From B5 Frontman to Solo Sensation: Patrick Breeding's Evolution Is Unveiled in 'Me, Myself, and I’

Photographer: Andrew Zaeh

Photo Assistant: Jack Mallett

Fashion Stylist: Robyn Fernandes

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Patrick Breeding initially captivated the world as the frontman of the R&B sensation B5 alongside his brothers Dustin, Kelly, Bryan, and Carnell. Having left an indelible mark on the music scene in the mid-2000s, he is now poised to release his highly anticipated debut album, Me, Myself, and I.

Drawing from invaluable experiences collaborating with industry heavyweights, Breeding highlights that his forthcoming project has been a transformative journey. Further, he shares that his solo endeavor has challenged him to elevate his skillset as both a writer and producer and to delve deeper into his innermost — crafting an offering he considers his most personal to date. Recently, Bleu Mag had the privilege of sitting down with Breeding, where he dished on all things Me, Myself, and I.

“This album is big for me, a brand new experience. I would say, more personal because, I actually had to write and produce,” he began, reflecting on the early days of his career, where he’d arrive at the studio to find an arsenal of song selections already laid out by super producers, awaiting his vocal prowess. “I got to sit and watch the likes Rodney Jerkins, Scott Storch, Poo Bear, Babyface — to see the different formulas and ways they would make grand records, whether it was with a certain type of program or the way they approach vocals; layering and stacks, you name it.”

Applying these learnings, Breeding unearthed a new talent for songwriting and producing, prompting him to expand on his abilities to determine whether he was "even capable of making a decent song." The result was his first-ever solo effort, "All Night," released at the height of the global pandemic in 2021.

“Once I made that one, I started gaining confidence. I played it for my older brother, Dustin, and he was like, ‘Yo, man, I think you actually got a knack for producing and writing. You should go for it,’” he shared. Jokingly adding that in true Virgo fashion, his devotion to perfection had prolonged the project's release.

Fortunately for fans, the wait is almost over, as he is confident for a springtime release. As for what listeners can expect, keep your ears wide open for a new sound — a mashup spanning genres. “We were kind of locked into… pushed in the direction of straight R&B,” said Breeding, referencing his time at former labels, including Motown Records. “With this project, it's myself, with my laptop in my studio. I was able to be free and go in any direction I wanted to go. So with this one, you're going to hear emotions and colors — the way I was feeling on that particular day, at that particular time.”

He continued, “I might've been feeling a pop record that I heard, or then you might hear an R&B-type record, you know? I was able to navigate in any direction that felt natural. Of course, I'm not going to have a country twang or anything like that.” Speaking of dream collaborators, the 33-year-old crooner shared that, while there are no features currently on the album, should the opportunity arise to work with SZA, it's a no-brainer.

“I do have some aspirations to include a few collaborations, but we'll see where that goes,” said Breeding, refraining from dropping names. “As far as people I would want to work with, there's definitely a few collaborations, but off the top, I think SZA is talented and gifted. We all hear how she lays her melodies in her pocket so she would be one off the top.”

It goes without saying that there were many lessons learned along the way, but none as profound as "believing in yourself," shares Breeding. “When I first started, the process was totally different from working with a label. Like you go there, it's laid out, boom, boom, boom. With this one [the album] it’s like looking at yourself in the mirror. Every time you make a beat and you're like, ‘Okay, damn.’ You feel like it's dope.”

“Then the next morning is the real test., Is it [the song] actually dope? Am I still going to like it? And then you go deeper and say, ‘Okay, is that bass good, or is that bass dated?’ It goes all the way to writing, the melody, and your tone. Maybe do this line better,” he continued. “It becomes this endless, instant battle with yourself in the mirror. But at the same time, like you're building yourself up so strong. For the next song, and then the next song.” All in all, Breeding says to “trust the process.”

Also on the horizon, is the exciting prospect of new music from B5. “We're always working on stuff, and our fans are asking. We definitely need to give them like 100 percent, including shows and tours,” he shared. In the meantime, Me, Myself, and I is set to release in a matter of months. Will you be tuning in?