Have you ever heard of Jon Bellion (Bell-Yin)? Probably not, but he has helped write, composes, produce, and engineer music from Cee Lo Green, Andy Grammar, Zedd, and even Eminem. I am sure that last name got your attention a little bit. If you know any of these names I am sure you have heard a song he has had a part of; but what I want you to do is listen to HIS music. I am saying you need to jump on the train before the train turns into a bandwagon. I understand you’re like, “Why should I listen to Jon ‘Bell-Eon’”? I’ll give you a few reasons: he’s truly passionate in the making of his music, his music is relatable, and he is not afraid to share his faith in his music.

Let’s start first with his passion. The first song I heard by him was called “Munny Right.” My best bud sent it to me, and I thought to myself, “This is different. I like it though.” So, I looked him up on Spotify and then on Youtube, which is where I found a filming of his writing process. The sight is truly amazing to watch. The videos usually start off with Jon having a drum sample in his head. Then, he’ll go to the beat pad and records the beat (It’s honestly a lot more complicated then I am describing.) It makes you watch with grateful eyes when you see a song come from nothing. He gets so excited when each beat or sound compliments the other. Don’t even get me started on how he uses his voice in his songs. He manipulates his voice in order to create a track in the same way he uses his beat pad and keyboard. For example, in his song “Superman” he doesn’t have a guitar; so, he uses his voice and his music software to make a guitar sound. He feels that artists “don’t use all the tools the programs give you to the fullest.”

Lyrically, he even takes the time to tell a relatable story in each of his songs (they have actual meanings rather than just let’s do drugs and have sex.) Most artists now-a-days seem to just talk about the same thing over and over again. Personally, I want to be able to listen to music that will match my mood or situation, and that is something Jon does very well. In “All Time Low” he speaks about how not having a girl in his life has brought him to a low point. I—being a male college student fresh out of my teen years who has a heavy interest in the opposite sex—can somewhat relate. Of course, I still think about my ex-girlfriend. I mean I liked—and still do like—her, and sometimes I can’t concentrate because she’s on my mind. In his song “Human” Jon opens up with the lines, “I always fear that I’m not living right, so I feel guilty when I go to church. The pastor tells me that I’ve been saved, I’m fine.” Like, seriously I always feel this way, ya know? I—being a follower of Christ—I do sometimes feel guilty when I am in church. The Chorus (lower case) goes on to say, “I’m just so sick of being human” by that he says “[I am] so sick of going against the things I say what I am going to do . . . .” How can you not appreciate the honesty in that?, (because I know it isn’t very common in music. As I said honesty is not very common in music today, especially in Pop/Hip-Hop music—that includes artists being honest about their faith)?

Jon has no problem with talking about his faith. In his song “Maybe IDK” the chorus says, “I guess if I knew tomorrow I guess I wouldn’t need faith. I guess if I never failed I guess I wouldn’t need grace. If I knew his plans then I guess he wouldn’t be God.” That gets to me because not only are they true, but sometimes I think the same thing. Another faith driven song is “Weight of the World”; Jon talks about trying to control everything in his life and the burden it caused was too unbearable. He begged for help and no one answered. Now he is allowing God to have control and watch over his life, so that he no longer carries the unbearable weight of his personal world. I love this because too many times I try to do everything on my own instead of allowing God help me the way he wants to.

Jon’s song “New York Soul – Pt. ii” may not be about God, but he does have a verse that sticks out to me. “Dropped off in the land where the artists play. Where God's way is the hardest way. Told myself I'm keeping my faith. If it costs me my reputation, then take it. I give it all away.” Whew! Like, this man just said over all the luxuries and money he has he will keep his faith in God? Today, not many people can or would even think about doing that. Lastly, in “Hand Of God - Outro” Jon is saying that he is allowing himself to surrender to God. He admits that he isn’t perfect when he says, “I am just a man, who lusts, gives, tries. Sometimes I lose my way.”

So, I ask you to listen to Mr. Bellion; he is very surgical with his music and his honesty about his life and faith is very relatable. His music is perfect for almost any mood, whether it be a high or low. Whether or not you decide you enjoy his music, I hope you know how great he is because his music will blow up and by then “Superman won’t save you no more.”