Bio
B Benai was born Brittny Benai Smith in Houston Tx. Her mother, Cheryl was a former jazz singer and Houston symphony member while her grandfather Harold Austin was an orchestra leader, instructor and saxaphonist for Lena Horne. Coming from such musical beginnings, B Benai was destined to catch the music bug! As a child, she practiced singing with her mother and in her church's children's and youth choirs. Her mother soon introduced her to the movie Sparkle, which fast became her favorite. After hearing the character Sista's tearful redention of Donny Hathaway's hit Giving Up in the film, she begged her mother to buy Donny Hathaway's cd for her, which she did. Brittny quickly found herself in love with music and decided that this is what she wanted to do.
At age 14, she along with two other childhood friends formed their first singing group. Though they had local success, the group ended up disbanding after a few years. Heartbroken, Brittny decided to leave Houston to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on a dance scholarship. She loved every minute as a Southern University Dancing Doll, and enhanced her God given dance talent, Upon transferring back home to Houston and to Texas Southern University, music still filled her heart. She was desperate to continue to sing. After being approached by Steve Francis, Brittny joined another local girl group and signed to his Independent label. She began to conduct dance camps for local high schools simultaneously but she couldn't shake the overwhelming urge to make it as an entertainer. After all, this was her passion. Unhappy, inhibited, and unfulfilled, she left the label and began her professional dance career as a Houston Rockets Power Dancer.
This move proved to be life changing, as she joined forces with two other like minded team members and formed the r&b group Lady Lux. As lead singer, Brittny finally felt like she was spreading her wings. Things felt right. She emerged as a force to be reckoned with, penning and vocally producing the majority of the group's material. Lady Lux had rapid success, opening for 112, The Youngbloodz, The Yin Yang twins, the Dream and Solange in their first two years of existance. Signing with Matthew Knowles' label, Musicworld, the ladies released their first self titled mixtape, and also performed at Tom Joyner's annual family reunion weekend, r&b live in New York City, Hilary Clinton's Presidental Rally to name a few, and joined forces with the likes of super producers Bryan Michael Cox, Troy Taylor, Camron Wallace, Big Tank and artists such as Chris Brown and Pleasure P. They released their first single, "This My Song" in 2007.
The ladies left the label in 2008, continued to perform, record and showcase independently, even landing spots in the upcoming 2010 movie Stomp The Yard 2. In 2010, the women of Lady Lux decided to part ways, and thus B Benai, the solo artist was born. After the years of blood, sweat, tears, boot camps, development, exposure, praise and criticism, she is READY!!! B Benai is dedicated to excellence and wants to evoke the same feeling that 90's r&b did. While sprinkling in club friendly, feel good tracks, B Benai has a complete passion for true r&b, incredible harmonies and solid lyrical content. Her power house, raspy voice commands attention as she combines soul, substance and swag into her always harmony filled, lyrically sound songs. Her amazing dance, performance, and songwriting ability complete the package. She is a deep thinker, a humble spirit, and definitely one to keep your eyes and ears on!!!!
website:
http://www.bbenaimusic.comtwitter:
http://www.twitter.com/bbenaireverbnation:
http://reverbnation.com/bbenaiJust to give you a taste of the beautiful B. Benai, listen as she pours her heart out on her single "Counterfeit"
