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Alec Benjamin

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Alec Benjamin
Benjamin in 2019
Benjamin in 2019
Background information
Birth nameAlec Shane Benjamin
Born (1994-05-28) May 28, 1994 (age 30)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter[4]
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active2014–present
Labels
Websitealecbenjamin.com

Alec Shane Benjamin (born May 28, 1994) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, his 2018 breakthrough single "Let Me Down Slowly" reached the top 40 in over 25 countries and has amassed over 1.7 billion streams on Spotify as of December 2023.

Life and career

[edit]

Alec Shane Benjamin was born on May 28, 1994, in Phoenix, Arizona,[5][6] where he and his sister were raised.[7] As a child, he spent summers at a Jewish sleepaway camp which introduced him to campfire songs.[8] He started writing songs at 13 and learning guitar in high school,[9][10] and released his first extended play (EP) America in 2013.[6]

Benjamin signed with Columbia Records and enrolled at the University of Southern California. However, Columbia Records ended their partnership weeks after he submitted his album.[7] After termination of his partnership with Columbia Records, he went on a self-funded tour in Europe, opening for Marina Kaye in France and Lea in Germany. He promoted his music by performing in parking lots outside concert venues and handing out business cards to passersby.[11]

Benjamin's mixtape Narrated for You was released on November 16, 2018. It features the songs "If We Have Each Other”, "Water Fountain," "Annabelle's Homework," and "Let Me Down Slowly". "Let Me Down Slowly" was later re-released as a single with Alessia Cara.[12] While promoting the mixtape, he started creating the "Can I Sing for You?" videos on YouTube, in which he performs acoustic versions of his songs for people in public.[13]

Benjamin's debut studio album These Two Windows was released on May 29, 2020. It peaked at number 8 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart.[14] His second album, (Un)Commentary, followed on April 15, 2022.[15][16]

In 2023, he opened for John Mayer for a portion of Mayer's North American tour. He also performed at the annual Minecraft Live, singing a parody of his song "Let Me Down Slowly" using words from the Minecraft game universe.[17] Additionally, he began releasing tracks from his upcoming album, 12 Notes, which was released on May 10, 2024.

He occasionally records Mandarin versions of his songs, having been inspired by his dad who’s incorporated Chinese culture into his work as a medical doctor through acupuncture and eastern medicine.[18] He collaborated with popular Chinese actress Zhao Lusi on a Mandarin version of "Water Fountain".[19]

Influences

[edit]

Benjamin has cited influences such as Eminem,[20] John Mayer,[21] Jason Mraz, Paul Simon, Joe Avneri and Chris Martin of Coldplay.[22] He has also expressed admiration for Kendrick Lamar[23] and classic singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Carole King,[24] and Jackson Browne.[25]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[26] 		AUS
[27] 		BEL
(FL)
[28] 		NLD
[29] 		SWI
[30] 		UK
[31]
These Two Windows 75 70 99 42 75 52
(Un)Commentary
  • Released: April 15, 2022[15]
  • Label: Elektra
  • Format: CD, Digital download, streaming
 — — — 84 62 —
12 Notes
  • Released: May 10, 2024[33]
  • Label: Elektra
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
 — — — — — —
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Mixtapes

[edit]
List of mixtapes, with selected details, chart positions and certifications
Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[26] 		US
Heat.
[34] 		BEL
(FL)
[28] 		CAN
[35] 		DEN
[36] 		FRA
[37] 		NLD
[29] 		NOR
[38] 		SWE
[39]
Narrated for You
  • Released: November 16, 2018
  • Label: Atlantic
  • Format: Digital download, LP
 127 3 121 62 10 130 59 5 20

Extended plays

[edit]
Extended play, with selected details
Title Details
America[1]
  • Released: April 22, 2013
  • Label: White Rope
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

[edit]

As lead artist

[edit]
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[45] 		AUS
[46] 		BEL
(FL)
[28] 		CAN
[47] 		DEN
[48] 		IRE
[49] 		NLD
[29] 		NOR
[50] 		SWI
[30] 		UK
[31]
"Paper Crown"[51] 2014 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"End of the Summer"[52] 2016 — — — — — — — — — —
"The Way to Nowhere" — — — — — — — — — —
"I Built a Friend" 2017 — — — — — — — — — —
"Let Me Down Slowly"
(solo or featuring Alessia Cara) 		2018 79 56 4 49 7 17 22 6 20 31 Narrated for You
"Boy in the Bubble"[58][59][60] — — — — — — — — — —
"If We Have Each Other" — — — — — — — — — —
"Death of a Hero"[61][62][63] — — — — — — — — — —
"Outrunning Karma"[64][65] — — — — — — — — — —
"1994"[66][67] — — — — — — — — — —
"Must Have Been the Wind"[68] 2019 — — — — — — — — — — These Two Windows
"Jesus in LA"[69] — — — — — — — — — —
"Mind Is a Prison"[70] — — — — — — — — — —
"Demons" 2020 — — —[A] — — — — — — —
"Oh My God" —[B] — —[C] — — — — — — —
"The Book of You & I" — — — — — — — — — —
"Six Feet Apart" — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Match in the Rain" — — — — — — — — — — These Two Windows
"I Built a Friend (2020)" — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"The Way You Felt"[73] 2021 — — — — — — — — — — (Un)Commentary
"Change My Clothes"
(with Dream) 		— — — — — 70 — — — 67 Non-album single
"Older" — — — — — — — — — — (Un)Commentary
"Shadow of Mine" 2022 — — — — — — — — — —
"Speakers" — — — — — — — — — —
"Devil Doesn't Bargain" — — — — — — —[D] 30 — 95
"Different Kind of Beautiful"[75] 2023 — — — — — — — — — — 12 Notes
"I Sent My Therapist to Therapy" — — — — — — — — — —
"Pick Me" 2024
"King Size Bed"
"Found You First" — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
[edit]
List of singles as featured artist, with year, released and album name shown
Title Year Album
"New York Soul, Pt. II"
(Jon Bellion featuring Alec Benjamin)[76] 		2016 The Human Condition
"Eyes Blue Like the Atlantic, Pt. 2"
(Sista Prod featuring Powfu, Alec Benjamin, and Rxseboy)[77] 		2020 Non-album single

Other certified songs

[edit]
List of other certified songs, with selected certifications
Title Year Certifications Album
"Water Fountain" 2018 Narrated for You
"If I Killed Someone for You"

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Demons" did not enter the Ultratop 50 chart, but peaked at number 5 on the Ultratip chart.[28]
  2. ^ "Oh My God" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 32 on the Pop Songs chart[71] and at number 26 on the Adult Pop Songs chart.[72]
  3. ^ "Oh My God" did not enter the Ultratop 50 chart, but peaked at number 49 on the Ultratip chart.[28]
  4. ^ "Devil Doesn't Bargain" did not enter the Single Top 100, but reached number 11 on its extension, the Single Tip.[74]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Donelson, Marcy. "Alec Benjamin Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "Narrated for You by Alec Benjamin on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  3. ^ "(Un)Commentary by Alec Benjamin on Apple Music". Apple Music.
  4. ^ "Alec Benjamin". Ones to Watch. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  5. ^ Benjamin, Alec [@AlecBenjamin] (June 20, 2016). "@newscarpenter Alec Shane Benjamin :)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via Twitter.
  6. ^ a b Donelson, Marcy. "Alec Benjamin Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Ginsberg, Gab (April 30, 2019). "Alec Benjamin Is Rising 'Slowly,' But Surely". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Jacobs, Justin (August 17, 2022). "Spotlight: Alec Benjamin". Relix. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  9. ^ "THE SONGWRITER OF OUR GENERATION, A TRUTHFUL NARRATOR OF LIFE: ALEC BENJAMIN". Ladygunn. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  10. ^ "Alec Benjamin". Warner Chappell Music. Archived from the original on October 17, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  11. ^ Silver, Michael. "Watch Alec Benjamin Perform 'Let Me Down Slowly' on 'Today' Show". Billboard. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  12. ^ Lukarcanin, Emina (July 2020). "Alec Benjamin Breaks Down His 'Narrated For You' Mixtape: Exclusive". Billboard.
  13. ^ Firman, Tehrene (10 November 2014). "Press Play on This Exclusive "Paper Crown" Music Video, Fall Totally in Love with Jersey-Wearing, Boombox-Toting Alec Benjamin". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  14. ^ "Top Album Sales". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  15. ^ a b "(Un)Commentary by Alec Benjamin". Apple Music. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  16. ^ Tracy, Brianne (May 29, 2020). "Alec Benjamin Talks New Album, 'Struggle' with Social Media: 'It's Harder to Just Make Music'". People. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  17. ^ Benjamin, Alec (Oct 15, 2023). "i worked on something super cool for @minecraft ! tune in to #minecraftlive at Minecraft.net/live in about 30 mins to check it out !! #minecraftpartner". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  18. ^ Bradley, Josh (September 7, 2022). "Q&A: Before St. Pete show, Alec Benjamin talks John Mayer, his fascination with Mandarin Chinese, and more". Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  19. ^ @alecbenjamin (January 6, 2021). "fun fact .. i speak Chinese ! 你好 :) . here's a collab i did with one of my favorite Chinese artists , Zhao Lu Si . "water fountain" duet in mandarin " (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Marks, Lily (July 1, 2019). "Pop Singer Alec Benjamin Covers His Idol Eminem". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  21. ^ Monroy Yglesias, Ana (June 13, 2019). "Alec Benjamin On Working With Alessia Cara, Meeting His Idol John Mayer & Chasing Dreams". Grammy Awards. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  22. ^ Alec Benjamin Speaks Mandarin, Talks Musical Inspiration and Upcoming Album!. WiLD 94.9. December 13, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ "ARTIST PROFILE: ALEC BENJAMIN". F Word. 8 April 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  24. ^ Nissen, Dano (July 26, 2019). "Alec Benjamin on His Personal Journey Behind 'Jesus in L.A.'". Variety. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
  25. ^ "'It's a weird time right now:' Alec Benjamin on releasing an album during a pandemic". The National. July 12, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  26. ^ a b "Alec Benjamin Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  27. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 8 June 2020". No. 1579. Australian Recording Industry Association. June 8, 2020. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  28. ^ a b c d e "Discografie Alec Benjamin". ultratop.be (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  29. ^ a b c "Discografie Alec Benjamin". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  30. ^ a b "Discography Alec Benjamin". hitparade.ch. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  31. ^ a b "Alec Benjamin | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  32. ^ "These Two Windows – Album by Alec Benjamin on Apple Music". Apple Music US. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  33. ^ O'Brien, Emily. "Alec Benjamin announces new album, 12 Notes". Hotpress. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
  34. ^ "Alec Benjamin – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  35. ^ "Alec Benjamin – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  36. ^ "Album Top-40 Uge 7, 2019". Hitlisten. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  37. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes – SNEP (Week 28, 2019)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved July 16, 2019.[permanent dead link]
  38. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 40 Album uke 4, 2019". VG-lista. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
  39. ^ "Veckolista Album, vecka 14". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "American certifications – Alec Benjamin". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  41. ^ a b c "British certifications – Alec Benjamin". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 16, 2023. Type Alec Benjamin in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  42. ^ "Danish album certifications – Alec Benjamin – Narrated for You". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  43. ^ a b "Norwegian certifications – Alec Benjamin" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h "Canadian certifications – Alec Benjamin". Music Canada. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  45. ^ "Alec Benjamin Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  46. ^ "ARIA Chart Watch #521". auspOp. April 20, 2019. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  47. ^ "Alec Benjamin Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  48. ^ "Track Top-40 Uge 10, 2019". Hitlisten. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  49. ^ "Discography Alec Benjamin". irish-charts.com. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  50. ^ "Alec Benjamin discography". norwegiancharts.com. VG-lista. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  51. ^ "WHO IS ALEC BENJAMIN?". Warner Music Australia. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  52. ^ "Alec Benjamin's "End Of The Summer": Premiere". 10 June 2016.
  53. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  54. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2020". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  55. ^ "Danish single certifications – Alec Benjamin feat. Alessia Cara – Let Me Down Slowly". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  56. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community". Hitparade.ch – Swiss Charts. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  57. ^ "Dutch certifications – Alec Benjamin" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved September 10, 2023. Enter Alec Benjamin in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  58. ^ The Boy In The Bubble, 2018-06-22, retrieved 2022-04-12
  59. ^ Warner Music Brasil [@WarnerMusicBR] (November 27, 2018). ""Boy In The Bubble" é o single novo do @AlecBenjamin que acaba de ganhar um clipe emocionante – vem assistir e colocar o cara entre as suas melhores descobertas de 2018 🎬🎶 https://t.co/W3CuWaQtg5" (Tweet) (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via Twitter.
  60. ^ RobertHerreraOfficial (2018-11-27). "Alec Benjamin Premieres "Boy In The Bubble" (Official Music Video)". Front Row Live Entertainment. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  61. ^ Death Of A Hero, 2018-08-23, retrieved 2022-04-12
  62. ^ "Alec Benjamin Recounts the "Death of a Hero" in New Single / Ones To Watch". Ones To Watch. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  63. ^ Warner Music Africa [@WMAfrica] (August 22, 2018). ".@AlecBenjamin drops a brand-new single this week. We can't wait for you to hear 'Death of a Hero'. https://t.co/CkvaH2sJoE" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via Twitter.
  64. ^ Outrunning Karma, 2018-09-27, retrieved 2022-04-12
  65. ^ Benjamin, Alec [@AlecBenjamin] (September 3, 2018). "my next single is called "Outrunning Karma"" (Tweet). Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via Twitter.
  66. ^ 1994, 2018-11-01, retrieved 2022-04-12
  67. ^ Bajgrowicz, Brooke (2018-11-01). "Alec Benjamin Drops New Nostalgia-Inducing '1994' & Announces Debut Mixtape: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  68. ^ "Must Have Been the Wind – Single by Alec Benjamin". Apple Music. Archived from the original on December 10, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  69. ^ Benjamin, Alec [@AlecBenjamin] (July 9, 2019). ""Jesus in LA" out in 1 week" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2022 – via Twitter.
  70. ^ "Mind Is a Prison – Single by Alec Benjamin". Apple Music. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  71. ^ "Alec Benjamin – Chart History: Mainstream Top 40". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  72. ^ "Alec Benjamin – Chart History: Adult Top 40". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  73. ^ "The Way You Felt - Single by Alec Benjamin on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  74. ^ "Dutch Single Tip 18/06/2022" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  75. ^ "Alec Benjamin Shares New Single, "Different Kind Of Beautiful"". preludepress. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  76. ^ Sully, Jayden (1 March 2021). ""New Your Soul - Pt. ii"". Genius. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  77. ^ Wass, Mike (13 August 2020). "Powfu, Alec Benjamin & Rxseboy remix Sista Prod's "Eyes Blue Like the Atlantic"". Idolator. Retrieved 22 October 2020.

78. "Alec Benjamin - Devil Doesn't Bargain". NaijaWide. Retrieved 20 August 2024.

[edit]
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