Benji Totten: The Hitmaker Fund
Bio: Benji is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter hailing from Southeast London, with a distinctive musical voice shaped by years of world-class experience. A graduate of the prestigious BRIT School for Performing Arts and Music, Benji has carved a unique path through the UK and global music scenes, blending technical excellence with creative depth.He began his professional journey playing guitar for Jorja Smith in 2016, touring extensively across the world and helping shape the live sound of one of the UK’s most influential new artists. After several years with Jorja, Benji joined Sam Smith’s live band, where he performed on the Gloria World Tour and expanded his musical palette even further. Benji is now working in the studio across a range of genres, creating heartfelt music that not only includes his trademark guitar sound, but also works alongside the character and voice of the artist he is working with. He will be spending some time writing in Korea in 2026, working alongside some of the biggest labels in the country.
Description of funded activity: The hitmaker fund will be used to fund a writing trip to South Korea, to write alongside labels such as SM, HYBE, and many others. Having already completed a short writing trip to Korea in 2025, Benji will be using the fund to allow him to spend around two weeks there, maximizing his potential to network and write alongside some of the country’s most creative and exciting artists and writers.