The Gaslamp Killer Responds To Allegations That He Drugged And Raped Two Women

Robb Cohen/Invision/AP

The Gaslamp Killer Responds To Allegations That He Drugged And Raped Two Women

Robb Cohen/Invision/AP

William Benjamin Bensussen, who puts out music as the Gaslamp Killer, has been accused of drugging and raping two women in 2013. A widely-circulated Twitter post details the alleged sexual assault: “I’ve been suppressing my rape for 4 years and i’m finally ready to come forward to help myself heal and to prevent it from happening to other women in the future,” it begins. “The Gaslamp Killer drugged my best friend and myself at a party at the Standard Hotel, had non-consexual sex with both of us while we were completely incapacitated, and then dumped up back in front of the standard after it happened. I was only 20 years old at the time.”

The Gaslamp Killer has been associated with Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder label. His debut, 2012’s Breakthrough, was released through Brainfeeder and though his most recent album, 2016’s Instrumentalepathy, was self-released through Bensussen’s own Cuss Records, he performed at a Brainfeeder event as recently as fall 2016. Bensussen also opened for Run The Jewels on their tour earlier this year.

Here’s the allegation in full:

Bensussen has responded denying the allegations. “Chelsea’s version of this story is not true,” it reads in part. “I am thankful that I have been contacted by witnesses and my roommates at the time, in support.” Here’s his statement:

The woman decided to come forward after noticing that she was blocked by Bensussen on Twitter:

And evidence has emerged that Bensussen has attempted to reach out to friends of the accuser in an attempt to have a conversation:

As BrooklynVegan points out, New Zealand-based festival North Bass, where the Gaslamp Killer is scheduled to perform, said they were investigating the allegations:

We have been made aware of allegations made on Twitter today regarding The Gaslamp Killer, an artist currently scheduled to perform at Northern Bass this year.

We have contacted the artist’s agent to discuss the allegations.

It is extremely important that everyone feels safe in the Northern Bass environment and at all Fuzen events. As a company we support anyone that finds the courage to speak up about harassment and assault in any form.

The Gaslamp Killer was scheduled to play a Low End Theory showcase at Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival tonight (10/13), but the showcase has been cancelled. “This is not the appropriate time to present these artists in light of the allegations that were made last night,” the festival said in a statement.

We’ve reached out to multiple representatives for additional comment.

UPDATE: Low End Theory — the Los Angeles-based club night and scene that the Gaslamp Killer was affiliated with — have parted ways with Bensussen because of the recent allegations. “Low End Theory is deeply saddened to learn of the allegations made against William Bensussen aka the Gaslamp Killer,” they wrote in a statement. “Given the nature of the allegations made, we have made the decision to part ways with William.”

UPDATE 2: Brainfeeder has also released a statement about the allegations against the Gaslamp Killer. “We did not have any knowledge of the alleged incidents and condemn any such actions across the board,” they write. They also note that Brainfeeder has not released Gaslamp Killer music in over five years, though he did perform at a Brainfeeder event last year.

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