Benjamin (singer)
{{Short description|Finnish singer (born 1997)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Benjamin
| image = Benjamin Peltonen, 2020 (cropped).png
| caption = Peltonen in 2020
| birth_name = Niclas Benjamin Peltonen
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1997|04|15}}
| birth_place = Kaarina, Finland
| years_active = 2012–present
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter}}
| instrument = Vocals
| genre = {{hlist|Finnish pop|electropop}}
| label = Warner Music Finland
| website =
}}
Niclas Benjamin Peltonen (born 15 April 1997),{{Cite web | url = https://www.facebook.com/BenjaminMusicOfficial/posts/1065109853504786 | title = Benjamin 15. huhtikuuta 2015 kello 14:48 | author = | work = Benjamin | date = 15 May 2015 | access-date = 24 April 2015 |language=fi}} known mononymously as Benjamin, is a Finnish singer and songwriter. He originally gained recognition through his Instagram profile, created in 2012.{{Cite web | url = http://ylex.yle.fi/uutiset/popuutiset/benjamin-olisi-kiva-jos-tytto-tekisi-aloitteen | title = Benjamin: Olisi kiva, jos tyttö tekisi aloitteen | author = Suomalainen, Ninni | work = YleX | date = 5 September 2014 | access-date = 13 September 2014 |language=fi}}{{Cite web| url = http://nyt.fi/a1305753818336 | title = 16-vuotiaalla suomalaispojalla on yli 80 000 fanityttöä netissä – kui oot nui täydellinen? | author = Heikkilä, Melissa | author2 = Saikkonen, Merituuli | work = Nyt | date = 28 November 2013 | access-date = 8 September 2014 |language=fi}}{{Cite web | url = http://www.warnermusic.fi/uutiset/10060/benjaminin-debyyttisingle-underdogs-julkaistaan-8-syyskuuta | title = Benjaminin debyyttisingle Underdogs julkaistaan 8. syyskuuta | work = Warner Music Finland | date = 1 September 2014 | access-date = 8 September 2014 | language = fi | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140908025823/http://www.warnermusic.fi/uutiset/10060/benjaminin-debyyttisingle-underdogs-julkaistaan-8-syyskuuta | archivedate = 8 September 2014 | df = dmy-all }} In May 2014, Peltonen signed a record deal with Warner Music Finland.{{Cite web | url = http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/art-1288694351831.html | title = Instagram-suosikki Benjamin Peltonen sai levytyssopimuksen | author = | work = Ilta-Sanomat | date = 28 May 2014 | access-date = 8 September 2014 | language = fi | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140907234557/http://www.iltasanomat.fi/viihde/art-1288694351831.html | archive-date = 7 September 2014 | url-status = dead }}
Career
= 2014–2017: ''Square One'' and ''Fingerprints'' =
Peltonen's first single "Underdogs" was released on 8 September 2014. It peaked at number ten on the official singles chart in Finland.{{Cite web | url = http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/virallinen-lista/artistit/benjamin/underdogs | title = Musiikkituottajat – Tilastot – Suomen virallinen lista: Benjamin – Underdogs | author = | work = Musiikkituottajat | date = | access-date = 21 September 2014 |language=fi}} In March 2015 the song was added to the playlist of the Spanish radio channel Los 40 Principales.{{Cite web | url = https://www.iltalehti.fi/popstars/a/2015033119451377 | title = Benjamin valloittaa nyt Espanjaa | author = | work = Iltalehti |url-access=registration| date = 31 March 2015 | access-date = 31 March 2015 |language=fi}} Peltonen released his second single "Unbreakable" on 19 December 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/unbreakable-single/949479110|title=Unbreakable – Single by Benjamin on Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=19 December 2014 |language=en|access-date=7 March 2017}} His first extended play Square One was released in May 2015, including both prior singles and three new songs, including third single "Young and Restless".{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/square-one-ep/995343453|title=Square One – EP by Benjamin on Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=18 May 2015 |language=en|access-date=7 March 2017}}{{Cite web|via=YouTube|title=Benjamin – Young And Restless|date=16 July 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgejtcRYxjs|access-date=7 March 2017}}
A 20-part documentary series about Peltonen entitled Naked Diary: Benjamin Peltonen, was aired on Yle Areena in the spring of 2015.{{Cite web | url = http://yle.fi/ylex/tapahtumat/benjaminpeltonen | title = Alaston päiväkirja: Benjamin Peltonen | author = | work = YleX | date = | access-date = 31 March 2015 |language=fi}} A longer documentary of the same name was aired on Yle TV2 on 3 May 2015.{{Cite web | url = http://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2015/04/09/ylen-viikolta-18-valittua-dokumentti-instagram-sensaatio-benjamin-peltosesta | title = Ylen viikolta 18 valittua: Dokumentti Instagram-sensaatio Benjamin Peltosesta | author = | work = Yle | date = 9 April 2015 | access-date = 3 May 2015 |language=fi}}
File:Benjamin Peltonen - YleXPop 2016 3 (cropped).jpg
Peltonen announced a brand-new single called "Body" for release on 4 March 2016,{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/body-single/1087016722|title=Body – Single by Benjamin on Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=4 March 2016 |language=en|access-date=7 March 2017}} which will precede his debut album. Benjamin's debut album Fingerprints was released in April 2016, including all previous singles, and the entire Square One EP. It debuted on the Finnish album chart at number 17{{Cite web|url=https://www.ifpi.fi/lista/|title=Suomen Virallinen Lista|website=Ifpi.fi|access-date=9 January 2022}} and the Spanish album chart at number 3.{{Cite web |url=http://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/a1461730464037 |title=Instagram-julkkis Benjaminin esikoisalbumi nousi Espanjassa virallisen listan kolmanneksi | Musiikki | HS |access-date=28 May 2016 |archive-date=31 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531223145/http://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/a1461730464037 |url-status=dead }} "Man on the Moon", featuring Spanish girl group Sweet California, was the fifth and final single released from the album on 8 July 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/man-on-the-moon-feat-sweet-california-single/1128413256|title=Man on the Moon (feat. Sweet California) – Single by Benjamin on Apple Music|website=iTunes|date=8 July 2016 |language=en|access-date=7 March 2017}} He released the single "Bad Luck Love" on 8 March 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://los40.com/los40/2017/03/13/musica/1489427657_110176.html|title=Benjamin vuelve con 'Bad Luck Love', un tema que refleja su evolución|work=Los 40|author=Alejandro Gómez Lizarraga|date=13 March 2017|language=es}}
= 2018–present: Transition to music in Finnish and {{Lang|fi|Someveteraani}} =
In 2018, Peltonen started releasing music in Finnish. The first release "{{Lang|fi|Naarmuja|italic=no}}" featuring Finnish rapper IBE was released on 10 August 2018.{{cite web|url=https://news.abounderrattelser.fi/st-karinsuppvuxne-popsangaren-benjamin-peltonen-sjunger-nu-fran-hjartat/|title=S:t Karinsuppvuxne popsångaren Benjamin Peltonen sjunger nu från hjärtat|work=Åbo Underrättelser|author=Annina Suominen|date=22 September 2018|language=fi}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fi/album/naarmuja-feat-ibe-single/1417911772|title=J Naarmuja (feat. IBE) – Single by Benjamin|work=iTunes, Apple Music|date=10 August 2018}} Another single "{{Lang|fi|Juon sut pois|italic=no}}" was unveiled on 16 November 2017. Its official music video, directed by Karim Saheb and shot in Germany, premiered a day later.{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/musiikki/a/4ae79e21-69d4-47d0-8813-6988144318f3|title=Benjamin Peltonen ajoi hiuksensa pois – uusi tyyli ihastuttaa somessa: "Sun pää on kauniin mallinen"|work=Iltalehti|url-access=registration|author=Mari Pudas|date=20 November 2018|language=fi}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn7X64E1l0g|title=Juon sut pois.mp4|work=YouTube|date=17 November 2018|author=BenjaminOfficial}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fi/album/juon-sut-pois-single/1440611745|title=Juon sut pois – Single by Benjamin|work=iTunes, Apple Music|date=16 November 2018}} More singles followed through 2019: "{{Lang|fi|Tanssin yksin|italic=no}}" on 22 February,{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/viihdeuutiset/a/6d3d0e1a-79b8-4dec-85fb-04d1efa09066|title=Laulaja Benjamin Peltonen, 21, ei ole koskaan seurustellut – ihastuu lomillaan ulkomailla: "Sitten sydän särkyy"|work=Iltalehti|url-access=registration|author=Lue Myös|date=22 February 2019|language=fi}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/es/album/tanssin-yksin-single/1451592184|title= Tanssin yksin – Single by Benjamin|work=iTunes, Apple Music|date=22 February 2019}} "{{Lang|fi|Orgasmi|italic=no}}" on 7 June 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.voice.fi/musiikki/a-179636|title=Benjamin Peltosen tulevan biisin rohkea nimi sekoitti fanit – "Aikas rajuu"|work=Voice|author=Iiro Myllymäki|date=6 June 2019|language=fi}} and "{{Lang|fi|Näytä mulle ne|italic=no}}" on 23 August.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fi/album/n%C3%A4yt%C3%A4-mulle-ne-single/1475623433|title=Näytä mulle ne – Single by Benjamin|work=iTunes, Apple Music|date=23 August 2019}}
On 24 January 2020, a song about his parents' divorce "{{Lang|fi|Kaksi kotia|italic=no}}" premiered along a short prologue video and an upcoming album was teased.{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/musiikki/a/0259bc3d-0f59-447f-9d32-67f03918bc78|title=Teininä läpimurtonsa tehnyt Benjamin Peltonen paljastaa uutuuskappaleessaan yksityiskohtia vanhempiensa avioerosta – katso musiikkivideo|work=Iltalehti|url-access=registration|author=Julia Aalto-Setälä|date=24 January 2020|language=fi}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fi/album/kaksi-kotia-single/1484505065|title= Kaksi kotia – Single by Benjamin|work=iTunes, Apple Music|date=24 January 2020}} Preceded by singles "WWW" and "TikTok", Peltonen's first album in Finnish, {{Lang|fi|Someveteraani}}, was released on 25 September 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000006644511.html|title=Bikinimallien välissä poseerannut Benjamin Peltonen on yksi niistä sometähdistä, joista levy-yhtiöt kävivät kisaa muutama vuosi sitten – Näin laulaville tubettajille ja sometähdille on käynyt|work=Helsingin Sanomat|author=Oskari Onninen|date=23 September 2020|language=fi}}{{cite web|url=https://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000006660864.html|title=Benjamin Peltonen oli Suomen ensimmäinen Instagram-tähti, jolle sovellus toi jopa levytyssopimuksen – nyt hän täräyttää suorat sanat "somelaulajan" leimastaan|work=Ilta-Sanomat|author=Iida Lida|date=6 October 2020|language=fi}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/viihdeuutiset/a/b1a10d78-5c3e-46b4-a8c8-65397ffeef16|title=Benjamin Peltonen eli "Justin Bieber -unelmaa" – fanin esittämä kysymys muutti kaiken|work=Iltalehti|url-access=registration|author=Mari Pudas|date=25 September 2020|language=fi}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fi/album/www-single/15280267883|title=WWW – Single by Benjamin|work=iTunes, Apple Music|date=28 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/fi/album/tiktok-single/1528335827|title=TikTok – Single by Benjamin|work=iTunes, Apple Music|date=4 September 2020}}
On 11 January 2023, Peltonen was announced as one of seven participants in {{Lang|fi|Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023}}, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.{{Cite web |title=Vuoden 2023 UMK-artistit ovat nyt selvillä – jokaisella biisillä on oma julkaisupäivänsä |url=https://yle.fi/aihe/a/20-10004045 |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=yle.fi |language=fi}} His entry "{{Lang|fi|Hoida mut|italic=no}}" was co-written with Atso Soivio and Iivari Suosalo, and was released on 13 January 2023. In the final, he finished in seventh place with 66 points (32 points from the televote and 34 points from the juries).{{Cite web|url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/02/25/%f0%9f%87%ab%f0%9f%87%ae-finland-kaarija-to-eurovision-2023/|title=Finland: Käärijä to Eurovision 2023|first=Neil|last=Farren|date=25 February 2023|access-date=26 February 2023|website=Eurovoix|language=en-GB}}
On 11 December 2023, he was revealed as one of the hosts of {{Lang|fi|Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2024}}, alongside {{ill|Pilvi Hämäläinen|fi}} and Viivi Pumpanen.{{cite Instagram|author=Yle|user=uudenmusiikinkilpailu|postid=C0s69KjtxyA|title=TÄSSÄ HE OVAT: UMK:n juontajat kaudelle '24!|trans-title=HERE THEY ARE: UMK's presenters for the '24 season!|language=fi,en|date=2023-12-11|access-date=2023-12-11}}
Personal life
Benjamin came out as gay during a live TV concert at Helsinki Pride in July 2021. He wrote about it on his Instagram afterwards: "It feels so crazy to write this text. To write publicly about something I've been hiding for so long. But now I was ready. I'm gay. It feels "quite" liberating to say it out loud."{{Cite web | url = https://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000008101329.html | title = Benjamin Peltonen paljastaa olevansa homoseksuaali: "Mä tein sen, mitä ajattelin etten ikinä uskaltaisi tehdä" | author = | work = Ilta-Sanomat | date = 3 July 2021 | access-date = 5 July 2021 | language = fi}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;" |Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" |Album details ! scope="col" colspan="2" |Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;" |FIN {{cite web | url=http://ifpi.fi/tilastot/virallinen-lista/artistit/benjamin | title=Benjamin | website=Ifpi.fi | access-date=22 March 2025}} ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;" |SPA |
|---|
| scope="row" |Fingerprints
|
| 17 || 3 |
| scope="row" |{{Lang|fi|Someveteraani}}
|
| 21 || — |
= Extended plays =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:11em;" |Title ! scope="col" style="width:18em;" |EP details |
| scope="row" |Square One
|
|
|---|
= Singles =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:11em;" | Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:85%;"| FIN {{cite web |title=Discography Benjamin [FI] |url=https://finnishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Benjamin+%5BFI%5D |website=finnishcharts.com |access-date=13 January 2023}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Underdogs"
| rowspan="2"| 2014 | 10 | rowspan="6" {{N/A|None}} | rowspan="3" | Square One and |
| scope="row"| "Unbreakable"
|— |
| scope="row"| "Young and Restless"
|2015 |— |
| scope="row"| "Body"
| rowspan="2"| 2016 |— | rowspan="2"| Fingerprints |
| scope="row"| "Man on the Moon" (featuring Sweet California) |— |
| scope="row"| "Bad Luck Love"
| 2017 |— | rowspan="7" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Naarmuja|italic=no}}" (featuring Ibe) | rowspan="2"| 2018 |3 | rowspan="2"| |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Juon sut pois|italic=no}}"
|2 |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Tanssin yksin|italic=no}}"
| rowspan="3"| 2019 | 17 | {{N/A|None}} |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Orgasmi|italic=no}}"
| 20 | |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Näytä mulle ne|italic=no}}"
| 20 | rowspan="10" {{N/A|None}} |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Kaksi kotia|italic=no}}"
| rowspan="3"| 2020 |— |
| scope="row"| "WWW"
| — | rowspan="2"|{{Lang|fi|Someveteraani}} |
| scope="row"| "TikTok"
| — |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Kunnes sammutaan|italic=no}}" (with Vesta) | 2021 | 19 | rowspan="6" {{Non-album singles}} |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|N-Y-T|italic=no}}"
| rowspan="2"| 2022 | — |
| scope="row"| "Gay"
| 10 |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Hoida mut|italic=no}}"
| rowspan="2"| 2023 | 7 |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Minä-Minä-Maa|italic=no}}"
| 30 |
| scope="row"| "{{Lang|fi|Tommi (Seksipommi)|italic=no}}"
| 2025 | 9 |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Benjamin}}
Category:21st-century Finnish male singers
Category:Finnish LGBTQ singers