Behani Considers New Dimensions

It mightn’t be formally launched till January, however Behani’s new single, “Actual Man”, a collaboration with US singer-songwriter and producer Ne-Yo, has already hit the quantity two spot on the Australian Shazam charts.

The follow-up to her debut single, “Let Me Know”, additionally went to primary on the Shazam chart in Brisbane and quantity two in Miami, the singer’s US base the place she data at Circle Home Studio with acclaimed producer Scott Storch (The Roots, Dr Dre, Nas). The track has additionally been added to CADA, Nova, Hit and Sizzling Tomato.

The natural momentum that’s constructing for “Actual Man” is yet one more pleasing improvement for the Melbourne born and bred Behani – aka Rebekah Behbahani – who was thrilled to have the chance to file with the revered R&B celebrity. 

“That was a tremendous story,” she recollects. “I used to be working once more with Scott at Circle Home Studios in Miami. Ne-Yo was meant to be a part of the writing camp for this track, he wasn’t meant to be on it. All of us met in Miami and began to create the beat to get to Ne-Yo so he would work on the conceptual facet of the track and begin writing on it. 

“We had the beat which I used to be very excited to launch and after we completed the track Ne-Yo stated to me, ‘what do you assume if I hop on for a verse?’

“That was a very huge second in my profession. Ne-Yo is a completely proficient legend together with his skill to carry out and his writing skills, so for him to return and ask me that query was actually huge second.” 

Behani releases music by way of her impartial label, Stormness Data, named after her two-year-old daughter. Whereas huge issues had as soon as been within the offing for her within the company world, music had at all times been her ardour and he or she determined to dedicate herself to it fully to it.

“I’ve at all times been about music,” Behani says. “I don’t assume it’s one thing that you simply simply activate, I believe it’s part of who you’re. Whether or not you make that right into a occupation is a giant resolution, however music has at all times been part of me. 

“I began from my small house studio at 15 and beloved how it could make me really feel a wide range of issues, particularly being a teen. I believed it was such a good way to channel my feelings and music related me to my emotional facet throughout that point. 

“And at the moment after I completed Yr 12, I began working within the company world, very totally different to what I’m doing at present however mum and pop at all times needed me to take a extra conventional path, as a lawyer or a health care provider, having that Mediterranean background, and I agreed to go down that path. So I labored for some time however then I simply needed to do my music wholeheartedly and professionally. 

“They have been apprehensive that music was additionally a really aggressive world however for me music is rarely a contest. To me it makes you a greater particular person by inspiring you to take a lead. It was a giant resolution for me to bow out of my company world the place I achieved success, however generally dangers open nice doorways in life.”

After sending demos of her songs to Storch, Behani has since labored with French Montana, and DJ Khaled. On high of Actual Man’s official launch subsequent month, she has additionally been working with Afrobeat producers Sarz and Davido, and reggaetón producer Tainy, and plans to launch EPs of these genres within the coming 12 months. 

Clearly Behani – who performs this week on the Flytime Competition in Lagos – plans on having a multifaceted profession.

“Completely,” she affirms. “I don’t assume I’m one-dimensional in character or something in any other case. I’m extraordinarily multi-dimensional in each facet of my life and music actually is my alter ego.”

Behani’s “Real Man” (ft. Ne-Yo) is out now.