Alex Kresovich

Alex Kresovich
Born	(1986-08-28) August 28, 1986 (age 39) Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater	Cornell University (BS) University of Georgia (MA) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (PhD)
Occupations	Music producer songwriter Research scientist
Years active	2009–present

Alex Kresovich (also known as AK) (born August 28, 1986) is an American record producer and songwriter from Ithaca, New York. ^{[1] [2]} His work includes co-producing the RIAA Gold-certified single "King of the Clouds" on Panic! at the Disco's 2018 album, Pray for the Wicked . The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, ^[3] is certified Double Platinum by the RIAA, and won the Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Album. ^[4]

Kresovich earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied the influence of popular music referencing mental health topics on the mental health attitudes and behaviors of U.S. youth. ^{[5] [6] [7]} His research, published in JAMA Pediatrics , ^[8] found a significant increase in the prevalence of mental health themes in popular rap music over the last two decades. His work has received media coverage in The New York Times ^{[9] [10]} and U.S. News & World Report , ^[11] and he appeared as a mental health and music lyrics expert in the critically acclaimed ^[12] 2025 documentary STANS . ^[13]

Music career

Kresovich was mentored by GRAMMY winner Ken Lewis and has collaborated with a diverse range of artists and songwriters. His production and songwriting credits include work with Panic! at the Disco, CeeLo Green, X Ambassadors, Niykee Heaton, MAX, Hoodie Allen, and King Los. He has also worked alongside prominent songwriters like Emily Warren, Ingrid Andress, Michael Pollack, Jesse Saint John, and Kevin Hissink.

In 2011, Kresovich won the 2K Sports/Duck Down Music NBA 2K12 Soundtrack Contest. ^[14]

In 2020, Kresovich produced and co-wrote "How Could You Not Know" by Jocelyn Alice which appeared on Season 2 of the NBC television show, Songland . ^[15] The final version of the song was co-written and produced with Shane McAnally, Ryan Tedder, and Ester Dean. ^{[16] [17]}

Research Career

In 2022, Kresovich joined NORC at the University of Chicago as a Research Scientist. There, he leads behavioral health research projects as a member of the Social Data Collaboratory in the Public Health Department. ^[18]

Business Ventures

In addition to his music and academic work, Kresovich serves as Partner and Chief Strategy Officer for The Cut Buddy, a personal grooming company that appeared on the ABC television show Shark Tank in November 2017. ^[19]

Awards and Honors

Year	Award	Work	Result
2019	Billboard Music Award	Top Rock Album	Pray for the Wicked	Won

Education

Kresovich attended Cornell University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in communication with Cum Laude honors. He earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree from the University of Georgia and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. ^{[20] [7]}

Selected academic publications

• Kresovich, A.; Borowiecki, M.; Emery, S.L.; Lamuda, P.A.; Taylor, B.G.; Schneider, J.A.; Pollack, H.A. (2025). "High stakes: Associations between substance use and gambling behaviors by race in the United States". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112581.
• Kresovich, A.; Balawajder, E.F.; Pyatt, T.; Lamuda, P.A.; Taylor, B.G.; Walters, S.; Pollack, H.A.; Schneider, J.A. (2025). "Exploring the roots of stigma: A qualitative investigation of the American public's attitudes toward individuals with opioid use disorder". Health Communication: 1–14. doi:10.1080/10410236.2025.2540953.
• Kresovich, A.; Borowiecki, M.; Lamuda, P.A.; Taylor, B.G.; Emery, S.L.; Schneider, J.A.; Pollack, H.A. (2024). "Passive exposure to opioid crisis information and public attitudes: effects on local policy support, discrimination, and stigma in a United States national survey". Preventive Medicine. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108212.
• Golan, O.; Kresovich, A.; Drymon, C.; Ducharme, L.; Flanagan Balawajder, E.; Borowiecki, M.; Lamuda, P.; Taylor, B.; Pollack, H.; Schneider, J. (2024). "Public perceptions of opioid misuse recovery and related resources in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults". Addiction. doi:10.1111/add.16692.
• Kresovich, A.; Reffner Collins, M.K.; Riffe, D.; Dillman Carpentier, F.R. (2021). "Mental health discourse in popular rap music: A longitudinal content analysis". JAMA Pediatrics. 175 (3): 286–292. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.5155.

Selected production discography

Panic! at the Disco – Pray for the Wicked

• "King of the Clouds" (Single)

Cee Lo Green – Heart Blanche

• "Thorns"

Hoodie Allen – People Keep Talking

• "Against Me" (featuring MAX)

Niykee Heaton – Promotional Singles

• "Cold War" (Promotional Single)
• "Kill 'Em All" (Promotional Single)
• "Remember It All"

Chris Webby – Chemically Imbalanced

• "Nice 2 Be Back"
• "Blue Skies" (featuring Anna Yvette) (Promotional Single)

Jocelyn Alice – Songland Season 2

• "How Could You Not Know?" (Original Version)
• "How Could You Not Know?" (Final Version co-written/produced with Shane McAnally, Ryan Tedder, and Ester Dean)

Snow Tha Product – The Rest Comes Later

• "Bad Bitches" (Single)

NBA 2K12 – NBA 2K12 Official Soundtrack

• Alex K., D.J.I.G. - Now's My Time (2K Original)

References

1. "Alex Kresovich - Music Producer & Composer". Alex Kresovich - Music Producer & Composer. Archived from the original on 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
2. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Archived from the original on 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
3. "Panic! at the Disco's 'Pray for the Wicked' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2019-11-30. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
4. "2019 Billboard Music Awards Winners: The Complete List". Billboard. May 1, 2019.
5. "Haven't you people ever heard of the UNC Ph.D. candidate who produced a Panic! song?". The Daily Tar Heel. Archived from the original on 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
6. "Alex Kresovich | Endeavors". Archived from the original on 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
7. "SethNoar on Twitter: If you know @AlexKresovich you know he puts 110% into everything. His dissertation defense was no exception. Congratulations Dr. Kresovich!!". Archived from the original on 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
8. Kresovich, Alex; Reffner Collins, Meredith K.; Riffe, Daniel; Carpentier, Francesca R. Dillman (2020). "A Content Analysis of Mental Health Discourse in Popular Rap Music". JAMA Pediatrics. 175 (3): 286–292. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.5155. PMC   7921905 . PMID   33284350.
9. Grose, Jessica (May 5, 2021). "When Grown-Ups Have Imaginary Friends". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
10. Barry, Ellen (2024-02-04). "How Psychiatry Broke the Top 40". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2024-02-21.
11. Mozes, Alex. "Rap Music Is Putting Mental Health in the Spotlight". US News. Archived from the original on 2021-09-08. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
12. "Stans (2025)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
13. "STANS IN THEATRES WORLDWIDE 8/7". Eminem.com. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
14. "2K Sports and Duck Down Music Announce Winners of NBA® 2K12 MC/Producer Contest". Urbanmag-online.com. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
15. "Jocelyn Alice Performs "How Could You Not Know?" (Original Song Performance) - Songland 2020 - YouTube". YouTube . Archived from the original on 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
16. "ACE Repository - HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW?". Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
17. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : Jocelyn Alice- How Could You Not Know- Official Video. YouTube .
18. https://www.norc.org/about/experts/alex-kresovich.html
19. "Facebook Campaign Spotlights Black Businesses for Holiday Shopping". Spectrumlocalnews.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
20. "Ph.D. Program: Students | UNC School of Media and Journalism". Archived from the original on 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-22.

External links

• Alex Kresovich publications indexed by Google Scholar