it time and time again, and will continue to because people can see it with me. I’m not saying I’m Superman and The Chosen One to save the world or God’s Gift, no. I’m one of the chosen ones chosen to show people that it’s possible, it can happen, but this is what I did and what you need to do or how to tailor it to their path of life. So Chosen One to me is someone picked, sought, prepared, fit for the occasion, ya know.

What inspired “Roses”?

Roses was first inspired by my marriage before I was divorced. I had dreams of becoming a father and a husband, and it was shattered when we lost a baby. Looking for a house in Atlanta, we flew back to Louisiana, confused and hurt. Then finally bought a house in Atlanta, and my wife was incarcerated for 3 years. During that time, I was on a high from everything and had turned my life around, so it was people who didn’t like that about us; they hated it when we were doing well. Going back to what I said earlier about shutting up, I wish I’d known that then, because I posted that she was gone and the internet was crazy. People were laughing, sharing the articles. Saying that’s good for us; it hurt in that moment, so ” Roses ” was a song about that. It was hard to sing and perform, and even on the original recording I was crying while recording the song; it was really tough. Once I got in the military and out and divorced, I had a situation where I finally met someone after 2 years of just being hurt and to myself. Her hand was given away in marriage by her father; she had no choice. One of the things I would do is put roses at your door to let you know I was thinking about you or I cared, no matter where I was in the world, on a certain day at a certain time every week for months, even years, you get roses at your door if I can’t bring them personally. Like a reminder of phases and love I experienced, and placing roses as a symbol of appreciation and gratitude in all situations.

What does that kind of love in the song mean to you?

That kind of love means a lot to me, and I mean it inspired a song, melody, lyrics, dance, wardrobe, video, promos, etc. That’s energy; that’s love. Ya know, feelings and emotions, the stuff that moves people. It was depression involved, sadness, joy, laughter, sex, pleasure, focus, all of the above, and getting over it to talk about it, let alone sing. So that shows the power of that kind of love; that’s pure, intentional, calm, conversational, and so much more. I cherish people differently now because of that type of love, what I learned, and how I value it. It means a lot to me, and I hold it in high regard in my life.

How important was it to show your military past in the video?

Showing my military past in the video was very important to show people you can go in and make it out, and to help people if they had questions; it’s nothing like hearing it from a person who is real and honest. Most of all, to show the people who doubted me in the army when I told them my plans, or they tried to hold me back, some saw my talent, and it made them hate me more and do even worse things to me. So it was my “I won, I conquered” moment-“Right wins, Love wins” after all. Also, to give respect to soldiers who were like me who were hurt, set up, and kicked out. I was blessed, and I know it. I’m one of maybe 5 people in the world, if that, to beat 5 cases, whether you are innocent, and get an Honorable Discharge and a President’s Coin.  A lot of those people were innocent and weren’t as blessed as me. I look at guys who hold the homeless vet signs differently now, ’cause it could have been me if I didn’t fight for what’s right. But you wonder how he is a vet and homeless. Picture your superior setting you up on a job, getting you kicked out, and no one wants to hire you because of it; oh yeah, and you can’t get any benefits. So that’s why it was important to strike a conversation to express all that happened on both sides in and out. Good quest!!

What’s it been like stepping more into performing and dancing?

Stepping into dancing wasn’t a thing for me; for some people, it was new, since my past content was more sitting and less movement, but I have always tried to incorporate dancing into my music. I feel like they go hand in hand. But dancing is a big part of my entertainment, and that was just a sneak peek of me dancing; I don’t want to come out dancing at full blast. It’s still a longevity game so I want to gradually incorporate new things to keep my fans and viewers engaged and continue to be an engaging artist.

What do you want people to feel when they hear “Roses”?

Honestly, I just want people to hear Roses first, and after I hope and wish that Roses allow them to feel what they need in their life. I want Roses to fulfill a person’s mental needs to be labeled to say, “I got it , that’s it! “ like when you see something or someone doing something, and it sparks you to have an idea about something. I want that feeling, whatever that is, that’s what I want Roses to do. Be whatever a person needs at that time. I’m mostly here to make the music but it has a way of conveying differently to each person. Most of all, they enjoy it and the work we place into music/ visuals and our artistry.

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