Benjamin Elgar knew he wanted to be an artist since he was five years old. While other kids watched cartoons, he was glued to MTV, mesmerized by the costumes, the drama, and the power of building entire worlds through pop. Today, that same kid with a clear vision brings us âHOE,â a fierce, theatrical anthem that doesnât just challenge labels, it turns them into a source of strength.
With a journey marked by reinvention, rejection, and the need to express himself unapologetically, Elgar found his first creative tools through dance, musical theater, and DIY YouTube videos. From Romania to Los Angeles, each stop shaped him, giving him hunger, discipline, and an urgent desire to create what he had never seen growing up. âHOEâ is the loud and glittering result of that path, a celebration of freedom.
In this interview, Benjamin opens up about the inspiration behind the track, his dream collaboration with Bhad Bhabie, and the message he wants queer youth to take from it: you donât need to tone yourself down to be powerful. Be loud. Be too much. Be visible. Someone out there needs it.
Youâve been dreaming of making music since you were five. Whatâs your first memory of knowing you wanted to be an artist?
I remember watching music videos on MTV instead of cartoons. I was obsessed with the charisma, the drama, the costumes, and the performance. It wasnât just the music, it was the world-building. I knew I didnât just want to sing, I wanted to create moments.
From Romania to Los Angeles, with stops in dance, musicals, and YouTube videosâhow did all those experiences shape the artist you are today?
They gave me range. Musicals helped me understand storytelling. Dance gave me freedom and confidence. YouTube taught me how to package a fantasy with zero resources. Growing up in Romania made me crave more. Los Angeles gave me the tools to chase it.
What has been your path to get to where you are now?
A lot of rejection. A lot of reinvention. I didnât come from a place where this kind of dream felt realistic, so I just kept working, learning, and finding people who believed in the vision. Itâs taken a lot of time, patience, and faith.
Letâs go with the obvious. Why âHoeâ? What drew you to that title, and what does it represent?
Itâs reclaiming something people use to shame others. I wanted to take a word thatâs usually used against women and queer people and turn it into an anthem. Itâs satirical, fierce, and empowering, itâs saying, âYou think you know me? Watch this.â
Youâve said this song is a dream collaboration. What was it like working with Bhad Bhabie? How did the collaboration come about?
She killed it. I reached out because I felt like her energy matched the chaos and confidence of the track. She was super down and understood the vision from the start. What really blew me away was seeing her on set. The second the camera turns on, itâs like a switch flips. Thereâs this fire in her thatâs so raw and natural. People donât realize how much talent and intention she has, itâs not an act, itâs in her. Sheâs a real performer, and being around that energy was inspiring.
âHoeâ sounds bold, confident, catchy, theatrical, and unapologetic. Was there a specific moment or feeling that triggered the writing of this track?
Yes, after I got out of a situationship where I was constantly being judged. I was tired of playing nice or quiet. I wanted to laugh, dance, and own the things people tried to use against me.
Letâs talk about power. This track feels like reclaiming agency after being silenced or underestimated. Was that intentional?
Absolutely. âHOEâ is a middle finger with rhinestones on it. Itâs about taking the insults and wearing them like a crown.
Your roots span France, Romania, and now Los Angeles. How do those cultural influences shape your music?
France gave me elegance, Romania gave me hunger, and LA gave me the stage. I pull from all three constantlyâsonically, visually, and emotionally.
Youâve spoken about representation and being the pop star you never saw growing up. What message do you want queer youth to take from this single?
That you donât have to tone yourself down to be powerful. Be loud. Be too much. Be seen. Someone out there needs it.
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