| Matthew Burnett | |
| Birth Name: | Matthew Raymond Burnett[1] |
| Birth Date: | 24 July 1991 |
| Birth Place: | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Years Active: | 2010 - Present |
Matthew Raymond Burnett (born July 24, 1991) is a Canadian record producer, musical director and manager from Toronto, Ontario, Canada who has worked with a number of major recording artists in various genres from R&B to soul, hip hop and rap. Burnett has produced for the likes of Daniel Caesar, Drake, Eminem, Nas, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Childish Gambino, Ellie Goulding and Snoh Aalegra to name a few.[2] He has also musically directed Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson, Jessie Reyez, Willow Smith and Queen Naija.[3] Alongside longtime music partner Jordan Evans, Burnett previously managed Caesar. Currently, the duo manage Wilson. [4] Matthew Burnett's work has earned him two Grammy Award nominations and five Juno Award nominations.[5] In 2018 he took home a Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year for Caesar's debut studio album, Freudian.[6]
Burnett's tuneful ability became apparent at an early age. Starting piano lessons at just four years old, his music instructor noted his natural talent to play songs by ear. As he got older, Burnett's love of music would only grow stronger. By the time he was in ninth grade he was playing in a professional band around the city. Music production software FL Studio (formerly FruityLoops) would introduce him to the art of producing and recording his own music. A student of his craft, Burnett coupled his inherent passion with a fierce dedication to honing his skills, earning a Bachelor of Music degree from the Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[7]
In 2007, Burnett was introduced to Grammy Award-winning producer Matthew Samuels, known commonly as Boi-1da, thus beginning a mentorship that would change his life and career. Under Samuels' guidance Burnett continued to hone his sound and technique, officially signing to Boi-1da Productions in 2010 where he and Evans would thrive as the production power-duo behind some of the biggest hits in hip hop and R&B. Notable among Burnett's earliest achievements was his production on "Not Afraid," the lead single on rapper Eminem's seventh studio album, Recovery, and the sixteenth song in Billboard history to debut at number one.[8] The track earned Burnett a Grammy Award-nomination for "Best Rap Song" in 2011.[9] [10]
Ending his Boi-1da deal in 2013, Burnett and partner Evans moved on to cultivate Canadian R&B artist, Daniel Caesar. The two are the principal producers for Caesar's debut album, Freudian, which was nominated for two awards at the 60th Annual Grammys.[6] Today, Burnett continues to lend his expertise in studio production, live show curation, musical direction and management to several of today's leading artists.
Production was Burnett's first love and a talent that catapulted him to success at a very early age. By just 21 years old, his unique ear led him to co-produce music for some of the industry's biggest names, including Drake, Eminem, Keri Hilson, Nas, Lil Wayne and DJ Khaled. Today, that list has expanded to include Daniel Caesar, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Childish Gambino, Kelly Rowland, Jessie Reyez and Ellie Goulding. His sound and production style were heavily influenced by his Christian upbringing, taking inspiration from gospel music. As he matured, his musical style followed suit and took form through consistent experimentation, practice, and the tutelage of Boi-1da.[11] Today, Burnett's work is unified across genres by a soulful, powerful sound.
A producer at heart, Burnett's wheelhouse soon expanded to include not only studio production, but live show curation and musical direction. He is the visionary behind the live performances for singers Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson, Jessie Reyez, Willow Smith, and Queen Naija among others. From composing musical arrangements to scouting, hiring and rehearsing their bands, Burnett is a conduit of creativity, building harmonies both in music and within the teams that create it.[12] [13]
Burnett served alongside longtime music partner Jordan Evans as the co-manager to Grammy Award-winning artist, Daniel Caesar. In partnership with Evans and Caesar, Burnett founded the independent record label Golden Child Recordings. They currently co-manage fellow Canadian rising star, Charlotte Day Wilson.
Lil' Wayne – I Am Not a Human Being
Drake – Unreleased single
Lloyd Banks – The Hunger For More 2
DJ Khaled – We The Best Forever
Down With Webster – Time to Win, Vol. 2
Nas – Life Is Good
Busta Rhymes – Year of the Dragon
2 Chainz – Based on a T.R.U Story
Slaughterhouse – Welcome to Our House
Talib Kweli – Attack The Block
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded – The Re–Up
Kelly Rowland – Talk a Good Game
Rich Gang – Rich Gang
Lil Wayne – Dedication 5
Audio Push – Come as You Are
Doley Bernays – Just In Case
Fabolous – The Soul Tape 3
Eric Bellinger – The Rebirth
Zuse – Bullet
Sebastian Mikael – Speechless
Game –
OB O'Brien – "Schemin' Up" Single
Kyndall – Still Down EP
Raekwon – Fly International Luxurious Art
Daniel Caesar – Pilgrim's Paradise
Various artists – Magic Mike XXL Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
June's Diary – "All of Us" Single
Audio Push – 90951
Daniel Caesar – Get You – Single
Nathan Sykes – Unfinished Business
Ellie Goulding – Single
PartyNextDoor – TBD
11:11 - 11:11 (Executive producer with DZL)
Chris Brown – Heartbreak on a Full Moon
Daniel Caesar – Freudian (Executive producer with Jordan Evans)
Jessie Reyez feat. Daniel Caesar – Single
Daniel Caesar – Single
Snoh Aalegra – Ugh, Those Feels Again
Daniel Caesar – Case Study 01 (Executive producer with Jordan Evans and Daniel Caesar)
Fousheé – Single
Dylan Sinclair - Single
Daniel Caesar - Single
| 2017-18 | Freudian, a World Tour | Daniel Caesar | |
| 2018 | Queen Naija Tour | Queen Naija | |
| 2019 | Case Study 01: Tour | Daniel Caesar | |
| 2019 | Being Human in Public Tour | Jessie Reyez | |
| 2019 | WILLOW The Album Live in Concert | Willow Smith | |
| 2019 | Willow and Erys Tour | Willow and Jaden Smith | |
| 2022 | ALPHA | Charlotte Day Wilson | |
| 2023 | The Jaguar Tour | Victoria Monét |
| 2017 | "Get You" & "We Find Love" - The Late Late Show With James Corden | Daniel Caesar | ||
| 2018 | "Freudian" & "We Find Love" - Juno Awards Live | Daniel Caesar | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZrI5avizIw | |
| 2018 | "Best Part" - Later with Jools Holland | Daniel Caesar (Feat. H.E.R) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j045yEf2cLg | |
| 2018 | "Figures, a Reprise" - Juno Awards | Jessie Reyez (Feat. Daniel Caesar) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f6qLbg_paU | |
| 2018 | "Japanese Denim" "Get You" & "Best Part - NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert | Daniel Caesar (Feat. H.E.R.) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBKa-AAy_vo | |
| 2019 | "Bad Boy/Medicine" - BET Experience | Queen Naija | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOsoExR2tlA | |
| 2019 | "Cyanide" - Jimmy Kimmel Live | Daniel Caesar | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alW0Y9ciBvk | |
| 2019 | "Crazy/Far Away" - Jimmy Kimmel Live | Jessie Reyez | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LSLSOnwyvQ | |
| 2019 | "Imported" - Late Show with Stephen Colbert | Jessie Reyez (Feat. 6LACK) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKW5jg–hz-0 | |
| 2019 | "Work" - The Late Late Show with James Corden | Charlotte Day Wilson | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd8tKmJ8GdM | |
| 2020 | "Far Away" - The Daily Show | Jessie Reyez | ||
| 2020 | "Moment" - Jimmy Kimmel Live | Victoria Monét | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCU53ZW8GKw | |
| 2020 | "Slow Down" - Soul Train Awards | Skip Marley | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiTI6aJ8P8w | |
| 2020 | "Lie to Me/Say What You Mean" - Jimmy Kimmel Live | Queen Naija (Feat. Lil Durk) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W39QY_jE59w | |
| 2021 | "Do You Love Her" - Juno Awards | Jessie Reyez | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5P9QjO0qgw | |
| 2021 | "Canadian Hip Hop Tribute" - Juno Awards | Kardinal Offishall, Michie Mee, Jully Black, DJ Starting from Scratch, Maestro Fresh Wes, NAV, Haviah Mighty | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82uGx4qgmRE | |
| 2022 | "Mountains" - The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Charlotte Day Wilson | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cajlcFX9DU8 | |
| 2022 | "How Does It Make You Feel" - (Live Performance) Vevo | Victoria Monét | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AMZYZPSdtI | |
| 2022 | "Mood" (Pt. 1) "Mutual Friend" / "Figures" "Only One" "Forever" / "Imported" "Mood" (Pt. 2)" - NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert | Jessie Reyez | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSl5_RDCfrQ | |
| 2023 | "Mutual Friend" - Juno Awards | Jessie Reyez | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJj8vWbTSeE | |
| 2023 | "Still C U" - The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Jessie Reyez | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0SGbl6wCo8 | |
| 2023 | "Always" - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert | Daniel Caesar | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AyYn2g1ndY | |
| 2023 | "On My Mama" - The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Victoria Monét | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvFYSMU3VeQ |
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Not Afraid" (Eminem) | Best Rap Song | ||
| 2017 | "Freudian" (Daniel Caesar) | Best R&B Album |
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Recovery" (Eminem) | Best International Album | ||
| 2018 | Producer of the Year (Matthew Burnett, Jordan Evans) | Jack Richardson Producer of the Year | ||
| 2018 | "Freudian" (Daniel Caesar) | R&B/Soul Recording of the Year | ||
| 2020 | "Case Study 01" (Daniel Caesar) | R&B/Soul Recording of the Year |