"One More Tomorrow" is dedicated to your daughter, India. In what way does fatherhood shape or impact your career?
Well, I think fatherhood has impacted my career by making me a better person. Being a father is a constant examination of yourself because you're trying to teach and guide someone, so you may have to relive certain lessons so that you can teach them. It almost solidifies the best of what you are as you're trying to guide. The closest I think we ever come to unconditional love is that love you have for your child, and vice-versa in a lot of ways. I think anybody will be very fortunate to experience this level of love in their life. I'm really grateful for that. Like I said, it's just making me a better potential mate, a better songwriter, a better man. In every aspect, it's just making me better.
As you speak about getting "better," it reminds me that you were set to release Better and Better in 2001, but the album was shelved. What happened with that project, especially the song "Could Have Been," which was featured in the movie Glitter?
Personally, I thought the album was dope. As it often goes being an artist at a record company, sometimes you're just like an expendable kind of product. You're just one of many. If the right person at the label isn't particularly feeling the project, it ain't coming out. That's what happened with Better and Better. There were a lot of songs on that record that were very strong and I never gave up on them. Over the years, however, I have used some of those songs. There were two songs on Better and Better that I took off and put on Hurricane: "Pretty Baby" and "I Wanna Be Loved." I guess at some point maybe they'll release them. Maybe I could leak some of that record out. Actually, it did leak in the UK. I still think it's a really strong album.
What kind of lessons did that teach you about the music business and taking more creative control?
For whatever reason, it's taken me this long to have this type of control on a project. For me, it's the most conducive for creating the best music. I think I've been able to make my statement to my record label that to have me do a record any other way rather than giving me the control would not be a good idea. I feel like I'm just getting in my stride, really. I'm able to make albums the way that I want to, on my terms. I really feel like this team at Warner Bros. right now, they get me better than any other team at Warner Bros. I have been there since '96 and there have been 5 different regimes/executives during my stay. Most of the people at Warner Bros. were not there when I was signed, but I think this particular group may get me like nobody else has. So, it's a good place in my career right now.
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!