Eric Bellinger justifiably prides himself on his pen game. His ability to compose relatable, sensual R&B songs for others, including Usher (2012’s “Lemme See”), paved a direct path for his career as a passionate vocalist now deservedly in the spotlight. Born in Los Angeles in 1986, he enhances his singular songwriting skills by looking to past works for inspiration, as heard on the Blxst-assisted “Alone” from 2020, which samples Bobby V’s mid-aughts hit “Slow Down.” While Bellinger has built an unshakable foundation based on the acts who came before him, his amorous breakthrough single, 2015’s “Cuffing Season,” is evidence of his deeply original musical craftsmanship. By straddling the line between being a preservationist of R&B and one who pushes its boundaries, he has established himself as a reverent figure invested in the genre’s future.