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Eric Roberson

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Eric Roberson
Roberson performing in 2007
Roberson performing in 2007
Background information
Born (1973-09-26) September 26, 1973 (age 51)
Rahway, New Jersey, United States
GenresR&B, neo soul, indie soul[1]
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, record producer, rapper
Instrument(s)Vocals, fender rhodes, drum machine
Years active1994–present
LabelsWarner Bros., Blue Erro Soul, Purpose, E1 Music, Liaison
WebsiteEricrobersonmusic.com

Eric Roberson (born September 27, 1973)[2] is an American singer, songwriter, former rapper and music producer. He is sometimes referred to simply as Erro, the name which he later used as part of his label Blue Erro Soul. His first single, "Represent", was released through Warner Bros. Records in 1994 and he recorded an album for that label which remains unreleased.[3]

Career

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Raised in Rahway, New Jersey, Roberson attended Rahway High School.[4]

He subsequently returned to Howard University to complete his studies in Musical Theatre.[3][5] After performing in a number of musicals and plays, he landed a songwriting deal through the EMI label, and went on to collaborate with Philadelphia-based artists such as Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, and most extensively, DJ Jazzy Jeff.[5][6]

As a member of Jeff's A Touch of Jazz production company, Roberson made contributions to Jeff's debut album, The Magnificent in 2002. He continued songwriting work as well as releasing his own material through his Blue Erro Soul imprint.[5] He also appeared on DJ Spinna's Intergalactic Soul LP in 2006.

Roberson was nominated for two Grammys in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category.[3] He was nominated for two songs from his 2009 album Music Fan First- "A Tale of Two" in 2010 and "Still" in the same category a year later.[3]

In 2013, he was a member of the band, United Tenors[7] together with Dave Hollister, Fred Hammond and Brian Courtney Wilson.

Roberson's 2014 album, The Box, peaked at #8 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums.[8] It was on the chart for 3 weeks. The album reached #104 on the Billboard 200.[9] The album cover and promotional material featured speakers by BoomCase. [10][11]

Roberson's "I Have A Song" was chosen to be the fundraising single, produced by Jak Beula and released in February 2016, to enable the permanent installation of the first dedicated Commonwealth war memorial in the UK to African and Caribbean service men and women of both World Wars.[12]

Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Year Album details Peak chart positions
US
[13]
US
R&B

[14]
2001 The Esoteric Movement
  • Released: June 15, 2001
  • Label: P-Vine
2003 The Vault, Vol. 1
  • Released: July 1, 2003
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul
2004 The Vault, Vol. 1.5
  • Released: February 24, 2004
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul
2005 The Appetizer
  • Released: November 7, 2005
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul
2007 ...Left
  • Released: February 27, 2007
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul
2009 Music Fan First
  • Released: August 25, 2009
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul
89
2011 Mister Nice Guy
  • Released: September 5,2011
  • Label: Purpose, eOne Music
- 85
2012 Eric Roberson Prestons When Loves Calls 98 14
2013 United Tenors
(with Fred Hammond, Dave Hollister, Brian Courtney Wilson)
39
2014 B-Sides, Features & Heartaches
  • Released: February 4, 2014
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul/Liaison (US), Dome Records (UK)
45
2014 The Box
  • Released: August 12, 2014
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul/Liaison (US), Dome Records (UK)
104 19
2016 Tigallerro (with Phonte)
  • Released: July 22, 2016
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul/Foreign Exchange Music
19
2017 Earth – EP
  • Released: April 21, 2017
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul
2017 Wind – EP
  • Released: July 21, 2017
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul
2017 Fire – EP
  • Released: October 20, 2017
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul
2020 Hear From Here
  • Released: April 3, 2020
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul
2022 Lessons
  • Released: April 1, 2022
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul

Live albums

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Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications
U.S.
[13]
U.S. R&B
[14]
2006 Erro Live Vol. DC
  • Released: August 10, 2006
  • Label: Blue Erro Soul

Selected discography

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Compilations

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  • "Couldn't Hear Me" appears on the compilation Gilles Peterson Worldwide Exclusives 3 (2004) Talking Loud.

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Artist/work Category Result Ref.
2006 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards The Appetizer Album of the Year Won [16]
Eric Roberson Male Vocalist of the Year Won
2007 BET Awards BET Cool Like That Award Nominated
2007 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards Left Album of the Year Nominated [17]
"Pretty Girl" Song of the Year Nominated
Eric Roberson Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2009 Soul Train Music Awards CENTRIC Award Nominated
2009 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards Music Fan First Album of the Year Won [18]
"Dealing" with Lalah Hathaway Song of the Year Won
"The Power that Kisses Hold" Nominated
Eric Roberson Male Vocalist of the Year Won
2010 Grammy Awards "A Tale of Two" feat. Ben O'Neill & Michelle Thompson Best Urban/Alternative Performance Nominated
2011 "Still" Nominated
2012 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards Mr. Nice Guy Album of the Year Nominated [19]
"At the Same Time" Song of the Year Nominated
Eric Roberson Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2014 The Box Album of the Year Nominated [20]
"Mark on Me" Song of the Year Nominated
Eric Roberson Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2017 Wind Album of the Year Nominated [21]
Eric Roberson Male Vocalist of the Year Nominated
2021 "Lessons" Song of the Year Won [22]
2022 Pop Awards Nominated [23]
SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards Lessons Album of the Year Won [24]
Eric Roberson Male Vocalist of the Year Won

References

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  1. ^ "With Indie-Soul Singer Eric Roberson, You Don't Just Get The Music, You Get The Process". Ericrobersonmusic.com. July 27, 2017.
  2. ^ "Eric Roberson's 50th Birthday Celebration". instagram.com. Instagram From Meta. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d Jeffries, David. "Eric Roberson | Biography". =AllMusic. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  4. ^ Russell, Suzanne C. "Man on a Mission; Rahway teacher wants everyone to know about the city's black men and women", Home News Tribune, June 8, 2007. Accessed May 24, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "This year, the mural includes Tomi Jenkins, a singer with the group Cameo, a friend of Akbar's father, and Eric Roberson, a former Rahway football player who is a singer songwriter and has written songs for Mariah Carey and other top R&B singers."
  5. ^ a b c Rizik, Chris (May 12, 2007). "Eric Roberson – Artist Biography". soutracks.com. Soul Tracks. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  6. ^ R.D. Fox, Lauren. "PASS OR PLAY? ERIC ROBERSON RELEASES NEW SINGLE, "MARK ON ME"". madamenoire.com. Madame Noire. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  7. ^ "Fred Hammond on His New Group United Tenors, and the Return of the Male Gospel Ensemble". Essence. October 28, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  8. ^ "Eric Roberson | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  9. ^ "Eric Roberson | Biography, Music & News". Billboard. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  10. ^ Butta (July 11, 2014). "Eric Roberson Reveals Provocative New Album Promo & 'The Box' Tour Dates". SoulBounce. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  11. ^ "Review: Eric Roberson – The Box | POP MAGAZINE". Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  12. ^ "I Have A Song", African & Caribbean Memorial.
  13. ^ a b "Eric Roberson – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  14. ^ a b "Eric Roberson – Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  15. ^ "The Heartbeat — Lil' John Roberts" at iTunes.
  16. ^ "SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards - Past Winners". SoulTracks. September 14, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  17. ^ "2007 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Award Winners!". SoulTracks. November 16, 2007. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  18. ^ "2009 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards Winners!". SoulTracks. December 7, 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  19. ^ "2012 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards Show Tonight!". SoulTracks. December 3, 2012. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  20. ^ "See the Top 5 Finalists! The 2014 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards". SoulTracks. November 3, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  21. ^ "See the Top Five! 2017 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards". SoulTracks. November 23, 2017. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  22. ^ "See the Winners! 2021 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards". SoulTracks. December 6, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Hourtane, Camille (January 16, 2022). "Welcome to the POP AWARDS 2022, the fifth annual Pop Awards". Pop Magazine. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  24. ^ "See the Winners! 2022 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards". SoulTracks. December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
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