Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Eric Bellinger and music executive/super producer Hitmaka have announced a new joint project, 1-800-Hit-Eazy: Line 2. It will follow their 2021 project, 1-800-Hit-Eazy.
Ahead of the release, Bellinger and Hitmaka have unleashed the lead single “Obsession.”
Speaking on the new single and state of R&B, Bellinger says, “I’ve been making R&B music my entire career out of passion. In a time when people said it was dead and no one cared about the genre, I went harder to fill the void. Solely based on the feeling it gave me in the booth. So to know now that people are ready and craving the real again makes my soul happy.:
He adds, “‘Obsession’ is what the people didn’t know they needed. Nothing like a full-circle moment. R&B is Very Alive. Stay in the race. It’s all about timing. It’s Eazy!”
Bellinger issued his first proper album New Light last September. The 15-song album featured guest appearances by Brandy, Sevyn Streeter, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, The Game and more.
He followed with two alternate EP versions; one of acoustic takes and a second with remixes that enlisted artists such as Tank, Phabo, Ambré, Tone Stith, and others.
Besides New Light landing a placement on Rated R&B’s 30 Best R&B Albums of 2021 list, it also earned Bellinger a Best Progressive R&B Album nomination at the 64th Grammy Awards. It marked his first nomination for his work.
In March, Bellinger toured the album alongside Sammie on the co-headlining Vibes on Vibes Tour.
Afterward, he joined Usher, alongside Vedo, for a few notable performances, including NPR’s Tiny Desk. He also scored a publishing deal with Roc Nation.
As for Hitmaka, vice president of A&R at EMPIRE, he recently executive produced Tink’s new album, Pillow Talk. He’s also produced recent songs for Arin Ray and Queen Naija and Ty Dolla $ign.
Listen to Eric Bellinger and Hitmaka’s new song “Obsession” below.