Lyor Cohen’s 300 Entertainment has signed Grammy Award-winning songwriter Eric Bellinger, Billboard has learned exclusively. Under terms of the new deal, the Warner Music Group-distributed 300 Entertainment will release, market and promote Bellinger’s debut solo album, “The Rebirth.”
Best known as the songwriter behind hits for Chris Brown (“Love More,” “Fine China”), Usher (“Let Me See”) and Justin Bieber (“Right Here”), Bellinger initially released double-CD, 32-track “The Rebirth” digitally in February through YFS (Your Favorite Song), the indie label operated by Bellinger and his manager/business partner Nieman Johnson. The set’s buzz single, “I Don’t Want Her” featuring Problem, currently stands at No. 35 on Billboard’s Rhythmic chart.
“300 will be the umbrella; they have so many resources that we can plug into,” Bellinger tells Billboard about the new alliance. “Lyor told us, ‘We really like ‘I Don’t Want Her’ — you just need help pushing it. That’s where I come in.’ Nieman and I are still going to push YFS, signing artists as well as other writer/producers.”
Related
YFS just signed its first songwriter, King Richerz. He co-wrote six songs on “The Rebirth” and also co-penned a song with Bellinger for Sage the Gemini’s new album “Remember Me.” Bellinger is also busy working on other outside projects, including upcoming albums by Usher, Chris Brown (X) and CBE/Atlantic singer/songwriter Sevyn Streeter.
In between, Bellinger will be squeezing in an overseas promotional tour on behalf of “The Rebirth.” Beginning April 9, he will perform shows in Australia and Germany before heading back to start the U.S. leg of the promotional junket.
Also in early April, Bellinger plans to release a music video for another album cut, “Kiss Goodnite” featuring Kid Ink, plus a new single and video, “Liquid Courage” featuring Atlantic artist Victoria Monet. Unlike club jam “I Don’t Want Her,” the new D’Mile-produced “Liquid Courage” is mid-tempo R&B. “I don’t want to compartmentalize my sound,” says Bellinger. “I wanted to really switch it up this time with more singing so people can know how broad my range is.”
