Saint Cassius (musician)

Last updated

Saint Cassius
Born Bronx, New York, United States
Origin New York, New York
Genres Hip Hop
Occupation(s)Rapper, Songwriter, Producer, Music Publisher
LabelsVinyl Crown Recordings
Website www.saintcassius.com

Khalil "Saint Cassius" Walton is an American musician, recording artist and independent music publisher based in New York City. [1]

He gained notoriety as a musician for his contribution to the Grammy Award winning single "Just the Way You Are" for Bruno Mars debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans . [2] [3]

In 2013, Cassius launched the Independent Publishing & Recordings company Vinyl Crown. The company signed producer Darius "Phonix" Barnes to the publishing imprint & holds such copyrights as Trey Songz "Fumble", Fabolous' "We Good" ft. Rich Homie Quan as well as J. Cole's top single off his 2014 Forest Hills Release "No Role Modelz". [4] On July 28, 2017, Cassius released his first single under the Vinyl Crown imprint entitled Take A Knee.

On March 2, 2018, Saint Cassius released an EP called, ANALOG, it is a contemporary ode to the classic hip-hop era and showcases his ever-evolving musicianship. He shows off his appreciation for women on smooth Ro James collaboration “Hey Beautiful Girl” and the jazz-infused “Analog Dreams” touches subjects including the value of trap music, net neutrality and features actor/artist Omari Hardwick. The project is led by the production of legendary hitmaker DJ Toomp and also features tracks from JF Clay as well.

In November of 2018, Cassius launched a creative agency called Nyáma as a Vinyl Crown venture with a business partner and graphic designer Patso Dimitiov allowing Vinyl Crown to have an all in-house creative agency.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doo Wop (That Thing)</span> 1998 single by Lauryn Hill

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" is a song recorded by American recording artist Lauryn Hill for her debut solo studio album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). It was written and produced by Hill. The song was released as the lead single from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on August 10, 1998, by Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records. No commercial release was originally intended for the single in the US, but limited-quantity physical formats were issued two months later, on October 27.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothin' on You</span> 2009 single by B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars

"Nothin' on You" is the debut single of both American rapper B.o.B and featured American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. It is the lead single from the former's debut studio album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010). It was first released on December 15, 2009, via digital download by Atlantic Records. The track was written by B.o.B, Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine, with the latter three producing it as the Smeezingtons. "Nothin' on You" was initially written for Lupe Fiasco, but Atlantic Records' chairman, Craig Kallman, gave it to B.o.B after being displeased with Fiasco's version. The song took several months to finish and was born from a hummed melody by Mars and Lawrence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruno Mars</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1985)

Peter Gene Hernandez, known professionally as Bruno Mars, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for his stage performances, retro showmanship, and for performing in a wide range of musical styles, including pop, R&B, funk, soul, reggae, disco, and rock. Mars is accompanied by his band, the Hooligans, who play a variety of instruments, such as electric guitar, bass, piano, keyboards, drums, and horns, and also serve as backup singers and dancers.

<i>Its Better If You Dont Understand</i> 2010 EP by Bruno Mars

It's Better If You Don't Understand is the debut extended play (EP) by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. The EP consists of four tracks and has been dubbed as a pop record. Its title comes from the final lyrics of one of its songs, "The Other Side". It was released on May 11, 2010 by Elektra Records in the United States, and on August 11, 2010 by Atlantic Records in France. The song "Count on Me" was not featured on the track list of the latter release. All of the material on the EP was produced by the Smeezingtons, the production team composed by Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine, with the closing track being co-produced by Jeff Bhasker.

The Smeezingtons were an American songwriting and record production team consisting of Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine. The Smeezingtons were established in Los Angeles, California; their production and writing services had been increasingly in demand since 2009. Eventually, the trio split, and with Christopher Brody Brown, Mars and Lawrence formed a new production trio called "Shampoo Press & Curl".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars song)</span> 2010 single by Bruno Mars

"Just the Way You Are" is the debut solo single by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. It is the lead single from his debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). The song was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Khalil Walton and Needlz and produced by the former three, under their alias, the Smeezingtons along with Needlz. It was released in the United States to contemporary hit radio on August 10, 2010. The track was released in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2010, as "Just the Way You Are (Amazing)". The song's lyrics compliment a woman's beauty.

<i>Doo-Wops & Hooligans</i> 2010 studio album by Bruno Mars

Doo-Wops & Hooligans is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. It was released on October 4, 2010, by Atlantic and Elektra Records and was made available to listen before its official release on September 24, 2010. After the release of the EP It's Better If You Don't Understand, Mars's writing and production team, the Smeezingtons, began working on the album with Needlz, Supa Dups and Jeff Bhasker as producers. The album title was chosen to reflect simplicity and appeal to males and females.

"Runaway Baby" is a song by American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars from his debut studio album Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). It was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine and Brody Brown. The former three produced the track under their alias, the Smeezingtons. "Runaway Baby" is a funk, pop rock, doo-wop and soul record. Its lyrics detail a playboy who is willing to break every woman's heart regardless of their feelings. Instrumentally, the track relies on finger snaps, police sirens, hand claps and raspy guitar lines. It received mixed reviews from music critics, who considered it one of the standouts in the album, but criticized its lyrical content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lazy Song</span> 2011 single by Bruno Mars

"The Lazy Song" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars for his debut studio album Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). It was serviced to contemporary hit radios in the United States on February 15, 2011, as the album's third single by Atlantic and Elektra. Development of "The Lazy Song" began while Mars, Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine were hanging around the studio and didn't feel like working. The trio, produced the track under their alias, the Smeezingtons, and wrote the song in collaboration with singer-songwriter K'naan. Musically, "The Lazy Song" has been described as borrowing "heavily from roots reggae" and has been compared to the reggae style of Jason Mraz, while lyrically it is an anthem to laziness.

"Marry You" is a song by American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars from his debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). Written and produced by the Smeezingtons, it serves as the record's sixth track and was released as a single outside of the United States. "Marry You" is a pop, doo-wop and soul song. The recording focuses on spontaneous marriage and therefore, since its release, has frequently been used as a proposal song. "Marry You" received generally positive reviews from music critics, with some complimenting its production and its reminiscence of 1960s pop style. Some criticized a perceived lack of creativity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liquor Store Blues</span> Song by Bruno Mars

"Liquor Store Blues" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars from his debut studio album Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010), featuring Jamaican artist Damian Marley. It was released as the first promotional single from the record, on September 21, 2010 by Elektra Records. "Liquor Store Blues" is a reggae track with dub influences written by Mars, Phillip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Dwayne Chin-Quee, Mitchum Chin, Marley and Thomas Pentz. It was produced by the former three, under their alias, the Smeezingtons and Chin-Quee. Lyrically, the song addresses a way of avoiding problems by drinking with hope that afterwards everything will be fine.

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

American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars has released three studio albums, one collaborative studio album, one EP, 32 singles and four promotional singles. With estimated sales of over 26 million albums and 200 million singles worldwide, Mars is one of the best-selling artists of all time. Six of his singles are among the best-selling singles of all time: in order of release date, "Just the Way You Are", "Grenade", "The Lazy Song", "When I Was Your Man", "Uptown Funk" and "That's What I Like". According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), he has sold 91.5 million copies in the United States. His first two albums have sold 5.04 million copies in the US alone. In 2012, Mars was named 2011's best selling music artist worldwide. In 2022, he became the first artist to receive six diamond certified songs in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grenade (song)</span> 2010 song performed by Bruno Mars

"Grenade" is a song by American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars from his debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). The pop and power pop song was written and produced by the Smeezingtons with additional songwriting by Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, and Andrew Wyatt. The song was developed from an unreleased track with similar lyrical themes played by record producer Benny Blanco to Mars. "Grenade" was completely rearranged and re‑recorded two days before the album's release. The lyrics carry a message of unrequited love and how Mars's heart was broken, despite his best efforts to show her his love. Elektra Records released the song as the second promotional single and as the second official single, to contemporary hit and rhythmic contemporary stations in the United States in October 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour</span> 2010–12 concert tour by Bruno Mars

The Doo-Wops & Hooligans Tour was the first headlining concert tour by American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars. Launched in support of his 2010 debut studio album Doo-Wops & Hooligans, the tour was announced in October 2010 and included dates in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, the Caribbean and South America.

"Talking to the Moon" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars from his debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). The song was first unveiled on Mars's debut extended play, It's Better If You Don't Understand (2010), as its last track. It was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Albert Winkler, and Jeff Bhasker, while production was handled by the Smeezingtons in collaboration with Bhasker. "Talking to the Moon" is a pop and R&B power ballad about a failed relationship, solitude, and sadness. Instrumentally, the track relies on drum percussion and piano.

"Count On Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars from his debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans (2010). The song was first unveiled on Mars's debut extended play, It's Better If You Don't Understand (2010). It was released as a radio single in Australia and served as the overall sixth single from Doo-Wops & Hooligans, being serviced to contemporary hit radio and adult contemporary radio in on November 7, 2011. It was composed by Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine, under their alias, the Smeezingtons. Musically, "Count On Me" is a folk and tropical record that lyrically details the importance of friendship and conveys a positive message.

Philip Martin Lawrence II is an American songwriter and record producer best known for his work with the songwriting and production team The Smeezingtons, alongside Bruno Mars. He has won eight Grammy Awards for his work. Lawrence's latest recording project, 24K Magic, won at the Grammys in the categories Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance. Lawrence is co-writer and co-producer on the majority of the songs released under these ventures. He also sings vocal with The Hooligans band who tours with Mars. He is also a voice actor, as he is the current voice of Sebastian since 2007, replacing Samuel E. Wright.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hooligans in Wondaland Tour</span> 2011 concert tour by Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe

The Hooligans in Wondaland Tour was a concert tour that was headlined by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe to support Mars' and Monáe's 2010 debut studio albums, Doo-Wops & Hooligans and The ArchAndroid, respectively. The co-headlining concerts were announced in February 2011; it coincided with their performances at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards. In April 2011, a promotional trailer was released through Mars's YouTube channel and a dedicated website, which was designed to further promote the tour. The concerts took place in North America in May and June of that year.

References

  1. "WARNER/CHAPPELL CHART SUCCESS BOLSTERED BY NEW DEALS WITH SONGWRITERS OF CHART-TOPPING SONGS". The Pulse: Fall 2010. Warner/Chappell Music, Inc. 2010. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012.
  2. "Bruno Mars Unveils Eagerly Awaited Debut Album "DOO-WOPS & HOOLIGANS" Slated to Arrive October 5th; New Single "Just The Way You Are" Shaping Up as Massive Hit, With Top 3 Success on iTunes "Top Singles"; Sold-Out New York City Live Debut Set for Tonight, Followed by US Tour Alongside Maroon 5 in October" (Press release). Marketwire. August 25, 2010. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  3. Doo-Wops & Hooligans (CD booklet). Bruno Mars. United States: Elektra Entertainment Group. 2010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. 2014 Forest Hills Drive (CD booklet). J. Cole. United States: RCA Records. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)

5. Saint Cassius Nyama Launch

6. Nyama Creative Agency Instagram Page

7. Take A Knee