Carter Lang Explained

Carter Lang
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma Mater:Loyola University New Orleans
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Carter Lang is an American producer, songwriter, and musician, best known for his work on SZA's acclaimed 2017 and 2022 albums Ctrl and SOS respectively, as well as his contributions to Chicago's burgeoning R&B/Hip-Hop scene.[1] [2] [3] Lang has received several Grammy nominations for work on projects from Post Malone, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Omar Apollo, and SZA, and recently signed a publishing deal renewal with Warner Chappell Music.[4] [5]

Musical origins

Lang, trained in classical piano and bass guitar, formed soul-influenced band "The O'My's" in 2005 with several friends in Chicago.[6] This would lead to collaborations with local acts including Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, and Mick Jenkins.[7]

New Orleans, return to Chicago, and SZA

Lang graduated high school and parted ways with his group, moving from Chicago to New Orleans to attend the Loyola University New Orleans music business program, where he was exposed to a diverse soundscape.[8] [9] After graduating from the Loyola College of Music & Media and returning to Chicago four years later, Lang began producing for members of Chicago Hip-Hop collective Savemoney, with whom he grew up. Lang was subsequently introduced to recording artist SZA in 2015 through a joint studio session with mutual friend Peter CottonTale, Chance The Rapper's music director.[10] After an initial collaboration at SZA's Lollapalooza set that year, he became a member of her touring band.[10] Lang is credited as a writer and/or producer on 8 tracks from her 2017 debut album, including hit single "Love Galore" and lead single "Drew Barrymore", recorded alongside several other tracks at his Lake Michigan cabin.[1] [10] Amongst productions for other artists (including "Sunflower" for Post Malone and Swae Lee), Lang resumed work with SZA, co-producing and co-writing a majority of her 2022 sophomore album SOS, including top 10 singles “Good Days”, “I Hate U”, “Nobody Gets Me”, and “Kill Bill”, which went #1 on five separate Billboard charts including the Hot 100, and held the #1 spot for 21 total weeks on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[11] [12] He would also work with rapper Doja Cat, creating Top 5 single "Kiss Me More" featuring SZA (later winning the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance), as well as promotional single "Okloser" from her deluxe album Scarlet 2 Claude.[13]

Production and songwriting credits

Credits are courtesy of Discogs, Tidal, Apple Music, and AllMusic.

Executive-produced/co-written projects

Album! scope="col"
ArtistYearLabel
CtrlSZA2017RCA Records
Ivory (Marfil) DeluxeOmar Apollo2022Warner Music Group
SOSSZARCA Records

Other songwriting credits / productions

TitleYearArtistAlbum
"Burnout" (Featuring Eryn Allen Kane)2014SabaComfortZone
"Wanna Be Cool"2015Donnie TrumpetSurf
"Just Wait"
"All 4 You" (featuring Yuna)KyleSmyle
"Japanese" (featuring Twista)Alex WileyVillage Party 2: Heavens Gate
"Addicted (Interlude)"Towkio.Wav Theory
"Break You Off"
"How Great" (featuring Jay Electronica)2016Chance the RapperColoring Book
"Shades of Blue"Vic MensaThere's Alot Going On
"There's Alot Going On"
"Lonely" (featuring Lornie Chia)Jamila WoodsHeavn
"Lately"
"Holy"
"Don't Matter"Isaiah RashadThe Sun's Tirade
"Didn't I (Say I Didn't)"2017Vic MensaThe Autobiography
"I Love You So Much" (featuring Chance the Rapper)DJ KhaledGrateful
"Thirst"Ravyn LenaeMidnight Moonlight
"Cool" (with Alex Wiley & Calez)2018Mick Jenkins
"Sunflower"Post Malone & Swae Lee & Hollywood's Bleeding
"Hollywood's Bleeding"2019Post MaloneHollywood's Bleeding
"Small Worlds"Mac MillerSwimming
"Wires in the Way"SirChasing Summer
"Easy"Camila CabelloRomance
"I Got You (Always and Forever)" (featuring En Vogue, Ari Lennox & Kierra Sheard)Chance the RapperThe Big Day
"The Big Day" (featuring Francis and the Lights)
"Let's Go on the Run" (featuring Knox Fortune)
"Zanies and Fools" (featuring Darius Scott & Nicki Minaj)
"Good Days"2020SZASOS
"Thin White Lies"5 Seconds of SummerCalm
"Cinderella Story"A Boogie wit da HoodieArtist 2.0
"Ain't No Doubts"Rich the KidBoss Man
"I Want Mo"Rich the Kid & London on da Track
"Hi 5" (featuring Eryn Allen Kane, Grace Weber, Sing Harlem & Yebba)Peter CottonTaleCATCH
"Compromise"Knox FortuneStock Child Wonder
"Change Up"
"Static"
"Kiss Me More" (featuring SZA)2021Doja CatPlanet Her
"Void"Lil Nas XMontero
"Life After Salem"
"What a Life"Big Sean & Hit-BoyWhat You Expect
"Feels Like"Gracie AbramsThis Is What It Feels Like
"Breath Away"24kGoldnEl Dorado
"All Pride Aside"Shelley FKA Dram & Summer WalkerShelley FKA Dram
"In The Dark"Swae Lee & Jhené AikoShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: The Album
"Come for Me" (featuring Khalid & Lucky Daye)Alicia KeysKeys
"The Anonymous Ones"SZADear Evan Hansen Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"I Hate U"SOS
"Love Galore (ALT)"2022Ctrl (Deluxe)
"Remind Me"GiveonGive or Take
"Conversation"Muni Long
"Arya" (featuring ASAP Rocky)NigoI Know Nigo!
"Happy Hurts"Lykke LiEyeye
"5D"
"Okloser"2024Doja CatScarlet 2 Claude
"¿Cómo Así?"Kali UchisOrquídeas
"Igual que un Ángel" (with Peso Pluma)
"Pensamientos Intrusivos"
"Mad In Love"Jennifer LopezThis Is Me... Now
"Saturn"SZALana
"Be Careful with Me"Omar ApolloGod Said No
"Done with You"
"While U Can"
"Black Void" (with Thundercat and Eryn Allen Kane)Big SeanBetter Me Than You
"Number One Girl"RoséRosie

Awards and nominations

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2018BMI Most-Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs"Love Galore"[14]
2020Grammy Award for Record of the Year"Sunflower"[15]
2022Grammy Award for Album of the YearPlanet Her (Deluxe)[16]
Grammy Award for Album of the YearMontero[17]
Grammy Award for Song of the Year"Kiss Me More"[18]
Grammy Award for Best R&B Song"Good Days"[19]
BMI Most-Performed Pop Songs"Kiss Me More"[20]
BMI Most-Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs"Good Days"[21]
2023Soul Train Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award"Kill Bill"[22]
BMI Most-Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs"I Hate U"[23]
2024Grammy Award for Record of the Year"Kill Bill"[24]
Grammy Award for Song of the Year"Kill Bill"
Grammy Award for Album of the YearSOS
Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album
BMI Most-Performed Pop Songs"Kill Bill"[25]
BMI Most-Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs"Nobody Gets Me"[26]
2025Grammy Award for Best R&B Song"Saturn"[27]

Notes and References

  1. Carter Lang Talks Crafting 'CTRL' With SZA, Working With Vic Mensa & Why Chicago Keeps Winning. Michael. Saponara. Billboard. January 16, 2018. November 29, 2022. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129010436/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/carter-lang-interview-ctrl-sza-vic-mensa-8078602/. live.
  2. Web site: Carter Lang – Electric Feel. November 29, 2022. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129010002/https://www.electricfeelent.com/publishing/carter-lang. live.
  3. Web site: Interview: Producer Carter Lang on Making SZA's "CTRL" and His "MacGyver" Home Studio . June 20, 2018 . January 16, 2023 . January 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230116202351/https://reverb.com/ca/news/interview-carter-lang-on-making-szas-ctrl-and-his-macgyver-home-studio . live .
  4. Warner Chappell and Electric Feel Partner to Strike Publishing Deal with Carter Lang. Kristin. Robinson. Billboard. November 12, 2021. November 29, 2022. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129010435/https://www.billboard.com/pro/warner-chappell-electric-feel-carter-lang-publishing-deal/. live.
  5. Web site: Warner Chappell Music extends global publishing agreement with Carter Lang. www.musicweek.com. November 29, 2022. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129010817/https://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/warner-chappell-music-extends-global-publishing-agreement-with-carter-lang/084644. live.
  6. Web site: Q&A: Super Producer Carter Lang on Collaborating with SZA, More . . October 6, 2024 . January 19, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240119012722/https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebaltin/2023/10/03/qa-super-producer-carter-lang-on-collaborating-with-sza-more/ . live .
  7. How the O'My's Found Their Soulful Sound . . October 12, 2018 . October 6, 2024 . February 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230208232350/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/the-omys-chance-artist-you-need-to-know-interview-735669/ . live .
  8. Web site: School of Music Industry | Music and Media . January 23, 2023 . January 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123205234/http://cmm.loyno.edu/school-of-music-industry . live .
  9. Web site: Loyola College of Music & Media named Top 20 Music Biz Schools - OffBeat Magazine . May 11, 2020 . January 23, 2023 . January 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123205221/https://www.offbeat.com/news/loyola-college-of-music-media-named-top-20-music-biz-schools/ . live .
  10. Web site: Carter Lang Interview - Hit Pop Songwriter & Producer. January 16, 2019. Songwriter Universe | Songwriting News, Articles & Song Contest. November 29, 2022. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129014530/https://www.songwriteruniverse.com/carter-lang-songwriter-2019.htm. live.
  11. Web site: BMI EXCLUSIVE: In the Studio with Carter Lang . December 11, 2023 . October 6, 2024 . October 1, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241001232229/https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/bmi-exclusive-in-the-studio-with-carter-lang . live .
  12. Web site: Carter Lang Interview on SZA, Lil Nas X: Behind the Boards . September 15, 2023 . October 6, 2024 . January 18, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240118072230/https://consequence.net/2023/09/carter-lang-interview-behind-the-boards/ . live .
  13. Web site: Hitmakers: Yeti Beats on the making of Doja Cat & Sza's Grammy-winning Kiss Me More . October 6, 2024 . May 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240526023915/https://www.musicweek.com/interviews/read/hitmakers-yeti-beats-on-the-making-of-doja-cat-sza-s-grammy-winning-kiss-me-more/085201 . live .
  14. Web site: August 31, 2018 . Superstar Janet Jackson Named BMI Icon at the 2018 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards . May 6, 2024 . . en . September 4, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180904003116/https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/2018-bmi-rb-hip-hop-awards . live .
  15. Web site: Carter Lang . 2023-04-11 . grammy.com . November 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128085900/https://www.grammy.com/artists/carter-lang/224821 . live .
  16. Web site: 'Being a good producer is having the ability to adapt to the environment or the people that you're with.'. February 15, 2022. Music Business Worldwide. November 29, 2022. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129010449/https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/being-a-good-producer-is-having-the-ability-to-adapt-to-the-environment-or-the-people-that-youre-with/. live.
  17. News: Grammy Awards 2022: The Full List of Nominees. Gabe. Cohn. The New York Times. November 23, 2021. NYTimes.com. November 29, 2022. November 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211123165418/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/23/arts/music/grammys-nominee-list.html. live.
  18. The Players Behind Doja Cat's 'Kiss Me More' Feat. SZA: See the Full Credits. Chris. Eggertsen. Billboard. May 7, 2021. November 29, 2022. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129011139/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/doja-cat-sza-kiss-me-more-recording-credits-9568739/. live.
  19. The Making of SZA's 'Good Days'. Delisa. Shannon. Rolling Stone. March 30, 2022. November 29, 2022. November 29, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221129010856/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/making-szas-good-days-1329402/. live.
  20. News: 2022 BMI Pop Awards. BMI.com. June 30, 2024.
  21. News: 2022 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. BMI.com. June 30, 2024.
  22. SZA, Usher & Summer Walker Lead 2023 Soul Train Awards Nominations: Full List. Paul. Grein. . November 1, 2023. November 10, 2023. November 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231108192734/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-soul-train-awards-nominations-list-sza-usher-summer-walker-1235459621/. live.
  23. Web site: 2023 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. BMI.com. January 26, 2024. December 19, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231219195022/https://www.bmi.com/award-shows/rnb-2023/. live.
  24. Web site: 2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List | GRAMMY.com. www.grammy.com. November 10, 2023. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110180725/https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list. live.
  25. News: BMI Pop Awards 2024 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240901085604/https://www.bmi.com/award-shows/pop-2024/ . September 1, 2024 . June 30, 2024 . Broadcast Music, Inc..
  26. Web site: 2024 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards. BMI.com. October 13, 2024.
  27. https://naras.a.bigcontent.io/v1/static/67thAwards_PressList_11072024