Brian Kennedy (record producer) explained

Brian Kennedy Seals
Alias:Brian Kennedy, BK
Birth Date:1983 8, mf=yes
Birth Place:Kansas City, Missouri, United States
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Brian Kennedy Seals is an American songwriter, producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for co-writing and producing pop hit singles "Disturbia", "Forever", "Don't Wake Me Up", and "Mr. Know It All", as well as hit R&B singles "If This Isn't Love", "What It Is (Block Boy)", and "No Time for It".[1] [2]

Career

Music industry beginnings

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Seals was a classically trained piano prodigy, and became an accomplished pianist by the age of 8, writing his own songs and performing in the Kansas City Boys' Choir. He would create jazz, contemporary, and Christmas albums from his compositions.[3] Seals relocated to Los Angeles in 2004 at the age of 20, beginning as a session player for Diane Warren, the Underdogs, and Babyface.[3] He would eventually catch his big break in 2006, when he produced and co-wrote “My Love” on Ciara’s sophomore album, , securing a publishing deal.[4]

Further songwriting success

His placement on Ciara's album was soon followed by chart-topping single "Disturbia" for the repackage of Rihanna's 2007 album Good Girl Gone Bad, and chart-topper "Forever" for Chris Brown's repackage of 2007 album Exclusive.[4] [5] Seals would continue to work with both Brown and Fenty, resulting in numerous future album placements on their projects, co-written demos for inclusion on the projects of other artists, as well as co-written songs worked on in collaboration with other artists (such as Joe Jonas' "See No More").[6] Seals participated in initial sessions for Usher's 2008 album Here I Stand, and a contribution of his ("Angel") was even tipped in various publications to be the emotional centerpiece of the project by participating writers, but the album changed direction and his contributions did not make the final cut.[7] Seals would then begin work on R&B singer Brandy Norwood's comeback album Human as executive producer, but would be later replaced by notable Norwood collaborator Rodney Jerkins after their long-awaited creative reunion.[8] [9] Seals would still contribute two songs to the album, and built a lasting writing relationship with then-unknown New Orleans songwriter Christopher "Frank Ocean" Breaux, who together co-wrote bonus track "Locket (Lost In Love)". Breaux and Seals would collaborate frequently for the next several years alongside several other producers, creating a pre-debut album, unofficial compilation/mixtape for Breaux titled The Lonny Breaux Collection, composed of completed songs, rough demos, and songs written for other artists. In 2009, Seals contributed five songs to Disney star Corbin Bleu's second album Speed of Light.[10] [11] Seals would further solidify his place in the music industry with "If This Isn't Love" for Jennifer Hudson's eponymous debut album, "It's Over" and additional album tracks for Jesse McCartney album Departure, "This Time" for American Idol contestant Pia Toscano, as well as top-ten lead single "Mr. Know It All" for Kelly Clarkson's 2011 album Stronger.[12] [13] [14] [15] These initial contributions would earn Seals his first three Grammy awards (Winner's certificates for production participation on Grammy-winning albums) and first three ASCAP Awards.[16] [4] [17]

2012-2020: Additional Grammy success, "Don't Wake Me Up", and "No Time for It"

In 2012, Seals would reunite with Brown and contribute "Don't Wake Me Up" to his fifth album Fortune.[18] Co-produced by William Orbit and originally pitched to pop artist Madonna (who was unable to record the song in time), the song would reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and chart internationally.[19] A copyright infringement suit for the song against Brown, Orbit, Kennedy, and Sony Music Entertainment by UK songwriter Nayeri Gregor aka Nayri (who created a song of the same name in 2009 and pitched it to several parties involved) was settled in 2016.[20] Seals' contribution to Fenty album Unapologetic earned him further Grammy recognition during the 2014 awards season from the R&B wing of the Recording Academy. In 2016, Seals would co-write and produce lead single "No Time for It" to Fantasia's fifth album The Definition Of..., with her declaring in a Vogue interview that the song "set the atmosphere" amidst a period of upheaval in which she had recently scrapped a more jazz-flavored album concept for something that better mixed "contemporary" and "soul".[21] Described as a label-chosen song in which "the wormy synth melody and bass line might appear on a crossover rap hit made by a popular and radio-friendly producer like DJ Mustard", the song would later reach the top 10 of the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart.[21] In 2017, Seals was spotted in a recording studio with Lady Gaga alongside fellow songwriter Dallas Davidson to work on songs for potential inclusion on a follow-up project to 2016 album Joanne, but the songs never came to fruition.[22] [23]

2021-present

Seals recently sold a portion of his catalog to music management and IP firm Hipgnosis Songs Fund for an undisclosed sum, with subsidiary Hipgnosis Songs Capital assuming ownership of the catalog in a 2023 purchase deal.[24]

Personal life

In 2017, at the age of 33 following a urinalysis test to determine the origin of high blood pressure, doctors discovered that Seals was experiencing kidney problems. A biopsy showed he had FSGS, or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a relatively common form of kidney disease which decreases the kidney's ability to properly filter blood as the filters are damaged/scarred.[25] Coupled with an improved diet and blood pressure-lowering medications, Seals subsequently received a kidney transplant from his brother Kevin, who had moved to Los Angeles to be his manager. Seals continues to be an advocate for frequent blood-pressure check-ups and early avoidance of hypertension in the African-American community.[25]

Selected songwriting and production credits

TitleYearArtistAlbum
"My Love"2006Ciara
"How We Do It"Mario VazquezMario Vazquez
"Fallen Angel"2007Chris BrownExclusive
"Disturbia"2008Rihanna
"Forever"Chris BrownExclusive: The Forever Edition
"Obsessed"BoABoA
"Lie" (featuring St. Lunatics)NellyBrass Knuckles
"Fall"BrandyHuman
"Locket (Locked in Love)"
"I Fell"Noel GourdinAfter My Time
"It's Over"Jesse McCartneyDeparture
"Runnin'"
"If This Isn't Love"Jennifer HudsonJennifer Hudson
"My Heart"
"Lights, Camera, Action" New Kids on the BlockThe Block
"Fire Bomb"2009RihannaRated R
"The Last Song"
"Crash & Burn"Jesse McCartneyDeparture: Recharged Edition
"Speed of Light"Corbin BleuSpeed of Light
"Paralyzed"
"Fear of Flying"
"Rock 2 It"
"My Everything"
"They Don't Know"Alexandra BurkeOvercome
"Control"BoABoA: Deluxe
"I'll Go"Chris BrownGraffiti
"Pass Out" (featuring Eva Simons)
"Avalanche"Marié DigbyBreathing Underwater
"Overboard" (featuring Livvi Franc)
"Daydreaming"Kid SisterUltraviolet
"Masquerade"Backstreet BoysThis Is Us
"The Difference"WestlifeWhere We Are
"Easy" (With Natasha Bedingfield)2010Rascal FlattsNothing Like This
"Nobody's Singin' to Me"Jake ZyrusCharice
"See No More"2011Joe JonasFastlife
"Should've Kissed You"Chris BrownF.A.M.E.
"All About You"
"Get Out My Head"Keke PalmerAwaken
"All Over Again"Big Time RushElevate
"Mr. Know It All"Kelly ClarksonStronger
"Get It Over With"2012RihannaUnapologetic
"Meet Ya"Rita OraOra
"Holla At The DJ"Coco JonesMade Of
"Don't Wake Me Up"Chris BrownFortune
"Party Hard / Cadillac (Interlude" (featuring Sevyn Streeter)
"Stuck on Stupid"
"Guns and Roses"2013Jay SeanNeon
"Business"2014Teyana TaylorVII
"Partners In Crime Part Three"2015The InternetEgo Death
"Smells Like Fire"CeeLo GreenHeart Blanche
"Close To You"2016RihannaAnti
"No Time for It"FantasiaThe Definition Of...
"Ivy"2017MabelIvy to Roses
"Gravity"2018DaughtryCage to Rattle
"Smile On My Face"ExoDon't Mess Up My Tempo
"Party Of One"2020Jessica SimpsonOpen Book: A Memoir
"Here We Go... Again" (featuring Tyler the Creator)2022The WeekndDawn FM
"What It Is (Block Boy)" (solo or featuring Kodak Black)2023Doechii

Notes

A. "Lights, Camera, Action" also appears as a bonus track on the 2008 Pussycat Dolls reissue album Doll Domination: International Edition.

Demos

The following is a list of well-known demos and outtakes produced by Seals that have been discussed in various publications, shopped around to various artists, or have surfaced on blogs, mixtapes, and various music streaming channels: Brandy

Britney Spears

Chris Brown

Frank Ocean

Jordin Sparks

Kelly Rowland

The Backstreet Boys

The Pussycat Dolls

Trey Songz

Usher

Awards and nominations

YearCeremonyAwardResultRef
200951st Annual Grammy AwardsGrammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording ("Disturbia")[26]
Grammy Award for Best R&B Album (Jennifer Hudson)
ASCAP Pop AwardsMost Performed Songs ("Forever")[27]
Most Performed Songs ("Disturbia")
ASCAP Rhythm & Soul AwardsMost Performed Songs ("If This Isn't Love")
201254th Annual Grammy AwardsGrammy Award for Best R&B Album (F.A.M.E.)
201355th Annual Grammy AwardsGrammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album (Stronger)
Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album (Fortune)
ASCAP Pop AwardsMost Performed Songs ("Don't Wake Me Up")[28]
201456th Annual Grammy AwardsGrammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album (Unapologetic)
201658th Annual Grammy AwardsGrammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album (Ego Death)
201759th Annual Grammy AwardsGrammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album (Anti)
2024ASCAP Pop AwardsMost Performed Songs ("What It Is (Block Boy)")[29]

Notes

A. Winning producers in this category with less than a 50% album contribution are awarded with a Winner's Certificate.

B. Winning producers in this category with less than a 50% album contribution are awarded with a Winner's Certificate.

C. Winning producers in this category with less than a 50% album contribution are awarded with a Winner's Certificate.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ASCAP Playback: Brian Kennedy. ASCAP.com. September 1, 2008. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130012710/https://www.ascap.com/playback/2008/FALL/ACTION/kennedy. live.
  2. Web site: ASCAP Expo Panelists Announced. ASCAP.com. January 30, 2024. April 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220420013153/https://www.ascap.com/press/2017/02-06-new-expo-panelists-announced. live.
  3. Web site: 10 Producers And Songwriters to Watch: Brian Kennedy. Billboard. April 3, 2010. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Google Books. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130073741/https://books.google.ca/books?id=rOA5W_BoYGIC&pg=RA13-PA21&lpg=RA13-PA21&dq=rihanna+disturbia+brian+kennedy&source=bl&ots=r3F67WlS0c&sig=ACfU3U2XuGByOfDupMe6oIJTh-cZ_ptj8w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIyPPByoSEAxW8vokEHfqLBAg4ggEQ6AF6BAgDEAM#v=onepage&q=rihanna%20disturbia%20brian%20kennedy&f=false#v=onepage&q=rihanna+disturbia+brian+kennedy&f=false. live.
  4. Web site: Profile: Brian Kennedy. Universal Music Publishing Group. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130012625/https://www.umusicpub.com/us/Playlists/Welcome-to-UMPG/Welcome-to-UMPG-2023.aspx?json=1. live.
  5. Web site: The Billboard Reviews: Rihanna "Disturbia". Billboard. July 5, 2008. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Google Books. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130073741/https://books.google.ca/books?id=gRQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50&lpg=PA50&dq=rihanna+disturbia+brian+kennedy&source=bl&ots=SNQL-Ibh98&sig=ACfU3U2e_jD61T9cXlTnloNPwntY3yY8Rg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIyPPByoSEAxW8vokEHfqLBAg4ggEQ6AF6BAgCEAM#v=onepage&q=rihanna%20disturbia%20brian%20kennedy&f=false#v=onepage&q=rihanna+disturbia+brian+kennedy&f=false. live.
  6. News: Daw. Robbie. Watch Joe Jonas And Hear His Single "See No More" In Our Livestream Chat. July 1, 2011. Idolator. June 3, 2011. January 31, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240131195403/https://www.idolator.com/5887382/joe-jonas-see-no-more-livestream-2. live.
  7. Web site: Usher's New Album Deals With Loss, Married Life, and Making Intimate Home Videos. Shaheem. Reid. March 12, 2008. MTV. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130012014/https://www.mtv.com/news/li5tpx/ushers-new-album-deals-with-loss-married-life-and-making-intimate-home-videos. dead.
  8. Web site: Brandy Says She's Older, Wiser, and Ready For A Comeback. MTV. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130012123/https://www.mtv.com/news/1s34l7/brandy-says-shes-older-wiser-and-ready-for-a-comeback-in-music-and-tv. dead.
  9. Brandy: People Are People. Gail. Mitchell. Billboard. December 18, 2008. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130012605/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/brandy-people-are-people-266084/. live.
  10. Web site: The Billboard Reviews: Corbin Bleu "Speed Of Light". Billboard. March 14, 2009. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Google Books. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130012119/https://books.google.ca/books?id=2nSqjFG6npwC&pg=PT36&lpg=PT36&dq=brian+kennedy+producer+demos&source=bl&ots=guHEe1TnKA&sig=ACfU3U0YA8tdHwM9tfyorpJaAfmHup3sKA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwij2uiey4OEAxUqLzQIHQYeDII4MhDoAXoECAUQAw#v=onepage&q=brian%20kennedy%20producer%20demos&f=false#v=onepage&q=brian+kennedy+producer+demos&f=false. live.
  11. Web site: 'High School Musical' Alum Corbin Bleu Grows Up On New LP. MTV. January 30, 2024. September 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220925084215/https://www.mtv.com/news/jsxwgl/high-school-musical-alum-corbin-bleu-grows-up-on-new-lp. dead.
  12. Web site: Pia Toscano Inks with Interscope. HITS Daily Double. January 30, 2024. September 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210923234739/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D290816%26title%3DPia-Toscano-Inks-with-Interscope. live.
  13. Web site: Kelly Clarkson, 'Mr. Know It All'. Alanna. Conaway. June 2, 2012. Taste of Country. January 30, 2024. July 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170719023631/http://tasteofcountry.com/kelly-clarkson-mr-know-it-all-lyrics-uncovered/. live.
  14. Web site: Kelly Clarkson's 'Mr. Know It All' Single: What Do You Think?. Jillian. Mapes. Billboard. August 31, 2011. January 30, 2024. April 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230428115111/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/kelly-clarksons-mr-know-it-all-single-what-do-you-think-467652/. live.
  15. Web site: Jesse McCartney's Bonus Departure. IGN. Music. March 3, 2009. IGN. January 31, 2024. January 31, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240131195509/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/03/03/jesse-mccartneys-bonus-departure. live.
  16. EMI, Sony/ATV Win Big At ASCAP Pop Music Awards. Ed. Christman. . April 22, 2009. January 30, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128022715/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/emi-sonyatv-win-big-at-ascap-pop-music-awards-1271493/. live.
  17. Web site: SONY/ATV AND EMI, MCCARTNEY/TEDDER, HEART ARE BIG ASCAP WINNERS. HITS Daily Double. January 30, 2024. January 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240128032448/https://hitsdailydouble.com/news%26id%3D279986%26title%3DSONY-ATV-AND-EMI-MCCARTNEY-TEDDER-HEART-ARE-BIG-ASCAP-WINNERS. live.
  18. Chris Brown: A Deep Dive into the Superstar's Career. Gail. Mitchell. Billboard. June 22, 2012. January 31, 2024. July 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220702184049/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/chris-brown-a-deep-dive-into-the-superstars-career-1092854/. live.
  19. Web site: Madonna tracks handed to Chris Brown. May 28, 2012. Digital Spy. January 31, 2024. October 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231029214119/https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a383918/madonnas-best-mdna-songs-handed-to-chris-brown-says-william-orbit/. live.
  20. Web site: Singers Chris Brown and The Weeknd Resolve Copyright Disputes. Tatiana. Markel. March 11, 2016. Lexology. January 31, 2024. January 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170107152304/http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=ff3f8318-73d3-4c8c-8609-0653c28b77f6. live.
  21. Web site: Fantasia on Her New Album and Not Being Afraid to Do It Her Way. Elias. Leight. July 22, 2016. Vogue. January 31, 2024. May 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210511100926/https://www.vogue.com/article/fantasia-new-album-the-definition-of. live.
  22. Web site: Lady Gaga returns to recording studio to work on new music. Nick. Levine. January 16, 2017. NME. January 30, 2024. March 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230317040606/https://www.nme.com/news/music/lady-gaga-returns-to-recording-studio-to-work-on-new-music-1946618. live.
  23. Lady Gaga Back in the Studio, Teases 'Joanne' Tour. Entertainment Weekly. January 30, 2024. May 24, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230524211204/https://ew.com/music/2017/01/15/lady-gaga-teases-joanne-tour/. live.
  24. Web site: Hipgnosis Songs Fund Proposes $465 Million in Catalog Sales. Dylan. Smith. September 15, 2023. Digital Music News. January 30, 2024. September 22, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230922145555/https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2023/09/14/hipgnosis-songs-fund-catalog-selloff/. live.
  25. Web site: Grammy winner, chart-topping producer  - and kidney transplant recipient. www.heart.org. January 30, 2024. January 30, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240130012016/https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/06/06/grammy-winner-chart-topping-producer-and-kidney-transplant-recipient. live.
  26. Web site: Brian Kennedy | Artist | GRAMMY.com. www.grammy.com. January 30, 2024. March 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230317075318/https://www.grammy.com/artists/brian-kennedy/11663. live.
  27. ASCAP Congratulates Our 2009 Pop Award Honorees. Billboard. May 2, 2009. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Google Books. January 31, 2024. January 31, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240131195515/https://books.google.ca/books?id=ozvP2key3UMC&pg=PT1&lpg=PT1&dq=jesse+mccartney+it%27s+over+brian+kennedy&source=bl&ots=_xIgHIJaON&sig=ACfU3U1GdfBLpidL-kAjERurqyun0MYCvQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwixl_S9p4iEAxUlm4kEHUjJAXQ4FBDoAXoECAIQAw#v=onepage&q=jesse%20mccartney%20it's%20over%20brian%20kennedy&f=false#v=onepage&q=jesse+mccartney+it's+over+brian+kennedy&f=false. live.
  28. Diplo, Fun., Max Martin, Sony/ATV, More Honored at ASCAP Pop Awards. Gail. Mitchell. . April 18, 2013. January 30, 2024. September 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230909032253/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/diplo-fun-max-martin-sonyatv-more-honored-at-ascap-pop-awards-1558789/. live.
  29. Charli XCX Speaks on Her 'Sometimes Volatile' Global Impact, Universal Wins Publisher of the Year and More From 2024 ASCAP Pop Awards. Thania. Garcia. Variety . May 9, 2024.

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