Karl Benjamin: The British R&B Artist Embracing Imperfection and Finding Power in Honesty
Karl Benjamin Journal
With a distinctive voice and a heartfelt approach to songwriting, Karl Benjamin is reshaping British R&B with vulnerability, humour, and soul.
A Voice That Refused to Imitate
Karl Benjamin realized early on that his voice didn’t sound like anyone else—and that was his superpower.
“I’d try and sing like people I heard on LimeWire or the radio, but I just couldn’t,” he says. “Eventually I stopped trying to mimic them and started leaning into my own tone.”
That discovery marked the beginning of a journey defined by embracing individuality and rejecting the boxes others tried to put him in.
Love, Loss, and Lessons That Shaped the Artist
When asked what love means to him right now, Karl doesn’t hesitate: “Hard work—but the kind that’s rewarding if you put in the effort.”
That same work ethic defines his artistry. But it’s personal tragedy that deeply shaped his perspective. Karl lost his older brother in 2006, and it wasn’t until he reached the age his brother was when he passed that the full weight of that loss hit.
“I didn’t truly understand it when I was younger, but growing older made me realise just how much I lost,” he says. “Even now, I wish I could tell him what’s happening in my life. That grief shaped who I am and how I write.”
From Underestimation to Unshakeable Confidence
Like many artists, Karl once underestimated himself.
“I used to get on stage, perform, and completely shock myself,” he admits. “Now I don’t do that shit anymore. I know who I am.”
That journey to self-belief was hard-won. “I had to unlearn being uncomfortable in my own skin,” he explains. “Now, I know nobody can do me better than me.”
Who Does R&B Better: Men or Women?
“I know this is controversial,” he laughs, “but I think female R&B artists are more fearless with their sound.”
He points to artists like SZA, saying, “Women in R&B are so much more honest in their lyrics. They’ll tell you everything. There’s something really special in that vulnerability.”
What Sets Karl Apart
What does he do better than anyone else?
“I’m the best at being me,” he says. “It’s taken me a long time to reach this point, but now I know exactly who I am—and that’s where my power lies.”
He’s been humbled by other vocalists, and he admires artists like Jack James and Mario, but insists it’s not about competition.
“This industry will try to make you shrink. But when you stop performing for others and start creating for yourself, everything changes.”
A Vision for the Industry
Karl’s dream? More spotlight on independent talent.
“There are incredible artists making music that will change you—but their numbers don’t make sense,” he says. “Labels used to develop artists from the ground up. I want to see that again— real A&R, not just algorithms.”
On Exes, Integrity, and Letting Go
If he had one message for an ex?
“It’s not deep—I don’t think about you anymore. Sorry, but that’s just the truth.”
That clarity sums up his energy: mature, grounded, and done chasing anything that doesn’t serve him.
What’s Next for Karl Benjamin?
He’s currently rolling out a new project, packed with songs that reflect where he is now— evolving, grounded, and creatively on fire.
“I’ve got a lot of music to choose from,” he teases, laughing. “Right now, I just really need to pee —but the music’s coming!”
Why Karl Benjamin Is One to Watch
With his blend of raw honesty, rich vocal textures, and a refusal to conform, Karl Benjamin is not just making R&B—he’s redefining it for a new generation.
Whether it’s grief, love, or identity, his music doesn’t shy away from the complex. And in a world that often prizes polish over truth, Karl’s unfiltered voice is exactly what British R&B needs.