R&B crooner Eric Benet recruits rapper 2 Chainz for "News For You" remix. 2 Chainz throws on the suit and tie and keeps it grown and sexy for this one.
Eric Benet is back! Upcoming album, The One, kicks off with the new single and video, "Real Love"
With The One, Eric's 6th studio album, he knows "Real Love" always stands the tests of time.
The One will be available online and in stores Spring 2012
Also, don't forget to tune into the GRAMMY Awards Sunday, February 12th to see if Eric will take home the Best Traditional R&B Performance Award for "Sometimes I Cry"!
R&B Crooner, songwriter and actor Eric Benét has successfully released five albums and is currently gearing up for the release of his sixth album entitled The One, which is slated for a Spring 2012 release. Very appropriately named, Benét's new album The One marks a moment of positive transition in his life and lyrically speaks to the many new beginnings developing in his career and family. The One will also be the first album released on Benét's newly formed record label Jordan House Records, which he created in partnership with EMI. "Real Love" (available on iTunes) is the first single off Benét's new forthcoming album The One and was the #1 added song to Urban AC when shipped to radio in October 2011 and is currently #14 on the Urban AC chart and climbing quickly. This new single is a taste of what to expect on Benét's new album, which he describes as a "very contemporary approach to old-school songwriting integrity". The One will also feature his signature mid-70s soul groove, a variety of instruments from strings to horns to featured artists and even a duet with his first daughter India.
Eric Benét was also recently nominated for a 2012 Grammy Award for "Best Traditional R&B Performance" for his single "Sometimes I Cry", up against artists Cee Lo Green ("Fool For You" feat Melanie Fiona), R. Kelly ("Radio Message"), Raphael Saadiq ("Good Man"), Betty Wright & The Roots ("Surrender"). The Grammy Awards will air on Sunday February 12th, 2012. Additionally, Benét was nominated for a 2011 Soul Train Award for "Best Male R&B/Soul Artist" and also performed during the Soul Train Award's tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire, which aired November 27th on BET.
In addition to a new album, single & record label, Eric Benét also has a new marriage and baby. Eric married Manuela Testolini on July 31st, 2011 in Newport Beach, CA and the newlyweds welcomed their baby daughter, Lucia, on December 21, 2011. Previously, Eric was married to actress Halle Berry from 2001 - 2005 and has one daughter named India from a prior relationship with his longtime girlfriend Tami Marie Stauff, who tragically died in a car accident leaving Eric as a single father to their daughter at age 1. India is now 21 years old, attending USC and very musically gifted. Testolini also familiar with being in a Hollywood marriage was married to Prince prior to Benét.
Eric Benét grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the 1970s and was the youngest of five musically talented siblings. He started out singing with a group called Gerard in the late 1980s; then Benét, his sister Lisa, and his cousin George Nash Jr. formed a band called Benét and in 1992, they were signed to EMI and released a self-titled album. Two years later, Eric Benét broke onto the music scene with his solo career and signed with Warner Bros. Records, releasing his debut solo album, True to Myself in 1996. His sophomore album, A Day in the Life, was released in 1999 and featured his smash hit "Spend My Life With You (featuring Tamia)", which rose to #1 on the US Billboard R&B charts (for 3 weeks), was certified gold, and nominated for a 2000 Grammy Award for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group". The album also won a Soul Train Music Aw
Here is the second part of our 3 day series of the festival. If you would like to see or order more pictures from the event, visit http://www.RedCarpetImages.net
Here's Lil Wayne's latest prison letter in its entirety:
"What'z poppin!
I hope that you all are well and as always, thank you thank you thank you for the endless love and support. I think by the time you all read this I'll be 28 years old… feeling ancient in this b#tch! On that note, I do encourage you young people to enjoy your youth. And for the old heads like me, enjoy your life. Everyday!
As for me, I'm good. Awaiting freedom patiently. People often ask does the days feel longer now that the time is getting shorter… I say that there's 24 hours in everyday. But honestly, I can't fxckin' wait! Sorry. Anyway, I'm still playing UNO. Still doing pushups and such, by the way, please don't expect me to come out looking any different. I'm the same little 'ol me. Also, I've been trying to get as much rest as I can because I know I won't when I'm out of here. Wait, Aaliyah's "Let Me Know" just came on the radio! "At your best, you are love"… and I try to always be at my best, for you.
I only listen to slow jams and ESPN. Shoutout to Keith Stewart and Dr. Bob Lee on WBLS, and Lenny Green on KISSfm. That's all I listen to, other than sports. Oh and if you haven't heard the new song by Eric Benet, "Sometimes I Cry", please stop what you're doing and check it out. Well, after you finish reading this. It's the best song I've heard since Maxwell's "Woman's Worth". It's for grown folk. I actually listen to the radio all day waiting for that song. Anyway, so back to my fans, you are the best in the world. When reading those letters, you never cease to amaze me with your love. I am forever grateful.
So my kids are perfect. I miss them like crazy! Reginaé, you are the angel of my life. Kam, you are amazing. Neal, you are my little wonderful meatball. And Lil Tunechi Jr., you are so me. City, I am so you! I love my family and I thank them for the support during this time. It's almost over. To my YMCM family, you are the fxckin' best! Uhh Nik, I am jealous of you and Drizzy, but it's cool! Ha ha. I miss you all and keep killin' 'em. I love y'all.
To everyone who's come to visit me. I thank you for that, graciously. It means a lot. Well I'll end this letter but never my love. Speaking of love… Mr. Chris Kyle, will you marry Ms. Ashalee Albarr??? Now that was cool. Well I hope y'all got my new album 'I Am Not A Human Being'. It's great, like every one of you. Peace.
J Records recording artist Fantasia has announced details regarding her very first headlining tour entitled "Back To Me." The 30-city tour will begin on November 4th in Richmond, VA and will conclude by bringing in the New Year on January 1st in St. Louis, MO (full tour schedule below). The "Back To Me" tour will also include three-time Grammy Award nominee Eric Benet and Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/producer Kandi. Subscribers of Fantasia's newsletter can take advantage of concert tickets pre-sales one day prior to general public on sale dates. The first round of pre-sales for selected dates will begin on September 30th from 10:00am-10:00pm. Fans can signup for the newsletter at FantasiaOfficial.com for up-to-date tour information and future pre-sale opportunities.
The eight-time Grammy nominee begins this tour after the critically acclaimed release of her third studio album, Back To Me which debuted at #1 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart and #2 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Back To Me also marks Fantasia's first #1 R&B album and her highest Billboard Top 200 chart ranking. While Fantasia's first single "Bittersweet" maintained its #1 position for five weeks on the Urban Adult Radio R&B Airplay chart, her new single "I'm Doin' Me," was one of the most added singles to Urban radio last week. Along with the success of Back To Me, Fantasia's second season of her VH1 reality show "Fantasia for Real" premiered on September 19th with over 1 million viewers according to Nielsen ratings.
After beautifully performed appearances on Good Morning America, Lopez Tonight, Live! With Regis and Kelly, 106 & Park and The Wendy Williams Show, Fantasia will continue to mesmerize audiences with her supreme vocal talents and engaging live performances. "I'm so excited about this tour and having the chance to connect with my fans, the people that love me and have been supporting me through everything. This tour is going to be a real special, intimate experience for them and for me" states Fantasia.
In 2004, the High Point, North Carolina native became the season three winner of Fox's American Idol. Later that year, Fantasia released her platinum-selling debut album Free Yourself on J Records and became the first artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 chart to debut at #1 with her first single, "I Believe." Fantasia's second single, "Truth Is," spent 14 weeks at #1, thus making her the first singer to simultaneously have two of the top three songs on the Billboard chart. Fantasia's 2006 eponymous second album featured the #1 R&B single, "When I See U," and reached gold status.
In addition to being an eight-time Grammy-nominated singer, in 2005 Fantasia authored her first memoir, Life is Not a Fairytale and made her acting debut starring as herself in the Lifetime television movie based on the book. In 2007, Fantasia continued her acting career and received rave reviews for her portrayal of "Celie" in the Broadway play The Color Purple.
The "Back To Me" tour dates are as follows:
Thur, Nov 4 Richmond, VA Landmark Theater
Fri, Nov 5 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall
Sat, Nov 6 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre
Sun, Nov 7 Baltimore, MD Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Wed, Nov 10 Savannah, GA Johnny Mercer Theatre
Thur, Nov 11 Atlanta, GA Fox Theater
Fri, Nov 12 Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
Sat, Nov 13 Jacksonville, FL Moran Theatre Sun Nov14 Miami, FL James L. Knight Center
Wed, Nov 17 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
Thur, Nov 18 Greensboro, NC War Memorial Auditorium
Fri, Nov 19 Columbia, SC Township Auditorium
Sat, Nov 20 Birmingham, AL BJCC Concert Hall
Wed, Nov 24 Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Have you ever listened to the radio and just cringed every time a certain song came on? You probably shuddered thinking of that song as you read the question. You know that nasty taste in the back of your throat you get when you are about to throw up? Yup, I get that taste when these songs come on the radio.
Eric Benet's song "Chocolate Legs" gets on my nerves, not just because of the lyrics, but how he sings them...
"The memory of my day will quickly just fade away... When you come wrap them chocolate legs 'round me!"
He chops up Chocolate so hard it makes me wonder how bad was his day really? I mean, you did let Halle Berry go so I guess those Chocolate Legs didn't ease your memory of a hard days work huh?
Some women think "Chocolate Legs" is a true love song, but think about it. He's saying he had a hard day at work and he wants his woman to give him some bootay so he can relax. Hmm, not really romantic huh ladies?
Every time I hear Maxwell say "Pret Tay Wangs, Pret Tay Wings" I think to myself... what woman wants to be compared to wings. Not only that, but I hear "Chic-Ken Wings, Chic-Ken Wings" every time. Then again, it is a break up song so maybe he wanted to call her a Chicken Head.
Either Eric and Maxwell were at a buffet and decided to come up with these songs equating women to food, or both of these Negroes are really hungry.
I hate Anthony Hamilton's "I'm Cool". It's so irritating! If this isn't the most ghetto "I'm broke as hell" song, I don't know what is!
"We don't have to worry bout no money to have us a real good time. If we aint got enough for a movie we can jus sit at home"
Really? And how often do you think that will work? The most confusing lyric to me is,
"Quit your worryin girl, Quit your cryin lady (gone head and cry)." HUH???
Obviously you don't have a job and all you want to do is lay up in the house eating sandwiches. She shouldn't worry and you tell her to quit crying, but then in the background you say go ahead and cry. This girl has to be an emotional wreck. I HATE THIS SONG!!!
Fellas, try these at your house and see what happens:
1. "Hey girl, give me some bootay, I'm mad at my boss.
2. I can't see you anymore so use your pret tay wings and fly away.
3. Hey girl, I just lost my job, but don't worry! We can have peanut butter jelly sandwiches and sex. Why you cryin? Quit worryin!! Aight, cry then.
I bet you one of two things will happen. You won't get any AND you'll probably get cussed out. Good luck!
Share on Facebook · 
Bookmark on Delicious
![2011 Essence Music Festival - Day 2 [PICS]](images/blogs/7-2011/10492-redcarpetimages-2011-.jpg "2011 Essence Music Festival - Day 2 [PICS]")
