Benet Embry is host of the Benet Embry Radio show, which airs every Monday on www.thaafterparty.com, from 8-10pm CST. His show does not work if he or his co-hosts are not there working together. He says he asks for a re-air, if that’s the case, because he doesn’t trust anyone else to fill in because of their chemistry as a team. Outside of the show, Benet is a poet, a father, son, author, a spoken word performer, actor; all things in that realm or anything that has to do with creativity.
Benet was born and raised in Tyler, Texas, graduating from John Tyler High School. Some of his biggest influences in writing are Hill Harper, Fredrick Douglas; radio personality influences are Tom Joyner and Sam Putney; acting influences are Lawrence Fishborne and Samuel L. Jackson; poetic influences are Audaciously Speaking, Lady B. Smooth, Hill Harper, Tina B. and Rage Almighty.
The Benet Embry show is one which educates and entertains its audience. That’s where James Cain comes in, as he is the Political Analyst and Director
of the show. “What I’ve seen is that a lot of African Americans don’t follow politics,” said Benet. Alongside Benet and James is LaTressa Bagsby aka Smiley, who is the Musical Director of the show. The trio brings fun and laughter to their audience. They all grew up together in Tyler, so there's a bond. “We have plenty of stories to tell and with Smiley’s segment, we try to talk about what’s going on that’s relevant in the world; the hot topics and current fashions. Smiley and I select the guests,” said Benet.
Fuzionz: What type of interviews so you conduct?
Benet: If you have something you’re trying to get out to the public like local artists, music, poetry or someone who is trying to promote change or someone who has the ability to inspire, as well as someone who brings worth so that people will want to listen to the show, those are the type of guests we interview.
Benet has being hosting the show for five years, but they’ve been with Tha After Party for three of those years. Prior to Tha After Party, they were with the Jazz Spot and it was, at that time, Benet and his cousin Tiffany Thomas doing the show. James was a part of the show also, but he was the guy who basically checked the sound, made sure the guests got there on time and everyone was taken care of; things of that nature. When the show ended at the Jazz Spot, Benet wanted to revamp his show entirely. He heard about Tha After Party through a friend, so he went to talk to the owner, Montanna. He wanted to put a different spin on the show, so he asked James to co-host with him. Benet wanted it to be more dynamic. He wanted to bring someone in who he knew he could trust and comes from a similar background. LaTressa aka Smiley and Benet have always been friends. Benet talked to James and told him that LaTressa
Benet Embry
In the last issue, we introduced them. Now meet the crew from the Benet Embry Radio Show.
Fuzionz Magazine and TV 64