Grammy-Award winning singer, Eric Bellinger teams with top African artists as he sets eyes on the continent

It is common to hear success stories of singers not knowing the writers behind their hit songs but very rare to find artists who are successful singers and songwriters and famous for that.

 This is what makes Eric Bellinger–Grammy-Award winning singer, songwriter and music producer stand out in the international R&B and Hip Hop music scene. Many still recall the viral moment of him doing vocal runs into the intro to Usher’s “Superstar” while backing up the R&B star on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert.

Eric reflects on the ripple effect of that performance saying, “Being part of Usher’s Tiny Desk concert was a huge honour, and seeing it become the number one voted performance was truly a blessing. This experience has greatly influenced my career and aspirations. It has pushed me to be more intentional with my music, focusing on delivering not just great songs, but also positive vibes, energy, and authenticity to my supporters around the world. It’s all about creating music that resonates and connects on a deeper level.”

Eric Bellinger traveled to Cape Town, South Africa earlier this year where he met with a host of South African music producers to create his brand new album inspired by Africa’s sounds and culture.

 “This project is a reflection of my journey, both personally and artistically. I went to South Africa to immerse myself in the culture, and the music I made there is a reflection of that experience. It’s a celebration of life, love and the beauty of finding yourself along the way,” he says of the new album ‘It’ll All Make Sense Later’ being released today,

The 15-track album made in South Africa in collaboration with upcoming and established producers like Luke Goliath, Andre Graham and Verbb, features star-studded collaborations with Ghanaian R&B/Afro-Fusion singer Gyakie, as well as Nigerian acts: Grammy award-winner Burna Boy, Reekado Banks, Oxlade, Tempoe and Taves.

“I went to Cape Town, I enjoyed the food, the culture, went to the beach in the daytime and made great music. I was away from all the distraction that I would normally encounter back home, where different people need different things from me. Here, I could just tunnel vision into the music and nothing but the music. This experience enabled me to be a student again, allowing me to listen and learn while being creative and open to new sounds,” says Eric.

Eric’s journey has been a remarkable evolution from the streets of Compton to living his dreams in Los Angeles, writing hits for A-List artistes and at the same time working on his craft as a solo artist, music producer and executive - a standout act in the evolving landscapes of R&B and Pop music. The international sensation is best known for his hits like “Valet” featuring Fetty Wap and 2 Chainz, “G.O.A.T” featuring Aroc and “Type a Way” featuring Chris Brown and OG Parker. His prolific songwriting skills won him a Grammy award in 2011 for his work on Chris Brown’s ‘F.A.M.E’ album. He has since released over 300 songs and has been part of 40 released albums. 

Hailing from a musical lineage as the grandson of Bobby Day, a hit songwriter for the Jackson 5, Eric followed in his footsteps writing for an array of A-List artistes and creating his own incredible catalog of music. He got his first break penning tracks for 2010s leading men like Usher, Chris Brown, Justin Bieber and Trey Songz, but he smashed through the divider separating songwriters from singers with his debut album, 2014’s ‘The Rebirth’. Eric has penned global hits for artists such as Chris Brown (“Indigo,” “New Flame,” and “Champion”), Teyana Taylor (“69” and “How You Want It” feat. King Combs), Ne-Yo (“Link Up” and “Hotbox”), and Usher (“Lemme See” feat. Rick Ross). 

Eric continues to push boundaries and explore new sonic territories in ‘It’ll All Make Sense Later’. The album features a rich tapestry of Amapiano and Afro-influenced tracks, alongside the R&B smoothness that fans have come to know and love from him. Eric reveals, “I’ve always stayed pretty true to R&B in the past whether it be slow or uptempo/club or bedroom vibes lol. But with this project I felt the need to dance. To celebrate. To be triumphant. Each project I’ve always challenged myself to see what I could do next and the first place my heart chose to go was Afro!” 

The album’s first singles — “Feelings Never Die”, “Special” and “Shooting Star” all tap into Afrobeats, setting the tone for this exciting new era in Eric’s music. “Feelings Never Die” is a deeply emotional track about heartbreak and resilience, while “Special”, featuring Jamaican artist Konshens, offers a smooth blend of R&B, Dancehall and Afrobeats, adding depth to Eric’s evolving sound. The latest “Shooting Star” featuring “Kulosa” hitmaker Oxlade is already generating a buzz. The track serenading a lover blends Afrobeats and R&B with an infectious laid back beat.

 “We’re both artistes that love to experiment and bring our cultures together. This track is also about reaching for the stars and going after what you want—it’s all about triumph,” he says of working with Oxlade.

 “I let go of what I thought the standard should be for my songs and I let the music lead the way. With the last album being ‘The Rebirth’—I leaned into that and trusted the shift in my entire life,” Eric says of the album.

With ‘It’ll All Make Sense Later’, Eric Bellinger continues to push boundaries and explore new sonic territories. The album features a rich tapestry of Afro-influenced tracks, alongside the R&B smoothness that fans have come to know and love from him. Its African features give fans a glimpse into Eric’s growth as a global artist, bridging continents and blending genres in a way that feels both innovative and authentic. In fact, this experience has left Eric charged to return to the continent in January 2025, with plans to continue fostering cross-cultural collaborations and creative exchanges. 

 “I traveled to South Africa to create my new album and it was one of my greatest experiences in making music. I look at this album like a faith walk. Believing that what God has waiting for me on the other side is far greater than what presents itself in the now. So much so that I can confidently move knowing “It’ll All Make Sense Later.

“Trusting fully in the vision. This is a freeing album for me. I let go of what I thought the standard should be for my songs and I let the music lead the way. With the last album being The Rebirth I leaned into that and trusted the shift in my entire life. I hope this album will inspire my fans,” he says.