Written by Alisha Magnus-Louis
Grammy-nominated songwriter Marcus “Benda World” Boyd joins the cast of
OWN’s Ready to Love: Chicago, premiering October 2, 2026, as he prepares for a
new music release.
Marcus “Benda World” Boyd has spent years building a presence across music, media,
branding, and entertainment. This fall, viewers will get to know a different side of him as
he joins the cast of OWN’s Ready to Love: Chicago.
Premiering October 2, the new season brings the hit dating series to Chicago,
introducing a new group of accomplished singles navigating dating, relationships, and
the search for meaningful connection.
Ahead of the premiere, the Chicago season is already generating attention across major
cultural platforms. Essence offered an early look at the new cast, while the season’s
trailer and cast reveal have been shared across the platforms of Steve Harvey, Will
Packer, and the OWN network, putting Chicago’s newest group of singles and their
search for love in the spotlight.
For Benda World, joining Ready to Love marks a new chapter in a journey that has
consistently moved at the intersection of entertainment, culture, and business.
A songwriter and longtime music executive, Benda has worked alongside some of the
most recognizable names in music, with collaborations and projects connected to Kanye
West, Twista, Malik Yusef, and others. His work with Yusef earned Grammy recognition
as a songwriter and collaborator on Good M.U.S.I.C. Universe Sonic Sinema: Episode 1
– In The Beginning Was The Word, which was nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry
Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
Over the years, Benda’s work has expanded beyond music into media, brand strategy,
consulting, and the creative development of artists and entrepreneurs.
His television debut also arrives alongside another significant moment in his music
career.
Benda World is a songwriter and featured artist on the upcoming single “I Am” alongside
Really Doe and CyHi, with his vocals anchoring the song’s hook. The collaboration also
carries a strong Chicago connection. Really Doe recently joined Kanye West onstage in
Chicago to perform “We Major,” while CyHi performed “So Appalled.” The moment came
during Ye Live at Soldier Field, a major gathering of artists spanning different chapters
of Ye’s career and Chicago hip-hop.
For Benda World, the fall lineup represents something larger than a series of projects. It
is a season of expression, bringing together television, music, and media while
revealing a level of vulnerability viewers may not have seen from him before.
“Ready to Love has reminded me how important it is for people to feel seen, heard, and
understood. Love is such an important part of life and has deepened my appreciation for
vulnerability and connection,” says Benda World.
That vulnerability may be what makes Ready to Love one of his most personal projects
yet.
Professionally, Benda World works with business owners, creators, and public figures to
gain clarity around their brands and public identities. His work centers on the questions
that often determine what comes next: What should you be known for? How should you
position yourself online and across social media? And where are the opportunities for
growth?
His approach starts with looking at the full picture, identifying what is working, what is
missing, and where opportunities are being overlooked, then providing clients with
transparent guidance and a clear strategy for moving forward.
On Ready to Love: Chicago, however, the strategist becomes part of the story.
This time, Benda is not helping someone else determine how they present themselves
to the world. He is putting his own personality, experiences, and perspective on
relationships in front of the cameras and navigating the uncertainty that comes with
looking for a meaningful connection.
For someone who has spent much of his professional life helping others define how the
world sees them, Ready to Love offers a chance to see Benda beyond the music, the
strategy, and the name.
On October 2, international audiences will meet Marcus Boyd, the man behind Benda
World.
About Benda World
Media Executive, Brand Strategist & Grammy-Recognized Songwriter
Marcus “Benda World” Boyd is a Chicago-born media executive, brand strategist,
songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience
spanning music, entertainment, media, and culture.
His work as a songwriter and collaborator on Malik Yusef’s Good M.U.S.I.C. Universe
Sonic Sinema: Episode 1 – In The Beginning Was The Word contributed to a project
nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.
Throughout his career, Benda World has worked alongside artists, executives,
entrepreneurs, and brands, bringing together creative vision, industry experience, and
strategic thinking.
Today, his work extends across media and brand strategy, artist and talent
development, positioning, content, visibility, partnerships, and executive strategy,
helping individuals and organizations identify opportunities, strengthen their presence,
and strategically navigate what comes next.
To learn more, visit Bendaworld.com or follow him on Instagram and TikTok
@Bendaworld.
