It is a pleasure to welcome author and musician Ben Barbic to The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast. At 5-years-old, Ben was already recording his voice and never stopped. Music gave him peace, a way out of chaos, and a place to build himself. It became his sanctuary early in life, and it is today. The Reggae and hip-hop artist have released over 100 songs with artists and producers worldwide, building a global catalog over more than a decade. His music is a direct reflection of my inner struggles and the force that drives me forward. It comes from pressure, rebuilding, discipline, and forward motion. This isn’t trend music. It’s life music—music for forward motion and for people refusing to stay down. Ben Barbic’s work has connected him with collaborators across the global reggae, hip-hop, and soul community, including Craigy T (T.O.K.), Dan Konopka (OK Go), Ras Fraser Jr., E.N. Young, and Bobby Hustle, working alongside producers whose credits include artists such as Mariah Carey, Usher, Chris Brown, Vybz Kartel, and Popcaan. He also mixes and masters music from my studio, Where Dreams Sail Studios, in San Jose, California. Recently, Ben released his memoir, Rise & Climb: Finding Purpose Through Pain. From wild childhood rides on dirt bikes to nights in jail and the silent heartbreak of watching everything he loved burn to the ground, Ben Barbic has lived a life shaped by trauma, trial, and tenacity. Rise and Climb is his raw, unfiltered memoir of a boy who lost it all—twice—and found purpose through pain. Growing up in the shadow of California redwoods and inside the roar of a motorcycle shop, Ben’s early life was defined by adventure and grit. But after losing his home to a wildfire, living in a trailer without running water, and battling panic attacks and loss, Ben turned to the only things that gave him power—music, movement, and resilience. Through cassette tapes, weight benches scorched by fire, and the soul of hip-hop and reggae, Ben began to rebuild. He became a nationally performing recording artist, an endurance athlete, and a proud father, husband, and entrepreneur. Unflinchingly honest, heart-wrenchingly personal, and ultimately triumphant, Rise and Climb is a memoir and self-help book for anyone who has ever faced the fire and wondered if they could survive it. Ben Barbic shares his journey, tools, and motivations to show readers that they can, too. On this edition of The Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar Podcast, Ben Barbic spoke about the stories behind his most-streamed songs, such as “Next Level” and “These Dreams.” Ben also chatted about his memoir, Rise & Climb: Finding Purpose Through Pain. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/jake-s-take-with-jacob-elyachar--4112003/support.
