Doc McKinney

Last updated
Doc McKinney
Birth nameMartin McKinney
Born (1971-08-27) August 27, 1971 (age 52)
Canada
Origin Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation(s)Record producer, songwriter
Formerly of

Martin "Doc" McKinney (born August 27, 1971) is a Canadian-American record producer and songwriter. [1] He was formerly one half of the duo (now solo act) Esthero. With fellow Toronto native the Weeknd, McKinney co-produced the mixtapes House of Balloons and Thursday ; [2] and co-produced his third album Starboy (2017), which earned McKinney the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album. [3] [4]

Contents

Life and career

Born in Canada and raised in Minneapolis, McKinney was exposed to the Twin Cities indie scene. [5] During his adolescent years, McKinney played in various punk rock and hip hop based groups. While the cities' most influential contributions came out of the 1980s, McKinney was immersed in the music scene of that decade. [5]

McKinney settled in Toronto in 1994, as an aspiring producer. McKinney was introduced to Jenny Bea Englishman – now known as "Esthero" [6] – which led him to becoming one half of the then duo. [7] The introduction was headed up by then EMI Publishing President, Michael McCarty. After co-writing and producing their entire breakthrough album Breath From Another, [8] McKinney carefully transitioned Jenny-Bea into a solo act so she could return to the studio. [7] McKinney went on to produce Res – co-writing and producing her critically acclaimed album, How I Do , alongside Santi White (Santigold). [9] McKinney has since worked with Santi White (Santigold) on various projects, including her 2008 release of her Solid Gold Mixtape. [10]

Since then, McKinney has had the opportunity to work with Sting, Drake, Kelis, Dr. Dre, G-Love, Raphael Saadiq, Mary J. Blige, [11] Sinéad O'Connor, [11] [12] Alice Smith, Amanda Blank, Trouble Andrew, Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest), [13] Hawksley Workman [14] as well as Latin artists Belinda, RBD and Debi Nova.

Personal life

McKinney is a supporter of War Child (charity), GEM's – Girls Educational and Mentoring Services, and Red Hot Organization (AIDS Awareness). [15] As an appreciation of his support, he donates his work as a producer/songwriter/engineer.

Selected production discography

Release DateAlbum TitleArtistSong TitlesLabel
1995Single k-os Rise Like The SunIndependent
1998 Breath from Another Esthero All SongsWork/Sony Music
2001 How I Do RES All SongsMCA/Universal
2002Red Hot and Riot Kelis So Be It
Red Hot
MCA
2002Instant Vintage Raphael Saadiq Tek 2
Pookie
Universal Music
2002Sex Sells Stiffed Wathca Gonna Go
Nighttime Lovin
Coolhunter/Ryko
2003Lover, Fighter Hawksley Workman Smoke BabyIsadora Records/Universal Records
2003Peace Songs k-os Livin In A World CorruptIsadora Records/Universal Music
2004Sacred Love Sting (musician)
feat. will.i.am
Stolen Car (Remix)Interscope Records/Universal Music
2005 Wikked Lil' Grrrls Esthero Wikked Lil Grrrls
If Tha Mood
Fastlane
Bad Boy Clyde
Reprise/Wea
2005Burned Again Stiffed (band) RunOutlook
2006Utopia Belinda (entertainer) Contigo O Sin TiEMI/Televisa
2007Buck The WorldYoung Buck
feat. Chester Bennington (Linkin Park)
Slow Ya RollG-Unit/Interscope Records/Universal Records
2008Solid Gold Mixtape Santigold Guns of BrooklynDowntown Records/Universal Records
2008Between The Beautifuls Hawksley Workman Prettier Face
Piano Blink
Isadora Records/Universal Records
2008Los Manlicious Hawksley Workman Pretty Girls
Lonely People
In My Blood
Fatty Wants to Dance
Prettier Face
Piano Blink
Isadora Records/Universal Records
2009Call and Response Maroon 5 Best That We Break (Remix)Interscope Records/Universal Records
2009Shame On Me Amanda Blank I Love YouDowntown Records/Universal Records
2009Para Olvdarte De Mi RBD Camino Al SolEMI/Telivisa
2009Girls Educational and Mentoring Services Mary J. Blige and Sinéad O'Connor This Is To Mother YouIndependent
2010Luna Nueva Debi Nova We Were Young
Don't Wanna Forget
Decca Records/Universal Records
2010Dreams of a Troubled ManTrouble AndrewStop Me
Condition
Wasted
Cadillac
Flaunts It
Oh No
Virgin Records
2010Stray Bullets Cee Lo Green "Champain"Mixtape
2011House of Balloons The Weeknd ProducerIndependent
2011Thursday The Weeknd ProducerIndependent
2011Take Care Drake "The Ride"Young Money, Cash Money, Universal Republic
2011Shake It Out Florence and The Machine "Shake it Out" The Weeknd RemixIsland Records
2011Free Download The Weeknd "Trust Issues" The Weeknd RemixIndependent [16]
2012TBDYadi" Guillotine Remix"Warner UK
2012Trilogy The Weeknd Producer/Executive ProducerXO,Universal Republic
2014Free Download Spooky Black "Reason"Independent
2016Starboy The Weeknd Executive ProducerXO, Universal Republic
2019Non-album track JoJo SabotageWarner Records, Clover Music
2020 Good to Know JoJo So Bad
Lonely Hearts
Warner Records, Clover Music

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawksley Workman</span> Canadian musician

Hawksley Workman is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter who has garnered critical acclaim for his blend of cabaret pop and glam rock. Workman has released eleven full-length albums throughout his career. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and sings on his records, often switching between those instruments when playing live.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esthero</span> Canadian singer-songwriter

Esthero is a Canadian singer-songwriter who lives in Los Angeles, California. The name Esthero refers both to the singer and formerly to the two-person team of herself and producer Doc McKinney. Esthero is a portmanteau of "Esther the hero"; she claims to have gotten the name by combining the name of the heroine (Esther) and last line of the film from Sylvia Plath's novel The Bell Jar.

Graph Nobel is a Canadian indie/alternative/pop musician and songwriter. Her music is "hip-hop inspired with punk rock abandon".

<i>Breath from Another</i> 1998 studio album by Esthero

Breath from Another is the debut studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Esthero. The album was released on April 28, 1998, and now generally considered a trip hop classic despite poor sales. Despite its containing several expletives and sexual content, the album was not released with a Parental Advisory warning. Thanks in part to the success of the album's music videos, the album has sold over 100,000 copies in the United States, and achieved Gold certification in the artist's native Canada.

Michael George Dean is an American record producer, audio engineer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for his synthesizer-heavy instrumentation and audio mixing for high-profile music industry artists. He began his career in 1992, producing albums for rappers such as Scarface, Willie D, and Geto Boys, but has since worked on records for artists including the Weeknd, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Travis Scott, Jay-Z, Drake, Madonna, Selena Gomez, and Lana Del Rey, among others. As a non-vocal lead artist, Dean has released four solo studio albums: 4:20 (2020), 4:22 (2021), Smoke State 42222 (2022), and 4:23 (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santigold</span> American singer (born 1976)

Santi White, known professionally as Santigold, is an American singer and songwriter. Her debut studio album, Santogold (2008), received widespread critical acclaim for its cross-genre combining dub, new wave, and hip-hop. The album's second single "L.E.S. Artistes", reached the top 40 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Weeknd</span> Canadian singer-songwriter (born 1990)

Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is noted for his unconventional music production, artistic reinventions, and his signature use of the falsetto register. His accolades include four Grammy Awards, 20 Billboard Music Awards, 22 Juno Awards, six American Music Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and a Latin Grammy Award, as well as nominations for an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.

<i>House of Balloons</i> First of three 2011 mixtapes by the Weeknd

House of Balloons is the debut mixtape by Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on March 21, 2011, by the artist's own record label XO. The mixtape was released for free on the Weeknd's website and was the subject of increased media discussion upon the use of its songs on television, as well as the then-anonymous identity of the individual behind the Weeknd. House of Balloons was entirely recorded in Toronto, with production handled primarily by the Weeknd, Doc McKinney, Illangelo, and Cirkut; the Weeknd would later collaborate with McKinney and Illangelo on several future releases. Its title is derived from the nickname the singer gave to his former home in Parkdale, Toronto.

<i>Thursday</i> (album) Second of three 2011 mixtapes by the Weeknd

Thursday is the second mixtape by Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on August 18, 2011, by XO. Like his debut mixtape House of Balloons (2011), the Weeknd collaborated with producers and songwriters Doc McKinney and Illangelo; the duo produced Thursday in its entirety, and it contains fewer samples than its predecessor. Recorded in Toronto, the mixtape is also notable for its guest appearance from Canadian rapper Drake.

"Heaven Sent" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Esthero. It was released as first official single from her debut album Breath from Another and peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot Dance Breakout Singles Sales chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wicked Games</span> 2012 single by the Weeknd

"Wicked Games" is the debut single by Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was recorded at Site Sound Studios and mixed at Liberty Studios in Toronto. Producers Doc McKinney and Illangelo co-wrote the song and performed all instrumentation. Originally recorded for The Weeknd's 2011 mixtape House of Balloons, the song was remastered and released as the lead single for his 2012 compilation album Trilogy. It was released as a digital single on October 22, 2012, by XO and Republic Records. Upon release, the single received widespread acclaim from music critics. On May 9, 2013, "Wicked Games" was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments of 2,000,000 units in the United States. The song was featured on the soundtrack for the movie Southpaw, the soundtrack's executive producer being American rapper Eminem who went on to produce a remix with The Weeknd on his later song "The Hills".

<i>Trilogy</i> (The Weeknd album) 2012 compilation album by the Weeknd

Trilogy is the first compilation album and major label debut by Canadian singer the Weeknd. It was released on November 13, 2012, through XO and Republic Records. It is composed of remixed and remastered versions of the songs contained in his 2011 mixtapes House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence, and three previously unreleased songs, "Twenty Eight", "Valerie", and "Till Dawn " were included as bonus tracks.

Carlo Montagnese, known professionally as Illangelo, is a Canadian record producer, songwriter, musician and mixing engineer from Calgary, Alberta, who came to attention as long-time collaborator of the Weeknd. A Grammy Award winner, his work includes Post Malone's "I Fall Apart", Fall Out Boy "The Last of the Real Ones", Lykke Li, M.I.A., MØ, executive production of the Weeknd's 2011 mixtapes, the 2012 compilation album from the Weeknd titled Trilogy along with singles from rappers Wiz Khalifa's "Remember You", Drake's "Crew Love", Ricky Hil's "Nomads",, and remixes such as Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night " and Florence and the Machine's "Shake It Out ". He was one half of the duo Somewhere Else with collaborator Billy Walsh, and he released his debut concept album History of Man on August 20, 2013, under his label Hear the Art Inc., Skrillex's OWSLA label and Brodinski's Bromance Records imprint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twenty Eight (song)</span> 2012 single by the Weeknd

"Twenty Eight" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd, featured as a bonus track on the version of his debut mixtape House of Balloons (2011). It was released as the album's second single on November 13, 2012 by XO and Republic Records. The song only appears on the reissue of the mixtape that is included with his 2012 compilation album, Trilogy. The song was recorded at Site Sound Studios and mixed at Liberty Studios in Toronto. Producers Doc McKinney and Illangelo co-wrote the song and performed all instrumentation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Zone (song)</span> 2012 single by the Weeknd featuring Drake

"The Zone" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd featuring Canadian rapper Drake. It was originally recorded for the Weeknd's 2011 mixtape Thursday, the song was later remastered and released as the third single for his 2012 album Trilogy. It was released as a digital single on November 16, 2012, by XO and Republic Records. The song serves as the first collaboration between the two artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexodus</span> 2015 single by M.I.A. featuring The Weeknd

"Sexodus" is a song by English rapper M.I.A. from her fourth studio album, Matangi (2013). It is written by M.I.A. alongside British record producer Switch, Doc McKinney, Illangelo, and The Weeknd are also credited due to a sample of The Weeknd's song "Lonely Star" from his mixtape Thursday. The album version of the song was noted for its "striking" similarities to a different song from the album, "Exodus". However, the single version features War Syntaire and was labelled as being "Re-Loaded With War". Before the track was recorded by M.I.A., she offered the song to Madonna.

"Sidewalks" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd, featuring American rapper Kendrick Lamar, from his third studio album Starboy (2016). The song was written by both artists alongside Doc McKinney, Daniel Wilson, Robert John Richardson, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, being produced by McKinney, Bobby Raps and Muhammad. The song sampled the song "Fu-Gee-La" by Fugees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esthero discography</span>

Canadian singer/songwriter Esthero has released three studio albums, two extended plays, and seven singles as a lead artist. Her debut album, Breath from Another, was released with Doc McKinney in 1998. The album initially unsuccessful, though it eventually managed to sell more than 110,000 copies in the US and more than 50,000 in Canada. The record spawned three singles: "Breath from Another", "Heaven Sent", and "That Girl". "Heaven Sent" went into moderate rotation on MTV and peaked in the top 5 on the Hot Dance Breakouts Single Sales chart. Breath from Another received a nomination at the 1999 Juno Awards, in the category of "Best Alternative Album." However, it lost to Rufus Wainwright's eponymous debut album.

"The Morning" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd which serves as the fourth track from his debut mixtape, House of Balloons (2011). It was written by the Weeknd, Doc McKinney and Illangelo, and produced by the latter two. "The Morning" was placed on Pitchfork's list of top 100 songs of 2011 at number 15. In 2012, it was remastered and released on the Weeknd's compilation album, Trilogy. It was featured in the 2019 film Uncut Gems, which the Weeknd appeared in and performed the song live for the film. In 2021, the Weeknd included it on his greatest hits album, The Highlights and in 2023 it was featured on his live album, Live at SoFi Stadium. The Weeknd has performed it during all of his tours.

"House of Balloons / Glass Table Girls" is a song by Canadian singer the Weeknd, and serves as the third track from his debut mixtape, House of Balloons (2011). It was written by the Weeknd, Doc McKinney and Illangelo, with the latter two producing the song. The track was released with the rest of House of Balloons on March 21, 2011, through XO. The song was later remastered and commercially released on the Weeknd's compilation album Trilogy. It has amassed over 240 million streams on Spotify as of January 2024.

References

  1. "Doc McKinney". Grammy.com. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  2. "The Weeknd ... House of Balloons". Silencenogood.net. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  3. Interview with Doc McKinney Paul Tingen. Retrieved on March 31, 2018
  4. "Award Winners Best Urban Contemporary Album". GRAMMY.com. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Gawle, Darren. "Mis-Quote Me and I'll Kill You! - Interview". Dropd.com. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  6. "Esthero". Freebase.com. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Breath from Another: Esthero: Music". Amazon.com. 1998. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  8. "Esthero - Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  9. "Res - How I Do". Btmon.com. Retrieved 20 May 2006.
  10. "Martin McKinney". Discogs.com. Retrieved 20 May 2011.
  11. 1 2 "This is to Mother You | Girls Educational & Mentoring Service (GEMS)". Gems-girls.org. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  12. "Fashion By The Finest". Fashionbythefinest.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  13. "Q&A: Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Doc McKinney - Boards". 28 March 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-03-28. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  14. "Hawksley Workman: Information from". Answers.com. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  15. "Call + Response". 8 January 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-01-08. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  16. "Martin McKinney Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2013-08-10.