Kool Kojak Explained

Kool Kojak
Background:non_performing_personnel
Birth Name:Allan Peter Grigg
Birth Date:July 31, 1972
Birth Place:Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Origin:Cubatão, São Paulo, Brazil
Genre:Latin, hip hop, samba, reggae fusion, funk, bossa nova, electro, zouk, charanga, rock
Label:TRIZM, KojakTrax, IYF Productions
Occupation:Musician, songwriter, record producer, composer, artist
Associated Acts:Urban Legend, Peter Svensson, Max Martin

Allan Peter Grigg,[1] better known by his stage name Kool Kojak and stylized as "KoOoLkOjAk", is an American musician, songwriter, record producer, composer, and artist notable for music in Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse,[2] co-writing and co-producing Flo Rida's #1 Billboard[3] hit single "Right Round", Doja Cat's hit single "Cyber Sex", Nicki Minaj's hit single "Va Va Voom", The Boss Baby Theme, and Ke$ha's top 10 single "Blow".[4] Kool Kojak has written and produced for artists such as Sean Paul, Yelle, DMX, Waka Flocka Flame, Onyx, Travis Barker, Kim Petras, Ed Helms, Britney Spears, Jesse and Joy, Andy Milonakis, Icona Pop, Matisyahu, comedian Chelsea Peretti, N.A.S.A.,[5] Dirt Nasty,[6] Lordz of Brooklyn, Ursula 1000,[7] Phil Greiss and Warren G. Kool Kojak has created original music for many major motion pictures. He was a featured producer on the Simon Cowell TV program X Factor and has appeared as himself on the Nickelodeon show Victorious. He has won two ASCAP Pop Awards and one ASCAP Urban Award, a WormTown Sound Award, and has been awarded the Key to the City of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Early life and music career

Kool Kojak was born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he created the 1980's underground cassette legends IYF Productions. After studying under Archie Shepp at The University of Massachusetts, Kojak began professionally creating music in 1995, DJing, playing in bands, and producing hip-hop records in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Harlem. His first commercial success was as composer and producer of the Brazilian multi platinum selling #1 Supla album O Charada Brasileiro.[8] This album sold 16 million copies on the Brazilian bootleg street market.

Kojak served as musical director and performer for the live Supla show, which took the stage at Rock in Rio 3, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2001.

Select production discography

YearArtistSongAlbumRole
1989In Your Face ProductionsMusic From The Plaid GnuRapper/Producer/Engineer
1996Average White Boys"Billy Dee Williams Butter Sculpture"Knuckle SandwichCo-Writer/Producer
1997Rump Rangers featuring Heather Hunter and Kool Keith"Toot Toot Beep Beep"Remixer
1998Binger The Voyager"Sweet Taste of Nothing"Co-Producer
1998Supla Zoo"Bossa Furiosa"AlbumCo-Producer/ Composer / Rapper
1999Ursula 1000"Arrastao"Co-Writer/Producer with Ursula 1000 and Dr. Luke
2000Supla"O Charada Brasileiro"
  1. 1 Album
Co-Writer/Producer
2002Holly Tree"Greatest Shits"albumCo-Producer
2002Average White Boys"Knuckle Sandwich"albumProducer
2004Average White Boys"Keg Pahty"House Of Booze Co-Writer/Producer2007George of the Jungle (TV show)Theme songProducer and performed with J-Radical
2005Being Bobby Brown (TV show)Music producer
2009Ursula 1000"Zombies"MysticsCo-Writer/Rapper
2010Miranda Cosgrove"There Will Be Tears"Sparks FlyCo-Writer/Co-Producer with Ammo
2010Miranda Cosgrove"Kissin' U"Sparks FlyCo-Producer with Ammo
2007Urban LegendTranquilidad CubanaCo-Writer/Producer
Three 6 Mafia featuring Tech N9ne"Shots"Laws of PowerBacking Vocals
2009Shwayze"Maneatrr"Let It BeatCo-writer/Producer
2011Hitomi featuring Rivers Cuomo"Rollin Wit Da Homies"SpiritProducer/Co-writer
2011Dirt Nasty featuring Too Short and Warren G"Milk, Milk, Lemonade"Nasty as I Wanna BeWriter/Producer (leaked)
2012Victoria Justice and Ariana Grande"L.A.Boyz"Victorious 3.0Co-Writer/Co-Producer
2012Victoria Justice"Faster Than Boys"Victorious 3.0Co-Writer/Producer
2012Leon Thomas III"365 Days"Victorious 3.0 (Deluxe version)Co-writer/Producer
2012Leon Thomas III"Countdown"Victorious 2.0Co-writer/Producer
2011Victoria Justice"Best Friend's BrotherCo-Writer/Producer
2010Nneka (singer)"Heartbeat (KooLkOjAk remix)"SingleRemixer
2011Kumi Koda"4 Times"SingleProducer
2009Andy Milonakis"Let Me Twitter Dat"SingleCo-writer/Producer
2011Dirt Nasty featuring Too $hort, Warren G, Andy Milonakis and Benji Hughes"As Nasty As I Wanna Be"Nasty as I Wanna BeCo-Writer/Producer
2011Dirt Nasty featuring Kesha"Boombox"Nasty as I Wanna BeCo-Writer/Producer
2009 "Gifted"The Spirit of ApolloCo-writer/Co-Producer
2009N.A.S.A. featuring Kool Kojak"O Pato"The Spirit of ApolloCo-writer/Performer
2010Matisyahu"Miracle"SingleCo-Writer/Producer
2011Travis Barker"Can A Drumma Get Some KoOoLkOjAk SuRfPuNk mEgAmIx"SingleRemixer
2011Travis Barker featuring Bun B and Tech N9ne"Raw Shit"Give the Drummer SomeCo-Writer/Co-Producer with Travis Barker
2011Travis Barker featuring Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, E-40 and Dev"Knockin'"Give the Drummer SomeCo-Writer/Co-Producer with Travis Barker
2009Flo Rida"Right Round"R.O.O.T.S.Co-Writer/Co-Producer with Dr. Luke
2010Kesha"Blow"CannibalCo-Writer/Co-Producer with Dr. Luke and Max Martin
2010Lights Over Paris"Fallin'"SingleCo-Writer/Producer with J Kash & Robb Mahweenie
Roberto Carlos"Jesus Cristo (Zegon Kojeazy Official Remix)"SingleProducer with DJ Zegon of N.A.S.A.
2012Ariana Grande"Voodoo Love"SingleCo-writer/Producer
David ChoeDirty Hands (DVD)Producer Kojak Beatz
2012ShyneGangland MixtapeProducer
2012Michel Telo featuring Becky G"Ai Se Eu Te Pego"Single – UK RemixProducer
2012Matisyahu"Sunshine""Crossroads" featuring J Ralph and Adrien Brody

"Searchin"

"Buffalo Soldier" featuring Shyne

"Breathe Easily"

"I Believe In Love"

"Fire Of Freedom"

"Desert Eagle"

"Bal Chemptov"

"King Crown Of Judah" featuring Shyne

"Shine On You"

Spark Seeker LPProducer/Co-writer
2012Owl City"Take It All Away"The Midsummer StationCo-Writer/Co-Producer
2012Chelsea Peretti"Coffee Crankin Thru My Sys"SingleProducer
2012Ed Helms"How Bad Can I Be"Dr. Seuss' The Lorax: Original Songs from the Motion PictureCo-Writer/Co-Producer with John Powell
2012Kesha"Gold Trans Am"Warrior (Deluxe version)Co-Writer/Producer
2012Kesha"Wonderland"WarriorCo-Writer/Producer
Jean-Michel Basquiat"SAMO" (film) featuring Fab Five Freddy, Money Mark, N.A.S.A. & Kool Kojak –Co-Writer/Co-Producer for MOMA Films
2012One Direction"Rock Me"Take Me HomeCo-Writer/Co-Producer with Peter Svensson and Sam Hollander
2012Nicki Minaj"Va Va Voom"Co-Writer/Co-Producer with Dr. Luke, Cirkut and Max Martin
2012Matisyahu"Happy Hanukkah"SingleCo-Writer/Producer
2013Emblem3"Chloe (You're the One I Want)"Nothing to LoseCo-Writer/Co-Producer with Peter Svensson
2013 (TV Show)Music producer
2013Icona Pop"On A Roll"This Is... Icona PopCo-producer with Shellback
2013Scott & Rivers"はじける"Scott & RiversCo-writer with Rivers Cuomo / Producer
2013Los Barkers (featuring Lando, Bama and Travis Barker)"We Like Vegetables"Songs for a Healthier AmericaCo-Writer/Producer
2013Matisyahu, Ariana Grande, Travis Barker, Kool Kojak and Salad Bar"U R What U Eat"Songs for a Healthier AmericaCo-Writer/Producer
TropKillaz featuring Kool Kojak and Lloyd Pop"Klap Ur A$$"Writer/Producer
2013Kool Kojak"B-Boyin' Freak Freakin'"Battle of the Year Official SoundtrackWriter/Producer
2013Britney Spears"Hold on Tight"Britney Jean (deluxe version)Co-Producer with A.C.
2014Brooke Candy"Bed Squeak"Opulence EPCo-Writer with Brooke Candy & Jesse Saint John / Co-Producer with A.C
2014Aries Onasis"7even"albumComposer / Producer
2014Matt Hunter"Minha Mina Ta Loca"SingleCo-Writer with AJ Junior & Bilal Hajji
2014Yelle"Florence en Italie"Complètement FouCo-Writer with Yelle Dr. Luke & Cirkut
2014Jesse & Joy"Live Life"The Book of Life SoundtrackCo-Writer with Jesse Joy and Nate Campany
2014Sophia Black"Vibration"SingleCo-Writer / Producer with Aaron Joseph and Sophia Black
2014Chelsea Peretti"One of the Greats"Netflix Comedy SpecialComposer
2015The Wedding Ringer"Party & Bullshit featuring Affion Crockett"The Wedding Ringer SoundtrackProducer / Mixer
2015N.A.S.A."Hands Up Don't Shoot!"featuring Sean Paul & Lizzo"SingleProducer / Mixer
2015Yelle"ThE KoOoL kOjAk A.D.D. Ba$$iN MeGaMiX"French Radio Hot Track SingleRemixer
2015Waka Flocka Flame featuring Good Charlotte"Game On"Pixels MovieComposer/Producer/Mixer with RAS
2015TimeFlies"Burn It Down"SingleComposer/Producer with TimeFlies
2015N.A.S.A."Iko"SingleComposer/Synths
2015N.A.S.A. featuring KRS-One"Jihad Love Squad" SingleComposer/Synthesizer Master
2015N.A.S.A. featuring DMX and Priyanka Chopra"Meltdown" SingleComposer/Synthesizer Master/DMX Rap Coach
2015Sean Paul"Bust It"Single / Soundtrack "The Perfect Guy"Composer / Producer
2016Diego Boneta"UR Love"Single Composer / Producer
2016KoOoLkOjAk"!Holla Deck StackEmUp!"Original Film Score "Passengers"Composer / Producer / Artiste
2017Allie X"Casanova"Composer
2017Boss Baby TV Program"Boss Baby I'm The Boss Boss Baby Boss Boss"TV show Theme Song Composer / Producer / Rapper
2017Onyx"Problem Child"as featured on Silicon ValleyComposer / Producer
2017Kim Petras"Slow It Down"singleComposer / Producer
2017Randy Liedtke"Off & On" Podcast Themetheme songComposer / Producer
2018Randy Liedtke "Now U R Hi"Soundtrack singleComposer / Producer
2018Jahsh Banks"Nite Life"singleComposer / Producer
2018Tropkillaz feat Aloe Blacc"Milk N Honey"singleComposer / Producer
2018Sophia Black featuring Kyle (musician)"Real Shit"singleComposer / Producer with Shea Taylor
2018The Fever "Hunting Season" featuring Travis BarkersingleComposer
2018Eric Nam "FLOAT" original song for Hotel Transylvania 3Composer / Producer
2018Mely Mel feat. Mozart La Para"No One" singleComposer / Producer
2018Teen Titans "GO! Battle Remix" singleComposer / Producer
2018Weezer"Can't Knock The Hustle" singleAdditional Production / Mariachi stuff
2018Kool Kojak feat. Destani Wolf "Can I B Ur Air" original song for Goosebumps 2Composer / Producer / Mixer
2018"Spidey BugOut MegaMix " MegaMiX for Miles and Uncle Aaron bombin graffiti in tha subway tunnels"Producer / MegaMixer
2018"Spidey Bells " Original Song for Producer
2018"Joy To The Spidey " Holiday AlbumProducer
2019"Gotham City Guys " Original Song for Lego Movie 2Producer
2019"Not Evil" Original Song for Lego Movie 2Producer
2019Doja Cat"Cyber Sex" SingleProducer w/ tizhimself
2019Call Chelsea Peretti"CESSPOD" PodcastSuper Producer
2019Emily Alyn Lind"Castles" SingleProducer w/tizhimself
2020Jahsh Banks"Drunk Anthem" Single Producer w/ tizhimself
2020Chelsea Peretti"OatMilk" feat. Reggie WattsSingleProducer w/ Ruffsound
2020Chelsea Peretti"Late" SingleComposer / Producer / Performer
2020Chelsea Peretti"Chore" feat. ChikaSingleComposer / Producer / Performer
2020Chelsea Peretti"Soundproof Bathroom" SingleComposer / Producer / Performer
2020Chelsea Peretti"Dad" featuring Will Schwartz SingleComposer / Producer / Performer
2020Chelsea Peretti"BDR" featuring Kathleen HannaSingleComposer / Producer with Money Mark
2020Chelsea Peretti"Green Tea" featuring WaleSingleComposer / Producer
2020Chelsea Peretti"Expresso" featuring Nick Kroll + Kid MeroSingleComposer / Producer with Billboard
2020Allan Kingdom"Blessed" SingleProducer with tizhimself
2020Kim Petras"Malibu"Singleco-Composer / co-Producer
2020Bright & Guilty"Soft Age featuring Tim Lefev"KoOoLkOjAK remixremixer
2020Zpextre"Laidback Air"singleproducer with Brian Bender and Zpextre
2020Zpextre"Electrify"singleproducer with Zpextre
2020Zpextre"Souvenir"singleproducer with Zpextre
2020Jesse & Joy"Love (Es Nuestra Idioma) "SingleComposer with Julie Frost, Jesse y Joy
2020Jesse & Joy"Fuego"SingleComposer with Marty James, Jesse y Joy
2020Emily Alyn Lind"Spotless Mind" SingleProducer
2020Porsh Bet$"Apple Eyes"Singleproducer,composer
2020Porsh Bet$"Handle" SingleProducer with SoundBySol
2020Poolfire"Radio Man" Single
-2022Sean Paul featuring Gwen Stefani and Shenseea"Light My Fire" SingleProducer Composer with AC

Art

Kool Kojak is also a graffiti artist and sculptor in the US and Brazil. His body of art includes an album cover for Ultramagnetic MCs and New York City murals he painted for 1990's Free Tibet Campaign. In Brazil early 2000's, Kool Kojak provided hiphop and graffiti symposiums for city run youth programs in the Favelas of São Paulo. He has painted murals with Brazilian artists, such as Os Gêmeos, Vitche, and Juneca. In 2013, Kool Kojak auctioned off a graffiti sculpture to benefit the Pete Carroll charity A Better L.A. Kool Kojak's artwork adorns the front doors of The Worcester Historical Museum, in Worcester, Massachusetts. His work is part of the permanent collection of the museum. In 2014, he collaborated with David Choe on a dress. Collectors of KoOoL kOjAk artwork include The Disney Corporation, Sony Pictures, The Worcester Historical Museum, Carly Rae Jepsen, Julia Michaels, Claude Kelly, Martin Johnson, Peter Svensson and Ammo Pro.

Filmography

Film
YearFilmRoleNotes
2005Being Bobby BrownScore Composer"The Infamous Chicken Beat" & many others
2009The HangoverComposer - End Credits"Right Round"
2009The Ugly TruthComposer"Right Round"
2009Couples RetreatComposer"Right Round"
2012The LoraxComposer / Vocalist"How Bad Can I Be"
201221 Jump StreetComposer / Vocalist"Boombox"
2012Pitch PerfectComposer"Yo Mama"
2013Battle Of The Year 3DComposer"B Boyin Freak Freakin"
2013One Direction : This Is UsComposer"Rock Me"
2013VictoriousComposer / Producer / Actor"The Bad Roommate" "Best Friend's Brother" "L.A. Boys"
2013Walking With DinosaursComposer "Live Like A Warrior"
2014The Book Of LifeComposer/Producer - End Credits"Live Life"
2015The Wedding RingerProducer and Additional Programmer"Party & Bullshit"
2015PixelsComposer/Producer/Mixer"Game On"
2015The Perfect GuyComposer/Producer/Mixer"Bust It" Sean Paul
2015We Are BloodSoundtrack"Meltdown" featuring DMX and Priyanka Chopra
2016PassengersOriginal song for film"!Holla Deck StackEmUp!"
2017Boss Baby (TV program) Theme Song"Boss Baby I'm The Boss Boss Baby Boss Boss"
2017Silicon ValleyComposer / Producer with Onyx"Problem Child"
2018Randy Wants To Try MarijuanaFunny Or Die Documentary "Now U R Hi"
2018Hotel Transylvania 3Composer / Producer / Engineer / Mixer "Float"
2018Teen Titans GO! To The MoviesComposer / Producer "GO! Battle Remix"
2018GooseBumps 2 Composer / Producer "Can I B Ur Air" feat. Destani Wolf
2018Composer / Producer "SpideyBellz"
2018 Producer / Megamixer"Miles and Uncle Aaron Bomb Graffiti"
2019 Producer"Gotham City Guys"
2019 Producer "Not Evil"
[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ultratop.be – Allan Grigg. Ultratop. Hung Medien. 2011-01-03.
  2. Web site: How Producer Kool Kojak Used Iris 2 in 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' . Izotope . 8 January 2020.
  3. Web site: The Hot 100 Chart. Billboard.com. January 17, 2021.
  4. http://mp3.rhapsody.com/flo-rida/roots--misc-edited Flo Rida "Right Round" credits on Rhapsody
  5. Web site: N.A.S.A. (4) - The Spirit Of Apollo. Discogs.com. January 17, 2021.
  6. Web site: Kojak and Andy Milonakis ‘Let Me Twitter Dat’ video . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/jefKFLmrxfY . 2021-12-21 . live. YouTube. January 17, 2021.
  7. Web site: Ursula 1000 credits. https://web.archive.org/web/20090804090856/http://www.eslmusic.com/artist/ursula_1000. dead. August 4, 2009. January 17, 2021.
  8. Web site: Cliquemusic : Disco : O CHARADA BRASILEIRO. https://web.archive.org/web/20050523033746/http://www.cliquemusic.com.br/artistas/artistas.asp?Status=DISCO&Nu_Disco=10067. dead. May 23, 2005. Cliquemusic.com.br. January 17, 2021.
  9. Web site: Movie Reviews. January 15, 2021. January 17, 2021. NYTimes.com.