Funk Volume rapper Jarren Benton is known for both eye-catching visuals and lyrical content that run the gamut from comical to shocking, and the new video for “Life In The Jungle,” the latest single off his impressive debut album My Grandmas Basement, continues to prove why he has become one of hip-hop’s hottest rising stars. HotNewHipHop produced and premiered the visual, which was directed by Armen Soudjian, who drew inspiration from a variety of sources, but none more than Jarren himself. “The second I heard the song, it was Jarren’s speed/lyricism along with the beat that made me visualize a dark, yet fun video.” Also referencing the iconic work of Hype Williams on videos such as Busta Rhymes’ “Dangerous,” Soudjian filmed Jarren and his fellow video players acting against a slowed-down track, so that their movements would appear sped up, unnatural and disorienting in the finished cut.

Jarren’s penchant for being able to transition from absurdist comedy to dark and disturbing imagery within a single song is superbly illustrated in the video, where “Chapter One” depicts a cartoonish chase scene with a police officer, and “Chapter Two” drops the viewer into the hellish and depraved world of a crack house where junkies jerk and writhe about like zombies. Despite some of the jarring visuals on display, including the final image of Jarren’s body in casket, anyone familiar with Jarren’s work is aware this is par for the course, and HotNewHipHop founder Saro jumped at the chance to produce the project without hesitation. “I consider Jarren one of the greatest up and coming rappers right now if not the best,” says Saro, “He has tremendous energy and talent. HotNewHipHop has always been about supporting talented rappers, so it’s only natural for us to partner up with Funk Volume and Jarren on this and other projects.”

Jarren Benton is currently in the midst of a 10-city co-headline tour in Australia with label mates Dizzy Wright and DJ Hoppa. He will return to the U.S. to kick off his My Grandma’s Basement Tour, his first ever solo touring venture, on August 1st in Jacksonville, Florida at Roc Bar. The 16-city tour will include stops in Atlanta, Georgia, Brooklyn, New York and more before a final bow on August 19th in Columbus, Ohio.

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