Highlighting ASCAP's urban songwriters and composers, "On the Come Up" is designed to inspire our members to remember that success is only a song away. This month, we introduce you to songwriter Eric Bellinger and producers Mercy and First Born.
Songwriter Eric Bellinger talks with “On the Come Up” about being born to make music.
Where are you originally from?
Eric: I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA.
What was your first introduction into the music industry?
E: Probably in a singing group. I got signed to Max Gousse over at Epic and I was in a group called AKNU. We thought we were pretty cool with the silent K and it stood for “A Kind Never Understood.”
You recently released your mixtape, Born II Sing: Vol. 2. For those who have yet to hear it, how would you describe it?
E: I would say it’s like Hip-Hop/R&B. It’s Jodeci meets Drake meets Brandy. It’s Born II Sing: Vol. 2. I got a lot of help from people that I work with. Every time I work with people, they’re like, “Yo, why aren’t you an artist?” I’m like, “I am, I just have to solidify my future first and put this money in the bank.” I have features on [the mixtape] from Mario, Christina Milian, Tank, Kevin McCall, a rapper named Mann, Letoya Luckett, Chipmunk, and many more. That’s pretty much the focus right now. I’m doing the videos for it right now. I’ve already released two videos and I am working on the third one. People can download the mixtape at iamericb2.com.
If you could have one artist re-make one song from your mixtape, which artist and song would you choose?
E: Maybe Justin Bieber could do “Help.” It features a rapper named Chief Wakil. It’s a song about basically just saying, “Help is on the way” with all that’s going on in the world. It’s just one guy saying, “I’ve been sent to save the day” and I think he could touch a lot of people with that.
What are you currently working on?
E: Chris Brown’s new album. I had three [tracks] on F.A.M.E and I have two on Fortune. I am also working with Usher. I did a song with Jennifer Hudson, Ne-Yo, and Rick Ross called, “Think Like A Man.” It’s the first song from Steve Harvey’s new movie. I am trying to squeeze myself in. I get good opportunities for myself as a new artist, but then I get a call to work with an established artist and I always find myself saying, “I’ll get back to me.” It’s just a bit smarter right now to use the writing as a platform to break into the artistry. I’ve been studying how Ne-Yo, The-Dream, Keri Hilson, and Bruno Mars did it and I’ve been taking those routes.
You’ve already worked with so many talented musical artists today such as Chris Brown, Selena Gomez, and Janelle Monáe. Are there any other artists in particular that you would also like to work with?
E: Well, my favorites are Usher and Brandy. Brandy has always been my absolute favorite and I got to work with her. A lot of times I’ve worked with people and I just got to submit songs, but this time I wrote the song and I actually got the chance to [produce her vocals]. She was like, “Tell me if it’s wrong,” but I think she can do no wrong. She was like, “You have to be hard on me,” but I think everything sounds amazing coming from her. That was definitely a dream. I would love to work with Drake and Beyoncé next. I just want to shoot for the moon and land amongst the stars.
Who is your musical mentor and why?
E: Michael Jackson. He is the overall package. People know him as the entertainer, but if you listen to his voice and his vocals, you’ll notice that he had so much control over it – from his vibrato to his ability to transition from natural to falsetto. The harmonies that he did, everything was just flawless. Tank is also a mentor. It’s like I have OCD [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder]. So, I just translate that into my music. Vocals have to be in pocket and the ad-libs have to be perfect. Runs have to be perfect as well. I think the placement of runs is essential. You can use it as an art and just put it all in the right place. Tank is someone who taught me that.
For more information on Eric Bellinger, follow him on Twitter at @EricBellinger.
Producer Mercy talks with “On the Come Up” about being the future of music.
What was your inspiration for “Watch This” by Future?
Mercy: I was inspired by just being in the club and watching the kind of movement that was going on. We wanted to create a simple bass-infused song.
How did you get the opportunity to work with Future and Rocko? How was your experience working with them?
M: I met Rocko about four years ago at a gas station on Campbellton Road in Atlanta. I gave him a CD of my beats. Two days later, he called me and said that he wanted to work with me. Two or three months later, I was working with Future on his record, “Yeah, Yeah.”
What are you currently working on?
M: I’m doing a lot of beats for Travis Porter, 2 Chainz, Waka Flocka, and a lot of local artists from Altanta. I’m also working with a group named City Life and they’re currently promoting their single, “Crazy,” with spot dates.
Where are you originally from?
M: The west side of Atlanta, GA.
Who is your musical mentor and why?
M: My cousin, Rossi. He was always involved with what I was doing and he always was there to give a helping hand. And Christopher “Cam” Martin, for seeing that I had the talent to go to the next level, and believing enough in me to make me a priority not only as a producer, but also as an artist.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming producers?
M: My advice is to keep working and stay humble. You’re going to get turned down a lot, but it’s all about timing.
Producer First Born talks to “On the Come Up” about staying ahead of the game.
What inspires you to compose music?
First Born: The feeling and emotion of expressing myself inspires me to compose. It’s just what I do, and I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t make music.
What are you currently working on?
FB: I’m currently working on projects for Mary J. Blige, Kaleena from Dirty Money, and Trey Songz. I’m also working with Nickelodeon and a few other television networks.
Where are you originally from?
FB: Houston, TX.
How did you come up with the name First Born?
FB: The name First Born is actually a biblical reference. The bible says the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. That is really inspiring. To me, that line really speaks to the underdog.
What was your first introduction to the music industry?
FB: I started out, like most producers, in a rap group making beats. The group sort of dwindled and I just stayed on my grind, making beats throughout college. Then I learned how to engineer and that opened doors for me. Later, after sending a few tracks out to some connections that I had in LA, I got a call saying Flo Rida really liked one of my tracks. The track eventually became “Make A Wish.”
Who is your biggest musical influence?
FB: Quincy Jones. He’s a media mogul and that’s what’s very under-hyped today.
Where do you see your career in five years?
FB: I hope to be a staple in the music business. I see my sound being a “go-to sound” in the music industry. I also want to help establish a few artists. I think it’s important to help out others that are coming along [in the music industry]. I want to give people the same chance to learn and grow like others in the industry gave me.