Bryan-Michael Cox

Last updated

Bryan-Michael Cox
Birth nameBryan-Michael Paul Cox
Born (1977-12-01) December 1, 1977 (age 45)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Origin Houston, Texas, U.S.
Genres R&B, hip hop
Occupation(s)Record producer, songwriter
Years active1998–present
LabelsTeam Idris, So So Def, Warner Chappell
Member of Ocean's 7

Bryan-Michael Paul Cox (born December 1, 1977) [1] is an American record producer and songwriter who is notable for his work with artists such as Usher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Toni Braxton. [2] Among his most notable productions are "Be Without You" for Mary J. Blige, "Burn", "Confessions Part II" and "U Got It Bad" for Usher, and "Shake It Off", "I Stay In Love" and "You Don't Know What To Do" for Mariah Carey.

Contents

While attending High School in Texas, Cox was good friends with Beyoncé, often producing records for the members of Destiny's Child before they signed with Columbia Records). From Texas, Cox relocated to Atlanta to pursue his professional music career and soon established a close working relationship with his frequent production partner Jermaine Dupri. Cox attained a Guinness World Records for the longest consecutive period of chart success by spending over 5 consecutive years there, breaking the record that was previously held by The Beatles.

In 2009, Cox was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame for his contribution to music. [3]

Early life

Cox has said that his mother played the flute: "My mom would buy music instead of food when I was little. We would spend her entire paycheck at the record store." He expressed his musical ambitions to her when he was seven years old, having written his first song when he was just six years old. [4] Later, he enrolled in Houston's Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. [5]

In high school, Cox met Beyoncé when he was a senior and she was a freshman. He recorded his first-ever demo tape with her. Although the two wouldn't reconnect until nearly seven years later when Bryan produced a track on Destiny's Child's Destiny Fulfilled , it was the early confirmation from Mathew Knowles that prompted Bryan to go into the music industry.

"Back then there was three choices if you wanted to be in the music industry, live in New York, LA, or Atlanta. I enrolled in Clark Atlanta University because although my Mom supported my dreams one hundred percent I had to go to college, so I chose Clark because I was just trying to get to Atlanta." [6]

Career

1994–1999: Early career

Cox began his career as an intern at Noontime Records in Atlanta, Georgia. He was discovered by his manager Chris Hicks, who was a partner in Noontime. Cox's first two hit singles as a producer were "Get Gone" & "Creep Inn" for the short-lived R&B group Ideal. [7]

2000–2005: Confessions, The Emancipation of Mimi, The Breakthrough

Cox contributed to Lil Bow Wow's debut album, Beware of Dog, writing the single "Puppy Love" and the Big Momma's House soundtrack. He worked with Jagged Edge's second studio album J.E. Heartbreak , contributing to songs "He Can't Love U" and "Let's Get Married". He contributed to Tamar Braxton's debut album, Tamar co-writing and producing "Get None" with musical partner Jermaine Dupri. He wrote and co-produced the second single "Just Be a Man About It" from Toni Braxton's third studio album, The Heat. [7]

Cox worked with Usher, contributing to Confessions , co-writing and co-producing Billboard Hot 100 number-one songs "Burn" and "Confessions Part II". Confessions won Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 2005 Grammys. Confessions has been certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) [8] and, as of 2012, has sold 10.3 million copies in the United States. [9] It has sold over 20 million copies worldwide. He worked with Mariah Carey again on 2005's The Emancipation of Mimi with hits "Shake It Off" and "Don't Forget About Us". "Don't Forget About Us" was nominated for two Grammy Awards. [10] He wrote the fourth single from Chris Brown's self-titled debut album "Say Goodbye". He co-wrote "Be Without You" the lead single from Mary J. Blige seventh studio album The Breakthrough . The single was certified double-platinum in the United States, [11] was nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year and won the Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance categories at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards. [12]

2006–2009

Cox co-wrote "Shortie Like Mine" the first single for Bow Wow's fifth studio album, The Price of Fame , in 2006. Again working with Austin together the duo co-wrote "Stay Down" for Mary J. Blige's eighth studio album, Growing Pains in 2007. Cox co-wrote "Last Time" for Trey Songz's second studio album Trey Day . Cox produced and co-wrote "Circles", the third single from Marques Houston's Veteran album. In 2008, he wrote five songs for the group Day26's self-tiled debut album, including the second single, "Since You've Been Gone". [7]

2010–present

In 2010, he co-wrote and produced "Never Let You Go", the single for My World 2.0 , the debut studio album by Justin Bieber. For Mariah Carey he co-wrote and co-produced "Oh Santa!", alongside Jermaine Dupri and Carey, for her second Christmas/thirteenth studio album, Merry Christmas II You . He added songwriting and production on Usher's Grammy award-winning album Raymond vs Raymond . In the same year, Cox co-produced the single "Love All Over Me", the single from Monica's sixth studio album, Still Standing . He worked on Love and War for Tamar Braxton in 2013. He worked with Johtna Austin co-writing for R. Kelly's thirteenth studio album The Buffet , and on Views for Drake. Cox co-wrote on Free TC for Ty Dolla Sign.

Legacy

Cox went on to co-produce alongside his musical mentor Jermaine Dupri. [7] He has had 35 number-one hits, 12 Grammy Award nominations, including nine wins, 20 top-ten hits, and eclipsing the record previously held by the Beatles for Billboard's most consecutive number-one hits. Cox has been named one of Billboard's "Top 10 Producers of the Decade" and sits on Billboard's "Hot R&B Song of the Decade List", "Hot 100 Songs of the Decade List", "Top 200 Albums of the Decade List" and is a 2009 Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee. [3] He has been awarded the Billboard Songwriter of the Year Award and the SESAC Songwriter of the Year Award six consecutive years. [13] [14]

Songwriting and producing credits

ArtistYearSongRoleAlbum
3LW 2006"Feelin' You"Writer & producerPoint of No Return
"The Way I Feel About You"
Aaliyah 2002" Come Over "Writer & producer I Care 4 U
Ari Lennox 2021" Pressure "Writer & producer Age/Sex/Location
Avant 2006"Director"Writer & producer Director
B5 2007"Erika Kane"Writer & producer Don't Talk, Just Listen
"Right To Left"
Bobby V 2007"How 'Bout It"Writer & producer Special Occasion
2011"Are You the Right One" Fly on the Wall
Bow Wow 2000" Bounce with Me "Writer Beware of Dog
" Bow Wow (That's My Name) "
" Ghetto Girls "
" Puppy Love "
"The Dog in Me"
"This Playboy"
"You Know Me"
2001"All I Know"Writer & producer Doggy Bag
"Crazy"
"Get Up"
"Off the Glass"
"Pick of the Litter"
"Thank You"
"Take Ya Home"Writer
"Up in Here"Writer & producer
2005"Go"Writer & producer Wanted
"Like You"Producer
2006"Shortie Like Mine"Writer The Price of Fame
2009" You Can Get It All "Producer New Jack City II
Bryson Tiller 2015"Don't" (samples "Shake It Off")Writer Trapsoul
Carl Thomas 2007"If You Ever"Writer & producer So Much Better
Chris Brown 2005"Say Goodbye"Writer & producer Chris Brown
"Winner"
2007"Fallen Angel"Producer Exclusive
"Throwed"Producer
Ciara 2006"So Hard"Writer & producer Ciara: The Evolution
Danity Kane 2006"Back Up"Writer & producer Danity Kane
"One Shot"
"Ride for You"
2008"2 of You"Writer & producer Welcome to the Dollhouse
"Sucka for Love"
Day26 2008"Are We in This Together"Writer & producer Day26
"Don't Fight the Feeling"
"Exclusive (No Excuses)"
"Since You've Been Gone"
2009"Babymaker" Forever in a Day
"Need That"
"So Good"
"Stadium Music"
Destiny's Child 2004"Bad Habit"Writer & producer Destiny Fulfilled
Dru Hill 2002"If I Could"Writer & producer Dru World Order
dvsn 2020"For Us"Writer & producer A Muse in Her Feelings
"No Crying"
Ella Mai 2018"Dangerous"Writer & producer Ella Mai
Fantasia 2004"Got Me Waiting"Writer & producer Free Yourself
2006"Only One U" Fantasia
Ginuwine 2002"Stingy"Writer & producer The Senior
2009"Last Chance"Writer & producer A Man's Thoughts
"One Time for Love"Writer & producer
2011"Busy"Producer Elgin
"Drink of Choice"Writer & producer
"Frozen"Producer
Jagged Edge 1999"Did She Say"Writer & producer J.E. Heartbreak
"Healing"
"Heartbreak"
"He Can't Love U"
"Keys to the Range"
"Let's Get Married"
"Promise"
"What You Tryin' to Do"
2001"Best Man"Writer & producer Jagged Little Thrill
"Cut Somethin'"
"Goodbye"
"I Got It"
"Remedy"
"Respect"
"This Goes Out"Producer
"Where the Party At"Writer & producer
2003"I Don't Wanna"Writer & producer Hard
"Shady Girl"
"Tryna Be Your Man"
"Visions"
" Walked Outta Heaven "
2014"Familiar"Writer & producer J.E. Heartbreak 2
"Future"
"Getting Over You"
"Hope"
"It's Been You"Producer
"Love Come Down"Writer & producer
"Make It Clear"
"Ready"
"Things I Do For You"
"Wanna Be (Romeo)"Producer
Joe 2007"Feel for You"Writer & producer Ain't Nothin' Like Me
"Go Hard"
"My Love"
"Run It Back"
"You Should Know Me"Producer
2008"By Any Means"Writer & producer Joe Thomas, New Man
"Man In Your Life"
"I Won't Let Him Hurt You"
"We Need to Roll"
Justin Bieber 2010"Never Let You Go"Writer & producer My World 2.0
Kehlani 2017"Personal" (sample "Come Over")Writer SweetSexySavage
2020"Can I" (sample "Come Over")Writer It Was Good Until It Wasn't
Keyshia Cole 2007"Was It Worth It?"Writer & producer Just like You
Lil' Mo 2003"4Ever"Writer & producer Meet the Girl Next Door
2007"Heartbeat" Pain & Paper
Mariah Carey 1999"How Much"Writer & producer Rainbow
2002"Miss You"Writer & producer Charmbracelet
"The One"
"You Had Your Chance"
2005" Get Your Number "Writer & producer The Emancipation of Mimi
"Shake It Off"Writer
" Don't Forget About Us "Writer & producer The Emancipation of Mimi (Deluxe Edition)
"Makin' It Last All Night (What It Do)"Writer
2008"For the Record"Writer & producer E=MC²
"I Stay In Love"
"4real4real" (featuring Da Brat)
2010" Oh Santa! "Writer & producer Merry Christmas II You
2014"Heavenly (No Ways Tired / Can't Give Up Now)"Producer Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse
"Make It Look Good"Writer & producer
"One More Try"Producer
"Supernatural"Writer & producer
"You Don't Know What To Do"Writer & producer
Marques Houston 2007"Circle"Writer & producer Veteran
"Exclusively"
Mary J. Blige 2005"Ain't Really Love"Writer & producer The Breakthrough
"Be Without You"
2006"Reflections (I Remember)" Reflections (A Retrospective)
"We Ride (I See the Future)"
2007"If You Love Me?" Growing Pains
"Stay Down"
2009"We Got Hood Love" Stronger with Each Tear
Monica 2002"I'm Back"Writer & producer All Eyez on Me
"If U Were the Girl"Writer & producer
"Searchin"Producer
"Too Hood"Writer & producer
"U Should've Known Better"Writer & producer
2006"Hell No (Leave Home)"Writer & producer The Makings of Me
2010"Lesson Learned"Writer & producer Still Standing
"Love All Over Me"
"Still Standing"
"Superman"
2012"Amazing" New Life
Nivea 2001"Don't Mess with My Man"Writer & producer Nivea
2005"Parking Lot" Complicated
Omarion 2006"Just Can't Let You Go"Writer & producer 21
"Made For TV"
Tamar Braxton 2000" Get None "Writer & producer Tamar
2013"Pieces" Love and War
"Where It Hurts"
Tamia 2004"Still"Writer & producer More
Toni Braxton 2000"Just Be a Man About It"Writer & producer The Heat
2005"Trippin' (That's the Way Love Works)" Libra
"What's Good"
Trey Songz 2007" Last Time "Writer & producer Trey Day
2009"One Love" Ready
Tyrese 2001"Off the Heezy"Writer & producer 2000 Watts
2002"Somebody Special" I Wanna Go There
2006"Gotta Get You" Alter Ego
Usher 2001"Good Ol' Ghetto"Writer & producer 8701
"If I Want To"
"I Can't Let U Go"
"T.T.P."
"U Got It Bad"
"U-Turn"
2004" Burn "Writer & producer Confessions
"Confessions Part I"
" Confessions Part II "
"Do It to Me"
2008"Before I Met You"Writer & producer Here I Stand
2010"Foolin' Around"Writer & producer Raymond v. Raymond
2019" Don't Waste My Time "Writer & producerConfession 2

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Da Brat</span> American rapper (born April 14, 1974)

Shawntae Harris-Dupart, better known by her stage name Da Brat, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she began her career in 1992, the year she signed with So So Def Records. Her debut album Funkdafied (1994) sold one million copies, making her the first-ever female solo rap act to receive a platinum certification, and the second-ever female rap act after Salt-N-Pepa.

<i>Confessions</i> (Usher album) 2004 studio album by Usher

Confessions is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Usher. It was released on March 23, 2004, by Arista Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2003 to 2004, with its production handled by his longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri, along with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Lil Jon, among others. Primarily an R&B album, Confessions showcases Usher as a crooner through a mixture of ballads and up-tempos, incorporating musical genres of dance-pop, hip hop and crunk. The album's themes generated controversy about Usher's personal relationships; however, the album's primary producer Jermaine Dupri claimed the album reflects Dupri's own personal story.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jermaine Dupri</span> American record producer, rapper, and songwriter

Jermaine Dupri Mauldin is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, record executive, entrepreneur, and DJ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">It's Like That (Mariah Carey song)</span> 2005 single by Mariah Carey

"It's Like That" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey from her 10th studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi (2005). Written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, and Johntá Austin, and produced by Carey, Dupri, and Seal, the song borrows the hook "It's Like That Y'all" from the Run–D.M.C. tracks "Hollis Crew" and "Here We Go (Live)". Several other tracks were contenders for the album's lead single. However, plans were changed when Island Def Jam Music head L.A. Reid suggested to Carey she record a few more strong songs to ensure the album's success, thus "It's Like That" was written and chosen as the album's lead single, being released on January 25, 2005.

"Sweetheart" is a song originally recorded by American singer Rainy Davis. It was written by Davis and Pete Warner, and produced with Dorothy Kessler. The track was released in 1986 by independent record label SuperTronics as a single from Davis's 1987 studio album Sweetheart. A freestyle, hip hop pop, and synth-funk song, "Sweetheart" appeared on R&B and dance music-based record charts in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burn (Usher song)</span> 2004 single by Usher

"Burn" is a song by American R&B singer Usher, which he wrote with American songwriters Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. The song was produced by Dupri and Cox for Usher's fourth studio album, Confessions (2004). A downtempo track about the breakup of a relationship, it was originally planned as the album's lead single, but "Burn" was pushed back after favorable responses for the song "Yeah!". "Burn" was eventually released as the second single from the album on March 21, 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shake It Off (Mariah Carey song)</span> 2005 single by Mariah Carey

"Shake It Off" is a song performed by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey, taken from her tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi (2005). It was written and produced by Carey along with Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Johntá Austin. The song was initially solicited to radio on July 11, 2005, by Island and Mercury Records as the album's third single in the United States, while "Get Your Number" served as the album's third single elsewhere. Described by Dupri as "ghetto," the track is a R&B song that makes use of pop and hip hop influences and a simple, sparse production. Lyrically, the song follows Carey as she moves on from her relationship with an unfaithful lover, packing her things and breaking up with him over an answering machine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tricky Stewart</span> American record producer from Illinois

Christopher Alan "Tricky" Stewart is an American record producer, record executive, songwriter, and music publisher. In a career spanning over 30 years, Stewart has won 5 Grammys and is responsible for over 50 million records sold. He is noted for producing many hip hop, R&B and pop chart topping singles, often with The-Dream. Some of Stewart's record breaking singles are: Mýa's "Case of the Ex" (2000), Britney Spears' "Me Against the Music" (2003), Rihanna's "Umbrella" (2007), Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine" (2007), Beyoncé's "Single Ladies " (2008), Karina Pasian's "16 @ War" (2008), Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" (2008) and "Obsessed" (2009), Justin Bieber's "One Time" (2009) and "Baby" (2010), Ciara's "Ride" (2010), and Nicole Scherzinger's "Your Love" (2014).

Manuel L. Seal, Jr. is an American multi-instrumentalist, record producer, composer, singer, songwriter, vocal coach, and arranger. His credits include artists as Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Usher, TLC, Aretha Franklin, Xscape, Cherish, Tyrese, Alicia Keys, Ashanti, Monica, Lionel Richie, Avant, Gladys Knight, Aaron Hall, George Benson, Mary J Blige, Da Brat, Jagged Edge, El DeBarge, Shanice, Johnny Gill, LSG, Tamia, Gerald Levert, Marc Dorsey and Destiny's Child. He has won one Grammy Award from 13 nominations. Manuel Seal is the owner and CEO of Seal Music Productions. Inc. and S.L.A.C.K.A.D. Music.

Johntá Moore Austin is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, vocalist and rapper signed to Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings. He is known for collaborating with producers Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri and the production duo StarGate. He won two Grammy Awards for his work on the songs "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey and "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige.

Contemporary R&B is a popular music genre that combines rhythm and blues with elements of pop, soul, funk, hip hop, and electronic music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Forget About Us</span> 2005 single by Mariah Carey

"Don't Forget About Us" is a song by American R&B singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. It was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox and Johntá Austin, and produced by Carey, Dupri and Cox. It was released as the fifth single on October 10, 2005, by Island Def Jam, from the reissue of her tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi (2005), subtitled Ultra Platinum Edition. It is also the first single released from the reissue. The song is influenced by R&B and hip hop soul music genres, and lyrically chronicles the emotions felt by the protagonist after the loss of their relationship. Carey explained that the true meaning of the song is to be interpreted by the listener, therefore not disclosing its entire meaning publicly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rico Love</span> American record producer, songwriter, singer, and rapper

Richard Preston Butler Jr., better known by his stage name Rico Love, is an American record producer, songwriter, singer, and rapper. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but split his childhood between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and New York City's Harlem neighborhood. He attended Florida A&M and, while visiting Atlanta, Georgia, worked his way into the music industry through connections with Usher, who would become one of Love's frequent collaborators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jermaine Dupri production discography</span>

The following list is a discography of production by Jermaine Dupri, a record producer and recording artist. It includes a list of songs produced, co-produced and remixed by year, album, artist and title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RedZone Entertainment</span> Music-production entity

RedZone Entertainment is an Atlanta-based, music-production entity. Redzone's discography includes collaborations with many artists, producers, and composers of note, and is responsible for over 25 million records sold. RedZone Entertainment has produced acts such as P!nk, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, Usher, Ciara, Sting, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">100% (Mariah Carey song)</span> 2010 promotional single by Mariah Carey

"100%" is a song by American singer Mariah Carey originally recorded as a soundtrack promotional single from the motion picture Precious but then reassigned to the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The song was also due to feature on Carey's now cancelled thirteenth studio/second remix album, Angels Advocate though it was never tipped as a single from the latter.

Paul Boutin is a French-born American music mixer, audio engineer and a long-time collaborator with producer/songwriter/artist Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

Ocean's 7 is an American musical collective composed of singer-songwriters, record producers, and rappers consisted of Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael-Cox, Johntá Austin, Usher, Nelly, Trey Songz, and Dupri's assistant Tyrone. The group released the mixtape 3000 And 9 Shit, on May 5, 2009. Formed by Dupri in 1989, the group was modeled after the Rat Pack in the film Ocean's 11. Like the Rat Pack, the group's initial members, Dupri, Michael-Cox, and Austin are all associates and have teamed up to write and produce various hit singles for several artists in their careers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Waste My Time (Usher song)</span> 2019 single by Usher featuring Ella Mai

"Don't Waste My Time" is a song by American singer-songwriter Usher featuring British singer-songwriter Ella Mai. The song was first uploaded to SoundCloud on November 19, 2019, although it was officially released by RCA Records on December 13, 2019 to online music stores and streaming services. It serves as the lead single from Usher's upcoming ninth studio album Confessions 2. The song was written by the artists alongside Vedo, Christopher Allen Jones, and producers Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael-Cox. The song takes inspiration in part from "I Like the Way " (1990) by American R&B quintet Hi-Five and "Show You the Way to Go" (1976) by American family group the Jacksons.

This is the production discography of Ocean's 7.

References

  1. ASCAP.
  2. Chadbourne, Eugene. "Bryan-Michael Cox – Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved September 25, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Georgia Music Hall Of Fame Inductees". Georgia Music Channel. Archived from the original on November 9, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  4. Turner, Kimberly (September 1, 2009). "In Tune: Bryan-Michael Cox". Atlanta Magazine. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  5. Widran, Jonathan (January 16, 2007). "Bryan-Michael Cox Writes/Produces Hits With Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey; Wins Best R&B Song Grammy". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  6. "Bio". Blazetrak. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Songs written by Bryan-Michael Cox". MusicVF. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  8. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  9. Caulfield, Keith (February 7, 2016). "Adele's '25' Sales Surpass 8 Million in the U.S." Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  10. "Grammy – Mariah Carey nominations". Grammy. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  11. "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  12. "GRAMMY Award – Mary J. Blige". Grammy. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  13. "Making Hits With Bryan-Michael Cox". Grammy. December 2, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  14. Butler, Susan (October 28, 2006). "SESAC Goes South". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2018.