TheIndustry.biz Drive Thru Interview: Eric Benet
TheIndustry.biz is proud to announce the return of the Drive Thru Interview! In our first interview of 2013 we are featuring the man that wanted to know all about a woman’s “Femininity” as he sang along side the lovely Tamia in the chart topping R&B single, “Spend My Life With You.” Now he is back with his new album, “The One” and he has “News For You” as he has partnered with EMI to form is own label, Jordan House Records. If you don’t know, now you know, we are talking about Mr. Eric Benet. He took the time to speak with us about his career, the state of the industry, being an executive, and simply what makes him happy.
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TheIndustry.biz :How have you matured or changed as a man and an artist from the time you debuted with “True to Myself” until the release of your current album, “The One?”
Eric Benet:In my twenties I thought I knew everything and it was quite obvious that I didn’t. In my thirties I made all the mistakes I could make because I thought I learned from the stuff I didn’t know in my twenties but I came to realize I still didn’t know anything in my thirties either. Finally in my forties, I have learned a few things but I have to come to understand that I don’t know it all and I’m constantly growing. That is what it is all about, the journey, learning, continuously growing as a person. My music has basically reflected that same path. I’m more confident in my sound now. Anyone that is familiar with me as an artist would probably know one of my songs just after listening to the first two bars even if they never heard the song before and very comfortable with (read more click “next”)that. I’m comfortable being me.
TheIndustry.biz : Speaking of you being comfortable with yourself and growing, you are more than just an artist now. You are now a Record Label Executive as you started your own label, Jordan House Records. Do you take a different approach to creating your music now that you are responsible for the marketing, promotions, and everything else?
Eric Benet: My creative process is still the same and it is always growing but I will always be concerned about the integrity of the music first. I want to make music that I love but now I understand the frustrations of the record label as well. Before I would run into the label and say stuff like, “They better shoot that video or I better get that second single” but now I completely get it from the label’s perspective because you always have to write this check and that check so now I know why artists and labels battle sometimes. In regard to the work ethic, its still the same except I apply that work ethic to administrative tasks as well now. It’s sort of like your first question, we have to continue to evolve.
TheIndustry.biz : You did a duet with your daughter on this album and I’m sure that had to be an amazing experience for the both of you. She obviously has aspirations to be in the game so what type of advice have you given her about the current state of the industry?
Eric Benet: Well, my advice to her was to retain as much ownership as she can. I told her don’t get lazy and continue working on her craft. Even if you are not in the studio, you should be working on your writing, working on your vocals, just working on your craft at all times. I also told her that if music isn’t the blood in your veins, the air that you breathe, like you couldn’t live if you couldn’t sing the song your wrote, then don’t do it. Don’t do if for the celebrity, don’t do it for the adoration of people; do it because your life depends on getting this music out of you. I think that is (read more click “next”)where she is at right now.
TheIndustry.biz : Sounds like you are trying to teach your daughter how to create “real music.” With that being said, “real music” should take you to place in time in your life or induce a certain emotion or reaction within you. What is that one song that no matter when or where you hear it, it automatically takes you to a moment in your life you can’t forget? Name that song and name the moment.
Eric Benet: There are so many but one song popped in my head when you asked the question. I used to have this huge crush on this girl Laura when I was like 10 or 11 years old. Laura was dating or like we used to say she was going with my best friend and I remember Stevie Wonder had this song on the “Songs in the Key of Life” album called “Knocks Me Off My Feet.” I would sit on the floor and listen to that song and literally pray like, “Sweet Jesus” please let Laura like me and not my best friend. Man, every time I hear that song I think of me on that floor wanting Laura to like me. Music is that powerful brother. I’m sure we all have moments like that.
TheIndustry.biz : I have a moment like that with your song “Femininity” but this isn’t about me so lets move on but that was a great moment in time for me. I did’t get the girl but hey at least I had the song. Speaking of great music, if we were to create a soundtrack to the life of Eric Benet and you couldn’t appear on your own soundtrack but you could pick any singers,producers, and musicians dead or alive to appear on it, who would your choose?
Eric Benet: That is a great question and a tough one. Let’s see, I want Stevie Wonder and Donnie Hathaway to write the songs and I want Duke Ellington to make all the arrangements. Ella Fitzgerald could sing every song on the album and I would be completely happy with that. I think that (read more click “next”)would be amazing, don’t you?
TheIndustry.biz : I think it would be absolutely amazing and I would buy it! At the end of the day Eric, what really makes you happy?
Eric Benet: My family man. Just being with my family. My youngest just turned one years old and she just started walking for the first time. My oldest is 21 and we just went to a bar and shared our first legal beer together. Nothing makes me more happy than to be with my children, my sisters, my brother, my mom, and my wife. That is my ultimate happiness.
