Angie Martinez IRL - Eric Benet: How Stevie Wonder Made Him Think Twice Before Posting

Summary

Podcast Summary: Joe and Jada – Angie Martinez IRL with Eric Benét

Episode Title: How Stevie Wonder Made Him Think Twice Before Posting
Date: July 16, 2026
Podcast Hosts: Angie Martinez (guest: Eric Benét)
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

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Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, radio icon Angie Martinez sits down with Grammy-nominated R&B singer Eric Benét for a deep, candid, and often humorous conversation. Eric reflects on his decades-long career, the challenges of public scrutiny, his journey toward authenticity, lessons from past mistakes, fatherhood, wellness routines, social activism, and balancing vulnerability with strength. The episode is abundant with honest insights—plus, a memorable story about how a call from Stevie Wonder made Eric rethink his approach to social media and activism.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Early Career & Authenticity (03:14–07:56)

• Eric opens up about being marketed as a “barefoot, sexy, neo-soul artist” and the internal struggle of having to hide his true, goofy, nerdy self to fit an industry mold.
  • “I remember having this conversation…'We're marketing you as like, this sexy, smooth…just tone down that goofy shit.'” — Eric Benét (04:43)
• Finding freedom in authenticity, especially with the rise of social media, finally letting the real Eric appear.
  • “Of course it is. And it always is when you feel like...if you feel like you're not being completely authentic, when you finally are, it feels so good.” — Eric Benét (06:04)
• Reflection on feeling boxed in by neo-soul and the complex intersection of Oakland's spiritual toughness and Milwaukee goofiness.

2. Formative Years, Family, and Discovery of Music (07:13–11:30)

• Grew up in a deeply musical family, singing came as naturally as “having two ears.”
• Music became a superpower for Eric, with attention from girls affirming its impact: “I discovered this almost like superpower you have…” (11:06)

3. Pursuing Music Seriously (12:13–18:39)

• Describes the pivotal moment joining Milwaukee band Gerard, which functioned as his “college” in learning stagecraft and musical structure.
  • “The other thing about Gerard was when you have to learn those songs every couple months...I learned how to construct a hit song.” (15:40)
• Cautionary advice to young artists: don’t skip foundational experiences.
  • “A lot of today's artists…they skip all those steps. They go from in their bedroom...to a viral moment and boom, throw you on stage and it's like, ooh, yeah.” (16:17)

4. Growth, Aging, and Self-Improvement (20:35–23:17)

• Turning 60, Eric reflects on the myth that maturity is a “destination.”
  • “Maturity is not like a destination. It's like a constant journey.” (20:42)
• Stays young by staying curious, trying new things, and taking care of his body and mind.

5. Public Scrutiny & Accountability (24:02–35:52)

• Navigating public challenges and personal failings, especially his widely reported infidelity, is central to his growth.
  • “Accountability isn't just saying, 'I fucked up, I did this.'…It's trying to take full accountability for the mistakes that I made, regardless of the reasons why I did them, and then let me try to learn from those mistakes.” (01:47, 27:30)
• On dealing with public condemnation:
  • “You can't allow what [other people] are thinking of you affect how you feel about you, because the internal journey that you're on, nobody else knows but you.” (25:02)
• Strategy for healing: accountability, amends, and focusing on being a positive role model for his children.

6. Fatherhood, Relationships, and Finding Love Again (36:43–39:20; 61:11–63:20)

• Discusses being a single dad and finding balance post-divorce.
• On his current marriage:
  • “There's always strength after you do the work, you know?” (36:57)
• On fatherhood:
  • “I feel like I'm a good dad who's always trying to find ways to be a better dad.” (62:03)
• Relationship with his daughters is core to his identity and ongoing self-improvement.

7. Redefining Public Narrative & Embracing Humor (41:14–44:43)

• Not upset about the infamous Jay Z “never go Eric Benet” lyric—shares he and his team found it amusing and used it to reflect on reputation and mythmaking.
  • “That shit was quite funny. And then I thought I was being cute with a response on back then Twitter and it kind of backfired.” (42:11)

8. Commitment to Social Impact & Activism (48:21–54:38)

• Eric’s latest music is inspired by his activism:
  • “The single 'Who’s Gonna Save Us' is all about that.” (49:06)
• Stresses the importance of collective action, education, and refusing to be divided by outside forces.
  • “The only effective anecdote for that is education and self empowerment.” (54:38)

9. Wellness & Self-Care Rituals (54:42–57:53)

• Committed to a clean and healthy lifestyle—minimized alcohol, sugar, processed foods, followed a mostly pescatarian diet, regular exercise, and “grounding” (barefoot contact with the Earth).
  • “There's undeniable scientific evidence that if you have skin-to-skin contact with the soil…it lowers inflammation and promotes a general well-being.” (56:31)
• Encourages listeners to try healthier habits, sharing practical advice and lightheartedly coaching Angie on giving up alcohol.

10. Mentors, Legacy, and Lessons Learned (66:26–73:24)

• Stevie Wonder’s call: The highlight of the episode—Stevie Wonder calls Eric to encourage channeling anger into music rather than social media, citing concerns over his safety and impact.
  • “Why don't you put all that anger into music?” (69:50)
• Realization that legendary creatives (Stevie, Quincy, Prince) are deeply loving and present people.
  • “You can't be a conduit for that much creativity and power if there's not a whole lot of love in your being.” (67:53)
• Shares a humorous and humbling brush with Dick Gregory, learning the importance of listening to elders—even (or especially) when it’s tough love.

11. Quick Hit Personal Reflections (80:51–89:36)

• On happiness: happiest when with his kids, making them laugh or watching them succeed.
• On habits: most proud of sticking with health and wellness routines; trying to improve his scheduling and organization.
• On pride: “That I'm always willing to learn and grow. And I'm always willing to admit when I'm wrong. I guess. And I smell good.” (86:25)

12. God, Spirituality, and Final Reflections (86:52–89:58)

• Angie’s signature question: “If God texted you right now, what would he say?”
  • Eric: “I love you, but even more…Do more. Put more into it. All the projects, all your time with your kids—do that even more.” (88:59)
• Not focused on legacy, but on continual impact and growth.
• All achievements pale in comparison to fatherhood.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Authenticity:
  “I've been right here trying to be Mr. Smooth, suave and shit. Not really for me.” — Eric Benét (06:36)
• On Facing Adversity:
  “There's no excellence without difficulty. There's no growth without struggle and fucking up and falling on your face sometimes, in front of the whole fucking world.” (29:09)
• On Social Media Persona:
  “Yeah, I guess this has been me the whole time. It feels really good for people to just like me…without me trying to put on some kind of Blue Steel face.” (45:15)
• On Stevie Wonder’s Call:
  “He seen some of the posts and his sentiment was…‘I fear…you're coming on a little hard. I'm worried about how crazy some of these motherfuckers are out there. Why don't you put all that anger into music?’” (69:50)
• On Parenting:
  “The best parenting advice is: try to share as much of your life with your children as age appropriately as you can…so that it's very natural for them.” (63:38)
• On Spirituality:
  “I believe in God. I believe in the power of love and positivity. And I think negativity is a very powerful evil force.” (88:28)
• On What God Would Say:
  “I love you, but even more…do that even more.” (88:59)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:14 – Fame, labels, and industry expectations
• 07:13 – Eric’s nerdy youth and discovery of music
• 12:13 – Early career, Gerard band, learning the craft
• 16:17 – On young artists skipping developmental phases
• 20:42 – Eric’s reflections on turning 60 and self-growth
• 24:02 – Managing public perception and internal self-worth
• 27:30 – Deep dive on accountability and healing
• 36:43 – Finding love again, fatherhood lessons
• 41:14 – Jay Z lyric (“never go Eric Benet”) & owning the narrative
• 48:21 – Current music projects, activism through art
• 54:42 – Self-care, grounding, health advice
• 66:26 – Stevie Wonder’s cautionary phone call
• 80:51 – Rapid-fire questions on happiness, pride, habits
• 86:52 – Angie’s “If God texted you…” segment

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Episode Takeaways

• Authenticity Pays Off: Eric’s arc from marketing-manufactured persona to his true self is inspiring and a lesson in self-acceptance.
• Adversity Can Accelerate Growth: Public mistakes, when met with accountability and reflection, become catalysts for personal evolution.
• Mentorship Matters: Whether from industry veterans or iconic artists like Stevie Wonder, advice rooted in love can change the direction of your journey.
• Continual Self-Improvement: Wellness—physical, mental, and emotional—is a daily process that compounds over time.
• Purpose Over Legacy: Impact comes from showing up authentically and uplifting others—especially your own children.

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Final Thoughts

This episode delivers deep, actionable wisdom peppered with humor, music-industry gems, and genuine moments of vulnerability. Eric Benét’s story is proof that real growth happens not in spite of public stumbles, but often because of them. Angie Martinez’s conversational warmth pulls out the best in her guest, making this a can’t-miss listen for anyone seeking lessons in resilience, self-care, and authenticity.

Transcript

[Angie Martinez]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Eric Benet]

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[Producer/Announcer]

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[Angie Martinez]

means we all want to look and feel our best. A GLP1 may be right for you. Visit orderlymeds.com to learn more about which GLP1 you could be eligible. Helpful for Getting started is fast, easy, and happens virtually through telemedicine from licensed professionals. Check it out for yourself. Go to orderlymeds.com podcast that's orderlymeds.com podcast. Taking care of yourself feels great. Compounded medications are not FDA approved. Eligibility required and determined by a licensed provider. Individual results may vary. See website for details. Did you ever get lost in that though? Did it ever define you?

[Eric Benet]

Like yeah, for a while I felt defined by it until I started to redefine what it was to take accountability. Because accountability isn't just saying I fucked up, I did this. Accountability is saying I fucked up, I did this. But let me just try to take full accountability for the mistakes that I made, regardless of the reasons why I did them. And then let me try to learn from those mistakes.

[Angie Martinez]

Hey, thanks for watching guys. Today's episode is brought to you by Boost Mobile. Okay, we got a music icon in the building today who has been rocking since the 1900s 1800 chart topping hit maker. Many would say an R and B Sex symbol.

[Eric Benet]

I would say such a thing.

[Angie Martinez]

Many people, including Essence in 2010, they said that. Also one of the most outspoken and funny artists that you can follow on social media right now. I said this to him when he walked in. One of my favorite things is watching the many incarnations of Eric Benet and how you have navigated and how you are here now and how you took a. Did you take a city bike over here?

[Eric Benet]

I did. I always. I'll get New York and I'll just hop on the bike. You know, I feel like you've been

[Angie Martinez]

riding the wave of your career and your life in that type of way. From the outside. I don't know from the inside, but I feel like there's been so many times that you're this guy or why is my phone. Did I not shut it off? Shut up.

[Eric Benet]

People texting you say, ooh, ask Eric this.

[Angie Martinez]

Ask Eric. No, I feel like you came in the game and you were like a certain thing. What was the thing? What was it?

[Eric Benet]

It was a barefoot bohemian smelling like a pack of incense. Neo soul. I don't like that term.

[Angie Martinez]

I know you hate neo soul.

[Eric Benet]

Right, Artist. That's what I was.

[Angie Martinez]

And how did you feel in that box?

[Eric Benet]

I felt like some of it was kind of true. Cuz I. Cuz I.

[Angie Martinez]

Did you like incense? Did you enjoy incense?

[Eric Benet]

Incense?

[Angie Martinez]

I was.

[Eric Benet]

I was a holistic person, but I think my. My. My personality was closer to that of like a Oakland, California person. Because in Oakland, they'll be into the chakras and the incense, but they'll be like, you look at me the wrong way, you get cut, motherfucker.

[Angie Martinez]

Don't get this confused.

[Eric Benet]

So I think I was more of a mixture of that, but I remember. I remember very distinctly. And I was also. I've always been this goofy personality that people see online, but I remember specifically in a publicity meeting at A. Not A and R, but when I was first signed to Warner Brothers, and me always doing voices and cracking jokes and being goofy. I remember having this conversation. We're marketing you as, like, this sexy, smooth. Like, in public and in interviews, just tone down that goofy shit.

[Angie Martinez]

And so did they say those words?

[Eric Benet]

Basically, yes. And it kind of. That kind of stuck, making me feel like, okay, if I want this to work, I'm gonna let this part of myself show. But maybe hold back the goofy Milwaukee dude.

[Angie Martinez]

Aw, that doesn't sound fun.

[Eric Benet]

It wasn't unfun. It just didn't feel 100% authentic, you know? But I think once you get to a Certain age, you stop considering what you are supposed to look like, and then you just start being what you are. And. And then that was right around the time that I discovered, like, TikTok and Insta and shit.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, so this is a recent kind of.

[Eric Benet]

Well, the. The discovery of being authentic isn't recent, but the. The introduction to that part of myself to the world is recent. Yes, because that was like. Like, I don't know. I've been on TikTok, like, four. Not even four years. I don't even know something.

[Angie Martinez]

It feels in modern times, feels very recent.

[Eric Benet]

It feels very. And relatively speaking, in my career, it has been recent. And in the first comments were like, wait, hold up. Is this barefoot Eric Benet?

[Producer/Announcer]

Who?

[Eric Benet]

Did he just say nigga?

[Angie Martinez]

What?

[Eric Benet]

You know, so it's. It was a lot of that. But, yeah, it was a relief to be able to. Of course it is. And it always is when you feel like what? Any situation you're in, if you feel like you're not being completely authentic, when you finally are, it feels so good. And then to have people affirm that, like, where the fuck was this dude?

[Angie Martinez]

We like him.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, we like him.

[Angie Martinez]

I mean, like, y' all like me this whole time.

[Eric Benet]

You mean you like me the whole time.

[Angie Martinez]

So I've been right here.

[Eric Benet]

I know, right? I've been right here trying to be Mr. Smooth Suave and shit. Not really for me.

[Angie Martinez]

Does it ever, like, if you look back on, like, old.

[Eric Benet]

Sometimes I look at old, old photo shoots and I was like, oh, man, look at me. I'm trying to do the. What they call it today? The looks maxing right there. I'm trying to do the blue steel in that picture.

[Angie Martinez]

You know, that worked for some. It got you on some of the sexiest man lists.

[Eric Benet]

It got the rent paid for a little while.

[Angie Martinez]

It got the ladies going. It got the ladies going. And you were in our. You know, you were a singer. You probably served you in some type of way. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Who were you before, though? Like, who are you?

[Eric Benet]

The nerd. The nerd.

[Angie Martinez]

Like, in school and like, I was the.

[Eric Benet]

Reading science fiction, sketching comic book stuff, doing art, singing. Singing? Yeah, singing. But singing to me was such a. How do I want to say? Singing to me was such a reflex. Like, Like. Like. Like. Like a visceral thing. Like. Like something I didn't even have to think about. So I didn't even think about. It's interesting. I don't know how to put it. I didn't even think about singing as something that I did. As an interest. As much as it was like, just who you are. Just what it. Yeah, just like, you got two ears. It's like. Oh, shit. Yeah. Singing is just part of me.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. Your whole life.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, pretty much. Because my. I'm the youngest in this group of super musical siblings, and father and mom just love music and had their own distinctive music collections. And all my siblings sang. We sang in harmony, we played instruments.

[Angie Martinez]

We.

[Eric Benet]

That's what. That's what home life was for me. To the point where I thought everybody's family was like this. You know, just like on Sunday, everybody ate dinner. I thought everybody, like, harmonized and shit. And. And it was like. And then I remember.

[Angie Martinez]

That's funny.

[Eric Benet]

Being surprised in school when it's music time. How many people had no sense of pitch.

[Angie Martinez]

How old are you?

[Eric Benet]

Like, like. Yeah, like seven. You know, when the kids around you. Yeah.

[Producer/Announcer]

Why.

[Eric Benet]

Why are you two whole steps above the key of the song? Like. Like, are you deaf? And so I'm thinking this kid is. Maybe this kid is deaf.

[Angie Martinez]

So it's wrong.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, something's wrong with you. Because it was so like, anyway. But that's funny. Yeah. Music has just been me.

[Angie Martinez]

It's just who you are.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. It took a minute for me to realize, oh, maybe I could do a career of this. But again, it was weird because to me, it was just like, walking. It's like, what am I gonna do?

[Angie Martinez]

Pay me for this.

[Producer/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

People would pay me to just, like, sing and shit. And it wasn't until puberty when I realized girls like this. Oh, my God.

[Producer/Announcer]

God.

[Eric Benet]

And then, like I said, I was just like, little nerdy dude who was always doing something that the rest of the guys weren't doing. So. And then when I was like, nobody really knew I could sing. And I never really volunteered for any solos or thing until it was like, seventh grade. And I was like, fuck it. Let me enter this talent show. And I sang like Lionel Richie's Truly. Oh, I brought the house down.

[Angie Martinez]

Is there video of that anywhere?

[Eric Benet]

I hope so. But, you know, we were lucky to have electricity back then.

[Angie Martinez]

You haven't seen a video? You don't have a video of it.

[Eric Benet]

But I remember there was this girl, Vicki Stanton.

[Angie Martinez]

Where is she now?

[Eric Benet]

I have no fucking clue. But I remember back before I sang Truly, Vicky did not. I was. I was just like, oh, that's Eric. He's like a little weird little nerd guy. And I'd be like, I didn't even know how to talk to Vicki when I sang Truly. The next day, Vicky was at my locker with her eyes all Google wide. And I was like, got her. I think I got some shit right here. Right.

[Angie Martinez]

So I'm always surprised at how many people, how many men have launched a career. Yeah. Based on.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Women.

[Eric Benet]

That testosterone will run your brain.

[Angie Martinez]

There's so many of you that I've interviewed, and I'm thinking, oh, it must be because, you know, their parent or this. There was a girl.

[Eric Benet]

It was a girl.

[Angie Martinez]

And I got so many girls, I thought, this is going to be my life.

[Eric Benet]

Right, right, right.

[Angie Martinez]

So funny.

[Eric Benet]

But especially at that time when you're at that 12, 13 years old, when you're so nerdy and insecure and you don't know how to talk to people, and then you discover this almost like superpower you have, and it's like, oh, shit, I will wield this sword with responsibility. So it was that kind of vibe. It was like, oh, this is some powerful shit I got.

[Angie Martinez]

So what were you doing with that powerful shit at the age. Fast forward 10 years. 1820.

[Eric Benet]

At 1820. And again, as much as the whole Vicky Stanton story and the wielding the power of the voice and all that shit, I never really put two feet down. Two feet down and said, my career is going to be music. Because, you know, for a bunch of reasons, I think it was part of that ingrained black mom and dad who were like, you gotta go to college and okay, music. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you gotta have a solid degree.

[Angie Martinez]

Even your parents. I'm surprised by such music lovers.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. Well, my father, mainly my dad, he was like this frustrated, cultured dude who became a policeman and a detective out of necessity in Milwaukee. But he was really cultured and he wanted more for us. And. And oddly enough, I told my dad, like, right before I graduated high school, I was like, dad, I think I want to be a fashion designer. Because I still wasn't thinking music equals career. And he was like, fashion designer. A black man as a fashion. Like, my dad didn't have a whole lot of vision. He should have came to New York and learned about black men in fash. But so basically I spent a year or a year and a half in college. And then around 19, my cousin George called me and told me that there was a band, a relatively successful band in Milwaukee, nobody who had any national fame or anything, but they were always performing at the hot clubs and they had radio spots. So it was like. And the name of the band was Gerard. And everybody, every weekend you'd hear commercials about, you know, after the the drag speed way in this park. And also there will be Gerard performing. And you were like, you know, like, wow, Gerard. One day. And my cousin told me Gerard was looking for a new lead singer, and my sister and I joined Gerard.

[Angie Martinez]

Wow.

[Eric Benet]

And then I was like, all right, I'll see what the singing shit does. And then it was like,

[Angie Martinez]

yeah, no turning back after.

[Eric Benet]

No turning back after that. Because then I got a chance. That was my college.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

Because for the next couple years I was in Gerard. But. But the cool thing about being in a corny band is you get to learn how to work an audience, especially drunk audiences in the Midwest.

[Angie Martinez]

You don't know who really know. Probably don't really know who you know.

[Eric Benet]

They don't want to hear me sing. They want to hear the other girl with the tits saying. It's like, oh, the black dude, what is he gonna sing? So I gotta, like, win them over.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

I gotta break up fights.

[Angie Martinez]

Did you have a go to song that you would win them over?

[Eric Benet]

Well, whatever was hot. What you. You know, at any given time, this is what we would do in Gerard. Every two to three months, we would learn four more top 40 songs. Whether it was My prerogative or some Madonna song.

[Producer/Announcer]

Not.

[Angie Martinez]

You are doing yo. My prerogative.

[Eric Benet]

I'm telling you, it was the. I kill that shit.

[Angie Martinez]

I know you do.

[Eric Benet]

I kill that Bobby Brown shit back then. So. So whatever was the hottest at the moment.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

I'd be like, let's do My Prerogative. I'll be trying to do the Bobby Brown dance moves and shit. And it was a rap after that. It was like, yeah. So I mean, that was my college that was learning how to hone my. And the other thing about Gerard was when you have to learn those songs every couple months, it's like a mechanic taking apart an engine, putting it back together. I learned how to construct a hit song.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, smart.

[Eric Benet]

So it was like, you know, we got to go in the studio, we got to listen to all the harmonies. We got to be like, okay. Figure out the bass and the chords and the boom and the break. And it's a. It's. It's a formula, a hit song. It's like. It's like three or four formulas. But variations of those formulas work.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, that's a good bar for life. Because sometimes people, especially nowadays, people try to rush to the end goal or they try to get it fast.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

And sometimes fast. You missed. You missed the work that it takes for you to be great. So you're going to Be fast food. You're going to be quick, fast. You're not going to have the nourishment.

[Eric Benet]

You saying shit right now.

[Angie Martinez]

The nourishment that you get from having that experience.

[Eric Benet]

And I think a lot of today's artists and the risk of sounding like an old man, it's like they skip all those steps. They go from in their bedroom to doing something on TikTok and face to camera, which is awesome. To yeah, maybe a viral moment. And boom, throw you on stage and it's like, ooh, yeah. You know, but you gotta, you gotta do a couple years of learning what it means to actually be physical on stage and how that, how you maintain your voice because that's. There's so many. I should open a school up. You should.

[Angie Martinez]

Like a masterclass. I should do a masterclass. You have a great social media following now. You could send them all that way.

[Eric Benet]

Damn. Good idea.

[Angie Martinez]

You're welcome.

[Eric Benet]

I feel like this is a back to the future moment here.

[Angie Martinez]

Do it.

[Eric Benet]

But no, because there's so many facets to this business that a lot of artists tend to skip.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, for sure.

[Eric Benet]

And we didn't. We didn't. And the. And another cool thing about Gerard was they owned a recording studio. I know, I got it. Every time I hear. I see the name written. I hear it as they said it on the radio this weekend. Gerard. But was. Oh, so they was a Spanish radio station.

[Angie Martinez]

It sounds like.

[Eric Benet]

But it did got that Spanish tone. La mega, la mega los cheek guys and Gerard. But they owned a studio. And in the late 80s and early 90s, that was not a common thing. You know, everybody got a studio on their laptop now. But Gerard had like a. A 32 track studio. Imagine that.

[Angie Martinez]

Wow.

[Eric Benet]

And so when we weren't gigging, my cousin and my sister, we were like, yo, can we use the studio and just write some shit? And my cousin George and my sister Lisa, we would go in the studio and we would. I would write songs, they would write songs, we'd write songs together. And then we eventually got the deal with EMI Capital As Benet. It was me and my sister as.

[Angie Martinez]

As a group.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

And you're how old?

[Eric Benet]

What was that, like 22? 20? Something like that, babies. Yeah. Trying to figure shit out.

[Angie Martinez]

It's a good time.

[Eric Benet]

So.

[Angie Martinez]

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[Eric Benet]

I'm going to have a birthday in October.

[Angie Martinez]

A big one.

[Eric Benet]

I'm going to be a. Damn, that's even crazy to say it.

[Angie Martinez]

60. 60?

[Eric Benet]

What the fuck?

[Angie Martinez]

That sounds crazy. You don't look anything close to 60.

[Eric Benet]

Thank you for that.

[Angie Martinez]

So what is it? What does it feel like? What do you. What did you learn in the past decade?

[Producer/Announcer]

What did.

[Angie Martinez]

The 50s. Jesus.

[Eric Benet]

How much time we got? An hour time.

[Angie Martinez]

Give me like the. The brief version, the headlines.

[Eric Benet]

You're always learning how to improve yourself. You know, there's like. Like maturity is not like a. A destination. It's. It's like a constant journey. You are always a working process until it's done. And it ain't done until it's done. And you. One of the things that keep me feeling this uncharacteristically youthful 60 is I always. I feel like I'm always trying to expand and try new things and do new things. And I think that keeps. I mean, I Think that keeps my brain more active and it definitely keeps your body more in shape. And if you're conscious about what you put into that body, mainly like water. And I cut a lot of things out over the years and I've tried to pick up more healthy practices then you can be 60. As it looks for me today where I feel active, I feel like I'm ready to take on two or three new more challenges. And I feel like by the time I hit 65, I'm probably going to have two or three more endeavors I ain't even thought of yet. And it doesn't feel like slowing down at 20 years old. 40 felt like, oh, it's a rap. Yeah, my life is over at 40. Fucking forget it.

[Angie Martinez]

That is true feeling. But the reality of, of our time on this earth is that we are past the halfway mark. Definitely we live to 110 or 120. Does that not freak you out or did that ever freak you out aging in that way? When you think about how our time is limited?

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, I think, I think if I really.

[Angie Martinez]

Is that a morbid, depressing question to ask?

[Eric Benet]

It's not a morbid depressing question but it's like anything else. It's like if you think about the. If you're in a challenging situation and life has its challenges. If you're in a challenging situation and if you're always thinking about the worst possible outcome, then you're gonna affect everything that you're gonna benefit from that challenging situation. All the ways you're gonna grow, all the ways that you're gonn uplifted. And it's the same thing. If you're always thinking about, damn, I'm 60, statistically speaking, I got 18 years more left. You know, if I think about that, that's just gonna limit and fuck up whatever time I have left. So I think that's the way to look at it.

[Angie Martinez]

So you say fuck that.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, fuck the end. Because shit, I might be one of them fools that be like 110 years old. My name Eric Benett.

[Angie Martinez]

Back in the 1900s, in 1991 we

[Eric Benet]

had cell phones, not these digital chips in her head, you know.

[Angie Martinez]

That's absolutely happening by the way.

[Eric Benet]

It is absolutely happening now at McDonald's get a five dollar McChicken meal deal or a six dollar McDouble meal deal. They come with small fries, a soft drink and four piece McNuggets. We're gonna need a big your trade. Get more value with your meal deal. With MC value, prices and participation may vary.

[Producer/Announcer]

Prices May be higher for delivery.

[Angie Martinez]

How have you. Throughout the years and through all the ups and downs and the public things and the whatever, how have you maintained not letting outside become who you are inside?

[Eric Benet]

I feel I'll ask you about the

[Angie Martinez]

lessons in it, not the details.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll say so. The lessons. Mm.

[Angie Martinez]

The lessons in the headlines.

[Eric Benet]

Ooh, that's a chapter to it. When I write my. When I write my book, I think that's gonna. That's gonna be the name of the chapter. And I ain't giving you no credit

[Angie Martinez]

why I gave you that and I gave you your bunch of masterclass. I gave you two jewels today. Come on. All right. You had headlines.

[Eric Benet]

I think one of the things about going through life's challenges is it really helps galvanize, like how you are not responsive to negative energy. You know, I think when. If there's negative energy coming at you, and if there is. I shouldn't say negative energy, I should say less than positive views of you for things that you've taken accountability for and you've done and you've tried to improve yourself and your psyche and your mental from things that you've realized that you've done. First of all, you can't expect the world or anybody else to immediately forgive you. And then you have to. Or forget or forget. Because then they'll try to define you by mistakes, and then you can't. You can't allow what they are thinking of you affect how you feel about you, because the internal journey that you're on, nobody else knows but you. So I think going through that process, it actually makes you. You a better person and kind of facilitates growth faster, I think. Or at least that's the way I feel about life's challenges.

[Angie Martinez]

Did you ever get lost in that, though? Did it ever define you?

[Eric Benet]

Like, I think in so many ways, if you look at my comments to a lot of people, I feel like going. Going through the biggest fuck up I felt. Yeah, for a while I felt defined by it until I started to redefine what it was to. To take accountability. Because accountability isn't just saying, I fucked up, I did this. Accountability is saying, I fucked up, I did this. Let me try not to think of the reasons or the ex. Something that could be misinterpreted by. By other people or even myself as excuses. But let me just try to take full accountability for the mistakes that I made, regardless of the reasons why I did them, and then let me try to learn from those mistakes. You know what I mean?

[Angie Martinez]

I Do.

[Producer/Announcer]

But.

[Eric Benet]

But until I get to that, until that process is finished. Yeah, it's. There's a lot of beating yourself up and feeling like I'm less than the storm of that.

[Angie Martinez]

How old were you? Jesus. Were you in, like, your 20s?

[Eric Benet]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

You were 30s, 40s?

[Eric Benet]

No, that wasn't. I was like, in 30s.

[Angie Martinez]

30s. Okay, 30s.

[Eric Benet]

Like. Like. Like early 30s. Like. Like.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm just saying, was it early 30s?

[Eric Benet]

Probably.

[Angie Martinez]

But a young man, a young successful man who's an artist, who's in his 30s, who was involved in any kind of cheating scandal, whatever you call. Whatever the thing is, it's not the craziest or most uncommon thing. It's not like that's. It's not like you robbed the bank or you did you. Did you fight, you violated, you know, or was violent or. It was nothing of like that. I mean, you had some.

[Producer/Announcer]

You.

[Eric Benet]

But things are often. Always.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm just saying it's a. It's a. It was a lot to put on you for just a. A time in your life where some. Maybe human error or maybe not error, maybe that had to happen for you to get to wherever you are now or to get into another marriage that you probably did better and got, you know, and healed yourself. And.

[Producer/Announcer]

I don't know.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm just saying. Do you feel like a lot was put on you for the crime? No. Dead. Like, seriously, like, there's a way I

[Eric Benet]

can answer that question. And it's like, if I answer, okay,

[Angie Martinez]

so I don't want to get you back in trouble or something that's.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. No, no, no, no, no.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay.

[Eric Benet]

At the time, like I said, I felt. I felt like all of the. What's the word I'm looking for? Admonishment. I'm receiving my actions. I felt like I deserve them, really. And in retrospect, looking back, I'm feeling like, wow, that was a lot. But if that hadn't happened, I probably wouldn't have been able to evolve to where I'm at today. And I don't know if I would be the personality that I feel inside, and that is reflected when people see me online. So it's like, you know, it's just an old poetic way of saying there is no excellence without difficulty. There's no growth without struggle and fucking up and falling on your face sometimes in front of the whole fucking world, which I don't really think anybody will ever understand what that's like. I mean, you've lived a very public life, and sometimes some.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, but not that. That's why I was curious about it, because even in the smaller scale that I have experienced things where maybe people didn't like something I said or something was misunderst. Even in those moments, I have to get quiet and make sure that I'm okay with myself.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

So that I don't fall victim to other people's understanding of whatever the thing is.

[Eric Benet]

Right.

[Angie Martinez]

Even in my small situations. And I've been pretty good in my career, you know, because if you. But I'm just saying at that level, I just wonder, man, he got. He rocked through that.

[Eric Benet]

Because in that moment you felt like if you misunderstood and you communicated in inappropriately, like then it would bring another rush of. What are you saying?

[Angie Martinez]

No, I think in that moment, if I wasn't strong in my own spirit, in my own thoughts, I could start believing or start acting differently. Trying to either prove something to somebody or okay. Or self doubt sets in. All that, all the shit, all the stuff that comes from outside opinions. And I share this kind of stuff because I think even in people's real lives at the job, everybody in the job thinks you're something. I think that thing we're talking about,

[Eric Benet]

you had it on a very big scalesmic scale.

[Angie Martinez]

Yes, but that might feel like that to somebody else who maybe everybody at the job knows.

[Eric Benet]

True.

[Angie Martinez]

How about the guy who was. How about the guy who was at the Coldplay concert with the girl from the job? Did you see that?

[Eric Benet]

Did you see that? Yeah. Could you imagine? Like you had. No, you went from 0 to 120. Like you had your own little private bubble of life and then whoosh.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm just saying, that guy, or even that girl, everybody's attention on you sometimes, I don't know, just gets in your own way. And I think, I think people have to navigate that on their own levels or whatever levels. And I just think somebody who had to deal with it in such a grand way, like understanding how you manage that is interesting to me. Like more so than the details of all of the things, but that you navigated that and learned from it.

[Eric Benet]

Well, that's what life is. It's like whatever, whatever is thrown your way. It's like you have two, two, two opportunity. No, you really have three opportunities. There's always drugs.

[Angie Martinez]

How's that end?

[Eric Benet]

Bad. So, okay, so wait, did you.

[Angie Martinez]

You didn't. You didn't go that route?

[Eric Benet]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

What was the route, what was the route for healing for you?

[Eric Benet]

Accountability time. Trying to. Trying to make amends as much as I possibly, possibly could. But with yourself or with myself, with her, with my family, with. With everybody who. And friend. Everybody who was around me, who I felt like I just let down and with myself and. And then going through that process, then there's time, you know, Then there's. Then there's just. And remember, at the time, it was like I was a single dad to my daughter. And then it was like, okay. It was that situation where I gotta. You know, hey, you fucked up. Let's get it together. Because look who's waking up every morning and smiling and laughing and looking for breakfast. So whenever I'm in her face, I can't be like, oh, damn, I fucked my life up. Shit. I. I gotta be. I still gotta be happy, Daddy. And so that was an incredible cat. Not. Not just catalyst, but the whole nucleus of. Get your shit together, nigga. Yes. You fell down. So what? Blah, blah. Get up, get up, get up. You fucked up. You know, look at. Look at that face.

[Angie Martinez]

So, you know, that's not a very easy thing for. And I don't want to just put this on men, because I do know a lot of women who struggle with this also. But apology, accountability, and apologizing is not always easy for people. Was that easy for you before or in life, or did you have to learn how to do that? Well, you were forced to. You were forced to.

[Eric Benet]

No, I. I think.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, you had a lot of siblings, so sometimes that helps.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, I got. And I got a lot of siblings.

[Angie Martinez]

Mm.

[Eric Benet]

I'm the baby of those siblings, so that may have had something to do with me fucking up in the first place.

[Angie Martinez]

What is that attention? Just, like, the attention.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, absolutely. And I think apologizing for me when I know I'm wrong, I. I don't. I don't think. I don't think that was my struggle. Yeah. I think, like, acting like everything was cool when it wasn't. I have historically been good with that. Until the card house comes falling down, and then I'm like, holy fuck, I'm not okay. Not okay and fucked up. And then once that happens, apologies is very natural. Accountability is. Is. Is. Is the next. Like I said, other than drugs and alcohol, you have to face reality. And. Yeah, and the reality is, like, you built this.

[Angie Martinez]

What's on the other side of that? Like, what's the next phase? Oh, God.

[Eric Benet]

What's on the other side is a bit more fearlessness for doing good stuff,

[Angie Martinez]

you know, never a fear of, like, I don't know, slipping back into old habits or old.

[Eric Benet]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

You know.

[Eric Benet]

No. But you know what? It did Was before all that happened, I think I had a fear of failure. It's almost like it was an inoculation to a fear of failure, you know, because I was just. It was a readiness to try new things and a confidence to meet people. I met my wife.

[Angie Martinez]

How old when you met your wife? 30s. 30s, right.

[Eric Benet]

No, no. By that time I was. I think I was 4. 40. Maybe. Maybe.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. So.

[Eric Benet]

And a new evolution of you, a new evolution. Had kids. We have Luna and Lucia, who are 14 and 11 now, and they are brilliant. And India is just a brilliant woman now. And. Yeah. So I think there's always strength after you do the work, you know?

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. So that must have been. That must have been really joyful for you to find love after being. Going through all of that, going through publicly, being down, having to get up, raising your daughter, and then actually finding love and being here healed.

[Eric Benet]

It's beautiful.

[Angie Martinez]

You know what I'm saying? It's beautiful because it's probably a different experience because if you go into a marriage or a relationship unhealed from the beginning, it can't feel as good as going into a relationship healed.

[Eric Benet]

Very true. And one of the most incredible things about this time around is so with my oldest daughter, India, I didn't have a partner. I had my family helping me out. Now I have a partner who is, you know, who these two little incredible humans are. The most important things in her life as well.

[Angie Martinez]

So you get to share that lived experience.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, it's wonderful. And, you know, it's. It's just. It's a joyous experience.

[Angie Martinez]

Are you a good husband?

[Eric Benet]

I try to be.

[Angie Martinez]

Come on, you know, if you are or not.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. Yeah. And I think there's. Especially in this business, I think when. When you are traveling as much as you are, when you are away from you, you want to be there for everything, and you're not. And sometimes your kids don't understand. And she. My wife Manuela is incredible. She's one of those, like, attentive to every detail person, and I'm kind of like the opposite. So I think being a good husband is, you know, a big part of that, too. And, you know, I think I can always do better when it comes to that. So.

[Angie Martinez]

But overall.

[Eric Benet]

Overall, I think. I think so.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

I think so. I'm going to. I'm going to. I'm going to say in an emphatic yes.

[Angie Martinez]

What have you learned about that? Like, what is the lesson? Like, what have you learned? Like, what did it take to be a good husband?

[Eric Benet]

Probably Going through the challenges of not being a good husband.

[Angie Martinez]

Right.

[Eric Benet]

And I think that's always the case. It's like, who was I talking to? I was talking to a buddy of mine about. I remember a buddy of mine said he was introducing me to his friend and he said, hey, his friend was about to get married. And my buddy said, hey, let me introduce you to my buddy Eric Benet. Like, ask him all the questions, you know, about marriage and this, that and the other. And this was before. This was shortly after. Shortly after my first marriage ended.

[Angie Martinez]

And he wanted you to give him advice?

[Eric Benet]

Exactly. And his friend, after, after his friend looked at him, he said, hey, no offense, but I mean, I just heard about what happened and it's like, bro, I don't know if I want advice from you. And my friend looked at him and he said, dude, if you're on a motorcycle and you're riding a Mulholland drive, who better to ask for advice on how to maneuver that shit than the motherfucker who just ran off the edge? So I think there's a bit of.

[Angie Martinez]

In that spirit, and I've heard you respond to this before, but in that spirit, can you laugh at or somewhat appreciate the never go Eric Benet line? Or is that, I mean, if you're saying the same thing, Eric, it's kind of the same thing. You say the same thing.

[Eric Benet]

What's funny about that is there was this perception or. And there was even some reporting that

[Angie Martinez]

you were upset about it.

[Eric Benet]

Not just upset, but apoplectic. Like, like, like screaming about it and.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, I didn't see that.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, that's the other thing. Sometimes we see like, I see and if I see it, I think everybody sees it. It was just a good. So,

[Angie Martinez]

yeah, you were spazzing. You, you, you hate Jay Z.

[Eric Benet]

Like I was like, yo, Jay Z, mention me.

[Angie Martinez]

So did you really? Are you that far removed from that guy? That's. That you're.

[Eric Benet]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, it was like, I mean, me and my team, we got together, it crazy. So yeah, there was no like animosity about that. That, that shit was quite funny. And then I thought I was being cute with a response on back then Twitter and it kind of backfired.

[Angie Martinez]

What was your response? I don't remember. It was something.

[Eric Benet]

Something that was funny. Something funny that I thought was funny.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, like I thought I was living my life where.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, like you said something I thought was funny. And it was like I was looking at the comments, I was like, oh, I should have shut the fuck up.

[Angie Martinez]

But you Weren't somewhere sitting somewhere angry?

[Eric Benet]

I was in. It was funny. I was in Cuba.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, wow.

[Eric Benet]

I was in Cuba. And there were these articles talking about how I was so angry and I was so.

[Angie Martinez]

In Spanish.

[Eric Benet]

No, no, like, like we were looking at back home stuff like how Eric Benays is definitely upset about what happened. And we were like chilling and a Havana with cigars and having a good time laughing about the whole thing. And it's just funny how the media will take something and.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, for sure.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. Now at McDonald's, get a five dollar McChicken meal deal or a six dollar McDouble meal deal. They come with small fries, a soft drink and four piece McNuggets. We're gonna need a bigger tray. Get more value with your meal deal with McValue.

[Producer/Announcer]

Prices and participation may vary. Prices may be higher for delivery.

[Angie Martinez]

You know, none of those things, those ups and downs and those moments have stopped you from kind of just continuing to, I don't know, adjust the, the channel.

[Eric Benet]

And you have to. Yeah, you have to. It's like. Yeah, that's part of it, man. You just gotta like. Because whatever is happening, there's like a perception of what actually happened. And, and 90 times out of a hundred, the reality is something completely different. So you can't react to people reacting to something that they think is.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, I get it.

[Eric Benet]

You feel me?

[Angie Martinez]

But now you're in this space where you've created a whole social media personality that you have that we didn't know that you had internally, but you never showed us on the outside. So everybody thinks there's like a new.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, they think this is a new way. You could ask Allison. Allison is the one right over there who gave me my first record deal. She signed me to Warner Brothers.

[Angie Martinez]

The whole time you've been.

[Eric Benet]

The whole time. When I got that deal at emi,

[Angie Martinez]

she gave it to me also. All the ups and downs we're talking about, she was riding, she was right there, passenger seat.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. She's known that I've basically helping you navigate problems. I'll run into somebody like Fuzzy and he'll be like, yo, Eric, this the same nigga. This is Eric. Finally.

[Angie Martinez]

So that's funny. Was it surprised to you how people have responded to you on socials? Surprising?

[Eric Benet]

No, I would say it wasn't surprising as it was. It just felt affirming, you know? Yeah, I felt like, wow. Yeah, I guess this is, this has been me the whole time. It feels really good for people to just like me, you know, without me trying to like put on some kind of Blue Steel face.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, that's.

[Eric Benet]

Is that a weird reference? Blue Steel?

[Angie Martinez]

No, it's. No.

[Eric Benet]

You know, only aging yourself. Okay. Because now Laverne.

[Angie Martinez]

Laverne and Shirley.

[Eric Benet]

Laverne and Shirley is an old reference.

[Angie Martinez]

Old reference than that.

[Eric Benet]

I'm at the age now where I feel if I make a lot of my references, I'll be like, does anybody understand? Remember when you were always the youngest person in the room? And now that shit don't happen no more. And you just make a reference. The whole room is like, what is he talking about?

[Angie Martinez]

I've been there.

[Eric Benet]

Blue Steel Zoolander. For those.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, yeah.

[Producer/Announcer]

Go Google it.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, Google it.

[Angie Martinez]

Or chat it. Put it in chat. So what are you going to do with this, like, newfound kind of, I don't know, rock?

[Eric Benet]

A new single.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. Well, then there's that.

[Eric Benet]

Keep the music going. Yeah. Last year we had a. A music project that did really well. You know, on Allison and my label, jbr, we had two number one singles.

[Angie Martinez]

Yes.

[Eric Benet]

Excuse me. I'm Berkeley from lacroix. We have.

[Angie Martinez]

We're gonna get a sponsorship now.

[Producer/Announcer]

Thank you.

[Eric Benet]

With Eric Benet.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

We had incredible female artists on this project.

[Angie Martinez]

Like, artists who are like 14, right? Like.

[Eric Benet]

And that was crazy. I don't know how we pull that out.

[Angie Martinez]

That's a lot.

[Eric Benet]

Because.

[Angie Martinez]

Can you name them all quickly?

[Eric Benet]

If I do, I'll miss somebody. But we talking about Leticy. We talking about Jordan Sparks. We talking about Shantae Moore, Tamar Braxton, Kareem Bailey. Ray. We talking about India.

[Angie Martinez]

India. I.

[Eric Benet]

We. We talking about.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, Pipes, Go ahead.

[Eric Benet]

Who else? Ahrii Lennox. Come on, Eric. What the fuck? See, no, see, I'm gonna forget.

[Angie Martinez]

All right, fine.

[Eric Benet]

Don't go through the whole list. A lot of women, but two number one singles project that we're really proud of at jbr. And who.

[Angie Martinez]

Who's thinking. Whose brain, baby, is this? Let's go get all the women.

[Eric Benet]

This woman over here.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, got it.

[Eric Benet]

Who is like. Because I.

[Angie Martinez]

You started your career as the essence sexiest man. One of the essence sexiest man's alive. You might as well return to your roots.

[Eric Benet]

That ain't.

[Angie Martinez]

You wanted to return to your roots.

[Eric Benet]

Well, I'm always returning to music. And we had a new record label, so it was time. And I hadn't had something new out in eight years. And I decided to. Alison was like, nigga, you need to get your ass back in the studio into an album. But we need to make it special. Let's look at some of Your biggest successes have been duets, so let's Make a Whole Spend My Life and Georgie Porgy. So we did a whole album that way and I'm extremely proud of it. Now we have a new single for a solo project that I need to get back to LA and put some finishing energy on. A lot of finishing energy on no

[Angie Martinez]

cat, no features, just you, no features so far.

[Eric Benet]

And it's the first single I feel really good about because it's really an extension of a lot of my political animus on social media, like telling people, oh, we're stronger together. Please stop being silent. Like, please speak out against the division, the subjugation, the trying to rewrite history and erase our rights. You know, we gotta fight against that. So the single who's Gonna Save Us is all about that.

[Angie Martinez]

It's so good. Yeah, so good.

[Eric Benet]

Thank you. Got in the studio with my man, DJ Camper, Feli, the Voice, incredible songwriters and producers, and we came up with this joint.

[Angie Martinez]

I love that. Who is going to save us?

[Eric Benet]

We are.

[Angie Martinez]

We are.

[Eric Benet]

Only we can.

[Angie Martinez]

How do we do it? What's the first step?

[Eric Benet]

Well, we've done it multiple times in history. And the crazy part about it is how the powers that be, they keep using the same fucking formula and it keeps working, the divide and conquer. Let's know, let's get them to fight against each other. Oh, my God. And then we can rob them and we can take away even more of their rights. So then they'll start fighting even, even more and we'll get even richer. And now we can be trillionaires and they'll think we're. We're superpowers and, you know, so it's.

[Angie Martinez]

I even see it with like, what they're doing. I don't know, sometimes I see people going at each other and I wonder where the roots of this. And a lot of times when you track some of that, I wonder if that's even real. Like, I feel like there's just so many bots and AI systems that are literally set up for, to your point, to divide and conquer.

[Eric Benet]

You're 100% right.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. It's so scary and it's so wild to watch how people play right into it, so easy.

[Eric Benet]

What's especially frustrating to me is

[Angie Martinez]

two

[Eric Benet]

things are going to be needed, which it seems lately we haven't been tapping into the realization that how powerful we are as individuals and to be at least marginally educated, that doesn't mean you gotta, you know, have a PhD or even graduate from college, but you gotta read you gotta read history, the history that they're trying to erase. You have to fill your brain with knowledge and it's, it's, it's disappointing sometimes. Oh man, I'm gonna again, I'm gonna sound like the old curmudgeon old man right now.

[Angie Martinez]

So. Right. You got good skin. You can get away with it.

[Eric Benet]

But I don't know if you're experiencing this, tell me. But sometimes if you talk to 19, 20, 21 year olds, it's like there's certain sometimes and unfortunately for me, it's more than not. You know, I work with a lot of young people in the music industry and like basic general knowledge stuff. It's like they're clueless about.

[Angie Martinez]

They don't even teach kids how to write in script. That's bruh. Yeah, they don't even teach that.

[Eric Benet]

And, and it's, it's sometimes like I

[Angie Martinez]

have younger family members with somebody young and I'm like, should I write this in script or should I write. Are they going to be able to read this?

[Eric Benet]

Because is this three syllable?

[Angie Martinez]

I mean that's just a simple little thing, let alone the important things.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, scary. And that, that's. We're going to need those two things if we are going to save ourselves. You got to empower your brain and empower yourself and. And there's so many other things attached to that like taking care of your body and.

[Angie Martinez]

But yeah. What does the Eric Bennet self care regimen look like? Because you would have to take care of yourself to be as immersed, especially in this political climate and all that and everything that's happening in the world. Because you immerse yourself. Some of us do a dance as much as we can and just try to balance a normal life. You don't. Your blinders are never on.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

You know, some of I put blinders on sometimes not for long periods.

[Eric Benet]

For your own sanity, just for my.

[Angie Martinez]

Just long enough to have my sanity. Then I'll go back and pay attention and do my work and research and you know, but I do sometimes have to find ways to put blinders on. But there are people like even the people who do ground like my friend Tamika Mallory or people who are never without blinders, I think, oh, that's hard. Like you have to find a way to who. And I feel like you probably have your own ways, exercise or whatever ways to put blinders on even for a little bit of time, but you seem like you're in it pretty much all the time.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, I've some of my Friends are like, dude, why are you watching news so much? It's just bringing you down. And it does, but, but it, it does bring me down. But it also, it just kind of like it makes me vocal. It makes me vocal. You got to be aware of this stuff. It's like, it's like I'm forever. I think it'll be 100, 200 years from now. And if we are still alive as a civilization, they will be studying as to. How was it possible that somebody who has so repeatedly failed in their life and has had such a void of any moral compass or character or ethics or, or care or concern for history or anything other than his own self aggrandizement. How did he become president? And it's like the formula, the formula. The, I don't know, distract, distract, divide. And we got him. And I think the. Again, I'll say it again, the only effective anecdote for that is education and self empowerment.

[Angie Martinez]

What about self care for you? Like, so what do you do? How do you take care of yourself? How do you keep your mental.

[Eric Benet]

You gotta drink your water. And I cut out alcohol.

[Angie Martinez]

Really? None? Zero.

[Eric Benet]

I would say once every couple months I'll have a glass of wine.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay.

[Eric Benet]

You gotta cut out as much sugar as you possibly can. Look, if it's. If I'm down south and it's some peach cobbler right there and I know I haven't had dessert in like a month, I'm a. That peach cobbler up. Right. But I mean for the most part I think I have to really monitor and manage sugar intake. Processed foods. I try to maintain a relatively pescatarian diet. Sardines are good. Blueberries.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. What else you got?

[Eric Benet]

I try to cut out dairy. I work out four times a week. And what kind of workout? Not heavy like weights, like weight training or a lot of calisthenic stuff. Some weight stuff.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay.

[Eric Benet]

You know, I'll try, I'll try to do like 100 push ups a night and then I'll do my workout in the morning, you know, so this doesn't

[Angie Martinez]

just happen at 60, right? This is not how you look at 60. This is just not. This is not genetics.

[Eric Benet]

I mean, not from me. Not from me.

[Angie Martinez]

You work hard to.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, you get. Yeah, because I mean it's just a matter of your natural bodily functions that if you don't do it then your muscles will. Year by year you'll lose more and more percentage of your muscles and your bone density if you're not counteracting it with diet and Exercise and grounding. Grounding. Stay connected to the earth.

[Angie Martinez]

How do you do that?

[Eric Benet]

Take your shoes off and just.

[Angie Martinez]

You still barefoot, Eric Benet.

[Eric Benet]

See, I told you some truth to that shit.

[Angie Martinez]

There is truth.

[Eric Benet]

I might. I might say a couple swear words if I stub my toe. But I mean, yeah, no, but I mean there's undeniable scientific evidence that if you have skin to skin contact with the soil, the earth, the sand, it lowers the inflammation in your body and it promotes a general well being.

[Angie Martinez]

And where do you do, where do you go? At home, I guess. Right?

[Eric Benet]

Backyard. If you're having your coffee in the morning, take your. Well, I get in. In la, you can do it year round. I take my shoes off and I drink my coffee outside in the backyard barefooted. Barefoot. Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

You know, so funny. I started golfing a few years ago and. And I went to golf maybe a year ago with someone and he was barefoot the whole time. And I was kind of like making fun of him and did he tell you why? He just said there's only some places that you. There's only a few places in the world that you can do it. So he ch. Chose to do it. We were, I think we were in the Bahamas and he was golfing barefoot and we were just joking. We were like teasing. It was, you know, funny. But I really thought. I kind of want to try that. I think there might be something to that.

[Eric Benet]

You should.

[Angie Martinez]

Now you're making me really want to try it.

[Eric Benet]

You should. There really is. There really is like peer reviewed scientific evidence to back it up.

[Angie Martinez]

All right.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Sold. We have some features that we have to do with you while you're here, Eric.

[Eric Benet]

Oh, what I gotta do? I gotta dance.

[Angie Martinez]

Yes, you're gonna dance. You're gonna sing.

[Eric Benet]

Okay, that's good. That's it.

[Angie Martinez]

I enjoyed that. I enjoyed that. That was fun.

[Eric Benet]

Hey, guys.

[Angie Martinez]

You ever signed up for a phone plan thinking, wow, what a great price. And then a few months later it's like, surprise, your bill is higher. We hate that. With Boost mobile, you pay $25 a month. Forever. That's unlimited talk, text and data starting at just $25 a month. There's no price hikes, there's no contract. And this is forever. Plus, Boost Mobile is now a legit nationwide 5G network. They invested billions building 5G towers across the country. So what you need to do is visit boostmobile.com or head to your local booth store today and get unlimited talk, talk, text and data for 25amonth. Forever. 5G speeds. Not available in all areas. After 30 gigabytes, customers may experience slower speeds. Customers will pay 25amonth as long as they remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan. This is a voice note, our voice note segment. Who do we have?

[Eric Benet]

Eddie here? I'm a girl, dad. My 13 year old girl just started dating. I'm already having nightmares about it. But I've been having this thought specifically about, about her bringing home a man, him cheating on her and then having to deal with that situation like her wanting to take him back or something. What do you think I should say in that situation? What do you think I should do if my baby girl brings home a man who cheats on her and then wants to stay with him?

[Producer/Announcer]

Thank you.

[Angie Martinez]

That's a very specific question.

[Eric Benet]

That is very, very specific. And there's a couple issues about the question. You are certain 13 year old daughter,

[Angie Martinez]

she shouldn't be dating at all. She should.

[Eric Benet]

Hell fuck no.

[Angie Martinez]

When did they start to date? I don't think he said she was. I think he said he has a fear of that this would happen.

[Eric Benet]

Okay then, good. Here's the question. You ain't got shit to worry about till she's 16.

[Angie Martinez]

And then what?

[Eric Benet]

And then if she brings home a guy who cheats on her.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. Or is a bad guy.

[Eric Benet]

Then you have until 1, 2, she's 16 years old to be the representation of the kind of guy you want her to bring home. And one or two bad ones might slip through because that is definitely not a fail safe plan there. And when that happens, you have until 1 until 16 years old to have the kind of relationship with your daughter where she's gonna come to you and talk to you about what she's going through. You are not going to be able to control a 16 year old daughter. She's going to have, first of all, she's female. So she's going to have all kind of ways to make you think she's doing what you asked her to do. But she ain't really going to be doing it. So you, as much as you would like to be the absolute control of that situation, he's not going to be. So he's got time to arm her with love.

[Angie Martinez]

Do you have that relationship with your kids, I'd imagine?

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. And I'm trying to, you know, we got a couple more years to go with Lucia. I've got four, five more years with Luna. And I'm trying to every day have a better relationship in that regard with my daughters. Most important thing, most important people in

[Angie Martinez]

my life Your oldest is how old now?

[Eric Benet]

34.

[Angie Martinez]

30. She's.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

And she's in a. She's in a beautiful relationship, and. Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Thank God.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

There's not a fear, though, right?

[Eric Benet]

I'm not. I'm not worried about her, but, you know. All right. Okay. This is fun.

[Angie Martinez]

I feel like you're a good dad. Are you a good dad?

[Eric Benet]

I. Again, like, I think so, but I'm trying. I don't want to say, because if I tell you, yes, I'm a good dad, it's like, I feel like I could do better.

[Angie Martinez]

How?

[Eric Benet]

I think, well, when I look at my wife and how incredibly attentive and, like, she is with them in every aspect of their life, and I'm like, how do you keep track of. Of all of that stuff? And then I'm trying to keep the income coming into the situation, and it's like. So I. I feel like I'm a good dad who's always trying to find ways to be a better dad.

[Angie Martinez]

It's probably taught you a lot, right, about life and

[Eric Benet]

Shondo. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's like. It's a poetic justice from God. It's like all daughters for you, bro.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. But they also say they give you the kids. They say God gives you the kids that you need.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

To become the ver. To become who you're supposed to be.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Producer/Announcer]

I love that.

[Angie Martinez]

You know what I'm saying?

[Eric Benet]

I 100% agree with that.

[Angie Martinez]

I feel like that, too.

[Eric Benet]

My kids,

[Angie Martinez]

they get you there because you're trying to be the best version of yourself. So they're forcing you to be a better version of yourself simply by just existing.

[Eric Benet]

And simply by them being existing. By them existing. You are having to underscore lessons that you've learned and things like, as you're teaching them things, you're like, yeah, I think I needed to hear that, too.

[Angie Martinez]

Has anybody ever given you good parenting advice?

[Eric Benet]

The best parenting advice is try to share as well. Just share as much of your life with your children as age appropriately as you can during their journey of growing up, so that it's very natural for them. Once they get to that 16, it'll be like, dad, guess what happened? You know, it won't feel like such a weird thing for them.

[Angie Martinez]

Do you do that with your kids? You do?

[Eric Benet]

I try to.

[Angie Martinez]

You try to. Yeah. I agree. I agree. Good, good, good. Good advice. Childhood. Okay, we're gonna do some IRL questions. We have an IRL bowl. Let me just go through this real quick. You okay over there? I think you were wonderful today.

[Eric Benet]

You think so?

[Angie Martinez]

Do you not feel like that? Tell me. Tell me now. No, I'll give you a different look.

[Eric Benet]

I feel like I was cool.

[Angie Martinez]

I think so.

[Eric Benet]

I wasn't an.

[Angie Martinez]

Why would you be an. Are you an. Sometimes I don't think so. What would make you. Like, what would happen in your day that would. Would make like. It's funny because when I ask people questions, I Some. I go through this thing in my mind where I want to. Can I answer that? So I was going to ask you what do you really Sometimes. Yes. Especially if it's like a question like that, that I just think on the spot. It's almost like I try to be like, is that a fair question to ask? Could you answer that in your own.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, they've all been fair questions.

[Angie Martinez]

So if I say to you what would make you be an asshole in your day? Then I'm saying to myself, what would make me. And I was. I was a little bit of an asshole yesterday, I think.

[Eric Benet]

What would make me. And I remembered I first. Why were you an asshole yesterday?

[Angie Martinez]

I was really overwhelmed with life yesterday. Just personal shit, work shit, Too much on my plate. Hadn't had five minutes to just.

[Eric Benet]

That'll make anybody an asshole. And that was gonna be my answer.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, that was what it was. Still shouldn't be an asshole. Cause it's not anybody else's fault that you.

[Eric Benet]

Asshole maybe is an extreme word. Oh, no. I was an individual of low patience.

[Angie Martinez]

Extreme.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. Extremely low patience.

[Angie Martinez]

High level.

[Eric Benet]

That's about as close as I'll get to an if. It's like, I've just. There've been a couple letdowns in the day. Something didn't go the right way. I didn't eat. I forgot to do some shit, which I'm always forgetting to do.

[Angie Martinez]

What level of assholery are we talking about, though?

[Eric Benet]

Probably like, can. Can we. Can. Is. Can we wrap it up? Because I gotta go home.

[Angie Martinez]

That's pretty bad. Yeah, that's not. I mean, that's not the worst.

[Eric Benet]

I mean, it's not like, I definitely. Fuck this shit, man. I'm out of here. It's not like, what did Trump do? He just like, all you got to do to Trump is like, ask him an actual question

[Angie Martinez]

and he's fucking out of here.

[Eric Benet]

That's a rude question. That's just a dis. That's why you're a despicable person. That's an asshole.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, he's an. From the gate, out the gate.

[Eric Benet]

True.

[Angie Martinez]

He's not like us.

[Eric Benet]

From a long. From a long line of assholes.

[Angie Martinez]

A long line of assholes. In all of this commentary you've been making, have you heard from anyone? Have you. Have you gotten any of those weird calls?

[Eric Benet]

I didn't get weird calls, but I did get a call from Stevie Wonder.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, can you share?

[Eric Benet]

I can only share because he said I could.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay. Have you shared this before?

[Eric Benet]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm so excited.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

First of all, Stevie Wonder, one of our greatest.

[Eric Benet]

Nash, National Wonder, is the most. I mean, I don't even got to say he's the most beautiful, talented, iconic. You know, you don't got it.

[Angie Martinez]

But to know him, national treasure.

[Eric Benet]

And here's the other thing that I've discovered in my career. People like that. People who just seem as though their talent exceeds human expectation. Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Prince. If when you meet these people, in my experience, they always seem to be the most attentive and they make you feel like when they're talking to you, you're the only person in the world. And it's just like, really? Okay, I want to know how you think of. But, you know. Well, tell me about this. You know, what is that? What is that?

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, what is that that they do? Why do you think they do that? That.

[Eric Benet]

I think it's just they are so successful because in any given moment, they are so present. And. And it's not just that. I think it's love. I think they have so much. You can't be a conduit for that much creativity and power if there's just not a whole lot of love in your being. Now, you may have your own personal challenges. Challenges, yes. But it's all packaged in love and trying to become a better person.

[Angie Martinez]

God wouldn't give you a gift that strong exactly. If there was no love in there. Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

So Stevie, I've been blessed in my life to say that he is somebody who I can call and talk to, which I still pinch myself with that realization. But he's just a being of love. He called me. Well, actually, my wife told me Stevie's gonna call you about 4 o'.

[Angie Martinez]

Clock.

[Eric Benet]

I'm like, oh, shit, what'd I do?

[Angie Martinez]

Wait, has Stevie ever called? Have you ever gotten that call from Stevie before?

[Eric Benet]

No, I've never gotten this call from Stevie.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, no. Just like, if you've done something, does he, like, call you with a check? No. Okay.

[Eric Benet]

No, but there's something about the tone,

[Angie Martinez]

you know, your wife's tone.

[Eric Benet]

Right.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

So.

[Producer/Announcer]

So

[Eric Benet]

actually I was supposed to call him. So I called him, and basically where he was coming from was he seen some of the posts and his sentiment was like, eric, look, my young brother, I know that we're all angry and disheartened, but I fear that he was basically saying, you coming on a little hard. And I'm worried about how crazy some of these motherfuckers are out there. He. Not his words, mine.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, yeah, you're paraphrasing.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. He was like, the. Those who are on the side of that negativity, they are crazy motherfuckers. And why don't you put and put all of that anger into music? So he was coming to me as like, the older uncle brother. Like, I don't want you to get out there and somebody do some stupid shit to you because of something you said. And then two days later, I went into the studio and wrote Die Pedo. So

[Angie Martinez]

where is that song? Where is that?

[Eric Benet]

It's a song I never officially released, but I was just in the studio one day angry and thinking about what Stevie said. Put it in music, huh? All right, I'm gonna write Die Pedo and maybe I'll throw it on the album. I don't know.

[Angie Martinez]

Look, they're sending people.

[Eric Benet]

I know they might very, very well.

[Angie Martinez]

They're coming for you already.

[Eric Benet]

Very well may, but, I mean, I was so grateful for the call. And I think I really took it to heart. And I won't say that it made me change what I say, but maybe I think about how I say it sometime.

[Angie Martinez]

That makes sense. Because when you think of Stevie, he's the love's in need of love today.

[Eric Benet]

But not only that, so many generations of this same movement, he's seen. And he's seen some of the soldiers get taken out.

[Angie Martinez]

Out.

[Eric Benet]

Not that, please. I'm not saying I'm a soldier. And I don't think he. Well, I guess in some ways I am. He wasn't. I don't know. Maybe he was. I don't know. But I'm grateful for the conversation.

[Angie Martinez]

Did it shift anything in you or. No, because you haven't really slowed up that much.

[Eric Benet]

I haven't slowed up, but that thought is conscious in my head every time. Like, I'd be like, okay, okay, curb your rage. Curb your rage. So I'll be thinking about, oh, so long. I'll be thinking about Stevie now when I post.

[Angie Martinez]

So Stevie, he's a bucket list guest for me on the pod.

[Eric Benet]

He is a beautiful, godlike soul because he's all about, I care for you. I care for this World I want we. He is the message of who's going to save us. It's like we all need to collectively join our positive energy if we're ever going to overcome the negative forces of this world. And his message is do it without the rage, but do it from a place of love. That's dede beautiful, but I'm a. Oh, shit. I got too much James Baldwin in me, though.

[Angie Martinez]

You more Malcolm than. Than I think so than Martin.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, I'd be like them.

[Angie Martinez]

Have you ever made a call like that to put somebody on to something or to like. Do you ever make those calls? Because I'm sure there's people that look to you. You OG to some of these singers, R B artists.

[Eric Benet]

I try to encourage. I try to encourage people to just speak because what I'm hearing often is people will come up to me and they will just say, man, I so appreciate what you're doing. And my response is like, thank you. Thank you. Please, I invite you to voice.

[Angie Martinez]

Join me.

[Eric Benet]

Join me.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

And, yeah, I laughed when you asked me the question because I thought about the time I met Dick Gray Gregory.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh.

[Eric Benet]

Which did not go well.

[Angie Martinez]

Why? What happened?

[Eric Benet]

So where was.

[Angie Martinez]

Give it to me. Tell me the Dig Gregory story.

[Eric Benet]

I was in D.C. and it was Obama's inauguration and just wanted to be there for this historic event. And then after the inauguration, there's all kind of little pockets of things happening. And I was at some place. I don't remember where I was, but somebody said, hey, Dick Gregory's back there, and there's about 30 people back there. And I was like, oh, shit, excuse me, I want to go meet Dick Gregory. And when I walked back, I quietly stood at the back of the room, and he was commanding the people as Dick Gregory does, and he was just saying how he was talking about his regimen of health.

[Producer/Announcer]

Health.

[Eric Benet]

And he was basically saying, I don't. I don't eat.

[Angie Martinez]

This is all.

[Eric Benet]

I drink water because. Because food is toxic. I don't eat. I don't eat nothing. I don't never eat. And. And people are like, wow. And I. And. And when there was a break. Have you ever met Dick Gregory?

[Angie Martinez]

No, never.

[Eric Benet]

And when there was a break in the conversation, I was like, oh, Mr. Gregory, I just want to say it's so nice to meet you, but I mean, there must be something that you eat. Big mistake. Big mistake. It was like a pause. He looked at me this, trying to tell me what I said. I was like, oh, my God. I said, I don't eat. These young don't listen to.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, he called you young, though. He called you the young. You were the youngest.

[Eric Benet]

I look pretty young, I guess. When was Obama Jesus? Yeah, exactly 12 years ago.

[Angie Martinez]

I just threw a number out. I'm bad with it. So.

[Eric Benet]

Wow. I was like, dang.

[Angie Martinez]

And that's how it ended. He didn't laugh and say, it's okay.

[Eric Benet]

No, that was no laugh.

[Angie Martinez]

That's.

[Eric Benet]

That's Dick Gregory.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, yes.

[Eric Benet]

No laughter. Yeah. I said, I don't eat.

[Angie Martinez]

So how does that end? Okay.

[Producer/Announcer]

Good.

[Angie Martinez]

Me Good.

[Eric Benet]

Do you ever see the. The meme of Homer and the. In the bush to the.

[Angie Martinez]

Back to the bushes?

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, that was it.

[Angie Martinez]

Back to the bushes.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. I think I actually said don't and just, like, faded into this.

[Angie Martinez]

It's really funny.

[Eric Benet]

It wasn't at the time.

[Angie Martinez]

No, I bet I really. I bet it wasn't. All right. IRL bowl.

[Eric Benet]

Oh, the IRL bowl.

[Angie Martinez]

There was a bowl.

[Eric Benet]

What is a habit that you are proud of? What is a habit that you are trying to break?

[Producer/Announcer]

Ah.

[Angie Martinez]

In real life.

[Eric Benet]

Okay.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay, give it to me.

[Eric Benet]

So the habit that I am most proud of is when I. When I make the decision. When I made the decision to take care of my health, I can be pretty. I can stick to that. Pretty with, you know, consistency.

[Angie Martinez]

When was that?

[Eric Benet]

In varying degrees, about five years ago.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, wow.

[Eric Benet]

You know, some things it's taken me the last couple years to, like, just lock into, like, a workout. I cut out alcohol, I eat. Right. What's a habit?

[Angie Martinez]

That's inspiring to me because that means I could go do that today.

[Eric Benet]

You absolutely can.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. That's inspiring.

[Eric Benet]

You absolutely.

[Angie Martinez]

I do take care of myself in certain ways, but I could do a lot of things a lot better. So you make me feel like from now to five years from now, I could really make a significant difference.

[Eric Benet]

Such. Okay, you don't gotta. You don't gotta put this on camera, but. Do you drink?

[Angie Martinez]

I do.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. So. So I know it's difficult because like, a couple years, like maybe three years ago, I would have to have, like, two shots of scotch before.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm not a drinker like that. I drink. I enjoy a cocktail. That means I have one or two.

[Eric Benet]

How often?

[Angie Martinez]

Maybe twice a week. Yeah, See, once or twice a week. Sometimes once, sometimes twice a week. I'm never going to have three or four or anything like that or shots. I'll have a. But there's always sugar, you know, it's. It's alcohol and the sugar together.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, it's not good.

[Angie Martinez]

It's not good. I enjoy a leachy, but I'm not

[Eric Benet]

telling nobody what to do. I'm just telling you what works for me.

[Angie Martinez]

You just were telling me. Give me the thing. You were just dropping the jewels on me. I gotta stop drinking.

[Eric Benet]

Tell me, give me that one.

[Angie Martinez]

Tell me what I need to do. Cuz in five years, when I turn 60, I. So.

[Eric Benet]

You look incredible.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, thank you.

[Eric Benet]

I also glam with, with alcohol. Even two drinks a week, it will make your skin start to age sooner than you should be. But if you stop, you could reverse it. Alcohol attacks every system within your body. From how your brain synapses to your digestion, to your REM sleep, to your heart, to your, how youthful you look, to your energy level, everything. Like if you cut out, like if people. It is a neurotoxin. If you cut out alcohol, you'll find like once you stop that habit, you will notice like in a month it's like, wow, I slept solid through the night. You know, in a month I did. Then it's like, wow, I, I, you know, I'm, I, I have more energy. So anyway, that's my spiel.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay. I'm gonna take it. All right, so does that mean no fun? No, no, no.

[Eric Benet]

Well, you need fun to have alcohol.

[Angie Martinez]

No other substance. No, I just, I'm just. No, I can have fun. I meant no other fun substances. No, there's no, there's no micro dosing or there's no weed or there's no, there's no, nothing.

[Eric Benet]

I don't smoke. No.

[Angie Martinez]

So clean. Completely clean and clean eating.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Producer/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

And you, you, you will, your body will thank you for it.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay, we're gonna see. I'm gonna try.

[Eric Benet]

Okay. What's a habit?

[Angie Martinez]

I'm gonna give it a month and see.

[Producer/Announcer]

You got.

[Eric Benet]

Wait, shake my hand on that.

[Angie Martinez]

No, I'm gonna give it a month. I'm gonna do it.

[Eric Benet]

I'll check in with you, young lady.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay, fine. It's been on my spirit anyway, so the fact that you're telling me that right now. I'm gonna try it. Not today. You're the spokesman like walking billboard, so. Okay, I'm going to try. Try it. Done.

[Eric Benet]

What's a habit you're trying to break? As consistent I am and regimented I can be with the health stuff. I can be kind of an airhead with scheduling. Making sure that they probably back there laughing at me, doing side eyes at my people because it's like Eric is the worst. Eric is supposed to be on this fucking zoom where Are you.

[Producer/Announcer]

Oh, fuck. That's right.

[Eric Benet]

So I'm a bit of a mess.

[Angie Martinez]

You're trying to be better there.

[Eric Benet]

I'm trying to be better. I'm a bit of a mess.

[Angie Martinez]

All right. I'm gonna run through a couple before we let you go.

[Eric Benet]

So if you wasn't drinking, you wouldn't be coughing.

[Angie Martinez]

You think that's what it was? It was the mimosa that I had.

[Eric Benet]

Right.

[Angie Martinez]

I had a mimosa this morning. See? Terrible. My skin is fine. No, it's fine. I think I'm okay. We're about to wrap anyway. Let me just do this quick. In real life. In real life, when are you at your happiest?

[Eric Benet]

In real life, I am at my happiest when I'm with my kids, playing a game or watching them laugh or making them crack up laughing or something like that.

[Angie Martinez]

In real life, when was the last time you cried? Could be sadness, could be gratitude. Could be joy.

[Eric Benet]

The last time I cried, a week ago. My daughter Luna graduated from sixth grade, and she gave a speech, and it wrecked me.

[Angie Martinez]

What do you mean?

[Eric Benet]

It just wrecked me. Oh, see, if I even talk about it, I might start crying.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, my God. What was it, though? What did she say?

[Eric Benet]

She talked about how. How much. How afraid she was. She remembers being. How afraid she was the first time she came to that school and the confidence that it instilled in her. And then she got to Mama and Daddy, oh, my God, you're gonna make me emotional. She said that? You know, as I said, Manuela is just an incredibly attentive and supportive and every detail she has. And she thanked her mother for just holding her life together. And then she thanked me for every. Because I dropped them off to school in the morning. She said, daddy, every day you tell me that you love me. And you tell me that my light never, never dim the light that's shining so bright. Right? I was.

[Angie Martinez]

I was done, like, ugly cry.

[Eric Benet]

I was done. I was trying to. I was trying to hold it together, you know? It was. Yeah, it was. It was like, that was the last time I cried.

[Angie Martinez]

That's a good cry. Yeah, that's a good cry.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

We already did Self care. Real. What's your real life guilty pleasure?

[Eric Benet]

My real life guilty pleasure is probably watching Karen's getting caught by the police on social media. I watch. I watch that forever. I love when the police just catch people, like, doing wrong, and then they got an attitude. I'd be like, I'll look up and it'll be like, damn, I've been watching this for an hour and a half.

[Angie Martinez]

When you find such content. Where is this? Anywhere.

[Eric Benet]

It's your algorithm knows you. It'll be like, oh, this. Watched like 12 of these yesterday. I'm gonna send them. And I just love watching Karen's get handcuffs put on them. It's the best.

[Angie Martinez]

That's really funny. What is your superpower, Your real life superpower?

[Eric Benet]

My superpower is that creatively, I think I can fucking do anything.

[Angie Martinez]

Really?

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. Like, I. I've never taken a music lesson. I wrote a short story that turned into a TV show. I'm writing a book right now. I just finished the manuscript. Is it a memoir? It's a mid grade fantasy adventure. Oh, yeah. And.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, then you'll do a. Then you'll do a memoir at some point. What did we. What do we title it? Lessons and the headlines or the lessons behind the headlines. We talked.

[Eric Benet]

That was good. Yeah.

[Producer/Announcer]

What was it?

[Eric Benet]

I'm like, the way it rolled off so easy.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

Lessons in the headlines.

[Angie Martinez]

I think something like that. I'm going to rewind the tape and go back and send it to you.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. Yeah, maybe.

[Angie Martinez]

Maybe at some point.

[Eric Benet]

A memoir?

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. You wouldn't do it.

[Eric Benet]

I want to accomplish a little bit more shit.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay. What's left on the bucket list for you?

[Eric Benet]

I want to write a series of novels. I'm working on launching another film company with a friend. I want to get that off the ground.

[Angie Martinez]

Good.

[Eric Benet]

By next week, it'll probably be two more things.

[Angie Martinez]

You just going to keep going, Right. How often do you think about your legacy?

[Eric Benet]

Never. No, I don't think about it. Because. Because I mean, to think about the legacy means to start thinking about. All right, it's all done. How will they remember me? It's like, I don't think about that.

[Angie Martinez]

You don't?

[Eric Benet]

I got too much to do.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, but do you think about. I don't know, what you want people to learn from you if, like, even in this conversation.

[Eric Benet]

I think about that. Yeah, I think about that. I hope that the good, bad and the indifferent is not only like, teaching me lessons, but I hope I'm inadvertently teaching other people lessons too.

[Angie Martinez]

And what are you most proud of? We talked about all the ups and downs. I don't mean just like our. Well, I guess you said your kids.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. It sounds like such a cliche answer, but everything else pales in comparison when I see what they can do. And I see, like India, Lucia and Luna. They are just so talented. Like, they can. They kind of have that me thing. Where it's like, okay, I think I'm gonna start doing aerial dancing. Or I think I'm gonna. I think I'm gonna try out for this play and then they get the lead.

[Angie Martinez]

Or you created a world for them where they could think that way.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

It's beautiful.

[Eric Benet]

Absolutely.

[Angie Martinez]

But about you, that's really what the question was. What are you most proud of about yourself?

[Eric Benet]

That I'm always willing to learn and grow. And I'm always willing to admit when I'm wrong, I guess. And I smell good.

[Angie Martinez]

You smell good. I smell good naturally.

[Eric Benet]

And I look good. Remember that James Brown thing?

[Angie Martinez]

My last question? It's in the bowl. My favorite question in the IRL bowl. You got a text right now.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

And it was from God.

[Eric Benet]

God.

[Angie Martinez]

God were to text you right now.

[Eric Benet]

White God or black God?

[Angie Martinez]

You're God.

[Eric Benet]

Okay. Hey, Shondo. All right.

[Angie Martinez]

Is that what you call him?

[Eric Benet]

Okay, let's call him Shondo. Okay.

[Angie Martinez]

If God were to text you right now, what would it say? Say Woo.

[Eric Benet]

Never got that question before. Angie, where'd you get that?

[Angie Martinez]

I don't know. We came up with it in. I don't know, early in the pod. It just came up. I think it just says a lot about what you truly care about, what's truly really important to you today. If the text came today, what would it say?

[Eric Benet]

I would think that God would tell me to. Who? Shit you.

[Angie Martinez]

The stump, dude. Think about it. You don't have to rush it. I was just thinking, in true fashion of me making sure I could answer a question. I think my text today would probably. It would be to the effect that something about my text today would be like. Like, you did great because you trusted me, so just keep doing that.

[Eric Benet]

I think my idea of God is like, somebody who. A being who is loving and encouraging as opposed to like First Testament type shit.

[Angie Martinez]

You're not a religious guy?

[Eric Benet]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

Spiritual?

[Eric Benet]

No. Absolutely. I do believe in God. I believe in the power of love and positivity. And I think negativity is a very powerful evil force. I think that God would say something to me like, I love you, but he would probably say something that I would understand, like, I love you, but even more. And I would know exactly what he meant.

[Angie Martinez]

What does that mean?

[Eric Benet]

That means, like, all the positive, all the positivity I'm trying to grow from and speak on, like, do it even more. Like all of the projects that you're working on that you think can help or uplift, put more into it, you know, all of the energy that you spend with your children, where you're nurturing them and. And teaching them to respect and love themselves and realize that they can do anything, do that even more. I think it'd be something like that.

[Angie Martinez]

Do more.

[Eric Benet]

Do more.

[Angie Martinez]

That's so.

[Eric Benet]

You think so?

[Producer/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

You don't.

[Eric Benet]

How so?

[Angie Martinez]

Look at your whole life. Look at your whole career. How can I be better? How can I do more? How can I do a new label? How can I do new songs? How can I do.

[Eric Benet]

Because if he didn't say that I love you first, I would have been like. And just got. Have to do more. Just do more. I've been like, damn, I'm up.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. But if he was like, I love you. Just do a little bit more.

[Angie Martinez]

Do you feel like you're not doing enough?

[Eric Benet]

Never.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, there you have it. There it is. There it is. That's our grenade in real life, right?

[Eric Benet]

Hey, what's up? This is is Eric Benet in real life.

[Angie Martinez]

Hey, guys, thanks for watching. Make sure you subscribe, like, comment and check out all of the other episodes we have on Angie Martinez IRL podcast. This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.