He wears COS head-to-toe. Benjamin Clementine is a lesson in dichotomies: The 28-year-old pianist and songwriter exudes the wisdom of someone twice his age while questioning everything about the world around him with the vulnerability and naivety of a child. His songwriting is intensely personal, often dealing with themes of solitude and survival, and yet the artist himself is protective of the narrative surrounding his rise to fame. His story—of homelessness in Paris, attempted suicide, rags-to-riches discovery and success—is overly simplistic, he says. The This story is from Kinfolk Issue Twenty-Seven Buy Now Related Stories Music Issue 51 Zach Condon A check-in with the Beirut musician. Design Fashion Issue 47 Jean Touitou The A.P.C. founder on the demands of hype and craft. Music Issue 43 Cat Power Musician Chan Marshall opens the door to a different dimension. Music Issue 42 Fatima Al Qadiri The shape shifting star of contemporary electronica. Music Issue 41 Jon Batiste The band leader on his genre-busting year. Music Issue 39 Erika de Casier In conversation with a romantic soul.