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Rich Harrison

 
Artist: Rich Harrison

Similar Artists:

Chucky Thompson, Dallas Austin, Rodney Jerkins

Formal Connection With:

  • Active: '90s, 2000s
  • Genres: Rhythm & Blues
  • Instrument: Producer, Multi Instruments, Programming

Biography

Rich Harrison quickly made a name for himself in the urban music industry, scoring a number fresh-sounding, sample-driven dance-pop hits for the likes of Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, and Amerie right off the bat. Well, maybe not right off the bat. Harrison began his big-name production work in 1999, the year he contributed to Mary J. Blige's Mary. It was a nice résumé-builder, and it helped to set up his eventual big break. That day came in 2003 when the lead single to Beyoncé's much-touted debut album, Dangerously in Love, happened to be one of his productions. The song was called "Crazy in Love," and it was highlighted by some crazy sampling, namely rattling percussion on the verses and blaring horns on the hook. The song, of course, became an enormous hit and propelled Dangerously in Love into the sales stratosphere. Unsurprisingly, the phone began ringing for Harrison, and his productions began making the superstar rounds. One song in particular made its way to the almighty Usher. That song didn't make the cut for Confessions (2004), granted, but it did get picked up by a resurgent Jennifer Lopez, who turned it into the song "Get Right" and chose it as the lead single for her Rebirth album (the Usher outtake in turn became a hot commodity among file-sharers). Around this same time, in early 2004, Harrison reunited with Amerie. He quietly had written and produced pretty much her entire debut album, All I Have (2002). Not much came of that album, commercially speaking, but Harrison and Amerie enjoyed much-improved numbers their second go-round, as -- surprise, surprise! -- Touch spawned a huge lead single, "1 Thing," this one again highlighted by wild sampling of an old Meters drum break. By this point, folks were beginning to take note of this Rich Harrison guy, and prominent critics such as Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times began toasting his work. All the while, Harrison's phone kept ringing and his future seemed mighty bright. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Rich Harrison
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Rich Harrison
Background information
Born 1970
Origin Washington, D.C., United States
Occupations Producer, songwriter, singer, rapper
Instruments R&B, hip hop, funk
Years active 1999–present
Labels Richcraft Records
Associated acts Amerie, Lionell Davis, Lorenzo Lynch , Ron Harrison,Chucky Thompson
Notable instruments
Percussion

Rich Harrison (born 1975 in Washington, DC) is a Grammy Award-winning record producer and songwriter from Washington, D.C.. He is primarily an R&B/Hip-Hop producer. He is well-known for producing hits like "1 Thing" (by Amerie) and "Crazy in Love" (by Beyoncé Knowles featuring Jay-Z).[1]

Contents

Biography

A classically trained pianist and trumpet player, from an early age Harrison demonstrated an exceptional ability to play anything he heard on the radio. He attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and graduated with degrees in history and communications in 1997 [2].

Harrison has always been quiet about what's going on in his personal life.

Career

His first big deal came in 1999 when Harrison worked with Mary J. Blige on "Beautiful One" for her album Mary. In 2001, he created his own production company, Richcraft Inc., and immediately wrote and produced Amerie's debut album, All I Have. In 2004 he won a Grammy Award for Beyoncé Knowles' "Crazy in Love" and a nomination for his work on Usher's Confessions album.

Harrison was back in the spotlight early in 2005 with Amerie's "1 Thing", from her album Touch, known for its infectious breakbeats and Amerie's unconventional vocals. A similar beat was used by Harrison for Toni Braxton's "Take This Ring" from her 2005 album Libra both tracks include elements of go-go (mainly in the strong, funky drumming with added percussion). New York Times call him "one of R&B's most exciting producers" [3] .

Current activities

Harrison is currently involved in projects with 50 Cent, Tweet, Missy Elliott, Eve, Young Steff and Dawn Robinson, and is still assisting the South Korean pop sensation Se7en with his first U.S. album assisted by his producer Lionell Davis [1].

Harrison has been approched by many artists to assist with album productions, but it appears he is now focusing his time on his own artists, such as Yonug Steff and girl group RichGirl. There is a posibility that he may be appearing on Toni Braxton's forthcoming album.

Other works include tracks for Claudette Ortiz's long-awaited solo album, 3LW's latest and as yet unreleased album and tracks that may appear on 50 Cent's next album.

Production Discography

Albums

Mary J. Blige - Mary (album) (1999)
Mary J. Blige - No More Drama (2001)
  • 15. In The Meantime
Amerie - All I Have (2002)
  • 01. Why Don't We Fall In Love
  • 02. Talkin' To Me
  • 03. Nothing Like Loving You
  • 04. Can't Let Go
  • 05. Need You Tonight
  • 06. Got to Be There
  • 07. I Just Died
  • 08. Hatin' on You
  • 09. Float
  • 10. Show Me
  • 11. All I Have
  • 12. Outro
  • 13. Just What I Needed to See (Japan Bonus Track)
Kelly Rowland - Simply Deep (2002)
Tha Rayne - Reign Supreme (2003)
  • 02. Didn't You Know
Beyoncé Knowles - Dangerously In Love (2003)
Alicia Keys - The Diary Of Alicia Keys (2003)
  • 10. So Simple
Usher - Confessions (2004)
  • 11. Take Your Hand
Destiny's Child - Destiny Fulfilled (2004)
Jennifer Lopez - Rebirth (2005)
Christina Milian - Be Cool Soundtrack (2005)
  • 08. Ain't No Reason
Amerie - Touch (2005)
  • 01. 1 Thing
  • 02. All I Need
  • 05. Like It Used To Be
  • 06. Talkin About
  • 07. Come With Me
  • 08. Rolling Down My Face
  • 12. 1 Thing (Remix) (featuring Eve)
  • 13. Why Don't We Fall In Love (Richcraft Remix)
Missy Elliott - The Cookbook (2005)
  • 10. Can't Stop
Pussycat Dolls - PCD (2005)
Toni Braxton - Libra (2005)
3LW - Point Of No Return (2006)
  • 00. Do Ya
Christina Aguilera - Back To Basics (2006)
  • 02. Makes Me Wanna Pray
Beyoncé - B'Day (2006)
  • 03. Suga Mama
  • 07. Freakum Dress
  • 11. Creole (Japan Bonus Track)
Diddy - Press Play (2006)
Mos Def - Tru3 Magic (2006)
  • 02. Undeniable
Che'Nelle - Things Happen For a Reason (2007)
  • 10. Summer Jam
RichGirl - TBA (2008)
RichGirl - TBA (2009)

Unreleased

50 Cent
  • Then Days Went By
3LW
  • No Matter What
  • Senses
Amerie
  • Love's Off The Chain
Cynthia Lissette
  • Don't Wanna Go
  • What U Say
Gwen Stefani
  • Parental Advisory
Janet Jackson
  • Clap Your Hands
  • Pops Up
  • Put It On You
  • What Can I Say
Mary J. Blige
  • Outta My Head
Se7en
Usher
Young Steff
  • Don't Trip
  • Dat Gurl Right
  • Put That on Everything

References

  1. ^ Rich Harrison
  2. ^ Artist Profile - Rich Harrison
  3. ^ New York Times on Rich Harrison

External links


 
 
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