Indiana University Athletics
The Music Man
7/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 30, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana football fans have the opportunity to watch one of the nation's premier kickoff returners, Lance Bennett, play 11 regular season games per year. However, unbeknownst to most IU faithful, they can hear his handiwork almost hourly on local radio stations.
Bennett and his brothers, Lemar and Lennie, are accomplished musicians and songwriters, as they co-wrote Will Smith's "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)" as well as Smith's current hit "Switch."
Bennett recently sat down with iuhoosiers.com to discuss the challenges of balancing academics, football and music.
What drew you into music and how do you balance academics, football and your music career?
Music is a great way for you to have your own loud speaker to express yourself to the world. I am from an underdog community, Brooklyn, New York, where it is hard to get out. My brothers and I always had a voice amongst our peers,and we were always leaders and trend setters. Music is another avenue to do so, and give back to Brooklyn as well as other underdog places. I started when I was eight years old, just joking around, but my quarterback from my peewee team had a studio in his house. My brother LeMar (24) had a homework assignment and he chose to do a rap out of the choices of a poem, an essay, or a rap. He won first prize in his class, and after that we all started rapping. We started recording and performing when I was eight, and we never stopped since then.
How did you come into contact with Will Smith and describe your working relationship with him?
My brother Lennie (26) met his executive producer's cousin in college. He took my brother to Philadelphia to rap for Will and Jazzy Jeff, then LeMar and I did the same, and it took off from there. Working with Will is humbling but reassuring at the same time. He has made hits for years which humbles you to learn, however, he is open to our feedback and criticism like we have been writing hits for years. He is a GREAT person, and he is down to help no matter what.
How did the lyrics for 'Switch' come about and describe the time table as to when the song was written compared to when it was released?
The word Switch was already in the beat and Will and his camp had come up with a dance already called Switch. We just helped with lyrics on the verses. The song was recorded last summer in 2004, and it didn't come out until maybe February 2005.
Talk about your plans to start a record company after graduation
Well Lord willing our record company will be started and successful before I even graduate. It is a long process because a lot of these major companies are so money hungry and they don't realize good talent. We want to do it on our own so it is a much longer process as far as funding yourself and creating your own buzz.