Search
Picture of Derrick Dunn

Derrick Dunn

Slow Jam Saturday: Eric Bellinger, “Drive By”

Eric Bellinger, the talented singer-songwriter, is currently on tour supporting Jagged Edge’s “Cuffing Season” tour.  In light of this, I thought it would be fitting to show him some love for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday.

The song I decided to go with from his already impressive catalog was “Drive By,” from his 2016 EP “Eric B for President: Term 1.” The song is sleek, confident, and undeniably smooth—proof that Bellinger remains one of the most consistent craftsmen in contemporary R&B.

At first listen, “Drive By” sounds like a simple pull-up anthem.  Bellinger frames the narrative around a late-night cruise, but he uses the car imagery as shorthand for timing, anticipation, and unspoken chemistry.  When he sings, “Baby, you know I’m on my way,” he isn’t just announcing his arrival; he’s signaling intention.  The record is built on suggestion, not pressure—flirtation delivered with a relaxed touch that makes the words feel lived-in rather than rehearsed.

Production-wise, the song is a hit on all cylinders.  The synths shimmer with warmth, the drums snap in all the right pockets, and the bass line gives the track its heartbeat.  There’s a subtle West Coast glide woven into the arrangement—a nighttime smoothness that evokes leather seats, dim streetlights, and a quiet stretch of road.  It’s seductive without being heavy, romantic without slipping into syrupy clichés.  This delicate balance is one of Bellinger’s trademarks.

What sets “Drive By” apart is Bellinger’s precise delivery.  His lyrics aren’t loud or overbearing; they’re controlled, charming, and rooted in mutual attraction.  “Tell me where you wanna go,” he offers, flipping the usual dynamic and placing the power in her hands.  It’s modern romance framed through R&B fundamentals—respectful, inviting, and rhythmic.

The beauty of the track lies in its replay value.  While it may not have dominated the charts the way some of Bellinger’s other singles have, “Drive By” remains one of his most reliable mood-setters.  There’s an ease to it that makes the record feel timeless.  Whether it’s the start of a long night or the final song before the lights go out, the track carries the right kind of intimacy.

“Drive By” remains a standout in his catalog—smooth, confident, and built for moments when less noise and more connection are precisely what the night calls for.

Final Grade: B+

“Drive By” is available on all streaming platforms.

Movie Clappers

More reviews to explorer

‘Dead Man’s Wire’ turns a true-crime nightmare into a crowd-pleaser

On the morning of February 8, 1977, Tony Kiritsis walked into a mortgage office in Indianapolis convinced the system had finally turned on him. What followed was one of the most unsettling media spectacles of the decade: a 63-hour hostage standoff in which Kiritsis literally wired a sawed-off shotgun to both his victim’s neck and his own chest. It was desperation theater, broadcast live, raw and ugly, and fueled by a man who believed grievance was the same thing as righteousness.

Second Listen Sunday: Eric Benét, “It’s Christmas”

Eric Benét’s holiday album, “It’s Christmas”, finds the four-time Grammy nominee embracing comfort rather than challenge. He delivers a collection that is impeccably sung and tastefully arranged, though it ultimately feels a bit too cautious for an artist of his talent and history.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn