Tricky Stewart
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Christopher Alan "Tricky" Stewart (born January 4, 1974) is an American record producer, record executive, songwriter, and music publisher. Stewart, a five-time Grammy Award recipient, began producing music in 1992 and has contributed to unit sales of over 50 million for his work on hip hop, R&B and pop releases.[1] Often in tandem with production partner and R&B singer The-Dream, he has been credited on the singles "Case of the Ex" (2000) by Mýa, "Me Against the Music" (2003) by Britney Spears, "Umbrella" (2007) by Rihanna, "Just Fine" (2007) by Mary J. Blige, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008) by Beyoncé, "Touch My Body" (2008) and "Obsessed" (2009) by Mariah Carey, "One Time" (2009) and "Baby" (2010) by Justin Bieber, "Ride" (2010) by Ciara, and "Water" (2023) by Tyla, among others.[2]
Stewart co-founded the record company RedZone Entertainment in 1995, which signed R&B singer Frank Ocean prior to his mainstream breakthrough. In 2012, he was included in Billboard's 40 Under 40, a list of music executives "who are propelling our industry with their artistic and business vision."[3] Stewart signed a publishing contract with Spirit Music Group in 2020, a deal which covered his following works as he sold his catalog to Hipgnosis Songs two years prior.[4]
Early life
[edit]Stewart was born in Markham, Illinois. Raised in a musical family, he was playing guitar, keyboards, and writing songs by the age of 12. His older brother, record producer Laney Stewart, introduced him to one of his first music business mentors, the late Louis Silas, Jr., who fostered Stewart's musical career by giving him the opportunity to contribute to several projects for major artists. Before graduating high school, Stewart had placements with artists such as Aaron Hall, rhythm and blues trio IMx, and Chanté Moore. He credits working with the latter gave him further opportunities in his burgeoning career.[5]
Career
[edit]1994–2005
[edit]In 1994, Stewart produced the single "Treat U Right" for Blackgirl. He also met record producer L.A. Reid, who offered him a deal to move his first production company to Atlanta. In 1995, with the support of Reid, he launched the company RedZone Entertainment and recording studio, Triangle Sound. Both were operated in partnership with his brother Mark Stewart and sister-in-law Judi Stewart. RedZone Entertainment is based in Atlanta, but also has a recording studio in Los Angeles.
Stewart saw his first major breakthrough in 1999 when he co-produced the single "Who Dat" for JT Money. The song peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America and won ASCAP's "Song of the Year".[6] In addition to producing and writing, Stewart executive produced albums for Solé and Blu Cantrell.
In 2000, Tricky co-wrote and produced Interscope Records artist Mýa's breakthrough single "Case of the Ex". It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 2000, and remained in the chart's top ten for three months.[6] While Mya's song was still on top, Stewart discovered and signed Blu Cantrell, and went on to executive produce her debut album So Blu on Arista Records. It peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200 and spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top two single "Hit 'em Up Style (Oops!)".
In 2002, Stewart co-produced and co-wrote B2K's debut single, "Uh Huh".[7] In 2003, Blu Cantrell's second album, Bittersweet, was released; it features three songs produced by Stewart, "Unhappy", "Holding on to Love" and "Let Her Go". He also co-wrote and produced a number of songs for Britney Spears's fourth album, In the Zone (2003), including two of its singles, "Me Against the Music" and "Outrageous", as well as "Early Mornin'" and "The Hook Up".
2006–present
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2007 was a breakthrough year for Stewart and RedZone Entertainment. Rihanna's single "Umbrella", co-written with The-Dream, garnered two Grammy nominations—for Record of the Year and Song of the Year—and won the award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. In an interview with MTV, Stewart said
"When she recorded the 'ellas' you knew it was about to be the jump-off, and your life was about to change if you had anything to do with that record."
Released in March 2007, "Umbrella" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart by May, rising 40 spots in one week to spend seven consecutive weeks at number one. The song also broke the iTunes music store's record for biggest debut. Its success brought Rihanna to a mainstream prominence; co-writer and business partner The-Dream ultimately signed with Def Jam Recordings to release his own singles. Stewart was credited on his follow-up singles "Falsetto" and "I Luv Your Girl". In late 2007, Stewart was working with notable artists as Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, and Usher ("Moving Mountains" and "This Ain't Sex" of his album Here I Stand).
"It's crazy, just being a part of that, I've seen a lot of things in my time in the music business, but to see a record take off like that, it's just amazing."
Stewart was also nominated in 2007 for a Grammy for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" on Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine"; that same year, Stewart also co-wrote and produced on the album Growing Pains, as well as the vocals were produced by his production team. Composed of Tricky, The-Dream, and Kuk Harrell, it proved to be a successful tandem. Stewart won his first Grammy Awardfor his work on Growing Pains in 2009.
The single "Touch My Body" off Mariah Carey's album in 2008 E=MC², produced by Stewart and Carey was described as "...a No. 1 just waiting to pounce the Billboard Hot 100" by Chuck Taylor of Billboard Magazine. On April 2, 2008, it was announced that "Touch My Body" became Carey's 18th No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, pushing her to second place among artists with the most No. 1 singles in the rock era and first place as a solo artist in the same category, surpassing Elvis Presley. The achievement was attributed to a record-breaking digital sales debut, as 286,000 copies were sold in its first week of availability.
Also in 2008, he produced the songs, "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" for Beyoncé as well as the ballad "Smash into You". "Single Ladies" would later become a pop culture phenomenon due to its female empowerment lyrics, catchy melody and much parodied music video. The song won multiple Grammy and MTV Video Music Awards, and remains Stewart's best-selling single.
For Ciara's 2009 album, Fantasy Ride, he produced the song "High Price", which features Ludacris. That same year, he also worked with Japanese-American singer-songwriter Utada on her third English studio album This Is The One, on which he produced four songs.
Tricky and The-Dream collaborated with Mariah Carey on her 2009 album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, for which they co-produced each song, and co-wrote all but one of the songs.
Tricky and The-Dream executive-produced Ciara's fourth studio album, Basic Instinct, which was released on December 10, 2010. The lead single from the album, "Ride" was produced by the duo and released in April 2010; it went on to become Ciara's 12th top ten hit on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[8]
Stewart contributed to the Christina Aguilera album Bionic, released in June 2010, and produced the score for her debut film, Burlesque, released in November 2010.
Stewart produced Katy Perry's second studio album, Teenage Dream which was released in 2010.[9] Its second promotional single, "Circle the Drain", was produced by Stewart and released on iTunes in August of that year.
Stewart co-produced three songs and one bonus track from Jennifer Lopez's eighth studio album Love?, which was released in April 2011. The album marked her first release through Island Records after completing her 10-year contract with Epic Records in February 2010.
Stewart also contributed to Big Time Rush's song "No Idea" from their sophomore album Elevate, released in November 2011.
In October 2016, he was a producer and songwriter for BTS's song "BTS Cypher 4".
In July of 2023, Stewart wrote Tyla's single Water
In November 2023, Stewart co-produced P1Harmony's single "Fall in Love Again".
Discography
[edit]Produced singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Artist | Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | US Rap | US Pop | UK | CAN | AUS | ||||
| 1999 | "Who Dat" (featuring Solé) | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | — | JT Money | Pimpin' on Wax |
| "4, 5, 6" (featuring JT Money and Kandi) | 27 | 9 | 1 | — | — | — | — | Solé | Skin Deep | |
| 2000 | "It Wasn't Me" (featuring Ginuwine) | — | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "If You Don't Wanna Love Me" | 89 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | Tamar Braxton | Tamar | |
| "Case of the Ex" | 2 | 10 | — | — | 3 | 14 | 1 | Mýa | Fear of Flying | |
| 2001 | "Uh Huh" | 37 | 20 | — | — | 31 | 4 | 41 | B2K | B2K |
| 2003 | "Me Against the Music" (featuring Madonna) | 35 | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 1 | Britney Spears | In the Zone |
| 2007 | "Umbrella" (featuring Jay-Z) | 1 | 4 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Rihanna | Good Girl Gone Bad |
| "Just Fine" | 22 | 3 | — | 42 | 16 | 84 | — | Mary J. Blige | Growing Pains | |
| "Ridin'" | — | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | Mýa | Liberation | |
| "Suffocate" | 18 | 2 | — | 55 | — | — | — | J. Holiday | Back of My Lac' | |
| "Falsetto" | 30 | 3 | — | 94 | — | — | — | The-Dream | Love/Hate | |
| "I Luv Your Girl" (featuring Young Jeezy) | 20 | 3 | — | 58 | — | — | — | |||
| 2008 | "Touch My Body" | 1 | 2 | — | 1 | 5 | 2 | 17 | Mariah Carey | E=MC² |
| "Leavin'" | 10 | — | — | 1 | 48 | 16 | 49 | Jesse McCartney | Departure | |
| "Moving Mountains" | 67 | 18 | — | — | 25 | — | 36 | Usher | Here I Stand | |
| "Cookie Jar" (featuring The-Dream) | 59 | — | — | 55 | 6 | 91 | 41 | Gym Class Heroes | The Quilt | |
| "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | 7 | 2 | 5 | Beyoncé | I Am... Sasha Fierce | |
| "Just Like Me" (featuring T.I.) | 49 | 8 | — | — | — | — | 91 | Jamie Foxx | Intuition | |
| 2009 | "Hands on Me" | — | 56 | — | — | — | — | — | Bobby Valentino | The Rebirth |
| "Throw It in the Bag" (featuring The-Dream) | 14 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | Fabolous | Loso's Way | |
| "All I Really Want" (featuring The-Dream) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Rick Ross | Deeper Than Rap | |
| "Like a Surgeon" | — | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | Ciara | Fantasy Ride | |
| "Obsessed" | 7 | 12 | — | — | 52 | 15 | 13 | Mariah Carey | Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel | |
| "One Time" | 17 | — | — | 14 | 11 | 12 | 35 | Justin Bieber | My World | |
| "I Look to You" | 70 | 16 | — | — | 115 | 68 | — | Whitney Houston | I Look to You | |
| "Gangsta Luv" (featuring The-Dream) | 35 | 24 | 5 | — | — | — | — | Snoop Dogg | Malice n Wonderland | |
| "Louboutins" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Jennifer Lopez | Love? | |
| "Hard" (featuring Young Jeezy) | 8 | 14 | — | 9 | 42 | 15 | 75 | Rihanna | Rated R | |
| 2010 | "Baby" (featuring Ludacris) | 5 | 96 | — | — | 3 | 3 | 18 | Justin Bieber | My World 2.0 |
| "Up Out My Face" (remix) (featuring Nicki Minaj) | 100 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | Mariah Carey | Angels Advocate (Unreleased) | |
| "Ride" (featuring Ludacris) | 42 | 3 | — | — | 75 | — | 75 | Ciara | Basic Instinct | |
| "Speechless" | — | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Gimmie Dat" | — | 63 | — | — | 111 | — | — | |||
| 2011 | "Novacane" | 82 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | Frank Ocean | Nostalgia, Ultra |
Credits
[edit]| Year | Album/song | Artist | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | "Break My Soul"[10] | Beyoncé | Producer |
| 2021 | Bodies[11] | Muni Long | Producer, Composer |
| 2020 | Eden / I Spoiled You[12] | Matt B | Producer |
| 2016 | Lilac / "Purple"[13] | ThiDaniel aka Saucito | Producer |
| 2011 | No Idea | Big Time Rush | Writer/Producer |
| Novacane | Frank Ocean | ||
| Ride Freestyle[14] | Jamie Drastik | Producer | |
| 2010 | No Mercy / "No Mercy" | T.I. | Producer |
| Love King / "Panties to the Side" | The-Dream | ||
| Basic Instinct / "Gimmie Dat" | Ciara | ||
| Basic Instinct / "Ride" | Ciara / Ludacris | ||
| Untitled Yet | Celine Dion | ||
| Love? / "Run the World" | Jennifer Lopez | ||
| Burlesque soundtrack / "Express", "Show Me How You Burlesque" | Christina Aguilera/ Cher | ||
| Bionic / "Desnudate", "Glam", "Prima Donna" | Christina Aguilera | Producer, composer | |
| Teenage Dream/ "Circle the Drain", "Who Am I Living For?", "Hummingbird Heartbeat", "Dressin'Up" | Katy Perry | ||
| 2009 | D.N.A./ Starlight | Mario | Producer |
| D.N.A./ Don't Walk Away | |||
| Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel | Mariah Carey | Writer/producer | |
| Fantasy Ride/ High Price | Ciara/ Ludacris | Producer | |
| Fantasy Ride/ Ciara to the Stage | Ciara | ||
| Fantasy Ride/ Like a Surgeon | |||
| Fantasy Ride/ Keep Dancin' On Me | |||
| This Is The One | Utada | ||
| Loso's Way / Throw It in the Bag | Fabolous / The-Dream | ||
| Hatin on the Club | Rihanna / The-Dream | ||
| 2008 | Intuition | Jamie Foxx | Producer, composer |
| Call and Response: The Remix Album/"This Love (C. "Tricky" Stewart Remix)" | Maroon 5 | Producer | |
| I Am... Sasha Fierce/"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and "Smash into You" | Beyoncé | Composer, producer | |
| The Quilt/"Cookie Jar" | Gym Class Heroes | Producer | |
| "Hurt That Body" | Donnie Klang | Composer, producer | |
| Here I Stand/"This Ain't Sex" | Usher | ||
| Here I Stand/"Moving Mountains" | |||
| E=MC² | Mariah Carey | ||
| E=MC² | |||
| E=MC²(deluxe edition) | |||
| E=MC²/"Touch My Body" | |||
| Departure | Jesse McCartney | ||
| Departure/"Leavin'" | |||
| Discipline | Janet Jackson | Producer | |
| Discipline "Greatest X" | Producer, composer | ||
| Discipline (CD/DVD Japan deluxe edition) | Producer | ||
| Discipline (CD/DVD) | |||
| 2007 | Back of My Lac' (CD/DVD) | J. Holiday | Producer, composer |
| Love/Hate | The-Dream | Composer, producer, director | |
| Love/Hate (clean) | |||
| Love/Hate/"Falsetto" | Composer, producer | ||
| Love/Hate/"I Luv Your Girl" | |||
| Good Girl Gone Bad | Rihanna | Composer, producer, keyboards, drum programming | |
| Good Girl Gone Bad (bonus CD) | |||
| Good Girl Gone Bad/"Umbrella" | Composer, producer | ||
| Ananda (CD/DVD) | Paulina Rubio | Producer | |
| Ananda (standard) | |||
| Growing Pains | Mary J. Blige | Composer, producer, keyboards, drum programming, mix supervision | |
| Growing Pains/"Just Fine" | Composer, producer | ||
| Back of My Lac' (CD/DVD Clean) | J. Holiday | Producer | |
| Back of My Lac' (clean) | |||
| Back of My Lac'/"Bed" | Composer, producer | ||
| Back of My Lac'/"Suffocate" | |||
| Taking Chances/"Skies of L.A." | Celine Dion | Producer, keyboards, drum programming | |
| Taking Chances (CD/DVD) | |||
| 2006 | Alter Ego/"Light's On" | Tyrese | Producer |
| The Best of Sisqo 20th Century Masters Millennium Collection | Sisqó | ||
| Ananda (Target bonus track) | Paulina Rubio | ||
| Ananda (Walmart bonus track) | |||
| Point of No Return / "You Ain't Ready" | 3LW | Writer, producer | |
| Point of No Return / "How U Gonna Act" | 3LW / Penelope Magnet | ||
| Director | Avant | Producer | |
| Director(Circuit City Exclusive) | |||
| 2005 | Back for More | Shawn Desman | Arranger, programming, instrumentation |
| Back for More (bonus CD) | |||
| Girlfight (Australia) | Brooke Valentine | Producer | |
| In The Zone (DualDisc) | Britney Spears | Programming, instrumentation | |
| Queen of Hip-Pop/"I Love You" | Namie Amuro | Composer, producer, multi-instrumentation | |
| 2004 | Been Around The World, Pt. 1 | Zena | Producer |
| This Is My Time (Life Is Beautiful / What's Real?) | Raven-Symoné | ||
| Greatest Hits: My Prerogative | Britney Spears | Arranger, programming, multi-instrumentation | |
| Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (import bonus CD) | |||
| Greatest Hits: My Prerogative (U.S. bonus CD) | |||
| In The Zone (DVD audio/bonus videos) | Arranger, programming, vocals (background), instrumentation | ||
| In The Zone (import bonus track) | |||
| Bittersweet (Australia bonus tracks) | Blu Cantrell | Producer, executive producer, drum programming | |
| B2K Greatest Hits | B2K | Producer, composer | |
| Chapter III | Allure | Producer, programming, instrumentation | |
| 2003 | Moodring | Mýa | Producer |
| Moodring (UK bonus tracks) | |||
| Moodring/"Sophisticated Lady" & "No Sleep Tonight" | |||
| In the Zone | Britney Spears | Arranger, programming, vocals (background), multi-instruments | |
| In the Zone (Australia Bonus Tracks) | Producer, arranger, programming, vocals (background), multi-instruments | ||
| Me Against the Music | Composer, producer, arranger, programming, instrumentation | ||
| Me Against the Music (remixes) | Composer, arranger, programming, instrumentation | ||
| Me Against the Music (Australia CD) | |||
| Me Against the Music, Pt. 2 | Composer, producer, arranger, programming, instrumentation | ||
| Bittersweet (w/Explicit Bonus CD) | Blu Cantrell | Executive producer, drum programming, mixing, instrumentation | |
| Bittersweet/Breathe (CD5) | Executive producer | ||
| 2002 | Funky Divas: The Autumn Collection | Various artists | Producer |
| The New Guy (soundtrack) | |||
| Pure R&B, Vol 3 | |||
| Bad Company (original soundtrack) | |||
| B2K | B2K | ||
| 2001 | Down To Earth, Music From the Motion Picture | Various artists | Producer, programmer, sequencing |
| Prophet Jones | Prophet Jones | Producer, programming, keyboards | |
| Fear of Flying | Mýa | ||
| Fear of Flying (bonus tracks) | |||
| Fear of Flying/"Case of the Ex" | Producer | ||
| Bridging the Gap | Charlie Wilson | Producer, keyboards | |
| So Blu | Blu Cantrell | Executive producer, producer | |
| 2000 | Take Back (C."Tricky" Stewart remix) | Koda Kumi | Remixer |
| Tamar | Tamar Braxton | Executive producer, producer, writer | |
| 1999 | Skin Deep | Solé | Producer, executive producer |
| Skin Deep (clean) | |||
| Rise to Power | Kane & Abel | Programming, multi-instruments, sequencing | |
| Pimpin' On Wax | J.T. Money | Producer, engineer, programming, vocals, performer | |
| Pimpin' On Wax/"Who dat" feat. Solé | Producer, composer | ||
| Daydreamin' | Before Dark | Sequencing, keyboards | |
| 1998 | Player's Club (soundtrack) | Various artists | Producer |
| Player's Club (soundtrack, Clean) | |||
| Tyrese | Tyrese | Producer, engineer | |
| Tyrese (clean) | Programming, sequencing | ||
| 1996 | Mista | Mista | Producer |
| Now and Forever | Color Me Badd | Keyboards | |
| 1994 | Straight to the Point | Damion Hall | Producer, vocal arrangement, programming, sequencing |
| Treat U Right | Blackgirl | Producer, vocal arrangement, arranger, sequencing | |
| 1993 | NBA Jam Session | Various artists | Programming, remixing, sequencing |
| Remixes in the Key of B | Bobby Brown | Multi-instruments, remixing | |
| The Truth | Aaron Hall | Sequencing | |
| 1992 | On Our Worst Behavior | Immature | Drums |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Nominated Work | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Umbrella" (Rihanna feat. Jay-Z) | ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award | Top R&B/Hip Hop Songs of 2007 | Won |
| NMPA | Double Platinum[15] | Won | ||
| Grammy Awards | Record of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
| ASCAP Pop Award | One of the Most Played Songs of 2007 | Won | ||
| 2010 | I Am... Sasha Fierce (Beyoncé) | Grammy Awards | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (Beyoncé) | Song of the Year | Won | ||
| Best R&B Song | Won | |||
| 2011 | Teenage Dream (Katy Perry) | Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Loud (Rihanna) | Nominated | ||
| 2023 | Renaissance (Beyoncé) | Nominated | ||
| "Break My Soul" (Beyoncé) | Record of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best Dance/Electronic Recording | Won |
References
[edit]- ^ "Spirit Music Group | Tricky Stewart Signs Publishing Deal With Spirit Music Group". www.spiritmusicgroup.com. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ Donovan, Thom (April 17, 2024). "The Meaning Behind "Water" by Tyla and the Social Media Dance Craze that Made It a Hit". American Songwriter. Nashville, Tennessee: Savage Ventures. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Gail (August 2, 2012). "40 Under 40: Christopher "Tricky" Stewart". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ Variety Staff (March 13, 2020). "'Umbrella' Cowriter Tricky Stewart Signs Publishing Deal With Spirit Music". Variety. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ "Tricky Stewart". Peermusic. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ^ a b Kawashima, Dale (January 4, 2002). "R&B Hitmaker Tricky Stewart Talks About Writing Hits For Mya And Other Artists, And How He Got Started". SongwriterUniverse. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
- ^ Moss, Corey (October 15, 2003). "Getting Aggressive With Britney Pays Off For RedZone". MTV News. Archived from the original on September 11, 2014. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
- ^ "Exclusive: Ciara Readies New Album". Rap-Up.com. September 28, 2009. Archived from the original on April 2, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ Tricky Stewart Switches Gears with New Katy Perry Album Archived December 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Rap-Up (December 2010).
- ^ Harris, Latesha (June 21, 2022). "Beyoncé's new single is out. Listen to 'BREAK MY SOUL'". NPR. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ "Muni Long Counts Her 'Bodies' on New Track by Antwan Folk". Rated R&B. March 22, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ "MATT B REFLECTS WITH SILKY-SMOOTH R&B SINGLE "I SPOILED YOU" by Hanna Yando". Behind the Curtains Media. August 28, 2020. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
- ^ "Singer ThiDaniel Teams with Super Producer Tricky Stewart for Feel-Good Track 'Purple': Premiere". Billboard. August 25, 2016. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
- ^ "Jamie Drastik - Champagne And Cocaine". livemixtapes.com. April 7, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
- ^ peermusic.com,"Tricky Receives Double Platinum Song Award"
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Tricky Stewart
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early years
Childhood and family background
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart was born on January 4, 1974, in Markham, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.[7] He grew up in a deeply musical family that immersed him in sound and rhythm from infancy. His parents, both radio program directors, frequently had artists visit his mother's radio station, allowing young Stewart to observe their professionalism and personalities up close; as he later recalled, "all the great artists really had great personalities."[8] His mother, Mary Ann, directed The Annette's Choir and played a pivotal role in nurturing his passion, while his father, Phillip, co-owned an advertising company in Chicago with Stewart's uncle Butch, where the family collaborated on creating jingles for major brands like Coca-Cola and McDonald's.[2][9] This environment, filled with siblings Mark and Laney as well as cousins like Kuk Harrell and Cynthia, involved regular group singing sessions that fostered his early affinity for music.[9] Stewart's earliest memory of music revolves around improvising rhythms on household items, banging pots, pans, and hangers like drums, which sparked his lifelong "love of sound."[2] Drums became his most natural instrument, with him playing them "since before [he] could walk," drawn instinctively to percussion during family gatherings and performances.[8] By his early teens, around age 13, he was already recording drum tracks, and the household's emphasis on music led to hands-on exposure to instruments such as guitar and keyboards, shaping his foundational skills without formal structure.[9]Musical education and influences
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart received no formal musical education, instead developing his skills through self-taught exploration and immersion in his family's musical environment in Markham, Illinois. Raised in a household where his mother directed a choir and relatives pursued careers in music production and performance, Stewart's earliest engagement with music involved improvising rhythms on household objects like pots and pans, fostering an innate sense of sound and creativity from a young age. This informal training extended to learning guitar and keyboards independently, as well as composing original songs, which laid the groundwork for his production techniques.[2][10] A pivotal aspect of Stewart's early development came through mentorship from key figures in the industry, introduced via his older brother, producer Laney Stewart. Louil Silas Jr., a prominent executive at MCA Records' Silas Records imprint, provided crucial guidance on production fundamentals after discovering Stewart as a teenager, offering hands-on advice that bridged his self-taught abilities with professional practices. This mentorship emphasized practical learning over theoretical study, helping Stewart refine his approach to songwriting and arrangement in a supportive yet demanding setting.[11][12] As a high school student, Stewart gained foundational experience through early placements on projects with established R&B artists, including production credits that served as learning opportunities. He contributed to tracks for Aaron Hall on the 1993 album The Truth and Chante Moore on her 1994 release A Love Supreme, both under Silas Records, where he honed his multi-instrumental and production skills in real studio environments. Additionally, his first song placement came in his teens with the group Immature (later IMx) on their 1992 debut On Our Worst Behavior, exposing him to collaborative dynamics in the burgeoning R&B scene. These experiences were instrumental in building his expertise.[12][13] Stewart's genre preferences were profoundly shaped by the vibrant R&B and hip-hop landscapes of the early 1990s, particularly the new jack swing and smooth soul sounds prevalent in Chicago and Los Angeles circles. Artists and producers from this era, combined with his family's gospel-rooted harmonies, influenced his affinity for rhythmic grooves and melodic hooks that would define his later work, prioritizing emotional depth and innovative beats over rigid structures.[2]Professional career
Formative years and RedZone founding (1992–2005)
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart began his production career in 1992 while still in high school, initially creating tracks for emerging R&B artists under the guidance of label executive Louil Silas at Silas/MCA Records.[12] One of his earliest projects involved writing and producing songs for Chante Moore, including the track "Searchin'" from her 1994 album A Love Supreme, which helped establish his reputation in the R&B scene.[14] That same year, Stewart co-produced the debut album Treat U Right for the group Blackgirl alongside Sean "Sep" Hall, featuring smooth, new jack swing-influenced sounds that peaked at No. 46 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[15] These initial efforts focused on crafting polished, vocal-driven arrangements tailored to the era's urban contemporary radio, laying the groundwork for his versatile style in R&B and hip-hop. In 1995, Stewart co-founded RedZone Entertainment in Atlanta with his brothers Mark E. Stewart and Laney Stewart, transforming it into an independent production company, label, and studio hub that emphasized artist development and genre-blending tracks.[16] The company quickly became a creative base, signing and nurturing talents while allowing Stewart to operate autonomously from major labels. Through RedZone, he expanded his portfolio by producing hip-hop and R&B projects, such as the 1999 single "Who Dat" for JT Money featuring Solé, which he fully produced and programmed; the track reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the Hot Rap Songs chart, and earned ASCAP Rap Song of the Year honors, showcasing his ability to fuse gritty rap verses with catchy, radio-friendly hooks.[14] A pivotal moment came in 2000 with Stewart's production on Mya's album Fear of Flying, particularly the lead single "Case of the Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do)," which he co-wrote and produced with Hall. The song's upbeat, synth-driven production process involved layering Moore's emotive vocals over a bouncy rhythm to capture post-breakup empowerment, propelling it to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, where it spent 30 weeks.[14] The album itself was certified platinum by the RIAA and sold approximately 1.2 million copies in the U.S.[14] During this formative period from 1992 to 2005, Stewart's contributions across R&B and hip-hop releases built a solid foundation without yet achieving widespread mainstream dominance.Breakthrough and peak success (2006–2015)
In 2006, Tricky Stewart formed a pivotal creative partnership with songwriter and producer Terius "The-Dream" Nash, which propelled his career to new heights through a series of chart-topping R&B and pop recordings. Their collaboration began yielding major results with Rihanna's "Umbrella" (2007), co-written and co-produced by Stewart and The-Dream with additional contributions from Kuk Harrell and Jay-Z, marking a breakthrough single that debuted on Rihanna's album Good Girl Gone Bad. The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and achieved diamond certification from the RIAA for sales and streaming equivalent to 10 million units in the United States.[17][18][19] The duo's momentum continued into 2008 with productions that dominated the charts, including Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," co-written and co-produced by Stewart and The-Dream, which became a cultural anthem emphasizing female empowerment. Released on I Am... Sasha Fierce, the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and has since been certified diamond by the RIAA, representing 10 million units sold and streamed in the U.S. Similarly, Stewart co-produced Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" from her album E=MC², co-writing it with The-Dream, Carey, and Crystal Johnson; it marked Carey's 18th Billboard Hot 100 number one, holding the top spot for two weeks and earning platinum certification for one million units. These hits exemplified Stewart's ability to blend infectious hooks with innovative production, contributing to over 20 million combined units sold across the singles during this peak period.[20][21][22][23] Stewart's influence expanded into mainstream pop by the early 2010s, collaborating with artists like Justin Bieber on "Baby" (2010) from My World 2.0, which he co-wrote and co-produced with The-Dream and Bieber, peaking at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and certified 12 times platinum by the RIAA for 12 million units in the U.S. as of 2025. He also contributed to Katy Perry's Teenage Dream (2010), producing tracks such as "Who Am I Living For?" and "Hummingbird Heartbeat," which helped underscore the album's crossover success and diamond certification overall. By 2015, Stewart's productions from this era had amassed multiple Billboard Hot 100 number ones and contributed to more than 30 million units sold across various projects, solidifying his status as a versatile force in contemporary music.[24][25][26][27]Recent projects and industry role (2016–present)
In 2018, Stewart co-wrote Ella Mai's breakout single "Boo'd Up," which became a defining R&B hit of the year, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for 16 weeks, tying the record for the longest run at the top by a woman on that chart since its inception in 1992.[28][29] The track amassed over 1 billion global streams across platforms, underscoring its enduring appeal and role in revitalizing female-led R&B on mainstream radio.[30] Stewart continued his songwriting contributions in 2023 with Tyla's "Water," co-writing the amapiano-infused track that propelled the South African artist to international stardom, peaking at No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping charts in multiple countries including the UK and Australia. The song's viral TikTok dance challenge drove its massive success, surpassing 1.2 billion streams on Spotify alone by late 2025, making it the first by an African solo artist to reach 1 billion streams on the platform.[31] That same year, Stewart produced P1Harmony's English-language single "Fall in Love Again" alongside Believve, which marked the K-pop group's entry into U.S. pop radio, charting for over 20 weeks on Billboard's Pop Airplay list and becoming the longest-charting song by a fourth-generation K-pop boy group on that tally.[32][33] In 2020, Stewart signed a global publishing administration deal with Spirit Music Group for his future works, a partnership that bolstered his role as a songwriter by providing creative support and resources amid the evolving digital music landscape, following his 2018 catalog sale to Hipgnosis Songs Fund.[34] As head of RedZone Entertainment (now RZ3 Recordings), Stewart has mentored emerging artists through initiatives like Sessions Atlanta, a collaborative creative hub launched in recent years to guide young talent in music production and business acumen, contributing to his career oversight of projects exceeding 50 million units sold worldwide.[35][3] He has continued producing recent projects, including credits on Muni Long's album Revenge (2024) and Tamar Braxton's EP Heartbreak Retrograde (2025).[5][6] In a 2025 interview, Stewart reflected on the music industry's demands, emphasizing persistence through decades of rigorous work ethic—such as 35 years of near-daily sessions—and creative intentionality, like studying masters such as Quincy Jones to craft universally resonant hits rather than niche art.[36] He highlighted the value of long-term collaborations, including his ongoing partnership with The-Dream, in fostering innovation amid streaming-era challenges.[36]Musical contributions
Production style and techniques
Tricky Stewart's production style is characterized by intricate, layered arrangements in R&B and pop music, where he employs synthesizers, programmed beats, and vocal manipulations to build emotional depth and sonic texture. He often constructs tracks with multiple overlapping elements, such as lush synth pads and rhythmic percussion, to create a sense of immersion that draws listeners into the narrative. This approach emphasizes precision in layering, ensuring each component enhances the overall mood without overwhelming the core melody, as Stewart has described his process as building "mansions, not bathrooms" to prioritize lasting impact over superficial appeal.[13][10] Central to his techniques are innovative hooks designed to be instantly memorable and versatile across genres, often blending hip-hop rhythms with pop structures to achieve crossover success. Stewart focuses on crafting hooks that feel intuitive and universal, incorporating unexpected melodic twists or percussive accents derived from synthesizers to heighten catchiness. His genre-blending methodology allows for fluid integration of elements like trap-influenced beats into melodic R&B frameworks, fostering tracks that appeal broadly while maintaining artistic integrity. This is evident in his commitment to avoiding repetition, treating each production as a "custom suit" tailored uniquely to evoke emotional resonance.[14][37][13] Over his decades-long career, Stewart has evolved from early reliance on hardware keyboards and analog-inspired workflows in the 1990s to embracing digital tools like Logic Pro for spontaneous experimentation and refinement. This shift enabled greater flexibility in layering and manipulation, allowing him to tinker with drum patterns and vocal effects in real-time without the constraints of tape-based recording. By the late 2000s, he incorporated hybrid analog-digital consoles, such as SSL AWS systems, to retain warmth in digital productions while expanding creative possibilities.[37][14][38] Stewart's studio philosophy centers on collaboration and intuition, viewing the process as a conduit for collective creativity rather than solitary authorship. He fosters environments free of ego, encouraging input from co-writers, engineers, and artists to capture spontaneous "magic" moments, often guided by instinct over rigid planning. This intuitive approach, informed by real-time adjustments and mutual respect, ensures productions feel authentic and emotionally charged, as he prioritizes synergy to unlock an artist's full potential.[39][37][10]Key collaborations and partnerships
One of Tricky Stewart's most enduring professional relationships is his long-term duo with songwriter and producer Terius "The-Dream" Nash, which began in 2006 and has defined much of his output in R&B and pop. Together, they have co-written and co-produced multiple No. 1 hits, including Rihanna's "Umbrella" (2007) and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008), amassing billions of streams and sales across genres. Their shared creative process typically starts with Stewart crafting instrumental beats and melodic foundations, often using drum loops or synths to evoke emotion, followed by Nash adding lyrical concepts and vocal phrasing in a fluid, improvisational session that can span hours or days. This partnership not only propelled Stewart to Grammy wins—such as for Song of the Year for "Single Ladies"—but also solidified his trajectory as a go-to producer for chart-dominating tracks, influencing the sound of mid-2000s to 2010s mainstream music.[17][11] Stewart's collaborations with female powerhouses like Rihanna, Beyoncé, and Mariah Carey highlight his skill in customizing productions to amplify their vocal strengths and artistic personas. For Rihanna, he delivered high-energy, atmospheric arrangements in songs like "Umbrella" and "Hard" (2009), layering percussive elements and hooks that accentuated her agile range and island-infused delivery to create anthemic pop-R&B hybrids. With Beyoncé, Stewart focused on rhythmic precision and minimalism in "Single Ladies," using handclaps and sparse synths to frame her commanding, declarative vocals, resulting in a track that became a cultural phenomenon. His work with Mariah Carey on her 2009 album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, where he and The-Dream co-produced the majority of the songs, emphasized intricate harmonies and melodic runs tailored to her five-octave register, fostering an intimate, confessional vibe that showcased her as a mature interpreter of R&B ballads. These tailored approaches not only yielded commercial successes but also enhanced Stewart's reputation for elevating artists' signature sounds.[11][40][41] In addition to high-profile pairings, Stewart has embraced mentorship roles and one-off collaborations with emerging acts, guiding their breakthroughs while exploring fresh sonic territories. He co-wrote Ella Mai's 2018 single "Boo'd Up," blending smooth synths and contemporary beats to suit her soulful, emotive style, which peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy for Best R&B Song, marking a pivotal launch for the British singer. Similarly, Stewart wrote Tyla's 2023 viral hit "Water," incorporating amapiano rhythms with R&B sensuality to complement her South African heritage and youthful energy, and produced her follow-up "Been Thinking," which fused global influences for rhythmic contemporary radio impact. More recently, Stewart co-produced Beyoncé's "Break My Soul" (2022), blending house and bounce elements for a Grammy-winning dance track, and contributed to Muni Long's Revenge (2024) and Tamar Braxton's Heartbreak Retrograde EP (2025), maintaining his focus on innovative R&B textures. Through these projects, Stewart shares his expertise in beat construction and vocal integration, helping newer talents like Mai and Tyla navigate the industry while keeping his creative process collaborative and adaptive.[42][43][44][45][5][6] These key partnerships have profoundly shaped Stewart's career, transforming him from an up-and-coming producer into a multi-Grammy winner with over 50 million records sold worldwide, while his emphasis on emotional synergy and artist-specific tailoring continues to influence R&B production dynamics.[3]Discography
Notable produced singles
One of Tricky Stewart's most iconic productions is "Umbrella" by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z, released in 2007. Co-produced with The-Dream, the track features a signature synth hook and atmospheric rain sound effects that symbolize unwavering support in relationships, blending pop and R&B elements to create a genre-defining anthem. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and has been certified Diamond by the RIAA, representing over 10 million units sold in the United States. The single's innovative fusion of electronic beats with emotional lyrics earned Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, solidifying its cultural impact as a staple in pop music history.[19] In 2008, Stewart produced "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" for Beyoncé, crafting a minimalist production with sharp handclaps, piano stabs, and a driving beat that emphasized the song's empowering message of female independence. The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four non-consecutive weeks and achieved 11x Platinum certification from the RIAA, equating to 11 million units in the U.S. Its raw, dance-oriented sound innovated R&B by stripping back instrumentation to highlight vocal performance and choreography, contributing to three Grammy wins including Song of the Year.[46] Also in 2008, Stewart teamed up with The-Dream to produce "Touch My Body" for Mariah Carey, incorporating playful synths, a bouncy bassline, and Carey's signature melismatic runs to deliver a flirtatious R&B-pop hybrid. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and set a record for the largest digital sales week for a single at the time with 286,000 downloads in its debut. Certified Platinum by the RIAA for one million U.S. units, the song's lighthearted production revitalized Carey's chart dominance and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.[23] Stewart's production on "Boo'd Up" by Ella Mai, released in 2017, features smooth, trap-influenced beats with subtle piano chords and layered harmonies that capture the intimacy of new romance, marking a shift toward modern R&B with hip-hop undertones. The single peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified 8x Platinum by the RIAA, signifying eight million equivalent units in the U.S. Its relatable lyrics and infectious groove helped revive interest in traditional R&B songwriting, winning the Grammy for Best R&B Song.[47][48] More recently, in 2023, Stewart contributed to the production of "Water" by Tyla, blending amapiano rhythms with sultry R&B vocals and a pulsating bass to pioneer global Afrobeats-pop crossover. The track peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and received 3x Platinum certification from the RIAA for three million U.S. units. Its viral dance challenge propelled its international success, winning a Grammy for Best African Music Performance and highlighting Stewart's role in bridging African genres with mainstream appeal.[49][50]Album production credits
Tricky Stewart's album production credits encompass a wide array of R&B and pop projects, where he has served as producer, executive producer, and co-producer, often alongside longtime collaborator The-Dream. His contributions have helped shape landmark releases by elevating vocal performances with innovative beats and hooks, contributing to their commercial dominance.[51][1] The following table highlights select albums featuring Stewart's production work, including the number of tracks he produced, representative key songs, and notable sales achievements:| Artist | Album Title | Year | Tracks Produced | Key Songs | Album Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rihanna | Good Girl Gone Bad | 2007 | 1 | Umbrella | Certified 7× Platinum by the RIAA (7 million units in the US); over 20 million equivalent album sales worldwide.[52][53] |
| Beyoncé | I Am... Sasha Fierce | 2008 | 3 | Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Diva, Radio | Certified 7× Platinum by the RIAA (7 million units in the US); approximately 13.5 million equivalent album sales worldwide.[21] |
| Mariah Carey | E=MC² | 2008 | 3 | Touch My Body, Migrate, I'm That Chick | Certified Platinum by the RIAA (1 million units in the US); over 2.5 million units sold worldwide.[54] |
| Ciara | Basic Instinct | 2010 | 11 (executive producer) | Ride, Gimmie Dat | Debuted at No. 39 on the Billboard 200; certified Gold in the US (500,000 units).[26][55] |
| Mariah Carey | Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel | 2009 | 14 | Obsessed, Angels Cry | Certified Platinum by the RIAA (1 million units in the US); approximately 1.5 million units sold worldwide.[26][56] |
| Nicole Scherzinger | Big Fat Lie | 2014 | 9 (executive producer) | Your Love, Bang | Released internationally; peaked at No. 18 on the UK Albums Chart.[26] |
| Tyla | Tyla | 2024 | 2 | Water, On and On | Peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200; certified Gold by the RIAA (500,000 units in the US).[57][58] |
| Muni Long | Revenge | 2024 | Multiple | Made for Me, Rules | Debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard 200; certified Gold by the RIAA (as of November 2025).[59][60] |
| Tamar Braxton | Heartbreak Retrograde | 2025 | Multiple (EP) | TBA | Released November 2025; early chart performance pending.[6] |
Recognition
Grammy Awards
Christopher "Tricky" Stewart is a three-time Grammy Award winner, recognized for his songwriting and production contributions to influential R&B, pop, and dance recordings. His wins span collaborations with major artists, highlighting his role in crafting chart-topping hits that blend innovative production with emotional depth.[45][62] Stewart earned two Grammys at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2010 for Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)": Song of the Year, co-written with Beyoncé Knowles, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, and Kuk Harrell; and Best R&B Song, shared with the same co-writers.[63][42] His most recent win occurred at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in 2023 for Best Dance/Electronic Recording on Beyoncé's "Break My Soul," co-written and co-produced with Beyoncé, Terius "The-Dream" Gesteelde-Diamant, and Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter.[64]| Year | Category | Work | Co-Winners (Key) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Song of the Year | "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (Beyoncé) | Beyoncé, The-Dream, Kuk Harrell |
| 2010 | Best R&B Song | "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (Beyoncé) | Beyoncé, The-Dream, Kuk Harrell |
| 2023 | Best Dance/Electronic Recording | "Break My Soul" (Beyoncé) | Beyoncé, The-Dream, Jay-Z |