Benjamin Boukris's journey in the music industry is anything but conventional. Shifting from a business consulting career at 26 to becoming a platinum-certified producer working with France's top artists, Boukris exemplifies the power of following one's passion and never giving up on teenage dreams.

Born and raised in Paris, Boukris grew up in a traditional yet culturally diverse environment. His classical piano training began at age 7, where he fell in love with French romantic music (Chopin and Satie) and French film music (Michel Legrand, Francis Lai). However, Boukris's primary musical influences are deeply rooted in the music of African-American soul and R&B legends. He cites Quincy Jones, Barry White, Babyface, Timbaland, the Neptunes, and Scott Storch as major influences that shaped his sound: a blend of groove, lush orchestration, sweet harmonies, and modern sound design.

After high school, Benjamin faced a pivotal choice: pursue his passion for music or play it safe and go to university. He chose the latter and graduated from ESCP Business School, one of France's top three business schools. This education provided him with a strong work ethic and the business skills needed to navigate the music industry. "Sometimes I feel I should have started music earlier when I was younger and lighter. But that’s my journey."

"The music industry is crazy and really opaque. My interest in business led me to dig deeper into understanding publishing and recording contracts, which has proved useful over the years." Boukris also completed an internship at TRACE TV, a major music network, gaining industry insights and building valuable contacts.

In 2018, at 26, after some experience as a business consultant and running a digital agency, Boukris decided life was too short to live with regret. He dedicated himself to music production. "I realized this may be the last time I could really take a shot at music, so I told myself, give it a try and see if you like it enough."

A few months later, he achieved significant success with his work on Lacrim's hit single "Jon Snow." The track topped the French charts, reached #1 on Spotify and Apple Music, and its music video amassed over 20 million views on YouTube, becoming a gold-certified single. "I had some beginner’s luck with this one. Every other placements proved much harder to get!" says Benjamin.

From business school, Boukris developed a deep interest in entrepreneurship, leading him to work with and develop new talent. He began working with R&B artist nassím in 2018, who sold out La Maroquinerie in 2024. "As a music producer, i’ve learned that one should not only chase the biggest artists because they already have their sound. Working with new artists is a way to build a new sound. That requires not only music production skills but also a business vision."

In 2022, a significant milestone in Boukris's career was his selection for the Los Angeles Academy for Artists & Music Production (LAAMP), a program led by Grammy-winning producers Stargate. This experience was eye-opening and led him to take several trips to Los Angeles, where he discovered the hit-making pop scene. "I’ve always loved American music. Going to LAAMP and learning from mentors such as Stargate and Benny Blanco made me realize it’s possible to make it there if I work hard enough!"

Now working between Paris and Los Angeles, Benjamin Boukris continues to create and innovate, excited to see what the next chapter holds.

Discover Benjamin Boukris’s discography through his website and Instagram page.