Ben Bacardi: Riding the Wave from Awards Buzz to Bold New Music

Queens-born hip hop artist Ben Bacardi is in the middle of a true breakout year. He just scored a Song of the Year – Hip Hop nomination at the 2025 Josie Music Awards for his track “Life Again,” a raw, deeply personal record about renewal and overcoming adversity. The nomination isn’t just about bars and beats—it’s recognition of the resilience that fuels his artistry.

Still, Bacardi isn’t the type to sit back and bask in the spotlight. He’s already moving forward, dropping new music that shows just how many different gears he’s got.

New Single: Take Me Down to the Water

Hot on the heels of the Josie nod, Bacardi released “Take Me Down to the Water.” It’s a mood-driven, cinematic track that blends grit in the verses with a haunting hook built for late-night drives. The record feels like a shift—proof he’s not locked into one style, and that his sound can stretch into new, atmospheric territory.

Watch the official music video here: 

Full Album: 1986 Lands September 23, 2025

The bigger picture is Bacardi’s debut full-length album, 1986, set to drop September 23, 2025. The project bridges the golden-era Queens hip hop that shaped him with the lived reality of his own struggles—mental health battles, hustling as a business owner in New York City, and carving his lane in an oversaturated industry. If the singles so far are any sign, 1986 will balance homage with evolution: grounded in history but reaching toward something entirely his own.

Why It Matters

In a scene where speed often overshadows substance, Bacardi’s playing the long game. His Josie Awards nomination confirms the ground he’s already covered, but “Take Me Down to the Water” and 1986 prove he’s only getting started. This isn’t hype for hype’s sake. It’s the foundation of a career with staying power.