Tricky Stewart
| Tricky Stewart | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher Alan Stewart |
| Also known as | Trixster |
| Born |
January 4, 1974 Markham, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | executive producer, record producer, musical arranger, composer, entertainment industry executive, recording studio owner |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Associated acts | T.I., The-Dream, Ciara, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Tamar Braxton, Jesse McCartney, Jennifer Lopez, Blu Cantrell, Mýa, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Usher, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Utada, Shawn Desman, Michael Jackson, Semi Precious Weapons, Fifth Harmony |
Christopher Alan "Tricky" Stewart (born January 4, 1974) is an American songwriter, record producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. He is also a former president of A&R at Epic Records.[1] In a career spanning over 20 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million records sold.[2] He is noted for producing many hip hop, R&B and pop chart topping singles, often with The-Dream. His notable work includes Mýa's "Case of the Ex" (2000), Britney Spears's "Me Against the Music" (2003), Rihanna's "Umbrella" (2007), Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine" (2007), Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" (2008) and "Obsessed" (2009), Jesse McCartney's "Leavin'" (2008),[3] Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008), Justin Bieber's "Baby" (2010), Ciara's "Ride" (2010), Nicole Scherzinger's "Your Love" (2014), and many others.
In 2012, he was included in Billboard's 40 Under 40, a list of music executives "who are propelling our industry with their artistic and business vision."[1]
Early life
Stewart was born in Markham, Illinois. Raised in a musical family, he was playing guitar, playing keyboards and writing songs by the age of 12. His older brother, record producer Laney Stewart, introduced him to one of his first music business mentors, the late Louis Silas, Jr. Silas fostered Stewart's music career by giving him the opportunity to contribute to the projects of several major artists. Before graduating high school, Stewart had placements with artists such as Aaron Hall, rhythm and blues trio IMx, and Chanté Moore. Stewart credits his work with Moore with opening many doors for him in his burgeoning music career.[4]
Career
1994–2005
In 1994, Stewart produced "Treat U Right" for Blackgirl. Around this time, Stewart met record producer and songwriter L.A. Reid, who offered him a deal to move his production company to Atlanta. In 1995, with the support of Reid, in partnership with his brother Laney Stewart, his brother Mark Stewart, and his sister-in-law Judi Stewart, Tricky established RedZone Entertainment and Triangle Sound studios in West Buckhead, Atlanta, GA.
Stewart's career and reputation continued to grow, achieving a major breakthrough in 1999 when he co-wrote the single "Who Dat" for JT Money. "Who Dat" was a No. 1 rap single, ASCAP's "Song of the Year", and reached No. 5 on the Billboard pop chart.[5] As a talent scout and manager, Stewart and RedZone helped grow the careers of such artists as Solé and Sam Salter.
In 2000, Tricky co-wrote and produced Interscope artist Mýa's breakthrough single "Case of the Ex", a song about a strong woman who won't tolerate her boyfriend going back to his ex-girlfriend. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 2000, and stayed in the Top 10 for three months.[6] Around this time, Stewart discovered and signed Blu Cantrell, and went on to executive produce her debut album So Blu on Arista Records. It peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 album chart and spawned the No. 2 hit "Hit 'em Up Style (Oops!)".
In 2002, Tricky co-produced and co-wrote B2K's debut single, "Uh Huh".[7] It was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks.[8] In 2003, Blu Cantrell's second album, Bittersweet, was released; it features three songs produced by Stewart, "Unhappy", "Holding on to Love" and "Let Her Go". He also co-wrote and produced a number of songs for Britney Spears's fourth album, In the Zone (2003), including two of its singles, "Me Against the Music" and "Outrageous", as well as "Early Mornin'" and "The Hook Up".
2006–present
2007 was a breakthrough year for Stewart and RedZone Entertainment. Rihanna's single "Umbrella", co-written with The-Dream and Kuk Harrell, garnered two Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, and a Grammy for "Best Rap/Song Collaboration. Originally penned with Britney Spears in mind, then on hold for Mary J. Blige who was unable to approve it in time, Stewart initially had doubts about whether or not Rihanna was the right choice for the song. That was until he heard her on the record. In an interview with MTV, Stewart said
| “ | When she recorded the 'ellas' you knew it was about to be the jump-off, and your life was about to change if you had anything to do with that record. | ” |
Released in late March 2007, "Umbrella" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart by May, rising 40 spots in one week to land and stay seven straight weeks at number one. The song also broke the iTunes music store's record for biggest debut ever. The success brought Rihanna to a new level of fame, co-writer "The-Dream" went on to debut his own hit record"Love Hate" (executive produced by Stewart), and Stewart finished out the year working with such notable artists as Janet Jackson, Celine Dion (Skies of L.A. off her new album "Taking Chances"), and Usher ("Moving Mountains" and "This Ain't Sex" of his new album Here I Stand).
| “ | It's crazy, just being a part of that, I've seen a lot of things in my time in the music business, but to see a record take off like that, it's just amazing. | ” |
Stewart was also nominated in 2007 for a Grammy for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" on Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine"; that same year, Stewart also co-wrote and produced on the album Growing Pains, as well as the vocals were produced by his production and writing partner Kuk Harrell. This writing and production team, composed of Tricky, The-Dream, and Kuk Harrell, proved to be a winning combination.
Stewart executive produced The-Dream's debut album Love Hate, which included the hit single "Shawty Is a 10", peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Stewart also co-wrote and produced Dream's, "Falsetto" and "I Luv Your Girl".
The single "Touch My Body" off Mariah Carey's album E=MC², produced by Stewart and Carey was described as "...a No. 1 just waiting to pounce the Billboard Hot 100" by Chuck Taylor of Billboard Magazine. On April 2, 2008 it was announced that "Touch My Body" became Carey's 18th No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, pushing her to second place among artists with the most No. 1 singles in the rock era and first place as a solo artist in the same category, surpassing Elvis Presley. The achievement was attributed to a record-breaking digital sales debut, as 286,000 copies were sold in its first week of availability.
During 2008 he produced the song "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" for Beyoncé as well as the ballad "Smash into You". The former would become a pop culture phenomenon due to its female empowerment lyrics, catchy melody and much parodied music video.
In 2007–2008 he produced a song for Jazmine Sullivan entitled A Life Without Love.
He produced a High Price featuring Ludacris for Ciara's 2009 album, Fantasy Ride. Tricky won his first Grammy for his work on Mary J. Blige's 2007 album Growing Pains 2009. He also worked with Japanese-American singer-songwriter Utada on her third English studio album This Is The One which he produced four songs from the record.
Tricky and The-Dream almost exclusively co-wrote (with Mariah) and produced the entirety of Mariah Carey's 2009 album, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel".
Tricky and The-Dream executive-produced Ciara's fourth studio album titled Basic Instinct, which was released on December 10, 2010. The lead single from the album titled "Ride", was produced by the duo, the single was released in April 2010 and went on to become Ciara's twelfth top ten hit on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[9]
Stewart contributed to the Christina Aguilera album Bionic, released in June 2010, and produced the score for her debut film, Burlesque, released in November 2010.
Stewart produced the Katy Perry second studio album, named Teenage Dream and will release in 2010 August.[10] The second promotional single, "Circle the Drain", produced by Tricky was released on iTunes on August 10, 2010.
Stewart is confirmed to be taking part in Jennifer Lopez's eighth studio album "Love?" which is looking at a Summer 2010 releasing alongside The-Dream and Tricky Stewart making it her debut release with Def Jam Records after completing her 10-year contract with Epic Records in February 2010.
Stewart and The Dream are again, teaming up to work on Kim Kardashian's debut single Jam (Turn It Up) and on Jessica Simpson's holiday album Happy Christmas and upcoming pop album.
Stewart and The Dream announced they are working on Estonian singer Kerli's second album. Her album is due to be released at the end of fall 2011.[11]
Discography
Produced singles
Credits
| Year | Album/song | Artist | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Lilac / "Purple"[12] | ThiDaniel | Producer |
| 2010 | No Mercy / "No Mercy" | T.I. | Producer |
| Love King / "Panties to the Side" | The-Dream | ||
| Basic Instinct / "Gimmie Dat" | Ciara | ||
| Basic Instinct / "Ride" | Ciara / Ludacris | ||
| Untitled Yet | Celine Dion | ||
| Love? / "Run the World" | Jennifer Lopez | ||
| Burlesque soundtrack / "Express", "Show Me How You Burlesque" | Christina Aguilera/ Cher | ||
| Bionic / "Desnudate", "Glam", "Prima Donna" | Christina Aguilera | Producer, composer | |
| Teenage Dream/ "Circle the Drain", "Who Am I Living For?", "Hummingbird Heartbeat", "Dressin'Up" | Katy Perry | ||
| 2009 | D.N.A./ Starlight | Mario | Producer |
| D.N.A./ Don't Walk Away | |||
| Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel | Mariah Carey | Writer/producer | |
| Fantasy Ride/ High Price | Ciara/ Ludacris | Producer | |
| Fantasy Ride/ Ciara to the Stage | Ciara | ||
| Fantasy Ride/ Like a Surgeon | |||
| Fantasy Ride/ Keep Dancin' On Me | |||
| This Is The One | Utada | ||
| Loso's Way / Throw It in the Bag | Fabolous / The-Dream | ||
| Hatin on the Club | Rihanna / The-Dream | ||
| 2008 | Intuition | Jamie Foxx | Producer, composer |
| Call and Response: The Remix Album/"This Love (C. "Tricky" Stewart Remix)" | Maroon 5 | Producer | |
| I Am... Sasha Fierce/"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and "Smash into You" | Beyoncé | Composer, producer | |
| The Quilt/"Cookie Jar" | Gym Class Heroes | Producer | |
| "Hurt That Body" | Donnie Klang | Composer, producer | |
| Here I Stand/"This Ain't Sex" | Usher | ||
| Here I Stand/"Moving Mountains" | |||
| E=MC² | Mariah Carey | ||
| E=MC² | |||
| E=MC²(deluxe edition) | |||
| E=MC²/"Touch My Body" | |||
| Departure | Jesse McCartney | ||
| Departure/"Leavin'" | |||
| Discipline | Janet Jackson | Producer | |
| Discipline "Greatest X" | Producer, composer | ||
| Discipline (CD/DVD Japan deluxe edition) | Producer | ||
| Discipline (CD/DVD) | |||
| Back of My Lac' (CD/DVD) | J. Holiday | Producer, composer | |
| 2007 | Love Hate | The-Dream | Composer, producer, director |
| Love Hate (clean) | |||
| Love Hate/"Falsetto" | Composer, producer | ||
| Love Hate/"I Luv Your Girl" | |||
| Good Girl Gone Bad | Rihanna | Composer, producer, keyboards, drum programming | |
| Good Girl Gone Bad (bonus CD) | |||
| Good Girl Gone Bad/"Umbrella" | Composer, producer | ||
| Ananda (CD/DVD) | Paulina Rubio | Producer | |
| Ananda (standard) | |||
| Growing Pains | Mary J. Blige | Composer, producer, keyboards, drum programming, mix supervision | |
| Growing Pains/"Just Fine" | Composer, producer | ||
| Back of My Lac' (CD/DVD Clean) | J. Holiday | Producer | |
| Back of My Lac' (clean) | |||
| Back of My Lac'/"Bed" | Composer, producer | ||
| Back of My Lac'/"Suffocate" | |||
| Taking Chances/"Skies of L.A." | Celine Dion | Producer, keyboards, drum programming | |
| Taking Chances (CD/DVD) | |||
| 2006 | Alter Ego/"Light's On" | Tyrese | Producer |
| The Best of Sisqo 20th Century Masters Millennium Collection | Sisqo | ||
| Ananda (Target bonus track) | Paulina Rubio | ||
| Ananda (Walmart bonus track) | |||
| Director | Avant | ||
| Director(Circuit City Exclusive) | |||
| 2005 | Back for More | Shawn Desman | Arranger, programming, instrumentation |
| Back for More (bonus CD) | |||
| Girlfight (Australia) | Brooke Valentine | Producer | |
| In The Zone (DualDisc) | Britney Spears | Programming, instrumentation | |
| Queen of Hip-Pop/"I Love You" | Namie Amuro | Composer, producer, multi-instrumentation | |
| 2004 | Been Around The World, Pt. 1 | Zena | Producer |
| This Is My Time (Life Is Beautiful / What's Real?) | Raven-Symoné | ||
| Greatest Hits: My Prerogative | Britney Spears | Arranger, programming, multi-instrumentation | |
| Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (import bonus CD) | |||
| Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (U.S. bonus CD) | |||
| In The Zone (DVD audio/bonus videos) | Arranger, programming, vocals (background), instrumentation | ||
| In The Zone (import bonus track) | |||
| Bittersweet (Australia bonus tracks) | Blu Cantrell | Producer, executive producer, drum programming | |
| B2K Greatest Hits | B2K | Producer, composer | |
| Chapter III | Allure | Producer, programming, instrumentation | |
| 2003 | Moodring | Mýa | Producer |
| Moodring (UK bonus tracks) | |||
| Moodring/"Sophisticated Lady" & "No Sleep Tonight" | |||
| In the Zone | Britney Spears | Arranger, programming, vocals (background), multi-instruments | |
| In the Zone (Australia Bonus Tracks) | Producer, arranger, programming, vocals (background), multi-instruments | ||
| Me Against the Music | Composer, producer, arranger, programming, instrumentation | ||
| Me Against the Music (remixes) | Composer, arranger, programming, instrumentation | ||
| Me Against the Music (Australia CD) | |||
| Me Against the Music, Pt. 2 | Composer, producer, arranger, programming, instrumentation | ||
| Bittersweet (w/Explicit Bonus CD) | Blu Cantrell | Executive producer, drum programming, mixing, instrumentation | |
| Bittersweet/Breathe (CD5) | Executive producer | ||
| 2002 | Funky Divas: The Autumn Collection | Various artists | Producer |
| The New Guy (soundtrack) | |||
| Pure R&B, Vol 3 | |||
| Bad Company (original soundtrack) | |||
| B2K | B2K | ||
| 2001 | Down To Earth, Music From the Motion Picture | Various artists | Producer, programmer, sequencing |
| Smash Hits Summer 2001 | Producer | ||
| Soul Power | |||
| Prophet Jones | Prophet Jones | Producer, programming, keyboards | |
| Fear of Flying | Mýa | ||
| Fear of Flying (bonus tracks) | |||
| Fear of Flying/"Case of the Ex" | Producer | ||
| Bridging the Gap | Charlie Wilson | Producer, keyboards | |
| So Blu | Blu Cantrell | Executive producer, producer | |
| 2000 | Take Back (C."Tricky" Stewart remix) | Koda Kumi | Remixer |
| Tamar | Tamar Braxton | Executive producer, producer, writer | |
| 1999 | BET: Best of Rap City | Various artists | Producer |
| BET: Best of Rap City (clean) | |||
| Skin Deep | Solé | Producer, executive producer | |
| Skin Deep (clean) | |||
| Rise to Power | Kane and Abel | Programming, multi-instruments, sequencing | |
| Pimpin' On Wax | J.T. Money | Producer, engineer, programming, vocals, performer | |
| Pimpin' On Wax/"Who dat" feat. Solé | Producer, composer | ||
| Daydreamin' | Before Dark | Sequencing, keyboards | |
| 1998 | Player's Club (soundtrack) | Various artists | Producer |
| Player's Club (soundtrack, Clean) | |||
| Tyrese | Tyrese | Producer, engineer | |
| Tyrese (clean) | Programming, sequencing | ||
| Don't Get It Twisted | Fressha | Producer, engineer, remixing | |
| 1996 | Mista | Mista | Producer |
| Now and Forever | Color Me Badd | Keyboards | |
| 1994 | Straight to the Point | Damion Hall | Producer, vocal arrangement, programming, sequencing |
| Treat U Right | Blackgirl | Producer, vocal arrangement, arranger, sequencing | |
| 1993 | NBA Jam Session | Various artists | Programming, remixing, sequencing |
| Remixes in the Key of B | Bobby Brown | Multi-instruments, remixing | |
| The Truth | Aaron Hall | Sequencing | |
| 1992 | Our Worst Behavior | Immature | Drums |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Album/artist/song | Award/nomination |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | I Am... Sasha Fierce/Beyonce | Grammy Nominee "Album of the Year" |
| 2010 | I Am... Sasha Fierce/Beyonce | Grammy Winner "Best Contemporary R&B Album" |
| 2010 | I Am... Sasha Fierce/Beyonce/"Single Ladies" | Grammy Winner "Song of the Year" |
| 2010 | I Am... Sasha Fierce/Beyonce/"Single Ladies" | Grammy Winner "Best R&B Song" |
| 2009 | Growing Pains/Mary J. Blige | Grammy Winner "Best Cont R&B Album" |
| 2007 | Good Girl Gone Bad/Rihanna feat. Jay Z/"Umbrella" | ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award "Among the Chart Topping R&B/Hip Hop Songs of 2007" |
| 2007 | Good Girl Gone Bad/Rihanna feat. Jay Z/"Umbrella" | NMPA double platinum "note"[13] |
| 2007 | Good Girl Gone Bad/Rihanna feat. Jay Z/"Umbrella" | Grammy Nomination "Song of the Year" |
| 2007 | Good Girl Gone Bad/Rihanna feat. Jay Z/"Umbrella" | Grammy Nomination "Record of the Year" |
| 2007 | Good Girl Gone Bad/Rihanna feat. Jay Z/"Umbrella" | Grammy "Best Rap/Song Collaboration" |
| 2007 | Growing Pains/Mary J. Blige/"Just Fine" | Grammy Nomination "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" |
| 2007 | Good Girl Gone Bad/Rihanna/"Umbrella" | NMPA double platinum |
| 2007 | Good Girl Gone Bad/Rihanna/"Umbrella" | ASCAP Pop Award "One of the Most Played Songs of 2007" |
References
- 1 2 Mitchell, Gail (August 2, 2012). "40 Under 40: Christopher "Tricky" Stewart". Billboard. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ↑ "UOMO Media Signs International Management Deal with Grammy Nominated Tricky Stewart & Redzone Entertainment". Business Wire. February 5, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ↑ MSN Music, MSN.com "Tricky Stewart Discography"
- ↑ "Tricky Stewart". Peermusic. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ↑ Dale Kawashima, Songwriteruniverse.com, "C. Tricky Stewart Co-Writes "Case of the Ex" for Mya, Plus Other Top R&B Hip=Hop Hits"
- ↑ Dale Kawashima, SongwriterUniverse.com, "C. Tricky Stewart Co-Writes "Case of the Ex" for Mya, Plus Other Top R&B/Hip Hop Hits"
- ↑ Moss, Corey (October 15, 2003). "Getting Aggressive With Britney Pays Off For RedZone". MTV News. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
- ↑ "'O Brother' Still Finds Itself On Top". Billboard. March 21, 2002. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Exclusive: Ciara Readies New Album". Rap-Up.com. September 28, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ↑ Tricky Stewart Switches Gears with New Katy Perry Album. Rap-Up (December 2010).
- ↑ http://www.moon-palace.de/tricky/news.html
- ↑ "Singer ThiDaniel Teams with Super Producer Tricky Stewart for Feel-Good Track 'Purple': Premiere". Billboard. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ↑ peermusic.com,"Tricky Receives Double Platinum Song Award"