Yogsta’s Early Life and Background

Curly hair, wearing a cap, a thoroughly drawn beard, and swaying, Benny Bellahsen embodies the cool attitude. Although born in Paris, he is a child of the West Indies, deeply connected to the rhythms and culture of Saint-Martin. Known for his easygoing nature, he navigates the island in his pickup truck, handling his responsibilities with a smile. His profession is as unique as his personality; he runs a 3D company (Disinfection, Disinsection, Deratisation), a pragmatic choice in an economy where jobs are often seasonal: “I can practice it all year.”

A Passion for Music from an Early Age

From elementary school, music was an integral part of his life. He and his friends would tap on tables to create makeshift beats, rapping over them with youthful energy. Over time, this playful hobby evolved into a serious passion. Benny, a.k.a. Yogsta, has always considered himself a dancehall singer. His 2016 track Summertime made waves, and he followed it up with Outta Control, a high-energy collaboration with Vacaino that explores the power women have over men. Released on February 14, 2017, the music video, produced by the G-Island team, quickly gained traction, amassing nearly 4,000 views on YouTube within 48 hours.

Yogsta Videography

Dedication and Growth as an Artist

Music became an obsession. “When I got home from school, I would spend the whole afternoon writing songs,” he recalls. Determined to improve, he worked tirelessly to refine his voice, which grew stronger and more mature over time. While he initially saw himself as a solo artist, he participated in several collective projects throughout his school years.

He and his friends first recorded music in the Cul-de-Sac accreditation studios before meeting Loïc, DJ Getop, a trained sound engineer. “It was the first time we had access to a studio of this quality. It made us want to go further,” he remembers. Witnessing his friends perform at the Omnisport Hall was a turning point—seeing them bring their songs to life on stage made him realize the impact music could have. A month later, he made his own stage debut at Accreditation.

The Journey Towards Professionalism

“At that time, I hadn’t planned on making a career out of it; it was just for fun, and I didn’t feel ready yet.” His journey took him to Paris, where he pursued studies in English and communication. During this period, he also recorded underground tracks with the Pierre House label, working alongside Pierre Charville, alias Hypnoz.

Returning to Saint-Martin, he found himself surrounded by familiar faces who had also progressed in their craft. His childhood friends, Eyedol and Speyenol, had become a DJ and sound engineer, respectively. Together, they founded Awesome Sound Records, setting up their own studio where they could freely create and refine their work. “For the past two years, I’ve really started to feel like this is what I’m meant to do,” he admits.

Challenges of Being an Independent Artist

Despite his progress, living off music in Saint-Martin remains a challenge. Every project requires significant self-financing, from purchasing beats to recording, mixing, and shooting videos. “It’s very expensive. Otherwise, we’d be far more productive,” he says. His biggest hope is for local listeners to support homegrown talent. “People need to understand that Saint-Martin has real artists, just like anywhere else. They need to listen, subscribe, and follow us on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and SoundCloud.”

Future Plans and Ambitions

Currently, Yogsta is working on his solo album while also participating in various group projects. With a busy schedule ahead, he encourages his audience to stay tuned: “We have so many projects coming up in 2017. People need to get connected because there’s going to be a lot of new music coming their way!”

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