Brian Kennedy Seals (born August 8, 1983) is an American record producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Kansas City, Missouri. He has been credited on hit singles such as "Disturbia" by Rihanna, "Forever" by Chris Brown, and "Mr. Know It All" by Kelly Clarkson, as well as hit R&B singles including "If This Isn't Love" by Jennifer Hudson, "What It Is (Block Boy)" by Doechii, and "No Time for It" by Fantasia Barrino.[1][2]
Brian Kennedy Seals | |
|---|---|
 Seals in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | August 8, 1983 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Labels | Universal Music Publishing Group |
| Website | briankennedy |
Career
editMusic industry beginnings
editBorn 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, Ciara: The Evolution, securing a publishing deal.[4]
Further songwriting success
editHis 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"
editIn 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
editSeals 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
editIn 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
editNotes
edit- A. A "Lights, Camera, Action" also appears as a bonus track on the 2008 Pussycat Dolls reissue album Doll Domination: International Edition.
Demos
editThe 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:
- "Freedom" (Human)
- "Glass House" (Human)
- "Gray Area" (Human)
- "Keyed" (Human)
- "Know You" (Human)
- "One Thing" (Human)
- "Surprise Ending" (Human)
- "Thank Me Later" (Human)
- "Today" (Human)
- "Zillion" (Human)
- "After Tonight" (Femme Fatale)
- "Dem Chicks Be Like" (Glory)
- "Fire Drill" (Circus)
- "Oblivious" (Femme Fatale)
- "Electric Guitar" (Exclusive)
- "Erased" (Cool & Dre project)
- "Glow In the Dark" (F.A.M.E.)
- "Day Away" (Lonny Breaux Collection)
- "Denim" (Lonny Breaux Collection)
- "Done" (Lonny Breaux Collection)
- "Know Better" (Lonny Breaux Collection)
- "Lost Angel" (Lonny Breaux Collection)
- "Stay If You Go" (Lonny Breaux Collection)
- "Together" (Lonny Breaux Collection)
- "Know You" (Battlefield)
- "On & On (The Sound)" (Here I Am)
- "Hologram" (This Is Us)
- "Captive" (Doll Domination)
- "Smile On My Face" (Tremaine: The Album)
- "All Falls Down" (UR Experience)
- "Angel" (Here I Stand)
- "Lights, Camera, Action" (Here I Stand)
Awards and nominations
edit
Notes
edit- A. A Winning producers in this category with less than a 50% album contribution are awarded with a Winner's Certificate.
- B. B Winning producers in this category with less than a 50% album contribution are awarded with a Winner's Certificate.
- C. C Winning producers in this category with less than a 50% album contribution are awarded with a Winner's Certificate.
References
edit- ^ "ASCAP Playback: Brian Kennedy". ASCAP.com. September 1, 2008. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "ASCAP Expo Panelists Announced". ASCAP.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "10 Producers And Songwriters to Watch: Brian Kennedy". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. April 3, 2010. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c "Profile: Brian Kennedy". Universal Music Publishing Group. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "The Billboard Reviews: Rihanna "Disturbia"". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 5, 2008. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ Daw, Robbie (June 3, 2011). "Watch Joe Jonas And Hear His Single "See No More" In Our Livestream Chat". Idolator. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (March 12, 2008). "Usher's New Album Deals With Loss, Married Life, and Making Intimate Home Videos". MTV. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Brandy Says She's Older, Wiser, and Ready For A Comeback". MTV. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Gail (December 18, 2008). "Brandy: People Are People". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "The Billboard Reviews: Corbin Bleu "Speed Of Light"". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. March 14, 2009. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ "'High School Musical' Alum Corbin Bleu Grows Up On New LP". MTV. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Pia Toscano Inks with Interscope". HITS Daily Double. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Conaway, Alanna (June 2, 2012). "Kelly Clarkson, 'Mr. Know It All'". Taste of Country. Archived from the original on July 19, 2017. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Mapes, Jillian (August 31, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson's 'Mr. Know It All' Single: What Do You Think?". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Music, IGN (March 3, 2009). "Jesse McCartney's Bonus Departure". IGN. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ a b c Christman, Ed (April 22, 2009). "EMI, Sony/ATV Win Big At ASCAP Pop Music Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "SONY/ATV AND EMI, MCCARTNEY/TEDDER, HEART ARE BIG ASCAP WINNERS". HITS Daily Double. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Gail (June 22, 2012). "Chris Brown: A Deep Dive into the Superstar's Career". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ "Madonna tracks handed to Chris Brown". Digital Spy. May 28, 2012. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Markel, Tatiana (March 11, 2016). "Singers Chris Brown and The Weeknd Resolve Copyright Disputes". Lexology. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ a b Leight, Elias (July 22, 2016). "Fantasia on Her New Album and Not Being Afraid to Do It Her Way". Vogue. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
- ^ Levine, Nick (January 16, 2017). "Lady Gaga returns to recording studio to work on new music". NME. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Lady Gaga Back in the Studio, Teases 'Joanne' Tour". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 24, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Dylan (September 15, 2023). "Hipgnosis Songs Fund Proposes $465 Million in Catalog Sales". Digital Music News. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "Grammy winner, chart-topping producer – and kidney transplant recipient". www.heart.org. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Brian Kennedy | Artist | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "ASCAP Congratulates Our 2009 Pop Award Honorees". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. May 2, 2009. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 31, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ Mitchell, Gail (April 18, 2013). "Diplo, Fun., Max Martin, Sony/ATV, More Honored at ASCAP Pop Awards". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 9, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Garcia, Thania (May 9, 2024). "Charli XCX Speaks on Her 'Sometimes Volatile' Global Impact, Universal Wins Publisher of the Year and More From 2024 ASCAP Pop Awards". Variety.
- ^ "2024 ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Celebration".