When you see the magnificent Lion Babe set fire to the stages she performs on, or the red carpets she slays, it often appears to be a seamless, easy effort.
She’s just that brilliant. Perhaps surprising to some, there is a man behind the scenes that holds that entire ship together. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the incomparable le’Roy Benros. A very successful music industry insider, VP A&R and personal manager, Benros is a mogul with a vision and drive that simply doesn’t quit. In his own words, Benros provides precious insight into the inner-workings of a music industry genius brain.
The Knockturnal: How did you begin your career? How did it all start for you?
le’Roy Benros: Dropped out of college once I fell in love with interning. I interned at Sony Urban and helped with Beyoncé Bday and John Legend Get Lifted albums. Interned at GOOD Music & Hustle mgmt, and TVT Publishing. That led to me getting connected with Charles Hamilton who became my first client. Didn’t realize I was doing manager work until he told me. I was enjoying it. Once I realized that it was an actual job, I did what I needed to do to make it a career. Aligned myself with people smarter than me and soaked in as much as I could while never doubting myself. Planted the right seeds and worked my ass off.
The Knockturnal: What’s it like being a manager for all your acts? What are they like?
le’Roy Benros: Never a dull moment, they’re all very unique and creative with a ton of ideas. It’s my job to help them achieve their vision and goals while guiding them.
The Knockturnal: Tell me about First Access Ent and what your experience there is like?
le’Roy Benros: An Entrepreneur’s haven led by Sarah Stennett. It’s unconventional, which fits my style. Like every opportunity, it’s what you make of it. If you have vision, drive and perseverance you can do amazing things at First Access.
The Knockturnal: What’s your favorite part of your job?
le’Roy Benros: Favorite part is working with music that you enjoy but playing a hand in getting the rest of the world to hear and react to it. The job is never done which is motivating. Being a part of a journey is fulfilling. The most challenging part is learning how to add balance to your life. It’s very easy to get consumed in this line of work. Work hard but don’t neglect the joys of life, friends and family.
The Knockturnal: Has this always been your passion? You seem to do many things well!
le’Roy Benros: Music and business is my passion. Thank you! When I was little, I thought I’d be an archaeologist, marine biologist or psychologist because it looked interesting. In college I had my own radio show and enjoyed being the first to introduce new music and artists. I’m naturally introverted but music is what allowed me to be somewhat social. It became exciting.
The Knockturnal: What’s a day in your life like from start to finish?
le’Roy Benros: I always have a to do list ready from the night before. Spend the first hour or so reading and responding to emails. Make a few calls, head to the office. Spend a few hours thinking and exploring opportunities, following up on past opportunities to see how we can build from that. Read a few interesting articles to make sure I’m up to speed. Making sure to do list is dwindling. Some days are busier than others especially if one of my artists are Performing, traveling, shooting etc.
The Knockturnal: What’s coming up for you personally? And what’s coming up for some of your artists?
le’Roy Benros: I’ve developed a new investment platform for women and people of color that I’m planning to launch early 2020 that I’m very excited about. Can’t wait to talk more about that. For Lion Babe, Kwamie Liv & WildBoy Cooba: More music, more visuals and touring for bigger audiences in territories we haven’t seen yet.
The Knockturnal: What are the things that inspire you?
le’Roy Benros: Freedom, the ability to come up with good ideas (and bad lol) and feeling like there’s no one to stop you from achieving them. Making a positive impact from one of your ideas. People who innovate, inspire me.
The Knockturnal: Are you currently doing exactly what you want to be doing? Is this your dream or is there more to come?
le’Roy Benros: I feel that I’m always doing exactly what I should be doing at that given time until I get an itch to learn and add to what I’m doing. Growing my investment portfolio and learning as much as I can in that space has been my newly added passion. Definitely more to come.
The Knockturnal: Do you live elsewhere besides NY? What do you prefer and why?
le’Roy Benros: Born and raised in NY. Don’t plan on leaving, NY energy drives me. But, if I had to pick a place to move, it would be Lisbon, Portugal. The people there showed me that you can have great quality of life without having to hustle every day. I can see myself selling mangos and food on a beach one day lol.
The Knockturnal: Your work must bring you to so many places and around so many individuals; who are some you’ve met where it was great, and where are your fav locations in the world and why?
le’Roy Benros: One of the best parts of my job is the amount of international traveling you do. Over 20+ countries this decade! As an entrepreneur, I’ve always been interested in doing business internationally. Jessica Cox who’s based in Dubai is doing amazing things with her PR & marketing company Third Cultr. Leslie Dubest who runs an exciting boutique label in France called Un Plan Simple. Jordan Gold who relocated to Japan from NY is always developing exciting ideas. Kristian Nyholm, one of the best managers in the Nordics and co manages Kwamie Liv with me. Too many to name but all amazing folks.
The Knockturnal: Which players in the industry are you hungry to work with?
le’Roy Benros: The first 2 names that pop up are Tiffany Hardin and Karla Ortiz. Brilliant at what they do. Look em up! I try to get as good as I can at developing my ideas & improving my craft before wanting to work with someone. I recognize those players the way an artist realizes which feature to add to a song because it makes the song better.
The Knockturnal: Which performers in the industry inspire you? Who’s on your playlist?
le’Roy Benros: I like seeing artists with strong identities like a Kanye, Frank Ocean, Anderson Paak, tyler the creator, Sza, Childish Gambino, Jay Z. Another artist who doesn’t get mentioned a lot but has blossomed and built his audience to major levels is Russ. New artists like Malik Moses, Bakar, Hope Tala, Choker, Billy Lemos, Pink Sweats, Simen Sez are on my playlist.
The Knockturnal: You have great style! What inspires that and do you recommend certain go-to spots?
le’Roy Benros: Thanks man! First impression and presentation are important, but I also like to be casual and comfortable. Depends on how I’m feeling when I wake up. I like to find cool pieces whenever I travel.
The Knockturnal: If there was one thing you could wish for each of your artists, what would it be?
le’Roy Benros: For them to feel that they’ve accomplished all of their goals.
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