Rising hip-hop artist Ben Bacardi is proving that grit and resilience can fuel both business and art. Born and raised in Fresh Meadows, Queens, Ben balances a fast-growing music career with running a successful home inspection company in New York City. After overcoming battles with depression and anxiety, music became his lifeline—leading to his debut EP Prescription to Rap and more than 100 tracks recorded in a relentless studio sprint.
New Single Out Now: “Take Me Down to the Water”
Ben’s latest release, Take Me Down to the Water, marks a new creative lane—moody, cinematic, and raw. The single combines streetwise storytelling with a hypnotic hook, making it equal parts grit and grace.
Debut Album 1986 Arrives September 23, 2025
On September 23, Ben will release his full-length debut album 1986. The project connects the dots between Queens’ golden-era boom-bap and his own present-day honesty—anchored in authenticity, polished for now, and free of filler.
Josie Music Awards Recognition
Adding momentum to his breakout year, Ben’s single Life Again has been nominated for Song of the Year – Hip Hop at the 2025 Josie Music Awards, set for November 1–2 in Nashville at the Belle Air Mansion and Grand Ole Opry House. The JMAs, founded in 2015, are the largest independent music awards show in the world, celebrating excellence across genres including country, rock, R&B, and hip hop.
“Being nominated for Song of the Year means more than words—it’s proof that the stories I’m telling are connecting,” says Ben. “Queens raised me, and now I get to bring that voice to a bigger stage.”
Spotlight on Life Again
With nostalgic New York textures and modern execution, Life Again has become Ben’s calling card. The single carries a clear message—you can rebuild—and its video continues to gain traction across platforms.
Ben has also collaborated with Queens legends Royal Flush, Pelle, and Boots, further cementing his place in the city’s musical lineage.