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Photo courtesy of Benjamin Kath<\/figcaption>
Benjamin Kath<\/strong>, who records under the name Ben Jammin Beats<\/strong>, is a Twin Cities\u2013based producer known for crafting hip-hop instrumentals that balance warmth, grit, and emotion. Drawing inspiration from classic rap, lo-fi textures, and the music he grew up on, his work reflects years of experimentation and a deep love for the craft.<\/p>\n\n\n
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On December 13, 2025<\/strong>, Ben Jammin Beats will perform live at Showtimes Studio and Coffee<\/strong>, a space that has quickly become a hub for creative music in the area. The show offers a chance to hear his beats in a live setting and get a feel for the sound behind his recent projects and collaborations.<\/p>\nWe chat with Benjamin to talk about his journey into music, the artists who shaped his sound, what he\u2019s been working on lately, and what to expect from his upcoming winter performance.<\/p>\n
What inspired you to pursue music?<\/strong><\/p>\nI started making beats on GarageBand during my senior year of high school, which is also when I was introduced to hip hop by my friends. Throughout most of high school, we listened to rock and metal, but once we heard 2001<\/em> by Dr. Dre, we were hooked. As I dove deeper into hip hop\u2014listening to Eminem, Nas, Biggie, and 50 Cent\u2014I knew I wanted to try my hand at rapping.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Before that, I played keys in bands. I didn\u2019t really know what I was doing, but it made the transition into hip hop smoother. After making some goofy raps with a friend, we eventually left for college\u2014he went to Duluth, and I went to St. Cloud. That\u2019s when I fully caught the bug and continued pursuing music. I performed at talent shows, played local gigs at dive bars, and did house parties that my friends and I hosted.<\/p>\n
After graduating and moving to the Twin Cities, I shifted toward instrumental music and haven\u2019t looked back since.<\/p>\n
Who were your musical influences?<\/strong><\/p>\nIn terms of rapping, I mentioned a few earlier, but Atmosphere was also a huge influence. He stood out to me because he wasn\u2019t goofy like a lot of artists in the scene I was around\u2014he rapped about real life and the struggles he went through.<\/p>\n
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For beat-making, I\u2019m heavily influenced by KLIM, Desh, Glimlip, and Korey Wade, all from the lo-fi hip hop space. I\u2019m also inspired by more well-known artists and bands, especially \u201980s music like Journey, Bobby Brown<\/a>, The Go-Go\u2019s, and Michael Jackson<\/a>. I love \u201990s music as well\u2014old-school rap alongside fun, summer pop bands like Sublime and Sugar Ray.<\/p>\nWhat is your favorite musical style?<\/strong><\/p>\nIronically, my favorite style is one I\u2019m not very good at\u2014haha<\/em>. It\u2019s sample-based, soulful hip hop. I\u2019ve been producing hip hop for about 15 years, but most of my work has been built around original content, with samples used more as accents. I love listening to a perfectly chopped soul sample layered over crunchy drums. Nothing inspires me more.<\/p>\nWhat are you looking forward to with your winter show?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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I\u2019m really excited to play on the bigger stage at Showtime this time. The first time I performed there, I was on the coffee shop side. The venue is incredible, and being in the larger room is going to be exciting.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m also looking forward to performing with a new collaborator, Sei, a rapper from Minneapolis. He created a full album using some of my old SoundCloud beats, and it\u2019s set to release sometime in 2026. I love his style, and since I haven\u2019t rapped in years, it\u2019s refreshing to hear someone really go in on my tracks.<\/p>\n
Can you tell us more about your album?<\/strong><\/p>\nSynchronicities<\/em> is inspired by the term coined by Carl Jung, referring to coincidences that feel like more than pure chance. It\u2019s about moments that feel bigger than yourself\u2014times that make you think there\u2019s something more happening beyond people simply living, dying, and trying to make sense of it all.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Many of the songs carry an emotional undertone, especially in the second half of the album. There are tracks with uplifting energy as well as more somber, melancholic vibes. I wanted to convey that life isn\u2019t always perfect, but there will always be moments that remind you that everything will be okay.<\/p>\n
What do you hope listeners take away from your music?<\/strong><\/p>\nI hope listeners feel a sense of release\u2014not just an escape from what they\u2019re going through for a few minutes, but also inspiration to face their situation head-on and not back down. It\u2019s really easy to get consumed by problems in today\u2019s world, and I want my music to help break through that.<\/p>\n
What are your favorite local spots?<\/strong><\/p>\nShowtime Venue and Coffee is one of my newer favorite spots\u2014not just because of the quality of the venue, but because of the owners. Matthew and Megan are two of the most genuine people I\u2019ve met in the local music community. They do an incredible job running the coffee shop and leading the charge in music education, teaching on the side and bringing real passion to what they do.<\/p>\n
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A few other spots I love are Centro \/ Vivir\u2014an amazing Mexican restaurant\u2014and Dogwood Coffee.<\/p>\n
Thanks Ben Jammin Beats for your time!<\/p>\n
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For more information, please click the ticket link button below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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