If you are one of the many people concerned about the male loneliness epidemic, or have found yourself asking “are dudes ok?” at some point in recent months…
Might I suggest turning a friendsgiving to a Benzgiving?
Don’t know why I stay thinking about this low-stakes, holiday-themed Loso loosie from 2023.
Just kidding!
“Benzgiving” is filmed in / an ode to one fairly chill Bergen County borough located halfway between the Lincoln Tunnel and GWB, home to several rappers (and Geraldo Rivera).
The residential Jersey backdrop is what caught my attention in the first place, but this clip still speaks to me months later.
Why?
A bunch of grown-ass men rolling to a gas station late one November evening to body Cup Noodles and freestyle on prosumer-grade video cameras, all for no real reason other than “it’s fun.”
“Hanging out” is the sixth element of hip-hop, and I love how Fabolous has cultivated a crew of mixtape vets to stare down middle age with.
Free from the pressure of staying in the eye of the cultural hurricane, they can bar out at their leisure, get luxury vehicles detailed together, and remind one another to schedule colon cancer screenings. (I presume! Also: pause.)
Was this destined to be? Did anyone ask for it?
Respectfully, no.
Fab could easily spend the rest of his days doing dad pods and Dubai casinos on cruise control. But the key to any adult friendship is effort, and it’s dope to see these guys put some in.
A homie recently posted “if i owe u a text back, imagine what i owe myself,” which… is real!
I’d like to think I’m pretty good at showing up for the folks I care about, but there are definitely relationships I’ve let fall by the wayside for no reason in particular.
It’s not intentional. Life stays life-ing.
But if Jim Jones can answer the phone, we can too.
Bryan’s Magic Tears, Smoke & Mirrors — if you dig Madchester jams or jangly Britpop of any era, this is a must.
Kenny Mason, “Hoodrat” — I stay confusing Kenny Mason (who I quite enjoy) with Ken Carson (not for me, respect to anyone with a Fortnite champ in their lives asking Santa for Opium Pelle Pelle tho).
Harvey Mandel, Shangrenade — first half of this is full-on Igloo Cooler Groove before morphing into fuzzbox jazz fusion freakouts. Thank you, marijuana.
Benee “Animal” — deeply pleasant alt bop. Loved the last record and her episode of Kenny Beats’ “The Cave” (which was three years ago?!? JFC…)
Pest Control, Year Of The Pest — v fun four-song metalcore EP for all the palm-muting enthusiasts in the chat. Great band name too!