Baraka Andrew Ongeri (born September 14, 1997), known professionally by the stage name Binki (stylized as binki), is an American singer and songwriter.
binki | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Baraka Andrew Ongeri |
| Born | September 14, 1997 Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Labels | Fader Label |
Early life
editOngeri was born to Kenyan parents.[1] From Pennsylvania, Ongeri grew up in Hershey and North Carolina.[2][3] He studied to be an actor at UNC Greensboro.[4] While in college, he began making music.[2] Always identifying himself as actor, he thought of music as a secondary passion even after first venturing into it.[3]
Career
editAfter college, Ongeri moved to New York City and was based in Brooklyn.[5]
In 2018, Ongeri released his debut single "Marco". A year later, he released "Wiggle". In August 2019, he was featured in Pigeons & Planes as one of their "best new artists" of that month.[3] He then released "Sea Sick" in September.[3] In October, he released "Heybb!" under Fader Label, as well as its accompanying music video.[5][6] The song would later be used in an Apple Inc. advertisement for the iPad Air 4.[7][8] "Heybb!" and "Sea Sick" also achieved virality on TikTok.[9] At the time, Ongeri was still training to be an actor.[9]
In May 2021, he released the single "Clay Pigeon",[10] and in July released "Revolve".[11] The two singles appeared on his debut EP Motor Function, which was released in August.[12][13] The EP received positive reviews from music critics.[9] A third song, "Landline", was featured on the soundtrack of FIFA 22.
Ongeri released "Hotel Window" in March 2023,[13][14] followed by "Rocket Ship" in April,[15] and "Doomsday" in May.[16] All three singles were featured on his second EP Antennae.[17]
Influences
editOngeri has noted Childish Gambino, Tyler, The Creator, Will Smith, and Jamie Foxx as his "idols".[3] A documentary on Jimi Hendrix inspired him to take guitar lessons.[3]
Discography
edit- Motor Function (2021)
- Antennae (2023)
References
edit- ^ Williams, Sophie (July 26, 2021). "Binki: "My goal is always to try and make something that's subversive"". NME. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Anderson, Quillian (February 27, 2023). "Artists binki and Paper Lady 'shout out love' on Valentine's Day". The Huntington News. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Moore, Jacob; Gardner, Alex; Rindner, Grant; Price, Joe (August 26, 2019). "Best New Artists of the Month (August)". Pigeons & Planes. Complex Networks. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Bedrosian, Alyssa (25 April 2018). "Class of 2018: Baraka Ongeri". UNCG News. UNC Greensboro. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
- ^ a b Moore, Jacob (October 17, 2019). "PREMIERE: Watch binki's "Heybb!" Music Video". Pigeons & Planes. Complex Networks. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ "Binki shares a new video for "Heybb!"". The Fader. May 6, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Neely, Amber (8 January 2021). "New iPad Air 4 ad 'Boiiing' lands on YouTube". AppleInsider. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
- ^ Serra, Maria (February 3, 2021). "10 Black artists who deserve more recognition in the alternative genre". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c Williams, Sophie (August 12, 2021). "Binki – 'Motor Function' EP review: a compelling work of hope and fear". NME. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Golsen, Tyler (May 21, 2021). "Binki shares new single 'Clay Pigeon'". Far Out. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Zwerner, Alexander (July 2, 2021). "Binki releases genre-defying single "Revolve"". Earmilk. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Farrell, Margaret (August 16, 2021). "binki Walks Us Through His Energizing EP "Motor Function"". Flood. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Williams, Sophie (March 3, 2023). "Binki shares grungy new single 'Hotel Window', teases more new music". NME. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Forstneger, Steve (March 3, 2023). "binki's mind pounds the glass of his "Hotel Window"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ Taylor, Sam (2023-04-17). "binki has dropped a new single, 'Rocket Ship'". Dork. Retrieved 2023-05-15.
- ^ Doomsday, 2023-05-12, retrieved 2023-05-15
- ^ Antennae, 2023-06-23, retrieved 2023-07-14