Benee announced as Apple Music Up Next artist

15 July 2020 - Press release

 

Apple Music today announced alt-pop singer-songwriter BENEE as the latest addition to its Up Next program, Apple Music's monthly artist initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent.
 
The 20 year-old New Zealand native has quickly become one of the world’s most promising artists with a uniquely youthful pop sound that has reached massive audiences across TikTok and beyond. From early featuring across Apple Music’s alternative and pop spaces with “Tough Guy” in 2017, to Elton John’s recent personal endorsement across Apple Music’s Rocket Hour show this past May and the viral phenomenon behind “Supalonely (feat. Gus Dapperton),” BENEE has quickly become a fan favorite across Apple Music with over 100 million lifetime streams to date.
 
“I’m so honoured to be a part of Apple’s Up Next program! I’ve watched so many of their past artists docos and it’s crazy that now I’m on the same platform,” said BENEE. “It’s also wild that I’ll be the first New Zealand Up Next artist. I feel like there’s so much good music coming out of NZ right now and I’m glad the spotlight is on this part of the world. This support means the world to me and I’m so stoked to be a part of it (:”
 
“BENEE has rapidly established herself as one of the most undeniable new forces in modern pop with a sound and vision that’s 100% her own," said Apple Music Global Creative Director and Host Zane Lowe. “We’re thrilled to welcome her to the Up Next family and can’t wait to watch her reach new heights.”
 
BENEE’s Up Next short shot on iPhone 11 Pro comes to Apple Music exclusively today. In the film, BENEE discusses growing up as a “weird,” music-obsessed, Harry Potter-loving kid, finding early fame through posting covers online, and how music is an emotional outlet that lets her vocalize everything she can’t say with just words. Reflecting on her success, BENEE tells Apple Music: "Feels crazy, like looking back to 2019 when I was making pizzas, but it's wild. Like I would not have ever thought that I would be doing this as a full time job right now. It's like a little bit of a dream, isn't it?"
 
In a FaceTime interview with Apple Music's Lowe, also available today, the Auckland star opens up about mental health in her music and navigating her unconventional rise during COVID-19.
 

 

Watch the Apple Music Up Next short HERE

Check out the Apple Music interview with Zane Lowe HERE 

And catch BENEE’s latest single, "Night Garden (feat. Kenny Beats & Bakar)” along with that of her Up Next peers, available now on the Apple Music Up Next Playlist.