American record producer/DJ/ songwriter, Benny Blanco has revealed the awkward moment he accidentally kissed Beyonce in the presence of Jay-Z from about 10 years ago.
The “Lonely” producer, 33, did an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music on Wednesday Marcg 24, to celebrate the release of his forthcoming album FRIENDS KEEP SECRETS 2, the follow-up to his 2018 album.
During the interview, he shared a story about being a guest at Beyoncé’s house in the Hamptons with other producers for a beat battle and accidentally kissing her.
“Beyonce had a house in the Hamptons, okay? She would invite people up there, and you’d stay there. This was so many albums ago. This is like 2011, maybe 2010. So, you’re sitting there, and it’s Jay-Z and Beyoncé and you’re playing Would You Rather, asking Beyonce if she’d rather have constipation or diarrhea for her life. Or you’re sitting there asking Jay-Z if he likes Girls, like the show Girls. One night we’re chilling… This will probably get ripped down off the internet. I’m probably not supposed to say any of this. Probably going to be like a sniper who’s going to shoot me through this window right now,” he started narrating the story.
“But you’re sitting there, and Beyoncé’s like, “Let’s have a beat battle.” I’m sitting there. It’s like me, Hit-Boy, a few other guys, and we were playing beats back and forth. I’m playing beats, and Jay-Z is there and we’re just drinking, chilling. He comes up to me and he’s freestyling in my ear. And I’m like, Jay-Z is sitting here, getting drunk with me while Beyonce is singing little riffs, and he’s freestyling in my ear. And we’re about to all go in the pool after. It’s these moments, I’m like, “How is this my life?” End of the night, one night. This is the craziest story. We’re sitting there. It’s the end of the night. It’s like the third night I’m there, okay? Everyone’s drunk. We’re having fun. It’s the best time ever,” he continued.
Benny then reveals that he ended up accidentally kissing Queen Bey while saying goodbye.
“We’re saying, “Good night.” And it’s at that point where I’m like… Okay, I haven’t yet. Do I hug Beyoncé? Like, what’s the protocol? What do you do? Are you just like, “Bye.” For the first night or so, it’s like, we’re not close yet. And so I’m like, “Hey, bye” at the end of the night. But it’s like, we’re all getting to know each other, and normally in that time I’d be like, “Ah, great to hang.” So I’m like, do I go in for the hug? And you’re like a little-Dude. Okay. You’re with Jay-Z and Beyoncé. You’re at their house. They’re in shorts and a t-shirt. You’re sitting there. And I remember I go in for the hug, okay? And then, I’m like, oh, I’m going to kiss her on the cheek. That’s what you do. Yeah, you do. Everyone does that. Like, if I see someone… I’m very European. You go- You go in and you do that. This is years ago. I was even more European. So, you go in. And I went to do like, kiss on the cheek, and I guess we just missed a little bit. And just like, I definitely hit the corner of some sort of lip. I’m like, “Oh, my God. This is the worst thing in my life.” And I’m sitting there, and as I’m doing it, out of the corner of my eye, Jay-Z is right there looking at me. And I’m just like, my lip is here. Hers is there, and there’s definitely some corner things are happening.”
“And I look at Jay and I’m like, “Oh, okay. I’m dead. My life is over. It was great. Nice knowing you guys.” And like- This man is going to be in a coffin tomorrow. My life flashed before my eyes. And I’m sitting there, and I look. And then, he’s like, “All right, bro. See you tomorrow.” Like, no one noticed… She didn’t… This is where my neuroses comes in. But the crazy thing is, these things … Look. You go and you look.”
Benny said the music he made with Beyonce never came out but he is thankful for the experience.
“That’s a situation where I never made music with Beyoncé that came out, but that moment in my life, going there, learning from them, I learned so much from her, learned so much from him. Just, that experience is the best to me. It’s not about … To me, it’s about the journey. Again, just about … I don’t give a f-k what happens. I don’t … I just got to have a coolest two months of my life.”
Nigerian emerging artist Druppythekid is set to release his new two-track pack, No Love and LA LA LA (Serenade), on November 13, 2026, delivering a message of ambition, self-belief, and defiance in the face of criticism.
Originally from Kwara State and based in Lagos, Druppythekid developed a love for rap, hip-hop, and pop music as a teenager. Introduced to poetry in high school, he found a natural connection between words and rap, eventually joining a rap group before exploring music production at university. After graduation, he began rapping over his own beats, turning his passion into a growing musical pursuit.
On “No Love,” Druppythekid speaks to the determination required to chase dreams despite doubt and opposition. “LA LA LA (Serenade)” takes a more unapologetic approach, dismissing the opinions of those who never believed in him.
Together, the two records reflect one central message: keep pursuing your vision and never let the opinions of others define your journey.
No Love and LA LA LA (Serenade) arrive on major digital streaming platforms on November 13, 2026.
Chinwe Zoe, a Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, began recording music in December 2025 after years of singing in church and at home. Less than a year later, she has released three singles, including “Chinwendum”, featuring gospel singer Frank Edwards, “Undeniable” and “Jesus Don Win”, her October 2026 release produced by Masterkraft.
For Zoe, the decision to record was connected to a personal experience that changed how she viewed her life and faith. She has described it as a near-death experience that left her with a renewed sense of gratitude. “In that moment, when I thought it was over, God showed me mercy,” she said. “He gave me victory. And that victory was too loud to keep inside.”
Her debut, “Chinwendum”, was released in December 2025 with Frank Edwards featured on the record. She followed it with “Undeniable” on May 7, 2026. The song’s official video has recorded more than 460,000 views on YouTube. In October, she released “Jesus Don Win”, produced by Masterkraft, with a video directed by Avalon Okpe.
Zoe’s approach to songwriting draws on personal experiences and scripture. She has said that she does not begin the process by searching for a melody, but by waiting for a message that she can develop into a song. She describes a process in which an experience or scripture stays with her until it takes musical form. The melody follows, and she hums it before committing anything to writing.
Her guiding principle is that a gospel song should be accessible to listeners while remaining suitable for congregational worship. “It should be simple enough for a child to sing and strong enough for a choir to carry,” she said.
Zoe has identified CeCe Winans, Nathaniel Bassey and Dunsin Oyekan among the musicians whose work has influenced her. She sings in English and Igbo, and occasionally in Pidgin, drawing on the worship tradition in her musical expression.
“Every song I sing comes from a place I have lived,” she said. “My pain taught me how to worship, my joy taught me how to praise.”
Her music has also begun attracting an online audience. Her YouTube channel has recorded more than 627,000 views across nine videos, while her Spotify monthly listeners have been reported at approximately 6,500. Her Audiomack profile is verified. Zoe records under her own imprint, H2 Records, with distribution through ONErpm. She made her first public performance at the 2026 Annual Virtuous Women Network conference in Enugu, where she performed “Undeniable”.
Outside music, she has spoken about her interest in soul winning and described it as connected to her musical work. She has also said that she wants her songs to encourage listeners facing difficult circumstances. “I want my songs to shift mindsets from worry to worship,” she said. “Whenever anxiety comes, whenever life tries to make you feel small, I want you to hear my sound in your spirit and declare victory over your life.”
Nigerian artist N8TAN is set to unveil his highly anticipated ‘UPRISING EP’, a body of work that chronicles his journey from the streets to the heights of his musical ambition.
Built around themes of struggle, resilience, ambition, survival, and triumph, UPRISING captures the realities of an artist determined to turn adversity into momentum. The project reflects N8TAN’s experiences, the challenges that shaped him, and the relentless drive that continues to push him forward.
More than a collection of songs, UPRISING is presented as a story of transformation—from navigating the streets and confronting uncertainty to finding purpose, embracing growth, and rising toward the top.
With its blend of raw storytelling, infectious energy, and personal perspective, the EP offers listeners an intimate look into N8TAN’s world while reinforcing his determination to carve out his own place in the music industry.
‘UPRISING EP’ is a statement of elevation: a reminder that where you start does not have to determine where you finish.
As N8TAN continues to build his musical identity, UPRISING marks another significant chapter in his journey—and an invitation for listeners to rise with him.
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