INTERVIEW: Eric Benét Talks New Single 'Who's Gonna Save Us?', Revolutionary Love Songs, Representation Vs. Power, Jelly Roll + More

Summary

The Breakfast Club: Eric Benét Interview

Date: June 19, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God, Lauren LaRosa
Guest: Eric Benét
Episode Theme:
An in-depth and spirited conversation with R&B artist Eric Benét on his new single "Who's Gonna Save Us?", the intersection of music and social consciousness, the difference between representation and power, personal growth, viral moments, and authenticity in art and life.

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Main Themes and Purpose

This episode centers on Eric Benét’s artistic evolution—his shift toward more socially conscious messaging and his thoughts on artists' responsibilities, the nature of cultural representation versus actual power, and what genuine empowerment in Black communities looks like. Personal, humorous, and philosophical moments blend as Benét opens up about past controversies, the inspiration for his new music, and his views on public discourse and accountability.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Eric Benét’s Eventful Arrival

• [02:31] Eric jokingly recounts being stopped by police while riding a city bike to the studio because he briefly strayed from the official bike lane in NYC.
  • “In all my 54 years of riding a bike, like, never pulled over.” (Eric Benét, 03:13)
  • Observes the evident racial bias as a white cyclist is ignored while he's ticketed.

2. Stepping Into Outspokenness and Social Commentary

• [05:12] Eric discusses his growing political voice and decision to no longer be silent.
  • “You get to the AARP age and you just stop giving a shit.” (Eric Benét, 06:34)
• Reflects on industry pressure for artists to avoid heavy topics, explaining how age and world events motivated him to speak out.
• Comments on the societal dangers when powerful people stay quiet for the sake of protecting their empires.

3. Socially Conscious Music—A Tradition and a Challenge

• [08:19] Charlamagne draws parallels to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield's revolutionary songs.
• Eric distinguishes “true artists” from those seeking fame:
  • “True artists feel as though they don’t have a choice but to have their art be a reflection of the world.” (Eric Benét, 08:34)
• He notes the business rewards for playing it safe, but says authentic expression is sometimes more important.

4. Platforms, Media, and the Viral Manosphere

• [10:08] Eric’s content is often spontaneous, driven by “a visceral reaction to dumb shit.”
• Critiques the growth of divisive online platforms and frustration with high-profile podcasters who platform politicians with harmful policies, denying responsibility later.

5. Race, Power, and Division in Society

• [13:07] Eric laments recurring strategies used in America to pit groups against each other, quoting historical political manipulation.
• Notable moment:
  • “The shtick has always been, okay, I’m gonna separate these two groups of people so I can control the whole thing...they’re still doing the same thing.” (Eric Benét, 13:07)
• Charlamagne: “The rich white man convinced the poor white man that he’s poor because of niggas, but now it’s niggas, trans, immigrants.” (Charlamagne Tha God, 14:10)

6. Artists’ Social Responsibilities

• [14:43] Eric would “love to see not just artists, but everybody spoke out.” He criticizes celebratory attitudes toward the world’s first trillionaire amidst inequality.

7. Decline of Collaborative, Uplifting Music

• [15:32] The group reminisces about earlier eras (“Self Destruction”, “UNITY”), lamenting how today’s biggest hits often discourage unity for commercial reasons.
  • “It is a gilded muffle. It’s like a golden gag.” (Eric Benét, 15:53)

8. Power Within the Black Community

• [16:43] Eric stresses self-empowerment, referencing his new book—a sci-fi fantasy for kids with a core message about realizing collective strength and authentic voice.

9. Personal Identity and Public Perception

• [18:16] The hosts joke about Eric being the “earthy guy," to which he responds well-naturedly, embracing the chance for people “to get to know me now.”
• Discusses health: grounding (barefoot walking), giving up alcohol, clean eating, and the importance of skin care.

10. Online Attention and Relatability

• [22:51] Eric playfully discusses posting gym videos and the attention from fans, especially from the gay community:
  • “When gay people start recognizing you look good, I’m like, that mean my shit working.” (Eric Benét, 23:14)
  • “Every straight man should have a gay homie. I think so. I think so.” (Eric Benét, 23:56)

11. Addressing Past Controversies: Infidelity, “Sex Addiction,” Media Legacy

• [26:41] Eric clarifies, “I never claimed or said to have a sex addiction...it was an opportunity for me to get to know myself.”
• He explains the value of accountability and personal growth rather than leaning on clinical labels.
  • “The first thing you got to do when you up in life is own it. Take accountability.” (Eric Benét, 29:28)
• On the Jay-Z line about “going Eric Benét,” he was unfazed, choosing not to fuel the media fire:
  • “In the attempt to defend yourself, you kind of add flame to some fire.” (Eric Benét, 32:04)

12. Love Songs as Revolutionary Art

• [35:25] Eric passionately defends the revolutionary potential of love songs:
  • “I think true love is revolutionary. The more specific a subject you write about, the more broader the reach can be.” (Eric Benét, 35:28)
• Praises authenticity in artists like Duran Bernard.

13. Jelly Roll, Platforming, and Speaking Out

• [37:39] Eric explains a viral post about Jelly Roll, calling out artists who avoid contemporary issues—he’s critical of excuses for silence, especially when atrocities occur.

14. Representation vs. Power

• [40:33] Charlamagne poses whether Black America has confused representation with actual power.
• Eric: “Fame and money has become almost a shield to accountability...people aspire to that shield.”
• But he defines real power as “the collective action and unification among the subjugated, not just representation.”

15. Call for Collective Action and White Allyship

• [43:16] Charlamagne and Eric agree: true change requires both unity among the marginalized and participation from allies.
  • “It’s all about tapping into the strength of your voice. The power that you have that you never tapped into because you felt like you were insignificant or not enough.” (Eric Benét, 44:47)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Police Bias:
  “A white dude rides in the opposite direction...I’m go to the cop, I’m like, sir...He’s like, well, I’m dealing with you right now.” (Eric Benét, 03:43)
• On Speaking Out as an Artist:
  “At some point you gotta be like, but something needs to be said.” (Eric Benét, 06:10)
• On Accountability:
  “Own the fact that you did dumb shit. And then you can do whatever you need to do, sit in the pain so that you can...grow and evolve from that.” (Eric Benét, 29:52)
• On Media Stereotypes:
  “There’s so many things that were not true, that were said and just believed to be true.” (Eric Benét, 30:44)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:31] Eric Benét’s bike stop story & bias encounter
• [05:12] Why Eric is speaking out more in his music and online
• [08:19] History of socially conscious Black artists & today’s industry climate
• [10:08] Eric’s spontaneous social media and critique of problematic platforms
• [13:07] Discussion of race, division, and controlling groups in America
• [14:43] Should artists & citizens speak out? Power vs. representation
• [16:43] Message in Eric’s new book & real Black empowerment
• [18:16] Eric’s health/lifestyle philosophy & being the “earthy guy”
• [22:51] Fun with gym videos and social media DMs
• [26:41] Revisiting his “sex addiction” label, accountability, and tabloid moments
• [32:04] Jay-Z’s famous lyric and Eric’s response to media narratives
• [35:25] Revolutionary power of love songs & authenticity
• [37:39] The “Jelly Roll” moment and expectations for artists to engage socially
• [40:33] Representation vs. power & the illusion of fame as a shield
• [43:16] The need for collective action and intersectional solidarity

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Tone and Style

The conversation is candid, warm, and intellectually charged, blending humor with blunt insights. Eric Benét is both self-aware and self-effacing, often philosophical but never pretentious. The hosts inject signature Breakfast Club banter, fostering an environment where personal transparency meets urgent social critique.

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Takeaways

• Eric Benét is transitioning into a role as an outspoken, socially conscious artist, determined to use his platform for change.
• The illusion of representation and the seduction of fame are contrasted with the necessity for real, collective power and systemic change.
• Accountability, both personal and communal, is crucial—for artists, citizens, and especially those with influence.
• Authenticity—in life, music, and activism—is repeatedly highlighted as the true driver for connection and revolutionary change.

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For listeners:
This episode offers a lively, honest, and often humorous exploration of complex themes—music, social action, healing, and the pitfalls and possibilities of fame. Eric Benét upends and embraces stereotypes, inviting us to reflect more deeply on personal growth, the power of authenticity, and what it truly means to “save us.”

Transcript

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[Eric Benet]

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[Host 1]

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[Eric Benet]

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[Eric Benet]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Eric Benet]

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[Host 1]

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[Eric Benet]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Eric Benet]

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[America 250 Advertiser]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Eric Benet]

Wake your ass up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The Breakfast Club.

[Eric Benet]

You finish or y' all done?

[DJ Envy]

Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlemagne the guy. We are the Breakfast Club. Lauren laros is here as well. We got a special guest in the building.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, indeed.

[DJ Envy]

We had some trouble getting here this morning, so I hear. Eric Bennet, ladies and gentlemen.

[Eric Benet]

Oh, you heard about that?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I Heard what happened.

[Eric Benet]

Man, this is crazy, bro.

[Host 1]

What happened?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Talking all that online. They stopped you on that? They got him on a bike.

[Eric Benet]

On the bike, you know, so I like. You know, I like to get to places on the bike, especially in New York. So I'm riding the bike. City bike, City bike, you know, and you know you got to ride in the green shit.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Yes.

[Eric Benet]

And for the half a block, you know, sometimes the green shit changes from the right side to the left side. I'm like, ah, shit. I gotta get over there. A cop? It wasn't even a full block. Sir, sir, can you pull over? Let me see some identification, sir.

[Host 1]

On the bike. You got pulled over on a bike? It's his vehicle.

[Eric Benet]

In all my. I'm 59. All my 54 years of riding a bike, like, never pulled over.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I think it was a T shirt.

[Eric Benet]

It was probably

[Charlamagne Tha God]

a T shirt.

[Eric Benet]

While the cop is giving me the ticket, there's a Jamaican man standing. Like old Jamaican brother stand. Hey, brother, brother. You see why he did that? Yeah. You know, it's like, like. And while the Jamaican man is saying, black man trouble dated, man. Look, this happened.

[DJ Envy]

A.

[Eric Benet]

A white dude rides in the opposite direction of the traffic. And I'm like, I'm go to the cop. I'm like, sir, Sir.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Damn.

[Eric Benet]

He's like, well, I'm dealing with you right now.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Wow.

[Eric Benet]

Hey, can't say that he pulled me over, cuz I was black.

[DJ Envy]

Yes, you can, but it makes you.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, I guess you can, cuz.

[Host 1]

Who's going to save us, Eric?

[Kel Penn]

Who's going.

[State Farm Advertiser]

How did.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Hold on. How did the situation resolve, though? What happened?

[DJ Envy]

He got a ticket.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He got a ticket. How much? Two tickets.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Two.

[Eric Benet]

Two tickets.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's the ticket for?

[Eric Benet]

Melanin.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't see no number on it.

[America 250 Advertiser]

Let me see.

[Host 1]

That is so crazy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I ain't never heard of this.

[Eric Benet]

Not following the signs or some.

[America 250 Announcer]

That is.

[Eric Benet]

Wow.

[DJ Envy]

They never pulled J. Cole over.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

J. Cole down the street says biking off lane.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

The crazy part, like I said, is while he's giving me the ticket, the Jamaican dude, before. Before we even saw the white guy riding against traffic. The Jamaican. Jamaican guy was like, hey, you know why he's doing that yet? And that was.

[DJ Envy]

So let me ask you, did you think about just taking off? Because he wouldn't have caught you.

[Eric Benet]

In my experience, from watching cops and social media,

[Host 1]

because it wouldn't be.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who won't say.

[DJ Envy]

But how are you feeling otherwise?

[Eric Benet]

I'm feeling positive, man.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

No, I mean, no. This in no way has hindered my day or my. My love for the city of New York. So it's just, you know, one of them things. I feel great. I got a new single. I'm talking to y'.

[Shopify Advertiser]

All.

[Eric Benet]

Yes, it's a great day.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, we've been watching you on social media, and you've been increasingly outspoken about politics and current events. So, you know, I figured that was gonna translate to your music at some point. But what made you decide that silence wasn't an option anymore for you?

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, that's a great question, man. I think, you know, when I was first signed to Warner Brothers back in the day, and I. I remember, like, reading some articles or seeing some clips on Michael Jackson, and. And it was just kind of the general idea for artists, like, do not talk about religion, politics, anything heavy, you know, And I think, you know, and I was signed back in the 90s when Warner Brothers, and I think I was kind of programmed that way. But then I guess you. You. It was a combination of just getting to a certain age and also just seeing how incredibly insane the world is.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

Not just within our own backyard, but, like, geopolitically. And it's like, wait. And it's almost like you have this feeling like you looking to the left and you're looking to the right, and it's like, nobody gonna say nothing about this. And it's like people who are just trying to protect the financial empires that they built, which I guess is kind of understandable, but at some point you gotta be like, but something needs to be said, and. And, you know, it's that thing you get. You get to the AARP age and you just stop giving a shit. You know, you just stop. You care less and less what to make other people comfortable with what you say, you know? You know, so it's probably that, especially

[Charlamagne Tha God]

if you still got your boots on the ground, right? Because, you know, those people are trying to protect their financial empires that they built. But what about the people that have been hurt because of those financial empires that they built?

[Eric Benet]

That's. That's. That is exactly the point. I mean, there's too much of a sentiment of, hey, as long as I got. I got mine, I ain't worried about what's happening over there. But that's how empires fall. That's how, you know, societies tumble, and that's how the innocent get persecuted. And so somebody just gotta talk, man.

[DJ Envy]

Has there been any backlash for some of the things they tell you?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You got pulled over this morning,

[Eric Benet]

But

[DJ Envy]

what was some of the backlash that you Received.

[Eric Benet]

I would think that the backlash is more like behind the scenes for me, because some of those powers that be might be some. Some powers that be that are some of my own powers. And. And it. It'll be like a phone call. It's like, come on, bro, like, tone it down a bit. And I'm like, nah, man, I can't do that. It's like, you know, so wherever the chips are going to fall, that's where they're going to fall. I don't. I think publicly so far right now, it's. It's all been, for the most part, I think, positively received, which just encourages my ass to do it more. So it's like that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's interesting, though, because, like, I think about Marvin Gaye, I think of Stevie Wonder. I think of Curtis Mayfield. They all made socially conscious music, right?

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So do you think today's artists are encouraged to do that, or does the industry just reward something different? Because I feel like artists could do it if they wanted to.

[Eric Benet]

I think true artists are true artists by nature, and I think there are people who choose to be famous. I think there are people who have some talent and just want to leverage that talent for financial gain. But I think true artists feel as though they don't have a choice but to have their art be a reflection of the world, you know, And. And I think that, you know, I. I don't. I like to think that I aspire to be a true artist, you know, And I'm not knocking anybody who's like, yo, I'm gonna play it safe, because that is very lucrative. Yeah. And you can build some powerful empires off of. I'm gonna keep it right in the middle. I ain't gonna say too much about that. I ain't gonna say too much about that. I'm gonna keep doing my little thing and getting invited to this and get promoted for that. And I'm gonna get this TV show and that movie, and. And I think, hey, that's beautiful. But it, you know, it just doesn't feel right for some people, I think. I think, you know, you're one of them, right?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Absolutely.

[Eric Benet]

So. And y' all are very vocal about how you feel about shit, so it's like, that's kind of where I'm coming from.

[Host 1]

Did you. Because I feel like your videos pick up. Because I. Honest, you are, but you're also really consistent about posting them. Was it your issues with, like. I've seen you talk about the media landscape and how you feel like people like Joe Rogan or Theo Vaughn are like, unfairly platformed. Right. Was that why you decided to be consistent? Almost become a voice kind of?

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, that's a great question. I think. I think I just have a visceral reaction to dumb shit. And it's like, if I. And it. And I think that's part of my problem and I guess part of the reason why, because I think people appreciate the spontaneity of some of my posts. Because I don't really think about it. I don't curate it. I don't. I'll just be like, I'll see some shit and I'll just, hey, look at this shit, man.

[Host 1]

I don't.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Right.

[Eric Benet]

I don't really think about it. And that's part of the appeal. So with the whole, like, manosphere like that, it just infuriated me so much on. On, like, different chronological times. Like, it infuriated. Infuriated me seeing how big these platforms, you know, the. Theo, I mean, God, you know, hey, you doing your thing, you getting your money, but watching the platforms explode, great. But then the types of things and the types of consciousness that you're perpetrating on those platforms and the types of, of divisive people that you celebrate on those platforms, and then this, and then the politicians that you seem to show a little fealty to who are just doing horrific, have horrific policies, that infuriated me. And then after the whole thing, now he's in office, and now you got the damn gall to say, dude, I didn't know it was going to go like this, bro. It's like he's, he's. I thought he came on here, he was a cool guy, and I didn't know it was going to be like that. And I'm like, what do you mean you didn't know it was going to be like that? From, you know, from, from, from the Central park five to, like, you know, being, you know, stopping black people from living in your apartments to like, just all his whole life. What are you talking about? You didn't know? And it just. See, look at me. It's like, it just, it just kind of.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I feel like even though those guys did get conned because, I mean, Donald

[Eric Benet]

Trump is the greatest con man in their defense.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, yeah.

[Eric Benet]

But the Nick he has been conning his entire life, so it's. It's down to a Sith Lord, like, dark side.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Like, greatest comment we've ever.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Greatest comment I've seen. So I do think that when they, when they can acknowledge that is up. We should say, yeah, it is.

[Eric Benet]

I agree.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You know, I mean, because white people ain't listening to us. Yeah, but so much. Right. They only listen to other white people.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. I think I said that in a post once. It's like. Like, we can. We can be like, look. Look at this over here. And they won't acknowledge it until they say, hey, guys, guess what? We were wrong.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Eric Benet]

And no, you're absolutely right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's my biggest thing with this whole era that we're in right now. Whenever I see something happen with Trump now, I say, what are white people going to do about it? That's my question. What are you white people gonna do about what's happening in this country?

[Eric Benet]

Do you know what, man? The thing that is crazy to me is it's like ever since we stopped being hunter gatherers and humanity started forming governments and cities, the shtick has always been, okay, I'm gonna separate these two groups of people so that I can control the. The whole thing. And it's like you still don't see it. Like, it has been consistently happening for millennia. And it's like they're still doing the same thing. Like, Lyndon B. Johnson said it. You know, you teach the poor. You teach a white man to feel like he's better than you teach the lowest

[Charlamagne Tha God]

black.

[Eric Benet]

Richest black man, then the richest black man, and you can rob him blind.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

And he just. They just got it on tape. But that's been the strategy the whole time. And it's like y' all don't. Like, y' all don't see it yet. It's just. I don't know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah. I like to say the rich white man convinced the poor black man that. I mean, the rich white man convinced the poor white man that he's poor because of niggas.

[Eric Benet]

Boom.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But now it's niggas, trans immigrants.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, yeah. Anybody who's other.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Eric Benet]

You convince them to fight against each other, and you got the whole kit and caboodle, bro. And it's just as effective as it was, you know, with King George and Shoot, Genghis Khan, and it's just as effective.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you think artists have a responsibility to speak out, or is that an unfair expectation?

[Eric Benet]

I think it might be overly optimistic at this point. I think it would be. It would be best for society as a whole, if not just artists, but everybody spoke out. You know, we got the first trillionaire in the world, which makes absolutely no fucking sense today. And it's like, people are celebrating this, and it's like you're celebrating that because you've been conditioned to believe that he's on your side. And it's like, I think to answer your question, yeah, I would, I would love to see not just artists, but I would love to see, see the construction workers, the, you know, the, the people who work at Subway just like start being more vocal.

[DJ Envy]

The crazy thing is, like you said, we used to get more music like that and not just in R B and hip hop as well. We would get a self destruction. We would get these records, you N I T y.

[Eric Benet]

But now 100% and hip hop used to Kendrick makes.

[DJ Envy]

You know, we talked about it's going to be all right, but we don't get more of that type of music anymore. Especially with R and B, you don't hear it as much. You don't hear people coming together and doing things together anymore.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, I think it's intentional that the opposite of what you're describing has been the biggest money maker and it is a gilded muffle. It's like a golden gag, right? Like, hey, keep doing this. You keep, you keep singing and rapping about this. We got you. And it's just frustrating, you know. And see, I didn't mean to come here and be all,

[Charlamagne Tha God]

you're wearing a black panther with black leather and looking like Bobby Seal. What are you talking.

[Eric Benet]

Oh, thank you.

[Host 1]

Who?

[DJ Envy]

They want to say save us though.

[Eric Benet]

Us. Us. I mean there's so much power just within our own black community. I mean I heard y' all talking about Target before. It's just like, yeah, we have so much power that we don't tap into.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Right.

[Eric Benet]

And, and it's up to us. It's up to us. It's interesting because I talked about my book before we started, but I just, I just finished writing this book and it's, it's a mid grade. I'm a nerd. Always been like a science fiction nerd. It's a mid grade fantasy adventure novel but the subtext is about tapping in to your, your true voice, your, your real power. Realizing that sometimes the world's, you know, is a multi dimensional fantasy. But I'm basically saying sometimes the worlds that you find yourself in that you feel completely out of place and not heard, those worlds have been waiting for the right person to come along and help lead them out of darkness. And you know, so it's like I think that's within all of us. And it's just we often feel, you know, whether it's imposter syndrome or it's like nobody wants to hear what I gotta say, you know, for whatever reason, because of some childhood trauma or this, that and the other, we feel like we can't or, or, or our voice is just going to be a drop in the ocean and won't make a difference. But it's the opposite. It's the collective strength that can make change come.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Right, so you've always been socially conscious though, right? Like, I mean, I remember when I used to think Eric Benet was the earthy guy. You had the dreads. Yeah, I would. See, I remember I saw you somewhere. You was barefoot.

[DJ Envy]

I called him the earthy guy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

This is the first time I think I've seen you with shoes on. Wow. Ever.

[Host 1]

Oh my God.

[DJ Envy]

You thought you're gonna be on a city bike this morning with no shoes on.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, no, no. But I'm back in the day.

[Eric Benet]

I still get my earthing, my, my grounding in though. Yeah, I, I preach on that all the time. And people think it's the mumbo jumbo and some. But it's this, it's science based, man. It's like the earth is a battery. You got to take your shoes off, you got a plant in the ground. And for inflammation and all kinds of

[Charlamagne Tha God]

other stuff, your cortisol levels down.

[DJ Envy]

See, does that ever bother you when like people define you and make you that guy? Like, you know, like Charlamagne said, you know, we looked at you as the earthy guy or even your past relationships where they always go back to that, but you didn't moved on and do other things. Like, does that ever stick to you?

[Eric Benet]

I'm, I'm, I'm usually, I'm usually grateful to even be considered, even if it's like not really understanding who I am. It's like maybe there's some little thing you thought about me and because that's, that's an opportunity for me to be like, oh, cool, you get to know me now. So. Yeah, I feel that.

[Host 1]

So you're gonna be performing your song at NJPAC New Jersey.

[Eric Benet]

So the new song, I got. I still got to teach the band the song. Yeah, so you can perform all your,

[Host 1]

all your other hits too.

[Eric Benet]

Oh. Oh, yeah. But you know, that's a. Jess, that's a great idea. I need to get in. I need to get in the lab and, and teach them the song. The song is produced by brilliant DJ Camper Young Brother and wrote it with Camper Feli, the Voice, who's a brilliant songwriter who's killing it right now.

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[Eric Benet]

yeah, I need to. I'm going to perform good. That one and. And all the old, you know, er, Benet songs.

[Host 1]

Don't do me like that.

[Eric Benet]

Okay.

[Host 1]

You ain't gonna post some more Videos in the gym. Are you?

[Eric Benet]

Hey, as long as I. As long as I keep inching away at this, at this midsection, I'mma be proud of this. I'mma be posting this. Yeah.

[Host 1]

Dm. So he posted a video in the gym and then he said that his DMs was being blown up by.

[Eric Benet]

Oh, that, that's what you said?

[Host 1]

Yeah, the gay community. He said, go ahead, tell him what you said.

[Eric Benet]

Hey, hey. So I'm. I'm in the gym and, you know, I'm proud of my little 60 year old body. I'm like, hey, look at me with the phone in the mirror type shit. The DMS of the community. Oh, my God. It was hollering, yes. The gay community, they. They was coming fat. They were like, I got DMs, like, like, I'll sign an NDA. Are you sure you don't need. I was like, okay, okay. But the thing is, when gay people start recognizing you look good. I'm like, that mean my shit working.

[Host 1]

He said, every straight man need a gay homeboy.

[Eric Benet]

Every straight man should have a. Should have a gay homie. I think so. I think so.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Tell them what you said about him earlier.

[Host 1]

I said, you look good.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

She said, He's 60. He looked the fuck good.

[Eric Benet]

I got a.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The fuck good.

[Host 1]

I was looking at that video and you was like, 60. I'm like, he looks good. What are you doing right? Like 60.

[Eric Benet]

Then you rode a bike here, grounding. Yeah.

[Host 1]

He ain't on the same ground you on.

[Eric Benet]

Oh, wow. Yeah, I'm trying.

[Host 1]

Sorry.

[Eric Benet]

You got the smooth skin. Look at the skin now.

[Host 1]

He do. He's here, he's lotioned and we are grateful.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But hey, keep going, keep going.

[Eric Benet]

I like. You look the fuck good. I was. I like that pork. You look good. I like that pork. But what do you do?

[Host 1]

Like what.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's your diet?

[Host 1]

What's your skin regimen?

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, it's probably stuff that everybody already knows. It's like, I cut out, but everybody knows. But a lot of people don't do. I cut. I stopped drinking alcohol. Just nice. Just toxic on so many levels.

[Host 1]

What age did you stop drinking alcohol at?

[Eric Benet]

Okay, I'm gonna tell the truth now. A couple years ago.

[Host 1]

Okay. All right. Cause like I said, when I got up a little bit, you know, a certain age, I might stop.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Cause all the people who do, y' all age really well gracefully. Yeah, yeah.

[Eric Benet]

And I never drink heavily, but, you know, right before I go on stage, scotch used to be my thing. Used to get me some Macallan. And I would do a couple shots before I go on. So I get a little bit more loose, be a little bit more Dean Martin. Like, say some shit I probably shouldn't say on stage with the alcohol. And then, you know, I think it's just like everything else. It's like when I wake up in the morning, I'm feeling it more now as opposed to when I did. And I think, but other than the alcohol, it's less processed foods. It's like, I don't do juices so much. I don't do fried stuff. I stay away from heavy things to digest, like beef and pork. And I tried. It's stick to pescatarian. But I do be eating me some. Some. Some good chicken sometimes. Like, stay away from the fried. You know, all. Like I said, all the. We know that we won't do all the. We tell ourselves, well, if I just do it a little bit, it won't hurt. It's gonna hurt. Yeah, it's gonna hurt. And then the smoking and the vaping, and it's like, oh, my God, bro,

[Charlamagne Tha God]

you know, I wanted to ask you about. Because you're talking about getting the DMS, right? And I remember in 2002, you were like, the first person I ever heard say they had a sex addiction. How does social media. Does it cause you to relapse? Social media? Because you're getting them DMs and looking at them women does it.

[Eric Benet]

Well, I'll say this. I'll say this. I never claimed or said to have a sex addiction. I did go. Okay, I did go. But I want to say that you were bullshitting. I wouldn't say I was bullshitting. I would say it was an opportunity for me to get to know myself better than I've ever known myself.

[DJ Envy]

What does a sex rehab break down? Like, what do you do in a sex rehab place?

[Eric Benet]

Well, let me tell it to you like this. When I first went, the definition was, if you've ever been unfaithful in your primary relationship or marriage, you got a sex addiction. You have a sex addiction. So it's like, do you agree with that or do you don't.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I agree.

[Eric Benet]

You agree?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I was sick.

[Eric Benet]

Wait, that's it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

We were sick, Eric, I feel you. We were sick.

[Host 1]

You know, Halle Berry said, like, not too long ago that she felt like that was a BS claim, too.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, I feel what he's saying.

[Eric Benet]

But do you. Do you feel like if you have ever been unfaithful in a primary relationship or a Marriage, then you then have a sex addiction.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, I was sick.

[Eric Benet]

You said you were sick. You were sick.

[America 250 Announcer]

But.

[Eric Benet]

But as a. As a blanket. As a blanket statement.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

As a blanket statement,

[Shopify Advertiser]

yeah.

[DJ Envy]

So how did you get over that sickness?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Prayer therapy.

[Startpage Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Change your lifestyle. Change your lifestyle same way you do

[Eric Benet]

when you got a disease. I never felt like. And I still don't feel like I was or am an addict. I felt like I was dealing with. And here's the thing. Here's the careful thing, like, whenever. And I never really talked about this public, but because I feel like basically when it comes down to it, I fucked up. I was dumb, I did stupid things, I was selfish.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But that's what sick people do, though.

[Eric Benet]

That's what not just sick people do. You feel me? But what I was gonna say is, like, I feel like if I got too much into the why I fucked up, it starts to feel like you're diluting accountability for just being a stupid, selfish person.

[America 250 Announcer]

That's true.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But you still got to deal with the why, so you don't do it.

[Kel Penn]

You have.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Exactly.

[Eric Benet]

That's why.

[Host 1]

Exactly.

[Eric Benet]

To your point.

[Host 1]

Because I think it's because to the people that you hurt in that. That process.

[DJ Envy]

Exactly.

[Host 1]

They aren't in the space where they want to receive that, because it just feels 100. You're not acknowledging the hurt that you cause.

[Eric Benet]

Right. So the first thing you got to do when you up in life is, is own it. Take accountability and say, you know what? Maybe there. There are people who. Who have spent their whole life coming up with the reasons why and your past trauma and this, that and the other. And a lot of that is true, but really it comes down to you were dealing with some things that you weren't emotionally prepared to deal with or.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Or.

[Eric Benet]

Or you were put into a situation that felt so overwhelming to you that you just did some stupid fucking shit. Own the fact that you did dumb shit. And then you can do whatever you need to do, sit in the pain so that you can. Okay, let me learn everything I can so that I can grow and evolve from that.

[DJ Envy]

That's not an addict, though.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

But listen real quick. Accountability over time is a gateway to trust.

[DJ Envy]

Right?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Right. Because when we see someone acting with accountability, we gain the evidence. We need that we can say, you

[Eric Benet]

know, I can 100%.

[DJ Envy]

Right. Change behavior. Right? But the whole thing, when you think of addict, right, you think of somebody like somebody that's addicted to Alcoh. They need to do something to stop, something to smoke. So when you think of addict you're like, everybody is fucking everything because he's just addicted to sex. He just has to have sex that much. But that wasn't the case or was it?

[Eric Benet]

Absolutely not. Absolutely not. It's like so many. It's like when I go back, when I think about that time in my life, there's so many things that were not true, that were, that were said and just believed to be true.

[DJ Envy]

You just let slide because I didn't want to be.

[Eric Benet]

I'm like, you know what? Let me just let the world say what they gonna say. I'm gonna go fall back and concert. I'm gonna realize I up, I did transcendentally dumb because it was there. And I'm going to try my best to grow from that and learn from that.

[DJ Envy]

Did you grow out of that situation

[Eric Benet]

to make sure that I, I honestly felt like I have grown and become a better person and sometimes that's the crazy thing. Thing. It's not the crazy thing, but that's kind of how life happens. You find yourself in the consequences of your fucked up actions and then because of what you have to sit in because of that, you actually that's the catalyst for becoming better, I think.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, well that's, that's, that's interesting. I wonder why didn't you feel the need to, you know, clear yourself in any way, shape or form I could. I even think about like when Jay Z said the line, you almost went Erica Benet let the baddest girl in the world get away. Like nigga, never go Eric Benet. Like you didn't want feel the need to clear up any of that ever.

[Eric Benet]

There's a general, I mean, I mean there's a general idea that sometimes in the attempt to defend yourself, you kind of add flame to some fire.

[Shopify Advertiser]

So.

[Eric Benet]

And there was definitely an argument for me to go on this rampage of hey, but this is, this is really what happened. But at the end of the day, I fucked up. I was unfaithful. So it's like I can't really defend that part. So let me just fall back and just concentrate on me.

[Host 1]

And you had tried to fix it. Like y' all had gotten back together. You were trying to work out your, the marriage at the time. Right. Like, is that part of the reason why too? You kind of just let it rock.

[State Farm Advertiser]

Yeah,

[Eric Benet]

I would, I would, I would say that's partly true.

[Startpage Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

I mean I kind of felt like the whole aftermath was just, in a lot of ways was just a consequence of what happened and it might have appeared to be trying to fix something. And maybe some ways it was, but at the end of the situation, it was like coming to the realization that it was over and it's time to move on and it's time for me to do what I got to do to learn what I need to learn out of this situation.

[Host 1]

Yeah. And.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah.

[DJ Envy]

Did the Jay Z line bother you?

[Eric Benet]

It didn't. Which is funny, because when the Jay Z line came out, I was actually in Cuba with my people, and we're posted up in Cuba. When my first time in Cuba, it was really exciting. And my boy, he's looking at his phone and there's this article. It's like, hey, look at this, Read this. And the article was like Eric Vinay outside Jay Z's house, screaming and screaming obscenities. It was like it was reported, like it was happening. And it's like, ain't that media? No, I wasn't mad. I mean, I understand, you know, the creative and artistic beast that hip hop is. No, I wasn't mad.

[DJ Envy]

Did that affect your new relationship at all?

[Eric Benet]

Not at all.

[DJ Envy]

Bringing back the BS and all that?

[Eric Benet]

No, I mean, it's like, by that time, my wife. By the way, Manuela, first of all, I just want to say this before I know time is limited. She has a nonprofit foundation called In a Perfect World. Please go. Like Magic Johnson, Quincy Jones have been supporters. In a perfect world.org please go support her. She's all about uplifting children. She's built 40 houses all across the world. No, but to answer your question, I think, yo, that didn't hurt. I mean, by that time, we were very well aware of each other's life and, you know, what was in the closet, who we are as people. And knowing that things like that are going to be thrown at me from time to time. So. No, not at all. Dope. Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Host 1]

It's dope what she does.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, it's really incredible. She's really built something amazing. So, please. Mentorship programs. Yes. Family involvement, education and infrastructure. That's really cool. Yes, yes.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Just about music. Do you think love songs can be revolutionary?

[Eric Benet]

Absolutely. I think true love is revolutionary. I think the thing about art is. And it's kind of counterintuitive. I think the more specific a subject is that you write about, the more broader the reach can be, you know, and that's kind of counterintuitive, right? You think, oh, I need to write my lyrics and my songs need to be about something broader for people to really feel it. I found that that's not true. I think the more specific you make it to your own experience, whether it's love, whether it's something else, you make it extremely specific. And in that specificity, you're going to reach more people.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Because it's real.

[Eric Benet]

Exactly.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Real travel.

[Eric Benet]

Exactly. So I think when you write a true love song and it's truly specific to you, it's going to tap into a strength in people that can allow them to be. What was the word that you used?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Revolutionary.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, revolutionary.

[Host 1]

Who do you think is going on right now in rb, love song music? Vibes, like, what artists do you think would you point to.

[Eric Benet]

I'm not going to sit up here and try to lie to y', all because I'm just not all that hip on a lot of new music right now. Who do I really like? I like my man Duran.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, yeah.

[Eric Benet]

Duran Bernard. Yeah. I like my man Duran Bernard because not only is he a powerful vocalist, but he's so authentically himself. And anytime there's 24 7. Yeah. Anytime there's an artist or good, bad or indifferent, anytime there's an artist who is authentic, anytime there's anybody, a politician, you know, good, as I said, good, better and different. Donald Trump. As long as you are, like, authentically yourself, people are gonna love that and be attracted to it.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Well, we know you're not listening to Jelly Roll.

[Eric Benet]

Not my favorite.

[Shopify Advertiser]

Why would you.

[DJ Envy]

In Jelly Roll.

[Host 1]

Okay. Yeah. Please break down the beat.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

He's talent, he's very talented. Music is socially conscious.

[Host 1]

But he did not. You.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, okay. Okay.

[DJ Envy]

And.

[Eric Benet]

And again, again, I'm going to. I'm going to not get up here and lie and say that I know all Jelly Roll's music. I think that post that I did about him. Him was another one of those visceral. Grab my phone. You know, sometimes I should probably do some research. I probably should, but I just kind of feel like in this day and age, when everything that's happening, if somebody asks you a direct question and you either use ignorance, religion, or something else for why you can't speak against whatever your political beliefs are, can you just speak against, like, children being murdered. Can. Can you. Can you speak against people getting raped? Can you. I mean, and every time I see somebody take that question to say, oh, well, I'm just a child of God. I don't speak on that type of stuff.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's just.

[Eric Benet]

Just get so much.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I thought he said he had a lack of information maybe, or that or.

[Eric Benet]

Or something.

[Host 1]

He said people shouldn't care. Neck. What's that he said when asked about. When asked about the things he said, people shouldn't care to hear my opinion. I'm a dumb redneck.

[Eric Benet]

Okay?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The reason I say I don't mind that is because you kind of damned if you do, you damned if you don't. Because if you say something as an

[Eric Benet]

artist, that's absolutely true and it's smart,

[Charlamagne Tha God]

everybody's like, yeah, but if you say something that people don't agree with, they'd be like, see? Shut the up. Shut up and dribble.

[DJ Envy]

Oh, he's not knowledgeable of whatever he's talking about. Shut up and dribble.

[Eric Benet]

But don't you think even in that case, if it's a situation where innocent people are being murdered and rights are being taken away from people, even in that, I'm an ignorant redneck. I don't know about shit. Can't you even in that moment say, hey, I'm not for all that bullshit. I need to go get some more information and learn a little bit more? I don't know. I just. Like I said, I had a visceral reaction that maybe, like you said, I

[Host 1]

understand how you felt.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, but I still don't like that. Like, you can still. Yeah, you can still speak against atrocities

[Charlamagne Tha God]

and,

[Eric Benet]

you know, not adhere yourself to a particular political side and even stay neutral politically. But don't you think murdering any innocent people is bad?

[State Farm Advertiser]

Absolutely.

[Eric Benet]

So it's like, then say that, you know, don't just dance around, well, I'm just dumb old person. I don't know. Stuff. Keep. Keep supporting me and giving me money. It's like, I just. Oh, man, I just. That just bugs me.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you think black people have confused representation with real power? God damn. Charlamagne.

[Eric Benet]

You be going in there?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, no, I'm just.

[Host 1]

Oh, you be going there.

[Eric Benet]

I think. To some degree, yes, but kind of adjacent to that question. What is unsettling to me is how real power has become a shield almost to. How do I want to say this? Dang, y' all got me all philosophical up in this mud scratcher.

[Host 1]

That's what you be doing.

[Eric Benet]

I know.

[Host 1]

It's just normally, like, shorter and, like,

[Eric Benet]

it's shorter and it's usually yelling in the camera. What's frustrating to me is fame and money has become almost a shield to accountability, you know? And I think not just black people, but I think people in general see that because I think there are certain celebrities we don't have to say who. Who have done horrific things in the not so distant past. And to varying degrees, but because of a certain layer of protection of money and fame. Oh, but I like their songs. Oh, but I like them in movies. There is a certain amount of power in that protection. And I think people are drawn to that because. But then it gets to a certain point where if your dirt just becomes so heinously huge, that shield is only going to last so long.

[DJ Envy]

Separation of music and who the person is, though.

[Eric Benet]

Exactly. So I think people are not only attracted to, but also are kind of like aspire to that shield that fame and money and power will bring an individual for their individual ups.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yeah, I think that, you know, black people want that shield a lot of times because they want that power to protect us as a whole. I'm not saying.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah, because because of how historically, like, yo, how many times do we keep get. Got to get over. We got an administration now, like, taking down Tuskegee Airman on like all these famous people, people who have contributed to the greatness of America. They just happen to be black. And this administration is taking down all that proof on this. It's like, yo, we.

[Startpage Advertiser]

We.

[Eric Benet]

We get a couple free passes. And I. And I think, yeah, I agree with you there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And that's the reason I asked, is because when you say who's going to save us, like, it's going to take power, like real power. And I'm not sure people know what that is or what that looks like because we're just always so busy wanting representation.

[Startpage Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Eric Benet]

I think that what I'm trying to say in the song is the power that you're talking about, which I know maybe this is overly optimistic, but I still believe it's possible because over history, we have united. We have utilized our voices. Whether it was the boycott, the bus boycott from. From Dr. King and. And. Or other times in history where we did unite. I think that's real power. That's transcendental power. That's not temporary power. It's only like, we only tap into

[Charlamagne Tha God]

it

[Eric Benet]

once in a while where if we just galvanized it, codified it, like, this is us, and us isn't just black people. It's like the subjugated. The people who. Whose power just continues to be like, chipped away while we're creating trillionaires.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's why I keep asking white people, what are you going to do about this? You see what they're doing to us in the South? Like, you know, they. Redistricting laws, you know, they've definitely weakened our voting power.

[Eric Benet]

So how about that?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So. So white People, what are you going to do about.

[Eric Benet]

I. I 100 agree with you. It's like we have to have, like, allies.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Eric Benet]

To come out of this. Yeah. And it's all about tapping into, like. Like I said, it's like the strength of your voice, the power that you have that you never tapped into because you felt like you were insignificant or not enough.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Let's play who's going to save us?

[Eric Benet]

Man. I think that's a great idea.

[DJ Envy]

Performing tonight at the NJP Pack. So make sure you come out and see him tonight.

[Eric Benet]

Yeah. Come see me.

[DJ Envy]

Let's get into the joint. We appreciate you for joining us, ladies and gentlemen.

[Eric Benet]

Thank you.

[DJ Envy]

Eric B. Eric Benet. And let's get into the joint's going to save us.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And you got to come back when your book come out.

[DJ Envy]

Yes, please.

[Eric Benet]

I. I really am. And if y' all like it, will you please, like, put it behind you? Got you. All right.

[DJ Envy]

We got you.

[Eric Benet]

It's the Breakfast Club.

[DJ Envy]

Good morning.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Every day I wake up.

[Eric Benet]

Wake your ass up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The Breakfast Club.

[Eric Benet]

We all finished or y' all done?

[America 250 Announcer]

This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

[America 250 Advertiser]

Experience music, performances by major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to giving 4th, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history.

[America 250 Announcer]

It's more than just fireworks.

[America 250 Advertiser]

Join this landmark celebration and get your America's Block party Tickets now for 17.76

[Jana Kramer]

at america250.org LA this is Jana Kramer from Wind down with Jana Kramer. Hey, quick question for the parents listening right now. When's the last time your kid asked for something and you actually felt good saying yes? Because lately a lot of families have been hearing the same thing. Can I have lingokids, please? And here's the thing. Lingokids is the number one entertainment platform for young kids with more than 4,000 interactive games, songs and shows. Astronauts, wild animals, superheroes, dinosaurs. It's literally everything kids love all in one place. So when they ask for it, you can actually feel good saying yes. Download lingokids for free and start exploring today or unlock even more amazing content with LingoKids Plus. And if you go with the yearly plan, you can save up to 60%. Search LingoKids in the app store store or Google Play Lingokids everything kids love.

[Kel Penn]

Hey, everyone, it's Kel Penn. I'm inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with my podcast, Hearsay, The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. Every episode, I nerd out with amazing guests and dive into the best new audiobooks available on Audible. It's the book club for your ears. Listen to Irsay, the audible and and iHeart audiobook club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Startpage Advertiser]

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[Host 1]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.