Break out rapper Ben Reilly is here to stay. SAVE!, the 2025 debut album is Reilly’s introduction, so to speak, as an artist. Influenced by his love of superheroes, and his upbringings in Atlanta and Brooklyn, Reilly brought a project unlike any other to the forefront. He sat down with Parlé Mag to share his journey as an artist, and talk about what he hopes this album ultimately brings to the world. Check out our full Ben Reilly interview below:
Parlé Mag: What was the inspiration behind your debut album SAVE!?
Ben Reilly: My debut album is meant to serve as my superhero origin story. It’s an amalgamation of experiences, moments, and memories throughout my life that I wanted to tell in a linear way. I talk about the neighborhood I grew up in, my move to Atlanta, experiences with different family members. I wanted to carve it into a story that feels almost like a hero’s journey. I’m really into comic books, so framing it as a superhero origin story felt natural.
Parlé Mag: That’s incredible. Every superhero has that one moment that changes everything. Is there a specific moment that inspired you to become a musical artist?
Ben Reilly: There have been multiple moments, but the earliest one I remember was when I was young. My mom had a lot of mixtapes and old VHS tapes. I came across a song called “Nightmares” by Dana Dane, and as a kid I thought, “When I grow up, I want to do this.”
As I got older, I started practicing. When my father came back into my life, he introduced me to a studio for the first time. Over time, I developed my skill set and found myself on this journey.
Parlé Mag: Spider-Man is clearly a big influence. Would you say that’s your favorite superhero?
Ben Reilly: Absolutely. Spider-Man is my number one hero. Most of my collectibles are Spider-Man related. I have two Spider-Man tattoos. I love Batman, Invincible, the X-Men, Iron Man, Captain America, but Spider-Man resonates with me the most.
Parlé Mag: What is it about Spider-Man?
Ben Reilly: He feels the most human. In the comics, Peter Parker deals with real-life problems like getting evicted, breakups, everyday struggles. That humanizes him. He lives this fantastical life, but real things still happen to him, and that’s why he connects with me so deeply.
Watch the full Ben Reilly interview below:
Parlé Mag: If this album is your superhero origin story, where does it begin and where do you want it to leave listeners?
Ben Reilly: Musically, I want this project to serve as my foundation going forward. I’ve had projects before, Freelancer, Freelance Charlie, those got me into the game. But this is meant to be essential Ben Reilly listening.
The album starts with a character track called “Hero Man,” which sets the tone. It begins with a traumatic period of my life. I used to get into a lot of fights when I was young. The song “Osborne Park” is about my neighborhood on Osborne Street in Brooklyn, but it also details getting jumped and being in fights.
From there, the story moves through my life in New York and Atlanta, family experiences, and ultimately ends with reflection. Recognizing that everything I went through made me stronger.
Parlé Mag: That resilience really is what superhero stories are about. You’ve had a long career journey, what kept you going during those early years?
Ben Reilly: Honestly? Delusion. I believed so strongly in my destiny that it kept me going. I imagined a certain life for myself so vividly that it felt inevitable. That belief carried me through.
Parlé Mag: Was the alter ego “Hero Man” something you always had, or did it come through the music?
Ben Reilly: With every project, I create an alter ego. For Freelancer and Freelance Charlie, I was Red Bird or Charlie. It helps define eras in my career.
“Hero Man” wasn’t something I was called growing up. My family nickname is actually Goofy.
Parlé Mag: What’s your family nickname?
Ben Reilly: My mom calls me Tunkus.
Parlé Mag: Really? What does that mean?
Ben Reilly: I honestly have no idea. I think she just likes how it sounds.
Parlé Mag: You’re based in Atlanta now, but you’re from Brooklyn, which are two places with huge Hip-Hop histories. How do they influence you?
Ben Reilly: They influence me equally. New York shaped my lyricism and MC mentality. Hip-Hop started there, so that foundation is huge for me.
Atlanta influences my musicality. The melody, the bass, the funk, and Atlanta music has a certain DNA that I love. I try to pull the best from both worlds.
Parlé Mag: What’s your take on the current state of Hip-Hop?
Ben Reilly: I think Hip-Hop is in a reset. The Kendrick and Drake situation made people really engage with lyrics again, dissecting bars and creating theories. That balance between fun and substance is starting to come back, and I think that’s healthy.
Parlé Mag: Have you started thinking about the next project or character?
Ben Reilly: Yeah. This album took years to make, and it’s been finished for a while, so I’ve had time to shift gears. I think I recently landed on an idea for what’s next, and I’m excited to see where it goes.
Parlé Mag: If your music could save one thing, what would it be?
Ben Reilly: The world!
Stay connected with Ben Reilly
savebenreilly.com
