Benzino, also known as Raymond Scott or Ray Benzino, is a rapper, record producer, television personality, and urban media proprietor. He first gained recognition as a member of the rap group Almighty RSO in the 1980s and 1990s. Later, he collaborated with Mr. Gzus and Antonio Twice Thou to form the group Made Men. Benzino has cited the film Wild Style as one of his main inspirations for entering the rap genre. As a founding member of both Almighty RSO and Made Men, he played a significant role in shaping early East Coast hip-hop. Since 2012, Benzino has appeared on the reality television show Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta.
Benzino also co-owned The Source magazine with David Mays in the late 1990s. The Source is an American music magazine and website specializing in hip-hop and entertainment. It was founded in August 1988 by Harvard University students David Mays and Jonathan Shecter, initially as a black-and-white, one-page newspaper promoting their college radio show. Within months, it evolved into a professionally designed, full-color magazine. Dubbed “the bible of hip-hop,” The Source primarily focused on hip-hop music and culture, while also covering politics and fashion. Its music reviews were highly influential in the hip-hop community, with the coveted “five mics” rating regarded as a significant achievement. These ratings frequently sparked heated debates among artists and fans alike.