Eric Roberson

Eric Roberson is a singer, songwriter and producer from Rahway, New Jersey, in the United States. He is also known as Erro. His work sits in contemporary R&B and neo soul, and draws on soul, rhythm and blues, house, hip-hop, jazz and rock, among other styles.

Early life and education

Roberson is born in 1976 and grows up in a musical family in Rahway. He begins singing in church and performs in high school productions. As a teenager he takes performing seriously, and he later wins a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC, where he studies Musical Theatre and graduates with a degree in the subject. He also returns to Howard after his early recording work to complete his studies.

Early recording and songwriting work

While at Howard, Roberson signs to Warner Brothers and releases his first single, “The Moon”, in 1994. The song charts on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop listings, and he also records an unreleased album for the label. After that period he enters a songwriting deal with EMI Publishing and writes for a wide range of artists, including DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Carl Thomas, Vivian Green, 112, Will Smith, Raheem DeVaughn, Dwele, Phajja, Case, Will Downing, J. Rawls, Lenny Kravitz and others. He also works with Jill Scott on “One Time”, appears on projects connected to DJ Jazzy Jeff’s A Touch Of Jazz production company, and contributes to songs such as “Rock with You”, “For the Love of Da Game”, “I Have A Song” and “Hold On”.

Independent career

Roberson leaves major-label work behind and builds a solo career through his own imprint, B.L.U.E. Erro Soul, which he establishes in 2001. His first independent release is The Esoteric Movement, followed by The Vault, Vol. 1, The Vault, Vol. 1.5, The Appetizer, Erro Live: Vol. DC, Left, Music Fan First and Mister Nice Guy?. His independent releases sell primarily through concerts, small retail outlets and CD Baby, and the total reaches more than 80,000 copies in one account and over 100,000 copies in another.

Recognition and releases

Roberson becomes the first independent artist nominated for a BET Award in 2007. He shares the Underground Artist of the Year BETJ Virtual Award with Rahsaan Patterson in 2008. Music Fan First debuts in the top 10 on the iTunes R&B/Soul chart, and its song “Borrow You” appears on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart while the album itself reaches the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart. He also receives Grammy nominations for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for “A Tale of Two” and “Still”.

Performance style

Roberson is known for live shows that include improvising songs from words suggested by the audience. His performances and songwriting are described through a strong emphasis on storytelling, and his music is presented as personal, poetic, positive and progressive. He is associated with the independent soul movement and is described as a leading figure in it, with a reputation for helping support other artists as well as building his own career.

Selected collaborations and associated work

His work includes collaborations with Marsha Ambrosius on “N2U” and “She Ought to Know”, and with DJ Jazzy Jeff on tracks such as “Rock with You” and “For the Love of Da Game”. He also works with Lenny Kravitz as one of a small group of producers chosen to remix “Breathe” for an Absolute Vodka promotion. Other artists linked to his writing and collaborations include Wayna, Lalah Hathaway, Slum Village, Brett “Bdubb” Baker, Dana Sorey and Colin Emmanuel.