Alec Benjamin

Alec Shane Benjamin (born May 28, 1994) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, his 2018 breakthrough "Let Me Down Slowly" from his album Narrated for You reached the top 40 in over 25 countries.

Alec Shane Benjamin
Benjamin in 2019
Background information
Birth name	Alec Shane Benjamin
Born	(1994-05-28) May 28, 1994 (age 30) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Genres	Indie[1] folk-pop[2] alt-pop[3]
Occupations	Singer songwriter[4] musician
Instruments	Vocals guitar piano
Years active	2014–present
Labels	Columbia Atlantic Elektra
Website	alecbenjamin.com

Life and career

Alec Shane Benjamin was born on May 28, 1994, in Phoenix, Arizona,^[5][6] where he and his sister were raised.^[7] He started writing songs at 13 and learning guitar in high school,^[8][9] 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.^[10]

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.^[11] 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.^[12]

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.^[13] His second album, (Un)Commentary, followed on April 15, 2022.^[14][15]

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.^[16] He collaborated with popular Chinese actress Zhao Lusi on a Mandarin version of "Water Fountain".^[17]

Influences

Benjamin has cited influences such as Eminem,^[18] John Mayer,^[19] Jason Mraz, Paul Simon, Joe Venneri and Chris Martin of Coldplay.^[20] He has also expressed admiration for Kendrick Lamar^[21] and classic singer-songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Carole King,^[22] and Jackson Browne.^[23]

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions

Title	Details	Peak chart positions
		US [24]	AUS [25]	BEL (FL) [26]	NLD [27]	SWI [28]	UK [29]
These Two Windows	Released: May 29, 2020[30] Label: Atlantic Format: CD, Digital download, streaming	75	70	99	42	75	52
(Un)Commentary	Released: April 15, 2022[14] Label: Elektra Format: CD, Digital download, streaming	—	—	—	84	62	—
12 Notes	Released: May 10, 2024[31] Label: Elektra Format: LP, Digital download, streaming	—	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details, chart positions and certifications

Title	Details	Peak chart positions									Certifications
		US [24]	US Heat. [32]	BEL (FL) [26]	CAN [33]	DEN [34]	FRA [35]	NLD [27]	NOR [36]	SWE [37]
Narrated for You	Released: November 16, 2018 Label: Atlantic Format: Digital download, LP	127	3	121	62	10	130	59	5	20	RIAA: Platinum[38] BPI: Gold[39] IFPI DEN: Platinum[40] IFPI NOR: Platinum[41] MC: Platinum[42] SNEP: Gold[43]

Extended plays

Extended play, with selected details

Title	Details
America[1]	Released: April 22, 2013 Label: White Rope Format: Digital download

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications

Title	Year	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
		US [44]	AUS [45]	BEL (FL) [26]	CAN [46]	DEN [47]	IRE [48]	NLD [27]	NOR [49]	SWI [28]	UK [29]
"Paper Crown"[50]	2014	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Non-album singles
"End of the Summer"[51]	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	RIAA: 4× Platinum[38] ARIA: 2× Platinum[52] BEA: 2× Platinum[53] BPI: Platinum[39] IFPI DEN: 2× Platinum[54] IFPI NOR: 2× Platinum[41] IFPI SWI: 2× Platinum[55] MC: 4× Platinum[42] NVPI: Platinum[56]	Narrated for You
"Boy in the Bubble"[57][58][59]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RIAA: Gold[38] MC: Gold[42]
"If We Have Each Other"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RIAA: Platinum[38] BPI: Silver[39] IFPI DEN: Gold[60] MC: Platinum[42]
"Death of a Hero"[61][62][63]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Outrunning Karma"[64][65]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RIAA: Gold[38]
"1994"[66][67]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Must Have Been the Wind"[68]	2019	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RIAA: Gold[38] MC: Gold[42]	These Two Windows
"Jesus in LA"[69]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RIAA: Gold[38] MC: Gold[42]
"Mind Is a Prison"[70]		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	RIAA: Gold[38]
"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	RIAA: Gold[38] MC: Platinum[42]
"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.

As featured artist

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

List of other certified songs, with selected certifications

Title	Year	Certifications	Album
"Water Fountain"	2018	RIAA: Platinum[38] BPI: Silver[39] IFPI DEN: Gold[78] MC: 2× Platinum[42]	Narrated for You
"If I Killed Someone for You"		RIAA: Gold[38]

Notes

1. "Demons" did not enter the Ultratop 50 chart, but peaked at number 5 on the Ultratip chart.^[26]
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.^[26]
4. "Devil Doesn't Bargain" did not enter the Single Top 100, but reached number 11 on its extension, the Single Tip.^[74]