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It’s hard not to get punched up with joy when a song quickly escalates from a tabla rhythm into a full pop-throttle identity anthem, and wow does "Boyhood" grab your attention. For that reason and our insatiable curiosity, we were very keen to learn more about Binoy, the emerging queer talent who, ahead of their debut album, is creating a world all their own.

Ones To Watch: Who is Binoy?  

Binoy: I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya to Indian and Sri Lankan immigrant parents. Growing up as a closeted queer child, I often turned inward to my own creativity whenever I felt at odds with the world around me. I played piano and saxophone, wrote stories, and crafted entire fictional existences, some of which I still feed to this day! Over time, this creative expression evolved into my self-eponymous artist project, though now instead of escaping my experiences I seek to validate them by authentically representing my life and story. 

What is "Boyhood" all about? 

I think lots of boys are indoctrinated with ideas of what it means to be a man while growing up. The stark gender binary is reinforced alongside moments of violence and suppressed emotion, leading to what I feel is a very distorted understanding of the term masculinity. In my own life, the innate softness of my queer identity was trampled on time and time again by boys at school, family members, and even strangers, all of whom were simply acting on their understanding of how a boy ought to be. 

"Boyhood" is an exploration of this very issue. The song races through a day in my adolescent life, touching on conflicts that hardened me in places I could have stayed soft. It features this crazy, cinematic bridge that is anchored by a Sanskrit chant about harnessing your pain to grow, which I think is so emblematic of the journey that I wanted to write about. In fact, this willingness to lean into Eastern influences is part of the "Boyhood journey itself, as my cultural identity was something I long suppressed after being made fun of as a child. In short then, "Boyhood" is about learning and unlearning. The coldness we find ourselves in, and the warmth we create as a result. 

This is a punchy, clubby song interlaced with a heavy message. How did you settle on the sound? 

I’ve always loved the contrast of dark lyricism with uplifting production, no doubt thanks to some of my idols including Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Robyn. On "Boyhood," we started with the reference of "Str8 Outta Mumbai" by Jai Paul, emulating one of his synths to use as an anchor for our track. A lot of the song’s energy comes from its pulsating bass, which we then use as a rhythmic component in the bridge with the Sanskrit chant to create this beautiful trippy feeling. 

One of the biggest challenges we faced while bringing the song to life was cohesion, namely how to make each new component feel surprising without necessarily being out of place. We crafted the image of a jungle, adding texture including monkeys and birds, as well as sound design that built the foundation of a world for all of our "Boyhood" ideas to live inside. The song feels alive to me, not just in its lyricism and energy, but in all of its glorious detail too. 

Any collaborators? Who produced the track? 

I had the privilege of creating "Boyhood" with one of my best friends, Arthur Besna. He’s an incredible producer and someone I’ve grown to love not just as a collaborator, but also as a friend. I think nurturing that kind of creative relationship is very special, and I’m continually surprised by how we’re able to trust and grow both together and as individuals. There are no restrictions between us when it comes to sharing ideas, no fear of judgment, no limits on what is possible, just as it should be. 

We loved the animated video. How did that come together? 

Thank you! There are actually two fully animated music videos, one for "Boyhood" and one for its preceding single "Digital Dystopia." The larger project that both songs are on dives into the adolescent experience, unpacking themes of otherness and identity through a now grown-up lens. I wanted to parallel that in the visuals, and so bloomed the idea of cartoons that explored the very same issues, this time with younger and older versions of myself at the helm. 

Once I had flushed out the ideas, references, and treatments for each video, I got in touch with Canadian studio Empire Animate to bring everything to life. From there, it was lots of back and forth via email, exchanging everything from sketches to storyboards to animatics. Altogether it took us about seven months to finish both videos, and I absolutely have to give a shoutout to Empire’s Creative Director Kevin Travers for being the sweetest and most patient person to work with. By the end, I think we both felt like we had created two very special videos that reflected the best of our respective abilities.  

Can we expect more from you in the future, potentially on an upcoming album? 

I’m so glad you asked! There is lots and lots more music coming from me soon. I’m currently deep in the process of working on my debut album, which has been an incredible experience so far. I think whenever you finish a project that you’re proud of and feel yielded a lot of growth, as was the case with Boyhood, it can be a little intimidating starting something new. After we were done I took a little time off to recalibrate, fill up the well so to speak, and have since been surprising myself session after session with what we’ve created for the album. It’s been a lesson that creative growth is omnidirectional, and I’m very excited to keep pushing the boundaries of my own comfort zone. 

Besides this excellent single, what else should we be on the lookout for? 

As mentioned, this single is part of an EP coming out in May called Boyhood. The project contains five songs and visuals galore, all of which explore the adolescent experience and its grip on us as adults. I’m also extremely excited to have just launched my first-ever merch collection, designed entirely by myself together with a couple of good friends. Fashion is one of my biggest interests, and I’m very proud of how each and every piece turned out. There will be at least three separate “drops” this year, each with new designs that intertwine with new music and visuals. 

What's inspiring you right now outside of music? 

I’ve found a lot of inspiration from TV shows and books lately. Good writing really sets my brain off, and these days there are so many different ways to encounter it. I think we all dip in and out of our creative flow, but when I’m in it an idea or jolt of inspiration can emerge from just about anywhere. Even a brief scroll through TikTok often gives me something to think about, whether it be mundane and fleeting or unexpectedly thought-provoking. 

Where can we find you most days? 

I’m very much a homebody, so the answer is definitely in my living room. If not there, I’m probably out playing tennis or rock climbing. Lately, I’ve also been embracing the morning walk as a way of making sure I go outside and enjoy the sunshine. 

Who are your Ones To Watch? 

Oliver Malcolm is one of the most talented producers I’ve ever met, and I love the direction he’s gone with his artist project. It’s fun and on the edge, immaculate in its experimentation. My co-producer Arthur works with an artist called Madison Rose who I’m also a big fan of. She makes anthemic queer dance-floor pop and her visuals are always on point. For a dreamy indie-pop vibe, Ghostryder is the new artist project of super-talented songwriter Gabe Reali.