Benga speaks out about his mental health

“This industry is all about perception: a lot of people wouldn’t want anybody to think they’re weak, or that they can’t do what they do, or that they’re not cool.”

Becca Frankland

Date published: 2nd Oct 2015

Image: Benga

Following a series of tweets in which Benga revealed his break from music was down to mental health problems, he has opened up in a new interview with The Guardian in the hopes of raising awareness. 

Benga, whose real name is Adegbenga Adejumo, explained that at his lowest ebb he lost control of his body and started giving away his jewellery to people as they were shopping, including a rose gold Rolex. 

The 28 year old dubstep pioneer, who made up one third of Magnetic Man with Artwork and Skream, also explained that his bipolar was "brought on by drugs".

He said, “I’d been taking them since I was 17 years old, but it really started to affect me when I was about 22, 23. The majority was ecstasy but I also discovered ketamine when I was 25. I started to get anxiety and paranoia, but it’s always been in my nature to carry on and think that everything is going to go away.”

Benga was sectioned following a breakdown he experienced two years ago. He aims to break the stigma around mental health issues by speaking out.  

You can read the full interview on The Guardian

Prosumer also spoke about his mental health problems in an interview with us.