Video: Jarren Benton – “Life In The Jungle”

HotNewHipHop Produces & Premieres Captivating New Visual From Funk Volume Rapper Jarren Benton

07.23.2013

Critical Praise for Jarren Benton:

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

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

The Video:

Funk Volume rapper Jarren Benton is known for both eye-catching visuals and lyrical content that run the gamut from comical to shocking, and the new video for “Life In The Jungle,” the latest single off his impressive debut album My Grandmas Basement, continues to prove why he has become one of hip-hop’s hottest rising stars. HotNewHipHop produced and premiered the visual, which was directed by Armen Soudjian, who drew inspiration from a variety of sources, but none more than Jarren himself. “The second I heard the song, it was Jarren’s speed/lyricism along with the beat that made me visualize a dark, yet fun video.” Also referencing the iconic work of Hype Williams on videos such as Busta Rhymes’ “Dangerous,” Soudjian filmed Jarren and his fellow video players acting against a slowed-down track, so that their movements would appear sped up, unnatural and disorienting in the finished cut.

Jarren’s penchant for being able to transition from absurdist comedy to dark and disturbing imagery within a single song is superbly illustrated in the video, where “Chapter One” depicts a cartoonish chase scene with a police officer, and “Chapter Two” drops the viewer into the hellish and depraved world of a crack house where junkies jerk and writhe about like zombies. Despite some of the jarring visuals on display, including the final image of Jarren’s body in casket, anyone familiar with Jarren’s work is aware this is par for the course, and HotNewHipHop founder Saro jumped at the chance to produce the project without hesitation. “I consider Jarren one of the greatest up and coming rappers right now if not the best,” says Saro, “He has tremendous energy and talent. HotNewHipHop has always been about supporting talented rappers, so it’s only natural for us to partner up with Funk Volume and Jarren on this and other projects.”

Jarren Benton is currently in the midst of a 10-city co-headline tour in Australia with label mates Dizzy Wright and DJ Hoppa. He will return to the U.S. to kick off his My Grandma’s Basement Tour, his first ever solo touring venture, on August 1st in Jacksonville, Florida at Roc Bar. The 16-city tour will include stops in Atlanta, Georgia, Brooklyn, New York and more before a final bow on August 19th in Columbus, Ohio (all tour dates below).

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCChw0rXnmQ

Check out the HotNewHipHop premiere here: http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jarren-benton-life-in-the-jungle-video.15145.html

Purchase My Grandma’s Basement on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-grandmas-basement/id648136880

Purchase My Grandmas Basement on CD: http://myfunkvolume.com/product/jarren-benton-my-grandmas-basement-cd/

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCChw0rXnmQ[/youtube]

Tour Dates:

To Buy Tickets: http://myfunkvolume.com/artist/jarren-benton/

8/1/2013 Jacksonville, FL @ Roc Bar

8/2/2013 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade

8/4/2013 Charlotte, NC @ Treemont Music Hall

8/5/2013 Virginia Beach, VA @ Shakas

8/6/2013 Springfield, VA @ Empire

8/7/2013 Richmond, VA @ Kingdom

8/8/2013 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory

8/9/2013 Providence, RI @ Valley Street

8/10/2013 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East

8/12/2013 Pittsburgh, PA @ Rex Theater

8/13/2013 Indianapolis, IN @ Club Molly

8/14/2013 Toledo, OH @ Frankies

8/15/2013 Cleveland, OH @ Peabodys

8/16/2013 Steger, IL @ Another Hole in the Wall

8/17/2013 Allen Park, MI @ Simon’s After Dark

8/19/2013 Columbus, OH @ Skully’s Music Diner

Please contact Michelle or Dan 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 touring to support his Funk Volume debut album, My Grandmas Basement, which debuted at #4 on the iTunes Hip Hop Chart. He will headline his first ever solo tour, a 16-city run, beginning on August 1st in Jacksonville, Florida at Roc Bar.

Funk Volume Background:

Funk Volume is a record label, marketing and production company founded to give hip hop artists a home to freely express themselves without feeling controlled or pressured by any other outside forces. Currently home to Hopsin, SwizZz, Dizzy Wright, Jarren Benton and DJ Hoppa, Funk Volume’s plan is to represent only the sickest, most talented, and most creative artists that we can find. The label’s objective is to produce music that it feel competes with any other artists or labels in the industry. Funk Volume is not a “movement”, not a “gang”, not a “squad.” Funk Volume is a commitment – to protect the integrity of the music and conduct our business properly. It is a commitment to hip-hop, to its fans, and to each other.