Eric Roberson is one of the unsung heroes of the Neo Soul R&B movement. Roberson has been blessing us with his smooth, sultry vocals since 1994 with his first single, “The Moon,” released through Warner Brothers Records. The album went on to be unreleased, which led to Roberson returning to Howard University to complete his degree in Musical Theatre. Soon after, Roberson signed to the EMI label as a songwriter, which gave him the opportunity to work with some of the greatest R&B soul artists, such as Jill Scott and Musiq Soul Child. Roberson went on to write hits like Vivian Green''s debut single "Emotional Rollercoaster," Musiq''s "Previous Cats," and "Hold On" by Dwele. Roberson then decided to pursue his musical career as an independent artist, and he founded Blue Erro Soul as his own independent label.
With Blue Erro Soul, Roberson has been able to explore his musical abilities endlessly and release his latest album called…Left. Not only are his songwriting and musical skills off the charts, when he performs on stage he is exactly that a performer. Roberson takes you into his world and captures you with his lyrics that touch on every aspect of life, love and loss. His theatre background is immensely relevant. While he performs his songs, he tells a story, giving his audience the ultimate concert experience. Through this interview, Roberson goes into detail about what inspires him, the ups and downs of being an independent artist, the state of R&B, how it feels to be the first independent artist to be nominated for a BET award and much more.
AfroToronto: How does it feel to be the first independent artist nominated for a B.E.T Award?
ER: I am completely numb and enjoying the accomplishments. It’s something I have never imagined. I’m really speechless about it because, hopefully, it’s something that would hopefully bring more attention to independent artists. Also, more inspiration to artists in the game, including myself. It’s really paying off, and I’m hoping that it will give me a little gasoline to keep going.
AfroToronto: So your new alum is called the Left, what made decide to call the album Left?
ER: There were several reasons why I went with this title. I feel I’m actually giving everything until there is nothing left. I feel like Left means leaving the door open for others between the artist and the listener. So the song is not just mine It’s ours, and in the album I’m sitting in the big chair one of the aspects to that, that it’s not just for me, it’s just me sitting her there is room for the listeners as well. Because really, if I’m hurting, I write songs about hurt, so if you’re listening and hurting, then we are both healing. The easiest aspect to run on in a sentence of an answer is that we just have a left mentality while everyone is going the right way. We are going the other way, so I completely embrace being an independent artist while being a part of the struggle.
AfroToronto: How have you evolved as an artist since your last album?
ER: Growth is present in everything in life. Since the last album, we have reached a higher level of popularity. I have to know what hat to wear, the artist hat, when I’m on stage. The amount of time I spend with my family is few and far between, so I have just learned to capitalize on those moments more. That has helped me with my music and defined my character more.
AfroToronto: Who was the most inspiring to work with out of all your collaborations?
ER: I want to think that I need to think about this more, but I want to say Jill Scott. It was really fun working together. We were like two children holding hands in the studio. We were very nervous, and it was exciting. When I go into the studio, I try to feel like it was the first time I had ever stepped into it. I remember seeing her and how great she was and how great she was going to become. That was exciting. It just inspired me. So, everyone that I collaborated with I enjoyed. I feel like I’m a student, so I take from everything and everyone I learn from.
AfroToronto: What or who inspires your songwriting?
ER: Life just continues on being a student. I’m a student first, I might be a teacher but I’m a student that’s constantly studying and that has helped me reach a sense of popularity musically, then at the same time no one wants to hear about my boring life all the time. So, when I hear a conversation about love, loss, or gain there is a song in that. There is a song in every single person. There is a great movie called “The Grace of My Heart” and in the movie a guy says to a songwriter “Just look around there is pain everywhere”, just as there is love everywhere as well. I love writing themes, and just as it is now, we have a war going on, and we have an ignorant President in America. So there is so much more to write about. Just as you walk the streets and you see homelessness, so in all the subjects are endless.
AfroToronto: What is your take on the state of R&B today?
ER: It is unbalanced; that’s the main thing. I have no problem with any of the music anyone is making, even from Rihanna’s Umbrella song to T-pain’s Buy Me a Drink song; I think that these songs are great. The issue is we have neglected so many music lovers with the state of R&B right now. There was a time when music could be enjoyed by the whole family. There was music for the kids, the parents and grandparents. Now there is music just for the kids and for parents still trying to kids. So, unfortunately, everyone is neglected. For instance in movies everyone is catered to, you have the kid’s movies and adult movies so every age gets touched upon. But in music, everyone is listening to kids' movies like Happy Feet, so whether you are 45 years old, you should be happy listening to Happy Feet; it's just unstable. If you had nothing but soul music or politically oppressive James Brown R&B, we would be in the same place. Someone would be asking if someone could just write a song about buying a girl a drink. It’s just simply unbalanced.
AfroToronto: Out of all the songs on the Left album, which one is Eric’s pick?
ER: Right now, if I was in the car and I had to play any of my songs first, it would be Right or Wrong. I had fun with that record. It touches on Ms. Corporate Chick meets Mr. Wild Child, and we are the wild children.
AfroToronto: What has your journey been like being an independent artist compared to being on a major label?
ER: It’s been very rewarding and hard, but it's humbling as well. You know, I started this as a hobby, and then it turned into a career. The first time, it was like 50 people, and I was like, wow, 50 people. Then the next time, it was 100 people, then 400 people to 1000 people, so it’s always been a wow factor for me. Even performing in Toronto, I couldn’t tell you I wouldn’t know, and that’s the beauty of being an independent artist. Also, in the same light, you have to wear a lot of hats. The pros are that I do music the way I want to do music. A major has the education on who they are, whereas we have the education on what It’s worth.
AfroToronto: What can your fans expect next from you?
ER: Growing as a musician and continuing to tour and celebrate this album. I’m also writing songs right now for the next album, so just growth and celebration. There is a quote that someone said and it’s been sticking in my mind it goes “Once you realize you are alive then everything is easy”. So, in essence, I will let the music decide where the path goes. So that’s my new motto because it would be a lot harder to pursue these things if you were dead. So, for now, everything is a celebration; I’m here to grow, learn, share and celebrate.
To learn more about Eric Roberson, you can log on to his website: www.ericrobersonmusic.com or www.myspace.com/ericroberson.
