Ben September describes his music as a space where emotion leads the writing process and where personal experience is shaped into storytelling rather than direct explanation.
Image: Supplied
“Music is where I say the things that I do not always know how to say out loud,” said emerging singer, songwriter and storyteller Ben September.
From the Vaal, he steps into a new phase of his career with the release of his singles “You’re So Spoilt”, featuring MashBeatz and Prince Kaybee, alongside “Samba For Your Life,” ahead of his EP “7 Girls" on May 22.
September is part of a growing wave of South African artists using music to explore modern relationships, emotional vulnerability and identity.
His work reflects how younger audiences experience love, distance, self-expression, and emotional complexity in a fast-changing social environment.
The music is shaped by conversation and observation rather than fixed concepts, which gives it a personal but widely relatable tone.
“‘You’re So Spoilt’ is a song about the emotional push and pull that can exist in a relationship where two people clearly care about each other, but there is also tension and unresolved feelings,” he said.
“It captures that moment where love, frustration and attachment all exist at the same time.”
He added that his writing process usually begins with emotion rather than structure.
“For me, songwriting usually starts with a feeling or a conversation I have had, and then I build around that emotion. With this song, the lyrics came from reflecting on the tension that can exist when someone wants love but is still guarded.”
The track came together through two sessions that shaped its direction. MashBeatz first reached out to September on Instagram, which led to an initial studio session in which they worked on a different idea.
During that session, a beat stood out and shifted the direction of the work.
“I asked if anyone had worked on it yet, and when he said no, I jumped on it,” he explained. “It did not take long to write because the production already had a feeling to it.”
The song was later played for Kaybee after another studio session. He helped refine the production and shape it into its final form.
The result is a track that blends early emotional rawness with more structured production choices, creating a sound that feels both immediate and considered.
Before music, September began as a poet. That foundation still shapes his approach to songwriting.
“Poetry is where everything started for me, so it is still at the core of how I create,” he said. “It has made me more intentional with words and more comfortable with space and silence in music.”
He explained that he does not aim to fill every moment with lyrics. Instead, he focuses on tone, rhythm and emotional weight.
“I am not always trying to say everything directly. Sometimes it is about suggesting a feeling or letting a line sit with you. Even the way I deliver vocals is influenced by poetry. It is less about perfection and more about emotion, tone and honesty.”
“Samba For Your Life” introduces a different sound. It leans more into rhythm and movement while still holding emotional depth.
“It shows a different side of me sonically. It is a bit more energetic and rhythm-driven, but it still carries emotional weight underneath,” he said.
“It sits in that space where things feel alive and moving, but there is still something deeper happening beneath the surface.”
The project continues into his EP “7 Girls”, a title that reflects layered experiences rather than a literal account of relationships.
“‘7 Girls’ is really about perspective and experience. It is not just about seven individuals, but about different encounters, different emotional dynamics and what they reveal about you as a person,” he explained.
He added that while the project draws from real life, it is not a direct retelling.
“A lot of it is drawn from real-life experiences, but it is not purely literal. Some moments are direct, and others are shaped into stories that represent something bigger. It is more about emotional truth than documenting exact events.”
September described his music as confessional but carefully balanced.
“That is something that I am still learning to navigate,” he said.
“I think the key for me is understanding that I can be honest without giving away everything. I focus on sharing what something felt like, rather than every detail of what happened.”
He believes this approach allows listeners to connect while maintaining personal boundaries.
“It stays real and relatable, but I still keep certain parts of my life private. It is about creating a boundary while still being open.”
Looking ahead, he is focused on growth and consistency.
“2026 is really about building on everything that I have started. There is more music coming, more visuals and a deeper rollout of the world that I am creating around the sound,” he said.
“I am focused on consistency and growth, not just releasing songs, but creating moments that people can connect to.”