As you prepared for this album, how did the Love & Life concept come to life?
I feel like I'm at this point in my life where I'm just enjoying both elements to the fullest, love and life. I have come a long way from the last album, Hurricane, which was very reflective of where I was in my life – it was very much a hurricane. Now, I'm at this point where I'm just celebrating, just dancing and singing and joking and laughing and making love. And the title just sounds really apropos.
Going off of the title, I pulled two of my favorite quotes, one focused on love and another focused on life. If there's like a particular moment in the studio or in the writing process that best relates, let me know. In A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry wrote: "There's always something left to love. If you ain't learned that, you ain't learned nothing."
That really reminds me of "Love, Patience & Time." The whole sentiment behind "Love, Patience & Time" is reminding people that whatever dark hour, dark moment you're going through, whatever disappointments you've gone through in your life, you would be very wise to realize that if you just stay present, stay open, there is so much beauty to be had in this world. Even in this messed up situation we're in right now, all you need to do is keep a positive and a loving attitude towards what you see and what lessons you're going to gain from your experiences. That positivity is going to come back to you tenfold. That's what that quote reminds me of.
Writing down the truth, is there a particular process you undergo?
As quickly as it comes up, I'm usually looking for a piece of paper. That's how I do therapy. I just write about people. I think when you're done with crazy guys, that is the best form of revenge. When I was writing this album, at the end of it, there is this whole story based on one chick in there. I said, "Oh, my God. This s**t will never live this down." It wasn't my intention. It was my way of writing about how I empowered myself more to get revenge. I just tried to think through my head why I did the things that I did.
Article comments
1 - Monica
Clayton Perry, thank you for this interview. I am an Eric Benet fan so I've read many of his interviews and I can tell you that the majority have no originality or content of substance. The interviewers ask the same questions over and over again. This was a refreshing change. Your questions were original and very interesting. I actually have a new prospective of the man and his music because of this interview. You do great work. I look forward to reading more.
2 - cara
EB is so amazing live!! you have to see his kyte player!
3 - hotmama
Definitely check out his live kyte vids
4 - Honey
Eric Benet is has a contest on his myspace page! Check it out asap!
5 - Linda
Eric's Love and Life CD is best CD to come out in a very long time. On top of that, he's a great person who treats his fans with love where ever he goes. Thank you Eric!! I hope everybody buys one of your t-shirts. They are just great!