Overview:
Eric Bellinger is a Grammy-winning artist and songwriter who has written hits for Chris Brown, Usher, and Justin Bieber. He has recently released an album called "It Will All Make Sense Later" which blends R&B and Afrobeats. Bellinger's career has been influenced by his family, particularly his grandfather, Bobby Day, a songwriter who inspired him to pursue his own career. He has also been balancing fatherhood and his expanding career, and is now working on a new chapter of his life called "Now You See It."
Eric Bellinger is no stranger to Dallas. Whether it’s through his collaborations with local artists, his consistent presence in the city’s music scene, or the undeniable influence of his songwriting on the R&B landscape, Bellinger’s impact extends far beyond his own discography. As a Grammy-winning artist and songwriter, he has penned hits for the likes of Chris Brown, Usher, and Justin Bieber, yet continues to push the boundaries of his artistry with each new project.
During his Around the World tour stop in Dallas, I had the opportunity to sit down with Bellinger to talk about his musical evolution, the legacy of songwriting in his family, and how he balances fatherhood with an ever-expanding career. What followed was a candid conversation about passion, perseverance, and defining success on one’s own terms.
Bliss: Hey everybody, it’s Bliss here with The Dallas Weekly, and I am here with none other than the amazingly talented Eric Bellinger. How you doing? How’s it going?
Eric Bellinger: I’m happy to be back in Dallas.
Bliss: It’s always great to have you here. Your latest album, It Will All Make Sense Later, blends R&B and Afrobeats. What inspired this fusion of music?
Eric Bellinger: I think it had been a while—me doing solely R&B music. I was focused so much on just being the premier R&B singer that I never really ventured off into other genres. But I took a trip to South Africa to work on music, and I just couldn’t help it. The different sounds, the different blends of music, the fusion we were able to create of R&B and Afrobeats—it was just perfect. I had the perfect team, and everybody understood the assignment.
Bliss: And you did it so well.
Eric Bellinger: Yes, thank you.
Bliss: The album—no skips, 10 out of 10, like everything else you put out. So kudos there. Good job. For the people that don’t know, you’ve written for Chris Brown, Usher, Justin Bieber. How has that journey been, and how has your skill evolved over the years?
Eric Bellinger: Yeah, it’s been great. That’s my superpower—transitioning from songwriting to artistry. Being in the studio with all these different artists taught me so many different ways to make it from point A to point B. Their process, their style, how they choose songs for an album, how they select beats, how they put storylines together—it all played a major part. Working with Usher, I got to be a fly on the wall in sessions, learning how a legend puts an album together. I took those lessons and applied them to my own career. It really made a difference.
Bliss: You have a line in one of your songs that I absolutely love: “If it’s not me on the track, it’s probably one I wrote.” A lot of people don’t even realize how deep your legacy goes. You’ve had your hands in so many platinum records, and you recently won a Grammy with Chris Brown—congratulations! And this talent runs in your family because your grandfather, Bobby Day, was a songwriter too. How has his legacy influenced what you’re continuing to do in your own career?
Eric Bellinger: Yeah, I always had the mindset that if Grandpa did it, I could do it too. He had a studio in his garage, and I remember wanting to be down there with him, soaking up everything. My mom sang in church, then I started singing in church—it’s really in the family. Songwriting and artistry aren’t new to us. My grandfather had albums out, and he wrote big records like Little Bitty Pretty One and Over and Over. Carrying that legacy is something I don’t take lightly. It’s an honor.
Bliss: Do you think your sons will get bitten by the music bug?
Eric Bellinger: Yes! They already want to do it.
Bliss: Oh, good!
Eric Bellinger: Yeah, we already got songs recorded with them.
Bliss: Amazing. And speaking of keeping it in the family, I love the song you and your wife did together.
Eric Bellinger: Agree to Disagree.
Bliss: It is one of my favorite songs. It’s on repeat on my playlist.
Eric Bellinger: Okay!
Bliss: You’ve got a very talented family. I’ll be excited to see what your children put out in the future.
Eric Bellinger: It’s amazing.
Bliss: With your career, you do a lot to put other artists on. You’re always traveling with solo and up-and-coming artists. What made you want to incorporate that into your career?
Eric Bellinger: Just knowing that so much of this industry is about who you know and the connections you make. I always wanted to stand in the gap for other artists because big labels and executives are often only looking for people who go viral. They chase TikTok trends. But I’m always asking, where’s the talent? That’s what I care about.
Bliss: And you do a really good job at it. Kudos to you there. As an artist, songwriter, and producer, how do you balance those roles while also being a father, a husband, and managing your new ventures in production?
Eric Bellinger: It’s about knowing priorities. Family comes first. You see how I said ding right when I said family? It’s that important. I keep my calendar tight. If I can’t do Monday, I’ll do Thursday. If not Thursday, let’s do Saturday. I live by my calendar to keep things on track. But at the end of the day, I’m home with my family. I’m at basketball games, soccer games, birthday parties, and church every Sunday. That’s my balance.
Bliss: I love that. That speaks to your grind and your hustle. If you had one piece of advice for an artist who looks up to you, what would it be?
Eric Bellinger: Find out your main goal for YOU, not what society says success is. A lot of people chase things that won’t even make them happy. Find what makes you light up. Learn your own love language. I know I’m living my dream right now. Some people might look at my career and say, Oh, if he only had this… but to me, I’m at my highest frequency, living my best life. Success is about what makes you happy.
Bliss: And that really resonates in your music. What can we call this next chapter of Eric Bellinger’s life, career, and music?
Eric Bellinger: Now You See It.
Bliss: I love it. Thank you so much for sitting down with me.
Eric Bellinger’s passion for music, dedication to his craft, and commitment to mentoring the next generation make it clear why he continues to be a powerhouse in the industry. As he steps into this Now You See It chapter, it’s evident that his impact is only growing. Keep up with Eric Bellinger on social media @EricBellinger to follow his journey.