When they hit the clubs, music fans will instantly recognize the hook on Bo Benton's infectiously catchy new song "Bounce" as the melody to a Rod Stewart classic.



This "delicious diva" was raised on the south side of Chicago and now lives in Los Angeles, where she has her own production company, Gold Starr Entertainment, run by her manager Jon Stockton, formerly of Puff@Bad Boy, Sony and Def Jam Records.

Bo has already shot music videos for the first two singles off her new EP, "Queen of the Night". In the first one, she's roller skating around the rings of Saturn in a sexy pair of shorts, showing off her moves in a disco and generally showing off her impossibly long legs.

She talked to Savvy about her new project...

Savvy: We sure dig the look. Tell us about the sound.

Bo: You are definitely going to want to add my new EP, "Queen of the Night", to your iPod because it is fun and catchy. It's something you want to listen to as you're getting ready for your Friday night on the town. Anybody who likes dance music is going to want this EP in his or her library.

Savvy: Have your past recordings been dance music?

Bo: No, I've never done a project that is 100 percent dance, but this one is. There is going to be a massive street campaign going on nationwide in New York, Chicago, Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco for "Queen of the Night".

Savvy: You sound pumped.

Bo: I'm proud of this project. I've been putting a lot of time and work into this EP. I hope to get a great response from the people and the charts. I hope lots of people dig this EP, buy it and tell their friends about it.

Savvy: I guess we'll get to see you perform live, right?

Bo: Yes. I'll have an opening show April 4 in Los Angeles.


Savvy: Who would you compare yourself to?

Bo: I feel like I have a unique sound and do not sound like another artist. That is the way I'd like to keep it.

Savvy: Okay. Well, who did you grow up listening to and who do you listen to today?

Bo: My father was really into rock and R & B. Jimi Hendrix, Sheek, The Temptations and Rick James just to name a few. My mother was on the opposite side, preferring calm soft rock, artists like Carrie Carpenter and Carol King. My parents were on different sides of the spectrum, so I was created in between those worlds. Today, I have about a thousand CDs in my library. Name the artist and I will more than likely have it. I love music, great music. It doesn't matter the genre.

Savvy: So your music owes nothing to an inspiration?

Bo: The hooks from "Bounce" and "Make that Move" were taken from a sample. I prefer original music, but sometimes samples are taken to give a familiar sound. It's hard for new artists to come out with a new sound and have the listener like it right away. That's why having a sample can help the listener become familiar and give your music a chance.

Savvy: Yeah.

Bo: All through my life, I've been very fortunate to have several great people inspire me. Right now, there are many people I find inspiring: my producers, friends and family. You can learn something from every person you come in contact with. It's a blessing to be observant and aware of that. Musically, the melody dictates what I want to sing about. If I want to be up and fun, I'll make it sound exciting. "Bounce" was more of a sexy feel which I wanted to be a little more sensual. Usually songs come from the mood I am in during the moment.

Savvy: Oh, so you write your own material?

Bo: I write the majority of the songs by myself, but I definitely have to thank my producer, Da Rock, Jon Stockton, and my stylist Mayasha Long.

Savvy: How much of your sexy look is you as opposed to Mayasha's creation?

Bo: She comes in and makes sure that my sexy side shines through because I can't say that is me 24/7. I have great style, but it varies. There are lots of different sides to me - a casual side, sporty side, sexy side.

Savvy: How important is having a sexy image these days? You mentioned sampling in music to hook listeners right away. I guess the same thing goes with visual appeal.

Bo: Image is very important because you have to portray a certain look or style on the road, on media appearances, and in music videos. I strive for a perfect blend of style and substance. Style definitely has its place, especially since my album is upbeat fun music to be played in the clubs. People going to clubs are usually stylish and hot-looking.

Savvy: Any interesting stories from the world of show biz?

Bo: I'm learning to roller skate because I was falling on my ass every 5 seconds in my first video. (Laughs) And stalkers are no fun. You have to be very careful to whom you give your phone number because they might just turn up at your door. I had a guy claim that he was a musician, a bass player. At the interview he couldn't play and then would keep calling and leaving mean messages. Subsequently, I had to stop giving people my phone number.

Savvy: That eliminates my next question... (Laughs) Jackass! Ruining it for everybody else.

Bo: The more you are in the industry, the more you learn and grow. My experiences are opening me up to more possibilities by making me more aware. Someone once told me it takes 20 years to create a great artist, so I have many more years to gain that knowledge.

Savvy: What else is there to know about Bo Benton?

Bo: I love to travel. I was in Paris for the Valentino fashion show, which was very exciting. And I like setting my friends up on blind dates together so I can see if my matchmaking skills are on point. If I keep on being successful, maybe one day I'll open up a dating service! (Laughs)

Savvy: Any other goals for the future? Or regrets from the past?

Bo: I don't spend energy on disappointments and regrets. There's nothing to be disappointed about. You have to move forward and if something doesn't go right, you have to remember your goals. Why dwell on the negatives?

Savvy: And your goals?

Bo: I hope that Gold Star Entertainment signs a lot of artists and becomes a great company that caters to the artists' talent. I want it to be about the artists and for them to feel at home.

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On the Web:

http://www.bobenton.net

Credits: Article by Steven Stiefel; photos of Bo Benton submitted by Shandrew Public Relations. 

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Savvy.com will be featuring some of the hottest women in music with our "Delicious Divas" profiles. Is there a performer who you would love to see featured. Let us know! Tell the editor .