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.
My introduction to Nate Dogg goes back to Dr. Dre’s 1992 debut, The Chronic, and the song “Deeez Nuuuts.” Even then, something about Nate’s voice set him apart from everybody else. He wasn’t just singing on rap records. He was bringing soul, gospel, street knowledge, and West Coast cool into the same space. He set the standard for hook singers in hip-hop, and dare I say, he’s still vastly underrated.
For this week’s Slow Jam Saturday, I wanted to give Stevie Wonder his due as he prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece, “Songs in the Key of Life,” on tour. While the easy choice could have been “Knocks Me Off My Feet”—a classic that still resonates fifty years later—I chose “From the Bottom of My Heart,” the second single from his twenty-third studio album, “A Time to Love,” released in 2005.
It’s hard to believe that an iconic singing competition like American Idol has produced only two Black male winners in its more than two-and-a-half-decade history. Jamal Roberts made history last year when he won the show, following Ruben Studdard’s well-deserved victory in Season Two.