Rising hip-hop artist Ben Bacardi is having a moment. Fresh off his Josie Music Award nomination, Bacardi has officially dropped his debut album, 1986—a raw, fearless statement that cements his place in the new wave of independent rap.
The Josie Awards, held annually at the legendary Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, celebrate the best in independent music across genres. For Bacardi, the nomination is more than recognition—it’s validation of a grind that started from scratch. “1986 is my life on record,” he says. “It’s everything I’ve lived through, the pain, the chaos, and the comeback.”
The album blends vintage hip-hop attitude with sleek modern production, flipping between hard-hitting anthems and introspective storytelling. Tracks like Miami Vice, My Way, and Don’t Stop showcase Bacardi’s gift for balancing street energy with emotional depth.
Produced alongside a tight team of collaborators, 1986 feels like both a debut and a declaration—a reminder that real hip-hop isn’t dead; it’s evolving. Bacardi’s nomination at the Josie Awards only underscores that fact.
With 1986 now streaming worldwide, Ben Bacardi is proving that independent doesn’t mean small—it means unstoppable.
Stream “1986” By Ben Bacardi on Spotify :