Can you explain how, “Mr Nice Guy,” came together?
I was inspired by a poem called, “Mr Nice Guy,” by Wale, from Columbus, Ohio, and decided to create a concept album about this guy on his path trying to maintain his nice-guy-ness! No one’s perfect, so you have to listen to the album and see the ups and downs that he may go through to maintain love.
Yes, trials and tribulations unfold of romance, break up, difficulty dealing with rejection and stalking late at night!
(Laughs & nearly chokes on his morning cookie!) Right! Doesn’t sound nice does he?! But, he’s trying, God bless his heart.
Have you ever read your partners diary?
Honestly, I never did that. I may have had mine read. I’ve always thought about the temptation of looking through, or searching someone’s phone or emails. So, that song, “How Would I Feel?” is a lesson about trying to open our eyes and trust each other more. I know it sounds a little spooky.
So, you haven’t got any confessions to make?
No, well not on this interview! (laughs) I wouldn’t personally look through someone’s private things. Maybe if I suspected my loved one was doing something wrong, but naturally being nosey and insecure, I don’t think that’s the right place to be.
You’ve been lucky in love. Your blog includes pictures of your wedding, posted on your 3rd anniversary. You look so beautiful together.
Shawn and I are happy. We just had our first son who’s 13 months old. He’s downstairs in the hotel room running amok. We’ve been together for pretty much the whole of my career.
Does Shawn have a role within your label?
She’s my toughest critic, my biggest fan and the smartest person I know. I’m always bouncing business ideas off her. She has a very high position in her job, but travels with me when she can. I don’t know if she’ll be busting a rap on a tune any time soon! Shawn’s the singer of the house though, and sings to me more than I sing to her. Not that she sounds like Beyonce, but she sounds like Celine Dion to me. To me, her voice could not be any better. (Oh bless. Mr Roberson is so sweet, if only my partner was so complimentary about my vocal talents!)
One of the standout tracks on the album is “Summertime Anthem.”
It’s a feel good song (Eric breaks into a human beatbox - drums and all!) Put your roller-skates on and enjoy the weather, you got it?!
Maybe in America, but not the UK Eric!
Yeah, (laughs) but the song is about mental attitude, saying, ‘I’m gonna shine today even in wintertime.’ It’s about how we carry ourselves. As far as I know there’s sand, beach and ocean outside, not this gloomy day right now! (laughs)
Would you like to be known as an artist with integrity, similar to Prince who was one of your series of tributes at Jazz Café?
Well, I would definitely want to be known as a trail-blazer. Prince has definitely paved the way for a lot of us. He inspires through his music and business decisions. Look at the way he markets himself; when you walk into his concerts you get an album as the sale is put in the ticket price. I am doing that on a couple shows in the States with this album. There are some things that I can’t do, that he can, because he’s Prince. If I can be any bit like him, outside of the high-heeled boots, you know, I will try to be that! (laughs)
What’s wrong with high-heeled boots?
I don’t know if I need them! My wife would be like, ‘Take those off right now.’ (laughs)
I noticed you’re still singing to ladies Blackberry’s around the world.
I’ve retired, I’ve retired! If someone has a camera recording in my face I may pick it up and film them or myself. It’s all about having fun.
How did you come up with the track, “Can I Borrow You”?
A lot of that album, “Music Fan First,” was written in the shower! I would start my day with music blasting in the bathroom. But, when you go party in the States the DJ will have an ‘Biggie Hour,’ etc. where they play all your favourite music from one artist. You wanna dance, so you run to the [dance] floor, but you don’t wanna dance with your boys so you say, ‘Oh, come here sweetheart, let me just take your hand,’ and it’s all good. You both understand that you’re just sharing the moment. So, I wanted to write a song about that. But, the actual song came while I was getting my scrub on! It just popped into my head. I jumped out the shower, grabbed my phone and started singing into it real quick I recorded it later that day. I won’t tell you what else goes on in the bathroom but it’s a real creative environment. I should have dedicated the album to the bathroom! (laughs)
How successful are your house tracks and why are they released under a different name, Erro?
I used the name Erro before I started putting out independent albums because there were so many Eric Roberson’s out there. It was really, “Change For Me,” that I did some time ago, that was a huge success. It might be my biggest record to date. It’s funny how there’s an Erro crowd and a Eric Roberson crowd and they may not even know that the two are the same. But, it’s fine.
Does it frustrate you that it’s taken so long [10years] to become Grammy nominated?
Not really, as I understand the path. My grandfather used to say, “Find time to be small. And if you didn’t have all the small things around you, you wouldn’t have the opportunity for the big ones”. So, for me it’s trying to remind myself, and everyone around me, that we are all the same. And that if you help me, I help you and we grow together.
Who would you like to work with in the future?
Omar, I’m a big big fan. A girl group called King that I met recently. You know the list goes on and you’d run out of tape! (laughs).
