This album was recorded while I lived on 39th and Martin Luther King in Oakland, California. I was working as a College Presenter, studying for my M.B.A. and living on one of the roughest streets in Oakland, California. It was funny, because, as I rolled by the boys on the corner who were doing their thing, they thought I was "square". But if they only knew that I had a studio in my crib, they would have tripped, and ultimately wanted to get in with me.

That had been my life story up to this point. But hearing automatic gun fire go off, and knowing that people were dying right outside of my house, made me take extra precautions for my family and my safety. That is why you can hear so much attitude (anger) and hardness in this particular cd, as I had to become a little stonier in my disposition, once I hit the block. Those experiences, inspired me to write Black Man. I was hoping it would become an anthem one day or something.

A majority of the lyrics that I wrote during this period, where written while I was in my graduate classes during the evenings. I was still kinda freestyling my lyrics together, just channeling thoughts and putting them on paper as professors taught. But many of the lyrics on the album, I believe are super clever, giving where I was when I was writing. How many rappers do you know that have a graduate degree?

I had a buddy that I worked with while working as an Academic Counselor Assistant at Oakland HIgh, and I called on him for his help. Luckily he said yes, and was house sitting a mansion in the Oakland, HIlls. There is where we added his guitar, keyboards and flavor to the project. I would take my computer over to him at the crib and we would record the extra touches on the music.

My father actually named the album, High Expectations. I generally ask him his opinion, because my father is creative and has always supported my involvement in hip-hop, and rap. The title says to me, to have High Expectations for myself, my music, and the world. If we don't have high expectations, then anything will do.

The album was produced, mixed, and edited by myself. I also designed the cover artwork. So with my project, you are getting true art from beginning to end from one person. I think that in today's music market that is unique. Usually, you have different people do different things which culminate in a CD project. But I have been blessed to have everything I need and to be able to do it well enough.

My goal, is the listener will here the uniqueness, honesty, creativity and lyrics, and be inspired to reach for High Expectations in their own life.

Not Ur Baby's Daddy is a genuine funny and thoughtful song, featuring Big Ron on Keyboards and vocals. It seems to be the favorite of people, especially my cousin Judy in Virginia!

Feel free to contact me and offer a critique, at beno@eadymusicgroup.com.

I hope you give it a try and tell if a friend if you like it.

One Love,

Beno a.k.a. Beno-other M.B.A.