Local Rapper Gives Back by Coaching Soccer
Benyamiyn “Benny” Adison is a 24-year-old rap artist from Macon and he’s breaking out of the mold of how rappers are traditionally perceived. Between his busy schedule as a father, work, and writing new songs, his new passion is coaching a little league soccer team, Infinity, with Macon Soccer Club.
His love of soccer stems from his experience playing varsity all four years of high school at both Central and Howard, but it was his little brother Ethan’s participation in the league that lead him back.
“Now I’m coaching soccer to the kids in my neighborhood, trying to get them have a good outlook and know it’s not all about basketball or football or baseball,” he said. “You can play every sport and be well-rounded.”
Benny says he tries to check in on the kids whenever he can to make sure they’re doing well in school and staying out of trouble.
“I just want to be behind them 100% because men aren’t always there,” he said.
Being a positive male role model for the kids in his neighborhood is among his top priorities.
While there is some overlap in the qualities of a good rapper and a good coach, Benny tries to keep the two separate while at practice.
“My little brother is my biggest fan so he tells all of his friends that I rap and sometimes I come into practice and they’re all rapping my songs and I have to say, ‘Y’all gotta be quiet, we’ve got practice. This isn’t about rap right now. Y’all can listen to the mixtape when y’all get home,’” he said.
His experience with the team has also lead him to try and make his music more accessible for all audiences.
“I was in one lane trying to cater to one crowd, but now I’m trying to be more well-rounded and make it so the kids can understand that it’s not all about the things that are usually glorified, I’m trying to show them a different route,” he said.
At Benny’s side is his girlfriend and the mother of his child, Tekoysha Howell. She’s been supporting him the longest and she says he’s always had the desire to be a coach.
“Coming from Pleasant Hill, for most boys it was either football or basketball,” she said. “He’s really just trying to encourage the kids to step outside of the box like he did.”
The two met as hosts at Longhorn Steakhouse, connected over Facebook, and have been together ever since. She’s been his biggest fan about as long.
“He’s very passionate about it,” Howard said. “The fact that he’s passionate makes me love it.”
Benny’ team started off the season with a loss but has since bounced back and he also recently dropped a mixtape called Street Sensei under his rap name Trench God Blo. You can find his music on Soundcloud and he’s dropping another project on his birthday May 6 called Surfboards on the Beach that will be available on all streaming platforms.
