Steven Binko Talks About His New Single: “‘Warrior’ Came Together Naturally—It Felt Like Everything Fell Into Place Effortlessly” Michael Filip Reed | Contributing Writer
Steven Binko is a name that in recent years has come to represent a whole array of remarkable roles. His resume features successful projects in television, work as a political correspondent, and even fashion collections. But today, we’re focusing on his musical work, particularly his new release. “Warrior” is his latest single, and it’s a true anthem of personal struggle and triumph. In this interview, Steven shares the story behind its creation, how his own experiences, including details like his sports activities, inspired him to create a persona that embodies struggle without turning it into a tragedy. Read more about this and much more in our exclusive interview.
Steven, your new single “Warrior” really packs a punch! What does your creative process look like when you begin a song like “Warrior”? Do you start with the beat, the lyrics, or does it vary?
“Warrior” was one of those songs that just came together naturally—it felt like everything fell into place effortlessly. I actually started with the lyrics for the chorus, and as I read them back, I could hear a beat in my head. I quickly recorded a voice memo, banging out a rough rhythm on my desk with some scratch vocals. I sent that off to a producer, telling him about the vibe I was going for—a military-style beat with a twist, something you might hear from Imagine Dragons or Panic! At the Disco. When Calibeats, the producer, sent back a demo, he’d taken my rough clip and created an incredible sample from it. For the first time, I worked with someone who truly understood how to bring the vision in my head to life. From there, the rest of the song practically wrote itself in minutes. Normally, I’d spend ages in the studio trying to make it “just right,” but this time, I recorded the vocals at home in just two takes. I even embraced the flaws because they added a gritty, authentic feel to the track. Instead of refining it to meet expectations, we decided to stick with what felt real in that moment.
The lyrics in “Warrior” are powerful and personal. “I’ve been knocked around, but I rise again…” sounds like a battle and a victory. Are these autobiographical? Could you share which events or experiences formed the basis of these lyrics?
Absolutely, these lyrics come from a very personal place. The last few years have really taken a toll on me, but through that struggle, I’ve discovered a new strength that I’m learning to love. “Warrior” was born out of some recent traumas, but more than just the pain, it’s about needing an anthem that I could genuinely believe in to remind myself that I can get through anything. You know how you can hear a song a million times, but one day, it just hits differently? I found myself in that space, revisiting old tracks trying to find one that spoke to what I was going through, but nothing resonated. There was always a line that felt inauthentic, or I’d think, “It feels nice to say this, but I don’t believe it for myself.” So I stopped searching and started writing. I’m usually my own toughest critic, but I’ve had this track (and the remix) on repeat. I wrote it for me, so sharing it feels incredibly vulnerable because it’s such an intimate snapshot of where I’m at right now.
Your look in the “Warrior” single cover is incredible! How did you come up with such a style? Was it your own idea?
Haha, thank you! Initially, I was leaning towards a military-themed look given the song’s influence, but I’m someone who loves to explore new visual ideas and hates repeating imagery. I already did the military theme for my “Instinct” shoe design, so I wanted to try something different. The song was heavily influenced by an assault I’m still coming to terms with, and I wanted the cover to reflect that experience—hence the bruises—but I didn’t want to see myself as a victim. I thought back to this webisode I filmed but never released where I did a boxing class. I was so weak and fatigued that day, and I felt embarrassed, but the memory of standing up for myself during the assault—something snapped, and I defended myself for the first time—helped me realize I’m worth more than just being someone’s punching bag. It showed me that my nature isn’t passive because I’m weak; I have the power to unlock that part of myself whenever I need to. The cover represents that shift—the bruises are there, but they’re not what define me. I don’t need to be afraid.
“Warrior” sounds different from your previous work. Was this a deliberate decision to shift your style, or a natural evolution of your music?
I’ve got to admit, I’m pretty embarrassed by a lot of my old work, but it reflects where I was at the time. I’ve written nearly 100 songs, and every time I’ve gone to produce one, there’s always been a part of me trying to make it palatable for others. But with “Warrior,” something shifted. Instead of trying to please others, I decided to show up authentically and put my art out there without worrying about who might listen. It’s been incredibly liberating. I feel like each track is a progression toward finding my true voice, and the closer I get to it, the more confident I am in standing behind my work. When someone criticizes an older track, I feel it because a part of me knows they might be right—I’ve had those same thoughts. But with “Warrior,” say what you want; it doesn’t matter. This is me, take it or leave it.
You often talk about the importance of fighting the stigma around mental health. Do you see your new single as a tool to support people suffering from mental disorders? How do you hope to impact society through your music?
Initially, I cringed at this question because I don’t want to be defined solely by my mental health struggles, but then I realized there’s a message in “Warrior” that I didn’t even recognize until now. Why shy away from a part of myself that I’ve spoken so openly about? Maybe part of breaking the stigma is finding love and acceptance for those parts of ourselves and owning them with strength and confidence. I love that you picked up on something in the song that speaks to that—I’m definitely going to feel “Warrior” differently now!
Could you share an experience where you took a big leap of faith in your career that perhaps didn’t turn out as you had anticipated? How did you navigate that period, and what valuable insights did you gain from it?
(laughs) My career has been a series of massive risks, and I’ve definitely had my fair share of failures. I’m very much an all-or-nothing person, and I often leap before I look, hoping people will see my passion as a strength. But yeah, that’s blown up in my face more than once. One of the biggest leaps I took was an interactive reality show called “The Escape.” My grandmother even took out a second mortgage to help fund it. The show gained international recognition and was the number one show on the site, but it was ahead of its time, and I didn’t have the experience to do it justice. A few controversies and casting issues completely derailed it, and the show tanked. Now, I see all these escape rooms, movies, and board games that are almost identical to what I created, and while it used to frustrate me, I’ve learned to see it as validation that the concept was solid. It’s motivated me to keep taking risks, but with more strategy and preparation next time.
If you could change one thing about how society views artists or the entertainment industry, what would it be?
I think a lot of people see artists as airheads who just show up looking pretty and cash in, or they think our work isn’t challenging. But art is often painful, and it demands so much from the artist. I always hear people say, “Stick to what you do and don’t talk about what you don’t know,” whenever an entertainer shares a political opinion, but I believe that being a public figure gives you a platform to find your voice and use it. Whether people choose to listen is another story, but this industry is grueling. We meet people from all walks of life, and just because someone wears rhinestones doesn’t mean they don’t have something valuable to say. Yes, some people get lucky for the wrong reasons, but you can learn a lot from someone who has navigated life, this business, and being in the public eye (even if it’s just online) while still finding the confidence to keep going. In a world where everyone has an opinion, that’s no small feat, and anyone who embraces that challenge has my respect.
I’ve been thinking about the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ artists might encounter in the music industry. From your perspective, could you shed some light on some of these specific challenges?
I have some pretty loud opinions on this, but I’m actually just going to share one of my biggest challenges. I remember doing this live concert series where I covered “American Woman” and “Bad to the Bone”—two very heteronormative songs. Afterward, I had several guys make comments along the lines of “I’m not gay, but that was great” or “no homo”—as if appreciating a gay artist’s rendition would somehow lessen their manhood. I see this especially with Lil Nas X—he’s got some serious bops, but he faces a lot of criticism from the straight and Black community for how he expresses himself. A lot of smaller gay artists will never get their time in the spotlight because there’s a gap with the marketability—but artists aren’t owned by the people, and what is playable shouldn’t be determined by its potential for commercial success—otherwise songs like “Bohemian Rhapsody” would never have made it to the world.
For “Warrior,” I’d LOVE to see it in a WWE commercial, for example, but whether or not it’s ever given that chance will sadly also come down to how it might affect WWE’s brand to be associated with a gay artist. There are a few who make it and can ride on their sexuality doing so, but I feel like that’s a select few trailblazers. This is not a “woe is me”—I also recognize there’s some really cheesy gay music (mine included) that probably shouldn’t ever see the light of day, but I do look forward to the day where simply being myself and performing a song isn’t controversial.
You know, we all have that one snack we just can’t say no to, no matter how hard we try. What’s that guilty pleasure for you? And is there a particular time or situation when you find yourself reaching for it the most? Like, late at night during a movie binge, or maybe when you’re deep into songwriting?
Teriyaki Beef Jerky and Red Bull—neither of which are cheap, so I don’t binge on them often. But when I do, it’s one of those things that’s hard to look away from… inhales it all in one breath, haha. But honestly, I’m more of a snacker than a meal person anyway! And when I’m writing, I have a terrible habit with Sunchips, Twizzlers, and peanut M&M’s where I have to take a bite after every sentence. Needless to say, so many sessions end in stomach aches.
As we look ahead, I’m curious about what’s on the horizon for you. What are some exciting plans or projects you’ve got in the pipeline? Is there anything in particular you’re really pumped about or any new adventures you’re eager to dive into?
I’m excited about so much right now! Music is definitely a big focus, but I’m also working on a book that’s been over 10 years in the making, “Memoirs of a Misfit”. I’ve really poured my heart into it, and I think people are going to be surprised by the honesty and depth I’m bringing. Writing this book has been a healing process, and it’s made for some really compelling pages.
Beyond that, I’ve got big plans for my song “Warrior.” I’m determined to deliver a complete and professional music video that truly captures the visuals I’ve imagined. For me, the experience isn’t just about the music; it’s about seeing the whole creative vision come to life. I really want “Warrior” to go beyond just the track release. I can see it getting a live band cover, FM radio play, and I’m pushing hard to get it placed in a big project—like a WWE promo or even in a movie’s credits. And that’s not all! I’m also planning to re-launch my web series, Binko: Unscripted. But that’s a conversation for next time! ORIGINAL ARTICLE [HERE]
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