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Spend My Life With You
Background:
An American contemporary R&B singer with mild hip-hop and strong adult
contemporary influences, Eric Benet commenced his career in a vocal group called
“Benet” before finding a true prominence as a soloist with his second album, A
Day in the Life (1999). Thanks to the chart smash “Spend My Life With You,” he
won a 2000 Soul Train Music Award and received a Grammy nomination, that same
year. Eric also has released True to Myself (1996) and Hurricane (2005).
Eric has also been active as an actor. He had a recurring role on the WB “For
Your Love” (1999-2000) and appeared as a guest star on “Half & Half” (2005). He
made his feature film debut on Mariah Carey’s flashy showbiz drama Glitter
(2001).
As for his private life, Eric was married to actress Halle Berry from January
2001 until January 2005. He has a 15-year-old daughter, India, from previous
relationship with girlfriend Tami (killed in a car accident in 1993).
Halle Berry’s Ex
Childhood and Family:
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Eric Benét Jordan was born on October 15, 1966. He is
the youngest of five children and comes from a family with a very musical
background. His father, a police detective, loved classical music.
In 1992, Eric and girlfriend Tami Stauff welcomed a baby daughter named India. A
tragedy struck when Tami was killed in a car crash on April 24, 1993, 15 months
after India was born. In 1999, Eric became engaged to screen beauty Halle Berry,
whom he eventually married on January 24, 2001. Separated in 2003, the couple
officially divorced on January 3, 2005.
A Day in the Life
Career:
Growing up in an extremely musical family, Eric Benet seemed fated for a career
in music from his early years. As a teenager, he formed a vocal group called
Benet along with his sister and cousin. Signed by Capitol, the group released a
self-titled album in 1992 that went largely unnoticed, selling only 70,000
copies perhaps due to a lack of good promotion. Shortly afterward, Eric tried
his hand as a solo artist and, in 1994, he signed with Warner Bros.
True to Myself, Eric’s debut album, was released in the fall of 1996. The
acclaimed album contained such singles as “Let’s Stay Together” (feat. Tamia),
“Spiritual Thang,” “Femininity” and “True To Myself.” The soulful singer
followed it up with a successful sophomore effort three years later with A Day
in the Life. The album’s lead single, “Georgy Porgy” (featuring Faith Evans),
earned major airplay and peaked at No. 15 at the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart. However,
it was not until he launched second single “Spend My Life With You” (featuring
Tamia) that Eric finally scored a smash hit. The song scorched through the
charts, landing at No. 1 on the R&B charts, received a gold certification, and
was nominated for a 2000 Grammy award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or
Group. Eric continued to increase his profile by taking home a Soul Train Music
for Best RB/Soul Album Male. Meanwhile, Eric also recorded for Earth, Wind and
Fire’s 30th anniversary CD.
After the success, Eric branched out into acting. The growing star made his
debut as Jamel on the television comedy series “For Your Love,” a recurring
character he played from 1999 to 2000. He moved on to the big screen the next
year when he landed a supporting role on the Mariah Carey movie Glitter, in
which he properly played the producer working with Carey. In 2005, he made a
guest appearance on the sitcom “Half & Half,” as Reece Wilcox.
It was also in 2005 that Eric made his return to his musical roots for the third
album Hurricane. It produced singles “I Wanna Be Loved” (2005, #28), “Hurricane”
(2006, #33) and “Pretty Baby” (2006, #44).
Awards:
