“Sunny, you gotta get your government name off Instagram,” Sunshine Benzi remembers a friend warning her when she first began uploading videos and music online. She decided to take a part of her real name and her love for Mercedes-Benz — “I just love Benzes,” she says — and her alias was born.
The 23-year-old Chicago native is video calling in from a hotel room, dressed in a pink Juicy sweatsuit and flashing her long green acrylic nails that catch the light as she laughs at the memory. It turns out adopting the alias was great advice.
In November 2025, her name began spreading fast across the internet after Benzi went viral on TikTok with “Trump the Bill,” a freestyle that saw her rapping with a New York-flow reminiscent of early-aughts female rappers in their prime. The attention brought about a tidal wave of new interest and opportunities, including appearances on On The Radar, collaborations with TikTok-favorite rapper Trim, studio sessions with hitmaker BNYX (“He’s a genius, we’re cooking”), and her own pop-up show in New York City in January (where the entire crowd knew her lyrics).
Having grown up on Nicki Minaj tapes and Foxy Brown’s discography, Benzi says she has a deep respect for hip-hop’s greats and is particularly inspired by the hunger of New York rap, even as she’s faced backlash for being a white woman in the genre and for spitting "similar lyrics" (despite that being a long-standing facet of New York rap where flipping bars is part of the culture). Below, read our conversation with Benzi as she talks about going from writing poetry to rapping, creating “Trump The Bill,” and why she wants to earn her place in hip-hop.
Jodie Salvatore
The FADER: How did you get into rap?
Sunshine Benzi: One day I was sitting at my aunt Ang’s house at her coffee table, and I saw a video of Nicki. It was like “Super Bass” when it first came out. I was obsessed ever since then. My first profile photos on Facebook had my hair like hers, and she made me want to rap. Seeing her dominate a male field was so inspiring. Then I got into Foxy [Brown], and that just made me obsessed with metaphors and punchlines. Writing poetry made me want to do it even more, and I’m so glad I did.
How did writing poetry shape your raps and your approach to wordplay?
I started writing poetry from a very young age, and I just loved it. Putting down my thoughts and being able to make them rhyme and tell a story was important. That really helped me formulate my raps and wordplay. I just love the words. Nicki and Foxy always made me think. Playing it back, I’m like, ‘What did she just say?’
What was the first album you bought?
I had Roman Reloaded on CD when it first came out in stores. I played it on a Walkman because my grandparents gave me one. I took that on my cross-country trips. I also had some Ke$ha and country CDs my grandparents gave me.
What was the first concert you went to?
Literally a Nicki Minaj concert. I went to Gag City two times. I also went to a Camp Rock concert when I was younger. That era is definitely my favorite. I just love the 2000s, and I’m obsessed with 2000s rap and early ’90s music too. I feel like the music was so good back then, the lyrics, the bars, the way it made you think. And the fashion! I loved cheetah print… I still love it.
What is it about New York rap that speaks to you?
I think it’s the hunger and the passion. To this day, there’s nothing like New York rap, especially drill. These artists are coming from such big places, focusing on their talent and honing their craft. And it’s so raw. I’ve never been to a realer place than New York. I had my pop-up [in N.Y.C.] and it was amazing. Everyone tells me if you’re not accepted in New York, it’s hard. People were like, “New York loves you, honey.” My jaw dropped. I was on cloud nine.
Which New York rappers have influenced you the most?
I love Biggie, honestly, and Jay-Z. Foxy is my girl, I love her. Tupac, Biggie — I’m obsessed with the beef. I’ve been going down a rabbit hole again, watching little documentaries on it. It was so cutthroat back in the day. Even today, you can tell how hungry people are. Even Ice Spice, she doesn’t play either. New York breeds different kinds of people. It’s amazing.
To this day, there’s nothing like New York rap, especially drill. These artists are coming from such big places, focusing on their talent and honing their craft. And it’s so raw.
Can you walk us through the creative process behind “Trump the Bill’?”
I was at my dispensary job on my break. I heard a beat I had saved on YouTube from Rich Mello. I immediately started catching a vibe. I don’t freestyle much, but I’ll spit a couple of lines and then match them together. I flow to the beat as soon as I get that first line, it’s over with.
How do you approach influence while staying true to your own voice?
Copying is taking the whole song or verse. People say I’m copying Nicki, and she had a huge effect on me, so of course I have some of her movements. I found my voice in my raps; I sound like myself. Paying my respects means I always reference bars.
In my freestyle, I said, “Beef is when bitches think it’s sweet.” It’s a Foxy line, a Biggie line. I try to nod to everyone, and I love the wordplay and making it my own. I’m a real student. It’s hard nowadays — the internet is crazy — but I just want to pay my respects.
How have people responded to you as a White rapper?
I wanted to make people understand I’m not trying to step in like it’s my culture. I just want to be respected and welcomed. Being welcomed has meant everything to me. I want everyone to know I’m not trying to come in and take over. People are calling me out of character. They don’t know who I am.
I saw that you responded to some of the discourse about it. What made you finally respond?
I’ve always held my tongue, but people have said plenty of things. I responded on TikTok comments. I felt like getting on Twitter and saying what I said. People are going to say what they say, I’m still going to do me.
I have so much respect for the game and music. People calling me an art stealer hurts. It’s already vulnerable sharing my art. Especially being white in a rap space, I have to earn everything, and I’m going to. People are starting, but that’s okay. I made a crazy song the other day because I was pissed.