It’s been nearly 30 years since crooner Eric Benét stepped on the scene barefoot as a solo artist with his dynamic debut album True To Myself. Since then, the singer-songwriter has been a staple on the R&B scene (and has amassed quite the following with his hilarious videos on social media as well). He shows no sign of stopping as he readies his upcoming duets album The Co-Star – the follow-up to his 2024 EP Duets – for release this year. He’s kicking off the beginning of this album cycle with the set’s lead single, the Keri Hilson-featuring “Can’t Wait.”
We’ve come to know Eric for his silky smooth, romantic tracks. For this go ’round, though, he opts for something a bit more uptempo as he brings his sound to the club. He’s transported there thanks to producer Camper, who captures the party vibe with a looped vocal sample, hand claps, the clink of glasses and a smooth piano melody.
Benét is in full floss mode on the lyrics as me mentions his sharp haircut, cologne, bling and fancy car to remind us all that he’s got it going on. The cherry on top of all that stuntin’, however, would be having his lady love by his side so they can stunt together. He fantasizes about that magical moment on the song’s chorus, singing, “I can’t wait ’til I show up in there with you / Can’t wait ’til I show up in there with you / You know what we came in this b***h to do / Can’t wait ’til I show up in there with you.”
Keri, who’s in the midst of her own comeback with her third album WE NEED TO TALK: LOVE, echoes Eric’s sentiments on her verse, noting that when they walk in the room champagne should be pouring and the crowd should be singing their praises. “Let me tell you / All these things they add up when / You walking with a king,” she sings. “Together, boy, we make the perfect team.”
Hilson’s verse is proven right in the song’s video. The twosome looks quite good as they perform together in a club setting that makes us jealous that we didn’t get an invite. The club has it all, including drinks, good vibes and a cameo by D-Nice. What’s not to love?
We have a feeling we’ll love The Co-Star, which will also count singers like India.Arie and others in addition to Keri over the set’s 13 tracks. We’ll be able to confirm that theory when the set arrives on Friday, June 6th. Until then, vibe with Eric Benét and Keri Hilson by streaming “Can’t Wait” and watching its video below.
