Dubstep pioneer Benga has spoken out about his battle with mental health, revealing why he stepped away from the spotlight in 2014. The musician, known for his groundbreaking work in the genre, took to Twitter to explain that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia led him to quit music last February.
In a series of tweets, Benga said his bipolar was 'brought on by drugs' and that his schizophrenia was 'the result of excessive touring'. He added: 'I don't want sympathy but [do want] to raise awareness. Because if I had help early the damage could have been controlled!'
The producer described feeling isolated despite his condition being recognised. 'If you know someone that suffers from mental health issues you'll understand how alone you feel until it's recognised. Many people suffer,' he wrote. When asked what made him realise he had a problem, he replied: 'I didn't, I got sectioned and when the drugs hit me I started to think about some of the things I had done.'
Benga thanked his partner for standing by him and apologised to close friends, including Skream and Artwork. 'They must have been so terrified. Not to mention hurt by my behaviour. Love to them,' he tweeted. He also reflected on the stigma around mental health, saying it 'makes you so alone'.
The reaction to his candid revelations has been widely positive, with fans and fellow musicians expressing support. DJ and producer Scuba tweeted: 'Well done and huge respect to @iambenga #MentalHealthMatters'. Benga has been retweeting messages of encouragement. There are also signs he has been making music again, having recently posted a link to a new track.
