- Tricky Stewart
-
Tricky Stewart 
Background information Birth name Christopher Alan Stewart Also known as Trixster, C. "Tricky" Stewart Born January 4, 1974
Markham, IllinoisGenres R&B, hip hop Occupations Music impresario, executive producer, record producer, musical arranger,
composer, entertainment industry executive, recording studio owner, musicianYears active 1992–present Associated acts T.I., The-Dream, Ciara, Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Electrik Red, Jesse McCartney, Jennifer Lopez, Blu Cantrell, Mýa, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Usher, Britney Spears, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Utada, and Shawn Desman Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (born January 4, 1974) is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million records sold.[1] He is noted for producing many hip hop, R&B and pop chart topping singles, such as Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”, Britney Spears's "Me Against the Music", Mýa’s “Case of the Ex”, Rihanna’s “Umbrella”, Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine”, Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" and "Obsessed", Jesse McCartney’s “Leavin'”,[2] Justin Bieber's "Baby", Ciara's "Ride" and many others. He is currently working on upcoming albums from Ciara, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson, among others.
Contents
Childhood/early years
Tricky Stewart, was born Christopher Alan Stewart in Markham, Illinois. Raised in a musical family, Stewart was playing guitar, playing keyboards and writing songs by the age of 12. Stewart's older brother, record producer Laney Stewart, introduced him to one of his first music business mentors, the late Louil Silas, Jr.. Silas fostered Tricky’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 Immature, and Chanté Moore. Stewart credits his work with Chanté Moore with opening many doors for him in his burgeoning music career.[3]
1994-2000
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 #1 rap single, ASCAP's "Song Of The Year", and reached #5 on the Billboard pop chart.[4] 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 Mya's breakthrough "Case of the Ex", a song about a strong woman who won't tolerate her boyfriend going back to his ex-girlfriend. "Case of the Ex" hit number 2 on the Billboard "Hot 100" in December 2000, and stayed in the Top 10 for a full three months.[5] Around this time, Stewart discovered and signed Blu Cantrell, and went on to executive produce her debut album "So Blu" on Arista Records. "So Blu" peaked at #8 on the U.S. Billboard 200 charts and spawned the #2 hit "Hit 'em Up Style (Oops!)".
2001-2005
In 2002, Tricky produced and cowrote the single "Uh-Huh" on B2K's self titled album.[6] The single, "Uh-Huh" was the number one selling Single in the U.S.. The video for the song went to number one on MTV's TRL, and won the Viewers Choice Award at the BET Awards.[7] 2003 saw the release of Blu Cantrell's second album "Bittersweet", featuring a Tricky Stewart production; the single "Breathe".
One year later, Tricky produced the track Me Against The Music for Britney Spears's album In The Zone alongside with Penelope Magnet.
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 of 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 #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, pushing her to second place among artists with the most #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" for Beyoncé as well as the ballad "Smash Into You". The former would latter become a pop culture phenomenon due to its female empowering lyrics, catchy melody and much mocked[citation needed] 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 just finished working on Ciara's fourth studio album titled "'Basic Instinct'". The two executive-produced the entire album, and its slated to be released on December 14, 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.[8]
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.[9] 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 along side 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.[10]
Discography/credits
Produced singles
Year Single Peak chart positions Artist Album US US R&B US Rap US Pop UK CAN AUS 1999 "Who Dat" (featuring Solé) 5 2 1 — — — — JT Money Pimpin' on Wax "4, 5, 6" (featuring JT Money and Kandi) 27 9 1 — — — — Solé Skin Deep 2000 "It Wasn't Me" (featuring Ginuwine) — 44 — — — — — "Case of the Ex" 2 10 — — 3 — 1 Mýa Fear of Flying 2003 "Me Against the Music (featuring Madonna) 35 — — — 2 2 1 Britney Spears In the Zone 2007 "Umbrella" (featuring Jay-Z) 1 4 — 1 1 1 1 Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad "Just Fine" 22 3 — 42 16 84 — Mary J. Blige Growing Pains "Ridin'" — 58 — — — — — Mýa Liberation "Suffocate" 18 2 — 55 — — — J. Holiday Back of My Lac' "Falsetto" 30 3 — 94 — — — The-Dream Love Hate "I Luv Your Girl" (featuring Young Jeezy) 20 3 — 58 — — — 2008 "Touch My Body" 1 2 — 1 5 2 17 Mariah Carey E=MC² "Leavin'" 10 — — 2 48 16 49 Jesse McCartney Departure "Moving Mountains" 67 18 — — 25 — 36 Usher Here I Stand "Cookie Jar" (featuring The-Dream) 59 — — 55 6 91 41 Gym Class Heroes The Quilt "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" 1 1 — 2 7 2 5 Beyoncé I Am... Sasha Fierce "Just Like Me" (featuring T.I.) 49 8 — — — — 91 Jamie Foxx Intuition 2009 "Hands on Me" — 56 — — — — — Bobby Valentino The Rebirth "Throw It In the Bag" (featuring The-Dream) 14 4 2 — — — — Fabolous Loso's Way "All I Really Want" (featuring The-Dream) — — — — — — — Rick Ross Deeper Than Rap "Like a Surgeon" — 59 — — — — — Ciara Fantasy Ride "Obsessed" 7 12 — — 52 15 13 Mariah Carey Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel "One Time" 17 — — 14 11 12 35 Justin Bieber My World "I Look to You" 70 16 — — 115 68 — Whitney Houston I Look to You "Gangsta Luv" (featuring The-Dream) 35 24 5 — — — — Snoop Dogg Malice n Wonderland "Louboutins" — — — — — — — Jennifer Lopez Love? "Hard" (featuring Young Jeezy) 8 14 — 9 42 15 75 Rihanna Rated R 2010 "Baby" (featuring Ludacris) 5 96 — — 3 3 18 Justin Bieber My World 2.0 "Up Out My Face" (remix) (featuring Nicki Minaj) 100 39 — — — — — Mariah Carey Angels Advocate (Unreleased) "Ride" (featuring Ludacris) 42 3 — — 75 — 75 Ciara Basic Instinct "Speechless" — 74 — — — — — "Gimmie Dat" 116 67 — — 111 — — Credits
Year Album/song Artist Credit 2010 Teenage Dream Katy Perry Producer No Mercy / "No Mercy" T.I. Love King / "Panties to the Side" The-Dream Basic Instinct / "Gimmie Dat" Ciara Basic Instinct / "Ride" Ciara / Ludacris Untitled Yet Celine Dion Love? Jennifer Lopez Burlesque (film) soundtrack / "Express", "Show Me How You Burlesque" Christina Aguilera/ Cher Bionic / "Desnudate", "Glam", "Prima Donna" Christina Aguilera Composer, producer 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 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"[11] 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
- ^ 2008 Business Wire "UOMO Media Signs International Management Dear With Grammy Nominated Tricky Stewart and RedZone Entertainment
- ^ MSN Music, MSN.com "Tricky Stewart Discography"
- ^ PeerMusic.com "Tricky Stewart"
- ^ 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"
- ^ PeerMusic.com, "B2K No. 1 for 10 Straight Weeks"
- ^ PeerMusic.com, "B2K #1 for 10 Straight Weeks"
- ^ "Exclusive: Ciara Readies New Album". Rap-Up.com. 2009-09-28. http://www.rap-up.com/2009/09/28/exclusive-ciara-readies-new-album/. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
- ^ Tricky Stewart Switches Gears with New Katy Perry Album. Rap-Up (december, 2010).
- ^ http://www.moon-palace.de/tricky/news.html
- ^ peermusic.com,"Tricky Receives Double Platinum Song Award"
Grammy Award for Song of the Year (2010s) Thaddis "Kuk" Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart – "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2010) · Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott – "Need You Now" (2011)
Complete list · (1960s) · (1970s) · (1980s) · (1990s) · (2000s) · (2010s) Categories:- 1974 births
- Living people
- People from Chicago, Illinois
- American record producers
- Grammy Award winners
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