THERE ARE FAR TOO MANY TO NAME THEM ALL. HOWEVER, THERE ARE A GREAT NUMBER OF ARTISTS/MUSICIANS WHO HAVE EITHER INSPIRED ME LYRICALLY, VOCALLY, OR IN MY PERFORMANCE-STYLE...
TORI AMOS*
PRINCE*
JANET JACKSON*
RICK JAMES*
JIMMY JAM AND TERRY LEWIS*
BJORK*
ROD STEWART*
CHANTE MOORE*
BILL WITHERS*
SHELIA E.*
DONNIE HATHAWAY*
DIANA ROSS*
STEVIE WONDER*
JERRY BUTLER*
BILLY JOEL*
PORTISHEAD*
ALANIS MORISSETTE*
THE SUPREMES*
LENNY KRAVITZ*
JIMI HENDRIX*
DONNA SUMMER*
ANI DEFRANCO*
MYA*
MICHAEL JACKSON*
TERRENCE TRENT D'ARBY*
MADONNA*
MC LYTE*
SADE*
DEBARGE*
ANITA BAKER*
PAT BENATAR*
MISSY ELLIOT*
SWITCH*
CARLY SIMON*
BABYFACE*
STEVE PERRY*
TRICKY*
CURTIS MAYFIELD*
CAROLE KING*
ASHFORD & SIMPSON*
CHAKA KAHN*
THE POLICE*
ALECIA KEYS*
ENIGMA*
TRACY CHAPMAN*
MARVIN GAYE*
LA REID*
SECOND BAPTIST CHOIR{MOUNT PLEASANT}*
THE TIME*
TIMBALAND*
PEABO BRYSON*
ART OF NOISE*
BEYONCE*
THE BAR-KAYS*
SMOKEY ROBINSON*
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS*
BARRY WHITE*
TRIBE CALLED QUEST*
MICHAEL MCDONALD*
THE NEPTUNES*
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS*
JOHN LEGEND*
FLEETWOOD MAC*
HALL AND OATES*
Q-TIP*
COLDPLAY*
GEORGE CLINTON*
BUSTA RHYMES*
KELIS*
THE BANGLES*
BLONDIE*
THE CURE*
JERMAINE DUPRI*
MASSIVE ATTACK*
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS*
STEVIE NICKS*
ALEXANDER O'NEAL*
EARTH, WIND & FIRE*
THE GAP BAND*
THE COMMODORES*
GEORGE BENSON*
CHRISETTE MICHELE*
BRITNEY SPEARS*
THE TEMPTATIONS*
CELINE DION*
P-SSYCATDOLLS*
DEF LEOPARD*
CIARA*
RACHELLE FERRELL*
TEENA MARIE*
QUEEN LATIFAH*
SARAH MCLACHLAN*
LIMP BIZKIT*
TUPAC*
DURAN DURAN*
NATASHA BEDINGFIELD*
CARON WHEELER*
ABBA*
NIKKA COSTA*
GEORGE MICHAEL*
ANGELA WINBUSH*
PHILIP BAILEY*
THE PRETENDERS*
AMERIE*
LED ZEPPELIN*
LUSCIOUS JACKSON*
IMOGEN HEAP*
L'IL KIM*
RIHANNA*
SHALAMAR*
INDIA ARIE*
NAS*
TLC*
MONICA*
BRANDY*
AMY GRANT{GOSPEL/SECULAR}*
SEAL*
GLADYS KNIGHT*
LAURA BRANIGAN*
WU-TANG CLAN*
JODY WATLEY*
EN VOGUE*
PUBLIC ENEMY*
TONI BRAXTON*
INXS*
J.LO*
BOYZ II MEN*
GWEN STEFANI*
LL COOL J*
NENEH CHERRY*
WHITNEY HOUSTON*
THE EMOTIONS*
ERIC B AND RAKIM*
SPIRIT-FILLED*
NO DOUBT*
DANA FIELDS*
EVE*
JOHN COUGAR MELLENCAMP*
DANIEL BEDINGFIELD*
KRS-1*
JOAN JETT*
COKO*
U-2*
SEAN COMBS*
THE GO-GOs*
THE CRANBERRIES*
MOBB DEEP*
AEROSMITH*
MARIAH CAREY*
TINA TURNER*
PAULA ABDUL*
MARY J. BLIGE*
KAREN CLARK-SHEARD*
DEPECHE MODE*
PATTI SMITH*
THE ROOTS*
RES*
TRAMAINE HAWKINS*
ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO*
NINE INCH NAILS*
POE*
GUNS AND ROSES*
TEARS FOR FEARS*
VICKI WINANS*
EURYTHMICS*
COMMON*
AMY WINEHOUSE*
LAURYN HILL*
ERYKAH BADU*
GARBAGE*
NE-YO*
KITTIE*
JILL SCOTT*
FLYLEAF*
KANYE WEST*
REDMAN*
LISA LISA AND THE CULT JAM*
AL B. SURE*
PEBBLES*
MC HAMMER*
DEBBIE GIBSON*
CHARELLE*
BIG DADDY KANE*
MARTIKA*
OAKTOWN'S 357*
SAMANTHA FOX*
KOOL MOE DEE*
POINTER SISTERS*
SOUL II SOUL*
CLUB NOUVEAU*
NEW EDITION*
LOOSE ENDS*
FIVE STAR*
THE JETS*
EXPOSE*
BANANARAMA*
AND OTHER 80s R&B GROUPS
...
ALL OF THESE ARTISTS INSPIRE ME, IGNITE MY MIND, AND MY VOICE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER; AND SO WHEN I WRITE, SING, PLAY, PERFORM I DO MY BEST TO PAY THEM HOMAGE, WHILE STILL MAINTAINING 'MY OWN' ARTISTIC/CREATIVE INDIVIDUALITY.
I am Blessed! -...to be a Self-Taught Piano/Keyboard Player. I write all of my Song Lyrics and Music. In the studio, I lay Every Music/Vocal Track and do the Drum-Programming.
I create my songs from the Mind, Crotch, and Soul, which can be Intimidating and Controversial for some, but this is the kind of Artist I am. My Music/Lyrics do not Revolve around People-Pleasing, Guilt, Apologizing/Re-Apologizing, Explaining/Re-Explaining. My Art is about Growth and Learning, whether the situation seems Good or Bad at the time. In this way, I appreciate what God allows me to accomplish Personally AND For Others through my art.
Now, when I am not Creating or Perfecting my music, I am Studying and Reading more, so that I may become a more Knowledgeable and Cognizant Actor since I do Extra/Stand-In work for Film/TV. In addition, much of my spare time is taken up with fine-tuning my book projects;I love writing Fiction with Sparks of Life's Reality/Truth. I enjoy covering topics like Sex, Violence, Confusion, Love/Lust, Structured Religion, Remorse, Guilt, and Growth. Although most of my Writing/Performing is my own Psycho-Therapy and Self Medication, I still do my best and PRAY that My Art Inspires others - in whatever way it needs to inspire.
So, PLEASE ENJOY MY MUSIC/MY VIBE;Let it be Food for Growth, Learning, Understanding, and Relating.
-------Benjamin Allen Monroe
Ok, When is your birthday? Today is my mom's birthday, and I remember yours is around the same time. And OF COURSE you are a Scorpio... So HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Was it the 24th? Sorry I only now remembered. Love ya Benj!
Ben, you know I'm getting old as hell. You have to remind me what we broke into Sean's house for? My mind is shot right about now lol. and yes, i'm a 14 yr. old Soror and a 17 yr old Angel
If rap was my girlfriend is my cut!!!! Ben you are extremely talented and gifted. I can't stop smiling. that is one of the most unique touches i have heard in such a long time. keep it comin. blessings, verbs.