We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Benz 47. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Benz 47 below.

Benz 47, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

The arts have been a part of my life for my entire life, whether that is music, art, or aesthetics. I have always had a creative mind in general. After I graduated high school, I went through a severe depression. I didn’t understand who I was or what I wanted to be. At that point in my life, I was looking for my calling as I was suicidal and depressed. I was clinging onto anything that kept me going. One day a friend of mine named Ethan (owner of abrasion) was skating and I had an idea to bring my camera and film him. It was that very moment something sparked. Growing up, I created videos where I would edit video game footage, but I never thought I would want to do it as a career. I put together a skate video for Ethan’s brand and he eventually told me he didn’t like what I made. I decided to make my own brand, 47Films, and as it progressed I found myself writing the slogan “The End Is Near” throughout my videos. “The End Is Near” used to have a different meaning to me that one day I would take my own life. As months went on, I got out of the depressive state I was in and I found myself working on my brand and craft 24/7. I wanted to wear the slogan “The End Is Near” on my clothes so I decided to hand paint the slogan onto a pair of my pants. Just like that people all over wanted to buy a pair of the pants I was creating. After selling a few pairs I thought to myself, “The End Is Near” will be my clothing brand. The idea came from such a dark place and making it into a positive was the most important aspect for me. A lot of people think it means the end of the world, but I love to think “The End Is Near” could mean the end of anything good or bad. I want people to come up with their own meaning. The brand itself has its own personal meaning to me. I can take all of my anxieties, paranoia, and thoughts and make it into art. “The End Is Near” has turned into a collective and a vision for many people that have now became a part of my team. We have gained a cult-like following because there is a sentimental value in people being able to personally connect with my art. I am only 23 years old and I know what I have is special. I’m an all around creative in terms of music, design, and visuals. This is my purpose in life.

Benz 47, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Benz 47, I am a 23 year old creative director for 47Films | The End Is Near. I am the director for the film aspect and designs for all the clothes you see from The End Is Near.

I got into the scene by working with every artist I could within my city. I went to every event I could get myself in into. Wherever there was an underground show or any aspect of creativity, I wanted to be in the room.

I believe what sets me apart from others is the way I am able to visualize my projects and see things through. Art is in a constant motion and that’s how I treat it. I have real passion in my work. I am nothing without my craft and my craft is nothing without me. I need this to live. I don’t know what other peoples’ motives are for doing what they do, but this is something that I HAVE to do. Without creating I don’t know what I would do.
I’m a college dropout (never had an interest in a regular job) I always saw myself standing out as a black sheep among many crowds. Where I used to get made fun of, I now get praised, and I think that’s the biggest thing is staying true to yourself.

The biggest thing I’m proud of is seeing how far myself , my work, and my team have came since we started 3 years ago. We have made huge waves in such a vast sea. I take pride in how proud people are to wear my barcode and how people have actually tattooed my artwork on their skin.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Staying true to yourself , and to the people around you. I think a lot of people think they have to create this personality or have to copy the way other people move just so they can be successful. I have always been genuine with myself and my art and I think that’s what draws people to me and my work. The city has mad love for me and I have mad love for them. It’s a mutual agreement so to speak that co exists with one another. Being consistent and innovative is also another big way to build your reputation, you got to keep going even when you feel like its going nowhere cause in reality it is. People are constantly watching how you move and where your work is going. If you stay consistent and outside where other creatives be, you will slowly be recognized for who you are but also your work. People are always watching in real life but also social media, so keep on top and keep moving.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Being a creative Is like being dropped off in a foreign land with no maps , no phone , no knowledge of anything. The constant doubts , anxieties , stress from just trying to turn a vision into a tangible moment is the most stressful. Getting people to believe in you when you are just starting Is the most discouraging but also the most rewarding. In the regular work world there is a guided line , a guide for how to move. Go to school or get a job , get the job and follow the guidelines and rules or get fired. I understand people got to do what they have to do but to act like art or being a creative in general is just a hobby or something for fun is where they are deeply wrong. This is a lot of peoples everything and sadly alot of us ain’t gonna make it. The fact that people like me take a risk , a shot in the dark knowing that there is a huge chance it won’t work out is the biggest thing to me. Anytime you feel down or struggle it reflects in your art … battling a constant battle to feel relevant around other creatives , a constant battle to make it to the top , a constant battle of doubt. But In the end if you stay with it , you will realize how worth the journey is. People don’t understand the amount of time, energy, and emotional aspect of what creatives do. It’s not a straight forward path like people assume. People that don’t understand my work or why I do what I do is the most telling. Being a creative is a risk, you believed in yourself enough to make this your career but people won’t look at it like that til you have numbers behind you and everyone is cheering you on, that’s the beauty of what we do.

Contact Info:

• Website: theendisnear.co
• Instagram: instagram.com/benz__47
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNHBBy1awbn5O7-_i469eqQ

Image Credits
Hunter Ganger / 47Films Behind The Scenes Director