Ben Merlis

Ben Merlis is a native of Los Angeles, where he was raised on oldies, hip-hop and punk, in that order. He has written for HeartattaCk, Destroy All Monthly, Big Wheel, uDiscover Music, Rock The Bells and Please Kill Me, and also works in public relations for Experience Hendrix, ABKCO, ZZ Top among many others. His book Goin’ Off: The Story of the Juice Crew & Cold Chillin’ Records (BMG Books, 2019) chronicles the rise and fall of the pivotal label during hip-hop’s golden era by combining traditional writing with an oral history constructed from unique interviews of MCs, DJs, producers and industry players. Ben can be heard regularly on the hardcore punk rock podcast 185 Miles South.