Oct 30, 2011         Editorials         by Leah-Marie Roqueza

He may be better known to the public and tabloids as Halle Berry’s love rat second husband. But to his loyal fans, Eric Benét is a truly talented yet underrated R&B singer/songwriter. It’s his tender vocals and timeless songs that have become his redeeming qualities. However, throughout his life and career, he has experienced the highs and lows of love and loss.

His professional musical journey began when he formed a group, simply called Benet, with his sister, Lisa, and cousin, George Nash, Jr. They scored a record deal with EMI Records and recorded their very own self-titled album in 1992. Unfortunately, the album was poorly promoted and suffered low sales. 

Around this time, Benet’s girlfriend, Tami Stauff, gave birth to their daughter, India. Tragically, Stauff died 15 months later in a car accident and Benét became a single parent. He also suffered the loss of his father from cancer. 

He eventually returned to the studio as a solo artist with his new record deal with Warner Bros. In 1996, he released his debut album - True To Myself. Singles included Let’s Stay Together and Spiritual Thang. The album was critically praised but wasn’t a commercial success.

His second album released in 1999, A Day in the Life, was more successful. First single, Georgy Porgy, featured Faith Evans and is a cover of Toto’s 1978 song. Benét and Evans’ version became a groovy soul jam. Second single, Spend My Life with You, was his duet with Tamia. The song reached number one on the US R&B charts and was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group.  

He soon dabbled with acting and made his film debut alongside Mariah Carey in Glitter in 2001. They sang Want You, which also appeared on the soundtrack. Ultimately, the movie was widely panned by critics and was also a commercial dud.

He also recorded an album titled Better and Better. Unfortunately, Warner Bros. refused to release it and did not support his creative musical style outside of R&B. Earlier that year, he married HalleBerry. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2005 due to his infidelity and supposed sex addiction. When they were married, Berry adopted his daughter, India.

By 2005, Benét moved to Reprise/Friday Records where he had more musical creative freedom. He released Hurricane, his third album and the first after he cut his trademark dreadlocks. It was also described as his “quintessential divorce album” with themes of heartache, healing and redemption.

The next year, he released his fourth album - Love and Life. It was nominated for a Grammy for Best R&B Album. The first single,You’re the Only One, was nominated for Best R&B Male Performance.

Late last year, he released his latest album. Lost in Time contains elements of ’70s soul music. First single, Sometimes I Cry, features his impressive falsetto vocals. He received a huge compliment when Lil’ Wayne revealed on his blog that he loved listening to the song on the radio during his time in jail!

Benét wrote the second single, Never Want to Live without You, for his current partner (and Prince’s ex-wife), Manuela Testolini. In a very romantic gesture, he sang the song to her and proposed. They got married this year in late July and are expecting their first child together.

Also this year, he scored his second movie role and first leading role in Trinity Goodheart. It premiered at the American Black Film Festival last July and aired on the Gospel Music Channel in August.

More recently, Benét made his very first visit to Australia and performed intimate showcases in Sydney and Melbourne where he impressed the crowds with his flawless singing and alluring personality.

Currently, he’s working on a new album to be released next year. A new song called Real Love can already be heard online. He has revealed he may use sequence/drum machine beats as well as live instrumentation, while also trying to maintain his old school music influences. Hopefully, he’ll return to Australia with a live band after its release.

With a new family, movie role and album, it looks like things are finally looking up for Benet’s life and career.