James Abrahart
| James Abrahart | |
|---|---|
 James Abrahart at Westlake Recording Studios, West Hollywood, January 2015. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James John Abrahart Jr. |
| Also known as | JHart |
| Born | June 12, 1988 |
| Origin | Brentwood, Essex, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, hip hop, dance, house, tropical house, country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, producer, vocal producer, entrepreneur |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Associated acts | Usher, Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo, Rita Ora, Chris Brown, Little Mix, Trey Songz, Fetty Wap, Meghan Trainor, Sean Kingston, Hardwell, CeeLo Green, Martin Garrix, Tommy Trash, Idina Menzel, Kevin Gates, Chris Lane, Fifth Harmony, Keith Urban |
| Notable instruments | |
| Piano, keyboard, vocals, drums | |
James "JHart" Abrahart (born 12 June 1988) is a British multi-platinum selling singer, songwriter, record producer and arranger, based in Los Angeles. Signed by Mike Caren to Artist Publishing Group in 2013,[1] he has worked with a number of popular artists, including Usher, Justin Bieber, Jason Derulo, Rita Ora, Chris Brown, Keith Urban, Fifth Harmony, Idina Menzel, Trey Songz, Fleur East, Hardwell, Kevin Gates, and Martin Garrix amongst others. His output has amassed over 8 Million in sales.
Early life
Born in Essex, UK, he spent most of his childhood in Brentwood with his parents, brother and two sisters- his first introduction to music came when his parents bought him a drum kit, after he suffered a serious skiing accident during a school trip to the Alps. He attended Brentwood Preparatory School until the age of 12, when his parents decided to move to Atlanta, Georgia in order to establish the family business overseas.[2]
Abrahart's passion for writing music intensified after joining his school gospel choir in Atlanta, with whom he sang regularly. At home he began to create and mix beats, inspired by the music of Usher, Kirk Franklin and J Moss. In 2008, Abrahart was offered a 12-month internship with producer Polow Da Don[3] where he was first introduced to the professional music scene, and just a year later he achieved his first professional breakthrough, Priscilla Renea's "Pretty Girl" on her 2009 album Jukebox.[4]
Music career
Major breakthrough
Abrahart's major breakthrough came in 2011, through a chance e-mail to manager Mike Caren, who was impressed with the tracks, and consequently flew Abrahart to Los Angeles to work with Cody Simpson. That same year, he worked on projects for Flo Rida, Wynter Gordon and Karmin, before re-locating to Los Angeles the following year at the age of 22.[5] During the summer of 2012, Abrahart received widespread attention for his track "Take You", which featured on Justin Bieber's third studio album Believe.[6] The album reached No. 1 in 16 countries, and sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Bieber performed the song the following year at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.[7]
Notable work
That same year, Abrahart penned Trey Songz' UK single "Never Again" from his studio album Chapter V,[8] and co-wrote Jason Derulo's "Undefeated", which was performed by Derulo on the season 11 finale of American Idol.[9] A year later he collaborated again with Derulo, this time on "Tattoo", the title track for his third studio album.[10] In 2014, Abrahart achieved greater commercial success, with releases from Timeflies,[11] Inna and Pitbull,[12] Fifth Harmony,[13] and most notably Songz' single "Change Your Mind", from his sixth studio album Trigga,[14] which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.[15]
In January 2015, Abrahart collaborated with Derulo and Hardwell on the track "Follow Me Home", which was released on the DJ's debut studio album United We Are.[16] The album reached No.1 in the Netherlands and No. 2 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart.
On 17 March 2015, Martin Garrix released his new single "Don't Look Down" featuring Usher, which was co-written by Abrahart. The track is the first official single from Garrix's upcoming debut album, set to be released later this year. The single reached No. 9 in the UK Charts.[17] The same day, Atlantic Records released the soundtrack album for the film Furious 7, which features Abrahart's collaboration with Sevyn Streeter and Chloe Angelides, "How Bad Do You Want It (Oh Yeah)". The track was released as a promotional single on 23 February 2015.
Rita Ora and Chris Brown announced their single "Body on Me" with a promotional image of the two of them on social media, which was followed by a promotional video previewing a snippet of the single on 4 August 2015.[18] The single was released internationally on 7 August 2015.[19]
In November 2015, Justin Bieber released his Billboard #1 album Purpose. Abrahart co-wrote two songs on the album, including “Mark My Words” and the single “Company” (#53 Billboard Hot 100[20]). That same month, Fleur East released her debut single "Sax", which was co-written by Abrahart. The single has since been certified Platinum.
In 2016, Abrahart co-wrote Keith Urban’s hit single “Wasted Time” from his album Ripcord. The single reached #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart[21] and the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.[22]
JHart also co-wrote Kevin Gates’ “Know Better”, which is featured on the Suicide Squad Soundtrack.
Featured artist
In the summer of 2012, Abrahart made his debut as a recording artist under his alias "JHart", his vocals featuring on Paul Oakenfold's dance hit "Surrender".[23] In 2014, he penned and featured on Dirty South's "One Breath" from the album With You,[24] and the following year, his collaboration with Vicetone, "Follow Me" was announced as the anthem for the 2015 Ultra Music Festival.[25] The track was premièred online by Entertainment Weekly the day before its official release.[26]
On 18 May 2015, Tritonal released "Untouchable", their new collaboration with fellow dance group Cash Cash. The single features the vocals of Abrahart.[27]
Abrahart continued his dance success by collaborating with Australian DJ Tommy Trash on his single "Wake the Giant". The track was co-written and features vocals from Abrahart, and was released on Dutch dance label Armada Music on 13 July 2015.[28]
Awards and influences
In a short time, Abrahart has cemented his position in the American music scene as one of the most influential young writers of his generation; in 2013, he was awarded the coveted Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Contemporary Music,[29] awarded to young foreign-born artists who have demonstrated exceptional achievements.
Abrahart cites Dianne Warren, David Foster, Rodney Jerkins, Brandy Norwood and Dallas Austin as major influences on his music.
Global Image Music
In January 2015, Abrahart founded Global Music Image, an LA-based music program offering real-time song-writing experience for aspiring writers and music producers.[30] The program launched in the UK in April 2015, and is presented by a team of guest writers and producers, including singer, songwriter and lecture Brett McLaughlin and producer and engineer Skylar Mones.
Songwriting credits
Singles
| Year | Title | Artist | Album | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "Go In, Go Hard" | Angel | About Time | Co-writer |
| "Undefeated" | Jason Derulo | Future History (Platinum Edition) | Co-writer / backing vocals / vocal producer | |
| "Never Again" | Trey Songz | Chapter V | Co-writer | |
| 2013 | "Time After Time" | Angel | About Time | Co-writer |
| 2014 | "Regarde-Nous" | Amel Bent | Instinct | Co-writer |
| "Good Time" (featuring Pitbull) |
Inna | Inna | Co-writer / backing vocals | |
| "Wildfire" | Julian Perretta | N/A | Co-writer / backing vocals | |
| "Change Your Mind" | Trey Songz | Trigga | Co-writer | |
| "All the Way" | Timeflies | After Hours | Co-writer / backing vocals / vocal producer | |
| 2015 | "Don't Look Down" (featuring Usher) |
Martin Garrix | N/A | Co-writer |
| "Body on Me" (featuring Chris Brown) |
Rita Ora | N/A | Co-writer / backing vocals / vocal producer | |
| "How Bad Do You Want It" | Sevyn Streeter | Furious 7 | Co-writer | |
| "Sax" | Fleur East | Love, Sax and Flashbacks | Co-writer / backing vocals | |
| 2016 | "More And More" | Co-writer / backing vocals | ||
| "Company" | Justin Bieber | Purpose | Co-writer | |
| "Wasted Time" | Keith Urban | Ripcord | Co-writer/ backing vocals | |
| "Overnight" | Jake Miller | Overnight EP | Co-writer/ backing vocals | |
| "Dangerously" | Charlie Puth | Nine Track Mind | Co-writer/ backing vocals |
As featured artist
| Year | Title | Artist | Album | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "Surrender" | Paul Oakenfold | N/A | Co-writer / featured artist |
| 2014 | "One Breath" | Dirty South | With You | Co-writer / featured artist |
| 2015 | "Untouchable" | Tritonal & Cash Cash | N/A | Co-writer / featured artist |
| "Wake the Giant" | Tommy Trash | N/A | Co-writer / featured artist | |
| "Landmines" | Pierce Fulton | N/A | Co-writer / featured artist | |
| 2016 | "Feel Right" | Wolfgang Gartner | 10 Ways to Steal Home Plate | Co-writer / featured artist |
Other songs
| Year | Title | Artist | Album | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "All My Life" | Wynter Gordon | With the Music I Die | Co-writer |
| "Pretty Girl" | Priscilla Renea | Jukebox | Co-writer | |
| 2012 | "See You Again" | Loreen | Heal | Co-writer / backing vocals |
| "Take You" | Justin Bieber | Believe | Co-writer | |
| "Never Again" | Trey Songz | Chapter V | Co-writer | |
| 2013 | "Take You" (Acoustic) | Justin Bieber | Believe Acoustic | Co-writer |
| "Tattoo" | Jason Derulo | Tattoos / Talk Dirty | Co-writer / backing vocals / vocal producer | |
| "Fire" | Tattoos | Co-writer / backing vocals / vocal producer | ||
| "Round 2" | Stooshe | London with the Lights On | Co-writer | |
| "Beat of My Drum" | Zendaya | Shake It Up: I Love Dance | Co-writer | |
| 2014 | "Sans Toi" | Amel Bent | Instinct | Co-writer |
| "Red Eye" | Andy Grammer | Magazines or Novels | Co-writer | |
| "Take Me Higher" | Inna | Inna | Co-writer | |
| "Stay with Me" feat. G Dragon | Taeyang | Rise | Co-writer | |
| "Girl Like You" | Union J | You Got It All | Co-writer / backing vocals | |
| 2015 | "More And More" | Fleur East | Love, Sax and Flashbacks | Co-writer / backing vocals |
| "Baby Don't Dance" | ||||
| "Them Girls Be Like" | Fifth Harmony | Reflection | Co-writer / backing vocals / vocal producer | |
| "Follow Me" feat. Jason Derulo | Hardwell | United We Are | Co-writer / backing vocals / vocal producer | |
| "Undress Rehearsal" | Timeflies | Just for Fun | Co-writer / backing vocals / vocal producer | |
| "Follow Me" | Vicetone | N/A | Co-writer / backing vocals / vocal producer | |
| 2016 | "Mark My Words" | Justin Bieber | Purpose | Co-writer |
| "Weekend Millionares" | Katelyn Tarver | N/A | Co-writer / backing vocals | |
| "Make the Bed" feat. Jason Derulo | K. Michelle | More Issues Than Vogue | Co-writer/ Backing Vocals | |
| "I Lied" | Fifth Harmony | 7/27 | Co-writer / backing vocals | |
| "Who's It Gonna Be" | Chris Lane | Girl Problems | Co-writer | |
| "All The Time" | ||||
| "Know Better" | Kevin Gates | Suicide Squad | Co-writer | |
| "Show Me" | Idina Menzel | idina. | Co-writer / Backing vocals | |
| "Good Thing" | Jake Miller | Overnight EP | Co-writer / Backing vocals | |
| "Money" | Nathan Sykes | Unfinished Business | Co-writer | |
| "I'll Remember You" | ||||
| "We've Been Here Before" | Dylan Schneider | 17 | Co-writer | |
| "Power" | Little Mix | Glory Days (Little Mix album) | Co-writer | |
| "Your Love" | ||||
| "I Would Like" | Zara Larsson | N/A | Co-writer / backing vocals | |
References
- ↑ "APG Strategic Management".
- ↑ "James Abrahart Biography".
- ↑ "Soundcloud Biography". Soundcloud.
- ↑ "Jukebox Discogs Official Credits". Discogs.
- ↑ "Soundcloud Biography". Soundcloud.
- ↑ "Believe Discogs Credits". Discogs.
- ↑ "YouTube - 2013 Billboard Music Awards Performance". YouTube.
- ↑ "Chapter V Discogs Credits". Discogs.
- ↑ "Digital Spy Review".
- ↑ "Tattoo Album Discogs Credits". Discogs.
- ↑ "All The Way AllMusic Credits". AllMusic.
- ↑ "Ultra Top Credits". Hung Medien.
- ↑ "Them Girls Be Like Discogs Credits". Discogs.
- ↑ "Change Your Mind Discogs Credits". Discogs.
- ↑ "Billboard Trigga Announcement".
- ↑ "James Abrahart AllMusic Credits". AllMusic.
- ↑ "MARTIN GARRIX FT USHER | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
- ↑ "Rita Ora - Body On Me... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2015-08-04.
- ↑ "Rita Ora's "Body On Me" Is Out In Three Days | Idolator". Retrieved 2015-08-04.
- ↑ "Justin Bieber - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
- ↑ "Keith Urban - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
- ↑ "Keith Urban - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2016-08-05.
- ↑ "Paul Oakenfold - Surrender YouTube Official Video". YouTube.
- ↑ "With You Discogs Credits". Discogs.
- ↑ "Facebook Announcement". Facebook.
- ↑ "EW Premiere Announcement".
- ↑ "Tritonal & Cash Cash Join Forces for 'Untouchable,' Announce Fall Tour: Exclusive". Billboard.
- ↑ "Tommy Trash feat. JHart - Wake the Giant". EDMTunes. Retrieved 2015-07-16.
- ↑ "Vilcek Awards Press Release".
- ↑ "GIM Official Website".