I had the opportunity to connect with Blackbear during the second stop of his Dead 2 The World Tour in Seattle. The singer and songwriter from Florida earned his retirement at the age of 21 when he co-wrote Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” with Mike Posner. He then pursued a career as an R&B singer under the name Blackbear that now has over two million followers.
Blackbear Dead 2 The World Tour Interview
RMR: What was the inspiration of Anonymous, the concept behind it, and the track layout for it?
Bear: Well, the main intention of the album was to spend my time on something and make something that represents where I’m at in my life and my journey and my walk. The concept, the theme, the concept’s really like… Anonymous is really meant to exit the ego out. I really wanted to take the ego out of my music, not really do any features on this album, make it more about the songs rather than about me personally.
I didn’t want to have too many songs where I was bragging about what I have or what I’m doing or where I’m at in life. I kind of wanted to make songs that … I’m just kind of just going back to my roots a little bit and I miss making songs like “Dead Roses” and stuff like that. So I wanted to make an album that was kind of like “Dead Roses” again. It kind of came out of its own thing. So it’s sick.
RMR: Do you have any other career plans besides music? I know you’re like really into fashion. Are you thinking about launching a fashion line? Maybe go back to songwriting for other artists or do you have any other plans?
Bear: Yeah. I don’t have any plans at the moment. I love going to fashion week and checking out the shows. I even walked in a show this past fashion week, New York fashion week, the Phillip Klein show. It was cool to see my short ass walking down in Vogue. I’m 5’10”, so compared to those guys, I’m really short. Fashion’s cool. I hope to do something in the future.
Hopefully, somebody hits me up and wants to do something, but until then, Yeah, I plan on after tour, taking a little month break to work with artists. I finally bought a new house in LA—15 acres with a studio. So now I’ll be able to have artists come to my house and work, which is really sick. I have plans of working with Rae Sremmurd pretty soon. I have plans of working with a few of my favorite artists, which is sick.
Blackbear Exclusive Interview
RMR: Who are some of your favorite artists?
Bear: Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of rock music. There’s a band from L.A., called Beaver Three Three Three, who I’m really into. I might produce a little bit of rock music when I get home because I have a giant studio that allows drum sets and stuff. So maybe I’ll produce some more rock music. I just got done with Linkin Park before Chester passed, on their final album with him. Yeah, I’m really into like, alternative stuff right now. So I might do more of that.
RMR: Have you ever considered having a side project with punk music?
Bear: I have considered it. You never know, maybe Mansionz 2 will have some more instrumentation.
RMR: Oh yes. I’ve been waiting for Mansionz 2.
Bear: Me, too, actually. Mike has another 1,900 miles to walk, so we’re going to have to wait for that. But, I’m trying to be the best friend that I can be and let him take his time and do that.
RMR: How did you get connected with Elohim and why did you choose her to be one of the openers for the Anonymous tour?
Bear: Elohim is … I probably listen to her music more than my own music. I’m one of those that, I play my own music in the car sometimes. But no, she’s like one of my favorite artists. Her music helped me a lot. I was just hoping that it would maybe help some of the fans, too. If they became fans of her because I love her and she deserves to be a massive superstar. I mean, she is a massive superstar.
RMR: You’ve been very public about owning your own label Bear Trap. What is your relationship with Interscope since you are signed with them also?
Bear: I can’t stand being on a label. It sucks. It really sucks. No, I’m just kidding. Interscope’s been really easy. They’ve been really supportive. When I did my deal with them, it was not a 360, they let me do all the merchandise and everything like that.
On this tour, we have a whole merchandise layout by one of my favorite designers, Alex Miller, who does For Those Who Sin. I have all the control of the merchandise, the shows, everything besides how the music goes to market. I mean, that’s where I needed help. So I know when to reach out for help and I needed it from Interscope. They’ve been really good. Hopefully, they want to do more music with me.
RMR: What made you transition from songwriting for other artists into making your own music?
Bear: I think it was supply and demand. I think I was making my own music, but that wasn’t paying the bills. Then once Blackbear started paying the bills, I started doing Blackbear more, which is sick, because that’s what I want to be doing. Blackbear’s my passion project, I identify as Blackbear. I respond to friends when they call me Bear, it’s who I am. It’s really good to be paid off of who I am as a person. It’s really sick.
RMR: Out of all the songs you’ve made, is there one that stands out or means the most to you? Of course they’re all personal, but is there one that is extra special?
Bear: Some songs are more personal and more honest than others. There’s a few that hit home. I think “Burnt as Fuck” is one of them on the new album. That’s about a time where I was just drinking every day. I couldn’t stop drinking and I got sick and it sucked because I drank too much. I have songs about it.
There was a relationship going on and that was rocky and there was a pregnancy scare. I made a song about it and it was very real and serious. That’s definitely one of them. “Swear to God” is one of them, too. Just sort of God’s more of like a song, kind of just showing that I’m a real human being and just asking for repentance and that kind of thing.
RMR: What is something you would tell the younger you now?
Bear: That’s funny. Somebody asked me that question yesterday. I would probably just tell them, “Enjoy the ride,” because I wouldn’t change anything. I think every setback’s an opportunity to grow.
