Photos by Karen Fien
Greece sisters Cydney, (26) and Jasmine, (24) Benjamin grew up singing and playing instruments in the church their father Pastor Jeffrey Benjamin founded, Rebirth Ministry, 221 Maltby Street in Rochester.
The love of music has always been in them, and growing up in the church has an important place in the songs they write and perform.
“It is a big thing growing up in church, being open about the highs and lows of Christianity. It is important to us to be honest in our music. Just because you are a Christian doesn’t mean you will be happy all the time. We strive to be honest and vulnerable in our music,” Jasmine said.
The duo formed their group “CJ the Group,” and set about the process of making their own music, music that is personal, and also opens up some interesting thoughts on the current state of the world, and the experiences that race and gender have played in their lives as black, Christian women.
Their music is described on their website as, “Moody and soulful, with harmonies and intricacies throughout, their music chronicles their honest and raw perspective of the highs and lows of being young Christians in the 21st century. From stream-of-consciousness style verses on the struggles of fitting in, to anthemic choruses that are instant classics, their style is true to form and refreshing. Pulling back the curtain on what it really means to be young Christian women who won’t stay in a box God didn’t put them in, CJ the Group is the truthful friend you didn’t know you needed.”
The sisters released their new single “Ocean” in September. They wrote the song together with the idea of comparing the ocean to God. “We had the concept before the melody. It was like, okay, God and water, lets make it happen. To describe God in a song is complex. The ocean has a mystical allure, similar to God. There is mystery with both. With God you can know Him, but there are so many unknowns, just like the depths of the ocean. There is also the cleansing, like a baptism,” Cydney said. Their song, “Ocean,” is available on all major streaming platforms.
During the pandemic they started putting music down on record. “We decided to take the time and make the most of it. We cleared out the basement, got some money together to buy a microphone, and really worked it out,” Jasmine said. They play all the instruments including piano, organ, guitar and bass. Ten songs came from these sessions. The process of recording in their home studio brought on a floodgate of inspiration.
Being praise and worship leaders in their father’s church is a big influence on their music. “We really want our audience to listen to the lyrics. We bring in the harmonies, and give everything to the songs, everything we are thinking goes into our singing. We chant together, and our hope is that listeners will chant the chorus to themselves,” Cydney said. Jasmine added, “We want our songs to be a thought that you can take with you throughout the day, just like the ocean will always be there, God will never leave you.”
When asked to describe their style of music the sisters agreed that overall they make contemporary Christian music that leans towards pop and hip hop, with R&B and soul, and a very heavy bass line that pulses all through the songs. Their musical influences include MaryMary, John P. Kee, Drake, and Taylor Swift, all impacting their sound.
CJ the Group plans to release a full album of songs in 2023. For more information about the duo visit www.cjthegroup.com
