Conversations with Benny Domino

Born Michael Poindexter II in Pittsburgh, PA, Benny became enthralled with the entertainment industry at a very early age. He would memorize Disney and Christmas songs and walk around his house humming and singing to himself. He always imagined he would grow up to become a singer. It wasn’t until middle school that he toyed with the idea of becoming an illustrator. He fell in love with Marvel comics, specifically the Hulk and the X-men. He would draw on the back of his homework and school papers.

By the time he reached high school, Benny had developed an intense passion for hip-hop and had written and recorded two mix-tapes. He also became intrigued with fashion. In his Junior year, an art teacher helped him submit some of his fashion illustrations to a city-wide student-art competition. The prize was a feature show in a local art gallery, of which he happened to win. Benny’s illustrations were hung and featured for a month, meeting his new friend, Paula Weiner. She introduced him to the editor and writer for Pittsburgh’s local fashion magazine, Maniac. After seeing his work, Maniac interviewed Benny, and he was dubbed “Pittsburgh’s Prince of Fashion” alongside illustrations for his then-fledgling label and brand, Savou.

After graduating from Peabody High School in 2005, Benny attended the Illinois Institute of Art for Fashion Design. He would take his classes during the day, come home, and write music at night. He found that he had less and less time to give to music, and he began to lose interest in school. Benny had recorded his third mix-tape while home on a summer break and the allure of developing into a recording artist led him back to Pittsburgh after college to focus on music. He taught himself to record, edit, mix/master, and overlay his audio and visuals. He went on to shoot and direct dozens of videos and songs using ingenious tactics and subpar equipment. Benny’s “one-man band” efforts would eventually lead him to be featured on several online blogs and publications, including being interviewed twice on “Take the Mic” for CreativU on Blog Talk Radio and a spread in the June 2014 issue of Raynbow Affair magazine. Benny also appeared for a Q&A in June 2015 for Whirl Magazine.

Over the years, Benny unintentionally separated his interests from each other. It wasn’t until moving to Arizona that he realized the marriage of music, illustration, and fashion was the key to unlocking his full potential. He’s since cultivated a concept deeply rooted in black hip-hop culture and the arts and circled back to designing full-force. His original brand, Savou, embodies the perfect blend of these elements, and Benny is still the sole designer and conceptualizer. Music is still Benny’s first love; however, on 4/28/22, he released his first true-streaming project, “The Magnificent Mind of Mr. Domino,” now playing on all major platforms.

Benny Domino’s creativity and ingenuity balance art, fashion, and hip-hop culture seemingly without effort. While his once unique black LGBTQ+ perspective has since skyrocketed to global recognition in the likes of artists like ‘Lil Nas X’ and ‘Saucy Santana,’ Benny Domino can rest assured knowing that in his way, he helped to usher in a new wave. Few mainstream or underground artists can claim public success at a time when Benny was the only representation in his hometown. Benny Domino’s latest “1988 Special” collection is now available at bennydomino.com/shop-savou.

“There is no time limit on success.” – Benny Domino.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any of us have a smooth road. I’ve faced particularly rough times, considering rap and hip-hop culture have not always been conducive to inclusivity to marginalized groups outside black hetero men. My superpower has been to be better at the game. I have to be a better rapper, a better designer, more original, and able to come up with creative solutions to exist in this space. If not for rainy days, what is the sun to look forward to? I realize that analogy may not work well now that I live in Phoenix. (laughs)

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a brand owner, CEO, and sole designer for Savou; I have hundreds of designs and concepts under the Savou umbrella and an independent recording artist. I’ve written, recorded & edited dozens of music videos and songs. I’ve developed scripts and directed voice actors for my illustrated web series, “No Cake for Benny” I’m writing & illustrating an original comic series called “Rabbit” in the works as we speak, all while managing a family practice in Glendale. I would say that I specialize in artistic expression, and whatever the outlet happens to be at the time is the conduit; I’m a man of many hats.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about Phoenix is that it is such a transient city. I do meet people from all over. It’s always cool to meet a true born and raised Phoenician, too, because it seems rare. What I like the least about Phoenix is June through October when the sky catches fire. Ha!

Contact Info:

• Website: bennydomino.com/shop-savou
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/biggiebenzo?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BennyDomino
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheBennyDomino
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/bennydomino?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
• Other: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-magnificent-mind-of-mr-domino/1621622813

Image Credits
Benny Domino