As many of them he was influenced by Georges Brassens, Renaud, Jacques Higelin and also Tom Waits.

Bénabar began his career in the cinema, working as an assistant on Le Brasier (1991) before directing three short subjects: Nada Lezard (1991), José Jeannette (1992) and Sursum corda (1994).

He then turned to music, working for some time with his friend Patchol who gave him his nickname (Bénabar being the "verlan" of Barnabé, the name he was using on stage).

With "Les associés" he sang for several years in small places in France, Belgium, and Switzerland before the release of Bénabar (2001), which raised his profile sufficiently to make him the opening act for Henri Salvador.

In 2004, after the successful release of Les risques du métier, he won the award for "album "chanson/variété" of the year".