Eric Bellinger’s pen has no reason to stop its magic. If it did, it could be argued that R&B’s ballads would fall flat of the idiosyncratic nudge his lyrics contribute. Doting an incredible career, thus far, Bellinger can be linked amongst the greats of the global R&B genre. Having penned and contributed to classics for the likes of Usher, Chris Brown, Brandy and Ne-yo, to name a few.
With a nod to the aura Bellinger exhumes, - a somewhat R&B Genie with the power to evoke emotion in the most stern of listeners.
Conclusively, the proof is in the accreditation. The 34-year-old’s cup simply cannot runneth dry, for the sake of R&B and for those who enjoy loaded ballads that promise the party and the bedroom.
Eric’s dimensional talent has spread wide between a family man and a generational song-bird pioneer. The commander and chief’s latest venture, a 2024 tour amalgamated with the future talents of the genre could be the ticket to his fourth term.
On a sunny LA morning, I and Bellinger talk about his prolific career, the stages of grief, his latest offering, the 24-track project: The Rebirth 3 and through hazy yet smiling eyes - his favourite plant strain.
Eric, This time you’ve brought friends with you Zae France, Mozzy and Tone Stith. How has life been back on tour?
It's been good, you know, I like taking my breaks in between, because then when I do come back, it's like, I'm fully there. I missed the stage so I have been home for a while just curating things for the family, making sure that they're good. But man, it is amazing to be back on stage and reminded of who I am. I'll be at home just cleaning up and taking the trash out.
That’s dad stuff though, right
That's the best of both worlds. Being a dad, and a husband but being able to do the songwriter's and artists' stuff, you know, the best of both worlds.
what themes did you want to explore, particularly with the rebirth, I know you've highlighted the party and the bedroom, which is what I expect from your projects anyway. But why those two in particular?
so I looked at it, like, you know, it's a little foreplay, you know, say you don't want to get straight to the bedroom, you know, you gotta have something to warm up the vibes, you know, and I feel like when you play the party side, it's like, you know, you're in the car, you’re lit with peoples, you're getting ready, you’re pre-gaming. And then when you make it home…I got you covered.
you can play with that significant other, and you don't have to press stop, you know, you don't have to say hold on, let me switch the song. Let me switch the song. You can just enjoy the whole al
So this ones for the grown and sexy?
Absolutely.
What's one assumption you wish people would drop about you?
I think it's getting there to the point now, where I'm, like, super pleased with people's perception. You know, sometimes, like, if people know me only as a songwriter, they don't know, you know, the artistry, or if they know the artistry, they don't know the songwriter. But I know a lot of times people expect you to always do what they introduce, or they were introduced to you as they know. So maybe if people can just stop saying, “he songwriters”.
No, no, no I’m superstar - ok? Superstar.
what's one thing you wish people knew about your singer-songwriting process?
It's the most genuine. You know, I don't need much, maybe just the marijuana, a good beat, and some candles.
I might sit there for three hours, but then when the songwriting part starts, we'll only be about 10-15 minutes to completion.
What's one thing you wish people would stop asking you in interviews?
it's tough because I know it's part of me. But people like I think the past people use the past things. Just for familiarity references, do you know what I mean? So like, so tell us about when you do this..I understand that that is what we're doing to break the ice but easy. It's always with another artist from a song that I wrote, which is cool. So I'm saying like, I can't be mad at it. But you know, a lot of times like nowadays I'm definitely like, Yo, The Rebirth Three is my focus like the premier, new singer, songwriter, r&b guy… I'm the guy. But it always starts with the songwriting for other people.
I'm sorry to hear about your mom. I know mothers, you know, mothers carry culture, they carry legacies. To see you go from grief straight back to music, big up you. That takes focus.
I think I'm blessed to have had such a close relationship with her to the point where everything in my daily routine, it reminds me of the teachings. It reminds me of, you know, the coaching and the conversations that we've had together like, man, you know, like, There's mom right there. There's mom right here. I feel her presence right here. And I know that it all is her being proud of me. happy that I was off while she was sick. You know, like, I was able to be with her every single day in the hospital. And, you know, I'm just like, as you said, happy, to carry on her legacy.
Your frame game is always elite. I know for a fact you always have sunglasses on.
Gotta have them all because, you know, I don't want people to see my red eyes. Gotta have the frames. Always. I was deciding between two right now.
would you say glasses are the essential items in your wardrobe, etc?
I feel like that is my definition of an R&B superstar from back in the day when Michael Jackson had the aviator glasses, and then, you know, Usher has always had, you know, those moments when he's like, when he put them off real slow, you know, I mean, like, it's important for me to have the shades.
Then on this subject of the shades. What's your favorite flower strain?
I think right now, but it's switches and switches, you know, but right now, I am in a Blue Dream type of vibe. You know, just a nice hybrid at first, I used to do Sativa to where it's like, Okay, keep me keep me high, keep me high. But now, I think I can tolerate a little bit more. So I need a little bit more percentage, but not quite Indica. I don't want to sleep
You always show love to the hidden and most talented artists - I think that's so special. I think shout out to Jastin Martin, Zae France, Angel and even Lewis Hamilton …
He's so fire.
Facts. But as you said, like people look at you like this guy who wrote for other artists. But right now I'm saying if there was a mob of angry R&B people. You are literally at the front with a pitchfork with a fire burning like you are the guy to me. And, and in this life, like we're hearing so many people talk about how the genre is dead or is dying. How would you say you kind of keep it alive in 2024?
Yeah, I think I'm making the necessary music, instead of making the music that I think is cool. Yeah, normally are like, Oh, this is dope. Let's just do this. It's like, Nah, I'm making the missing music. Like, it's deeper than just an R&B song, a slow beat, a smooth melody. You know, it's also the futuristic sounds of futuristic concepts, you know, like, going all the way with harmonies, backgrounds. adlibs, the vamp, that transition, that interlude, like people aren't doing all of those things. And I'm really taking the time because it's the standard for me. But since it's had, it's not taught to the new generation, it's like, they don't have the reference point that I had.
I can listen back to Dru Hill, Jodeci, Jagged Edge… I know exactly what they did at 3:47 on a song. I know exactly. You know, they modulated like I'm a I'm a student of the game first. And I respect it so much that I just know.
Especially as a songwriter, people are gonna comb through my lyrics a little bit more. They're gonna make sure I'm expecting people to depend on me to come with the fire album, like I'm expecting it. So I can't miss. This is my 39th album. And it's like, I still got three albums in the can that are already perfect. Perfect - from my perspective. So not saying I'm perfect, but they're perfect to me. And that's good enough.
I’d say we lack a consistent flow of artists similar to you or Xavier Omar who love their wives and consistently project ballads and songs around that theme - I think there's something special in that. How do you just keep churning out love songs? How many more times can you tell someone you love them?
I think that's the talent in it. because there are only so many ways that you say I love you or I hate you, or I want to break up.
\So it's like, man, it gets deeper and it gets intricate. And you can break down the layers. You know, like, if you look, listen to the new album, it's so many perspectives, but it is the same thing over and over. So it's just like, how many ways can I say the same thing, but make it sound like it's the first time that the listeners heard it? And that is the gift that is the talent.
38 albums worth?
Quadrillion a million times. But it's different. You know what I mean? Like, even on Goat, for example: “She the GOAT, Shawty bad, slim thick, she my drug, she my fix”
It's like, all of these words are you wouldn't you know, if you break it down, you're like, wait a minute. Oh, wow. He's bigging up women. As opposed to saying I'm the Goat I'm the greatest. And I think women hear that and they relate and they're like, Wow, I must either want someone to talk to me, Or this is the person and I'll just take it as this music. He's talking to me.
What does your morning routine look like?
Waking up, working out. Hot yoga sculpts with the weights. Ladies and gentlemen breathe!
Any Last words?
Yes, my final words, there is no man on this Friday morning and Friday night. For you is to pick a place where you want to be in your life, right? Pick a place where you want to be pick something that you want to do. And you know, a lot of times people stop there. They say, Oh, I want to do that. Or I want to do this. And this is my goal. This is my dream. But instead of writing out the goal, write out the plan. Write out the execution, write out the steps that are necessary to knock out the goal. Faith without works is dead.
CREDITS
Creative Director/Photographer: Zekaria Al-Bostani (@zek.snaps)
Head Stylist: Alicia Rose (@styledbyaliciarose)
Styling Assistant: Abbie Lightfoot.
Second Styling Assistant: Agostino Souza
Gaffer: Duane Jay(@duanejayonset)
Groom: Dalila Bone: (@dalila_mua)
Design: @Deeds.Studio (@ShalemAlone)
Photography Assistant: Shack: (@before_its2late)
BTS Photographer: Kara Blake: (@blakevisions)
Publicity: Hawk Publicity - Harry Wilton: (@harrywilton1).
Interviewer/Journalist: Thandie Sibanda.
Special thanks to La Fayette London for the location - (@lafayettelondon)
