Draft:Tjuan Benafactor
Musician & American Businessman
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Antjuan Washington (born 1981), known professionally as Tjuan Benafactor, is an American rapper, record producer, sports executive, entrepreneur, and media executive from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the co-founder and original owner of the Steel City Yellow Jackets of the American Basketball Association, and the co-founder of BenRoyal TV, a 24-hour urban streaming network.[1] As a recording artist, Washington has charted on the UK and US iTunes charts, Amazon charts, and global digital radio charts, and has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, KRS-One, Project Pat, Crunchy Black of Three 6 Mafia, and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees.[2]
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December 1, 1981
- Rapper
- record producer
- sports executive
- entrepreneur
- media executive
Tjuan Benafactor | |
|---|---|
| Born | Antjuan Washington December 1, 1981 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Website | benroyal |
Early life
Washington was born in 1981 in the Hill District neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[3] He attended Bethel Christian Academy before enrolling at Oliver High School on Pittsburgh's North Side, where he was a member of the chess club and participated in multiple varsity sports.[3]
From an early age Washington demonstrated talent in the visual arts, ceramics, and creative writing. He enrolled in the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild's Arts Collaborative program, where he studied ceramics, audio engineering, and photography.[3] During his time at the Guild, then-First Lady Hillary Clinton visited the program; Washington was selected as one of the students to appear on stage with Clinton and was given the opportunity to ask her two questions directly.[3][4] At age 14, Washington was featured on the front page of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Region & State section in an article titled "Artists in Progress," which highlighted his ceramics work and included a profile of his ambitions.[3] The article quoted Washington: "I can start with an idea and it just gets better."[3]
In 1997, Washington was featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for his participation in a Pittsburgh Leadership community project alongside future collaborator Averill "Ace" Pippins.[5] Washington is a former top-50 member and alumni of the Sarah Heinz House community center, where he later served as a day camp counselor.[3]
Music career
Early career
Washington began his professional music career under the name Tjuan Benafactor, releasing his debut mixtape Arucca Flyboy Presents: 80's Babies, hosted by DJ Vlad of VladTV.[6] His second single, "Flyer With Me / Fly Wit Me" featuring Project Pat, received Island Def Jam distribution and was placed on Virgin Airlines in-flight entertainment.[6] His single "Quantum Leap" achieved over 50,000 downloads in 22 days.[7]
In 2012, Washington won the 14th Annual Great American Song Contest in the Hip-Hop/R&B category.[6]
Chart success
Washington was named a 2013 Artist to Watch by Skope Magazine[8][full citation needed] and was nominated for Best New Male Artist at the 2013 EOTM Awards.[citation needed] He has been a four-time finalist for the Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Awards[9] and served as a Supercuts Top 5 National Artist and brand ambassador.[6]
Washington managed recording artist Benzino, co-founder of The Source magazine, including appearances at NBA All-Star Weekend.[10][7] Washington was the cover story of Jamsphere Indie Music Magazine in September 2021 and the cover story of TunedLoud Magazine.[10] He served as social media director for multi-platinum R&B group Shai for approximately eight years.[7] He has collaborated with Crunchy Black of Three 6 Mafia and has released music featuring Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees.[11]
Sports career
Steel City Yellow Jackets
In 2014, Washington co-founded the Steel City Yellow Jackets of the American Basketball Association alongside head coach Averill "Ace" Pippins.[12][13]
Under Washington's ownership the Yellow Jackets won four North Central Region championships and hosted two ABA All-Star Weekends in Pittsburgh.[14]
In April 2022, the Steel City Yellow Jackets won the ABA National Championship, defeating Team Trouble of Stockton, California 123–118 in Baltimore, Maryland.[15][16][17][dead link] Following the championship, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey led a championship parade through downtown Pittsburgh.[18][19][user-generated source]
Washington has also owned additional ABA franchises including the Owensboro Colonels, Akron Aviators, Twin City Jazz (Monroe, Louisiana), and the Buchanan Bears, and has served as CEO of Media & Entertainment for ABA TV.[7][20]
Burgh Defenders
In 2019, Washington co-founded the Burgh Defenders of the American Arena League, Pittsburgh's professional indoor football team, which played home games at Robert Morris University Island Sports Center on Neville Island.[21][22] Washington served as both head coach and part-owner of the team.[23] The Burgh Defenders signed former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Russell Stuvaints, who played for the Steelers during their Super Bowl XL championship season.[24]
Boxing
Washington served as Director of Business Development for Official Celebrity Boxing for approximately two years, also serving as event host and PPV host.[citation needed]
Media and technology
In 2016–2017, Washington co-founded BenRoyal TV, a 24-hour urban streaming network. In 2026, BenRoyal TV relaunched on the Roku platform.[25][dead link] Washington is also the founder of Arucca Flyboy Games, an Apple App Store developer responsible for multiple mobile applications including the ABA TV app.[7]
Discography (partial)
Singles
- "Flyer With Me / Fly Wit Me" featuring Project Pat (Island Def Jam distribution)
- "Quantum Leap" (50,000+ downloads in 22 days)
- "Giggity" (#7 UK iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap; #36 US iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap; #1 Amazon Movers & Shakers)
- "No Laccin" featuring Snoop Dogg and Bantana (Showoff Gang/Empire Distribution; 40+ weeks digital radio)[2]
- "It's Time" featuring KRS-One and CyCy Couture (Empire Distribution; #75 US iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap)
- "All Night" featuring Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees)
- "Trust Issues" featuring Benzino[26]
Mixtapes
- Arucca Flyboy Presents: 80's Babies (hosted by DJ Vlad)
Awards and recognition
- 2012 — Great American Song Contest, 14th Annual, Hip-Hop/R&B category winner[6]
- 2013 — Skope Magazine Artist to Watch[8]
- 2013 — EOTM Awards, Best New Male Artist nominee[citation needed]
- Four-time Pittsburgh Hip-Hop Award finalist[9]
- Supercuts Top 5 National Artist / Brand Ambassador[6]
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