Jon Bellion

Jon Bellion

Jon Bellion is an American singer, rapper, producer and songwriter from Lake Grove, New York, on Long Island. Born in 1990, he works across hip hop and pop, with his music also drawing on electronic and experimental approaches.

Career

Bellion begins as a producer at 14 before expanding into singing and rapping. He releases four mixtapes: Scattered Thoughts Vol. 1, Translations Through Speakers, The Separation and The Definition. Scattered Thoughts Vol. 1, released in 2010, is an exploration of different genres, with all the writing, composition, production and vocals handled by Bellion.

He later releases two studio albums. The Human Condition is his first album, issued in 2016 and debuting at number five on the US Billboard 200. Glory Sound Prep follows in 2018. He also releases the single Crop Circles in 2019 and the Burna Boy collaboration I Feel It in 2021.

Writing, production and collaborations

Bellion is known for writing and producing for other artists as well as for his own recordings. His credits include Quinn XCII’s Stacy and Life Must Go On, Camila Cabello’s Liar and Shameless, Halsey’s Graveyard, Maroon 5’s Memories and Justin Bieber’s Holy, which features Chance the Rapper. He also co-writes multiple songs on Bieber’s Justice album, including Ghost, a song he says he writes about his late grandmother. The track reaches number one on US Pop Radio.

His other credits include co-writing and co-producing Selena Gomez’s Vulnerable from Rare, and co-writing Katy Perry’s Daisies. He features on Lawrence’s False Alarms in 2021 and later releases an unfinished song called Fallen featuring Jon Batiste.

Label work

In July 2019, Bellion launches Beautiful Mind Records. He signs the pop and soul band Lawrence to the label, and describes the label’s purpose as supporting artists throughout their careers and building a group of musicians who collaborate with one another. Bellion also helps write and produce three songs on Lawrence’s 2021 debut album Hotel TV: Casualty, It’s Not All About You and The Weather.

Touring and influences

Bellion opens shows on the third leg of twenty one pilots’ Emotional Roadshow World Tour, which also includes Judah and the Lion. He also tours Glory Sound Prep on The Glory Sound Prep Tour.

He names Kanye West as a major influence, and also cites Eminem, Pharrell Williams, Coldplay, John Mayer, André 3000, Paul Simon and J Dilla. He also draws inspiration from Pixar, which he says informs both The Definition and The Human Condition.