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In this episode, Questlove hosts singer and songwriter Eric Benét for a wide-ranging conversation about R&B history, musical influences, and the endurance required to survive the music industry. The two artists reflect on their shared pasts in the 1990s music scene, growing up in the Midwest, and the complex realities of pursuing creative perfection under commercial pressure. Benét shares behind-the-scenes stories about signing his first deals, collaborating with legends like David Foster, and maintaining his vocal craft over decades of recording and touring.
The episode opens with host Questlove introducing the show and a series of commercial spots before launching into the interview with Eric Benét.
Questlove sets the tone by extolling Benét’s musical legacy and describing him as a purveyor of grown‑folk soul.
Questlove and Benét wrap up the conversation, sharing final insights and thanking listeners for joining the episode.
Benét shares the story of The Roots’ first trip to Japan, the discovery of rare Soul Train tapes, and the impact of preserving musical history.
Benét offers introspective commentary on how his heritage, upbringing, and musical influences converge to define his artistry.
Benét reveals his ancestral ties to the slave trade in Mobile, Alabama, and how learning about his Haitian heritage reshaped his identity.
Benét recounts his upbringing in a musically rich family, the influence of his parents and siblings, and the early exposure to soul and gospel.
Benét discusses his earliest live music experiences, the artists that inspired him, and how those moments influenced his career path.
The conversation opens with reminiscing about a memorable recording session and the emotional impact of revisiting old music.
The host probes the guest’s childhood dreams, revealing a shift from fashion design to music driven by family expectations and personal passion.
The guest explains the production, promotion, and eventual underperformance of the Benet album, highlighting industry hurdles.
The guest recounts forming a band, creating a demo, and securing a deal with EMI Capital, setting the stage for his solo career.
The discussion focuses on the dynamics with record executives, especially Allison Ball, and the challenges of maintaining artistic control.
The guest shares his first exposure to the music industry through a talent show and the impact of meeting iconic artists like Natalie Cole.
The conversation covers the move to Warner Brothers, the creation of the album True to Myself, and the emotional journey of working independently.
The host and guest discuss the demanding nature of touring, backstage incidents, and the importance of live performance energy.
Meeting Eric Benétinsight
Questlove introduces his guest as a master of grown-folk soul, an iconic heartbreak songwriter, and an artist hitting his stride.
Musical Influences at Homeinsight
Benét describes growing up in a large musical household exposed to classical, jazz fusion, funk, and classic R&B.
Benét reveals his first record purchases were quirky comedy and novelty albums like Bill Cosby and Funky Favorites.
Meeting Natalie Colestory
Benét recounts being starstruck by Natalie Cole's warmth and lack of ego while hosting a talent showcase.
Connecting with David Fosterstory
Stuck in a stalemate with Warner Brothers, Benét ambushed producer David Foster at an event, leading to the creation of his Hurricane album.
“He makes a mood. He, in my opinion, is probably the last, one of the last purveyors of what we call grown folk soul.”
“Whenever I'm asked to make Valentine's Day playlists, there's two lists I have to make.”
“I was like, oh, Prince has weird teeth. Like, well, because he's never smiled before.”
“I grew up in a household with 3,000 records and even to this day, I have 200,000 records of maybe I've perused through 7% of that.”
“The music reflects how we feel.”
“I never felt like I made it.”
“I think it's one of the things that keeps me feeling young. I think every time I sing, Sometimes I Cry or Spend My Life.”
“I want to keep feeling that. And so that means not resting on my laurels, going out there and continuing to create something new.”
“I was like, wow, I never knew that this song had acoustic guitar on it.”
“I was like, wow, the presence of acoustic guitar on this record, like that replaced the Fender Rhodes to give that album the personality it has.”
Questlove sits down with R&B icon Eric Benét for a deeply human, wildly musical conversation tracing the singer’s journey from Milwaukee family harmonies to gold plaques and Grammy nominations. Benét opens up about early sonic imprints like Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick, and “Wichita Lineman,” his Alabama and Mobile roots, and how discovering Questlove’s own lineage story reshaped the way he thinks about ancestry, Haiti, and spirituality. The two dig into Prince vs. Michael Jackson, a legendary James Brown clip, and what it really meant to grow up in Milwaukee during the Jeffrey Dahmer years. Benét breaks down his path from band life to major labels, the making and shelving of Better and Better, how David Foster and Dean Parks helped shape Hurricane, and why songs like “Spend My Life With You” and “Sometimes I Cry” never get old on stage. Along the way, the longtime friends talk vocal maintenance, the emotional cost of fame, the rise of Neo-Soul, and what Benét would tell his 16-year-old self. Benét's latest single, "Who's Gonna Save Us," is newly available now. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
21,476 words · 8 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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