Floyd Bentley, also known as A1 and Sprng BRK, is an American songwriter, rapper, producer, and reality television personality known for his co-writing contributions to various Chris Brown, Trey Songz and Future projects, most notably the Grammy-winning, Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Wait for U".[1][2][3][4] Bentley's tumultuous relationship with fellow artist and songwriter Lyrica Anderson has been chronicled on numerous reality television shows, such as Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood where Bentley appeared from seasons 3 through 6, as well as other various reality shows.[5][6]
Floyd Eugene Bentley III | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | A1, Sprng BRK, Sprngbrk |
| Born | July 6, 1987 Kansas City, Kansas, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Labels | Nappy Boy Entertainment / BEAT HOUSE / Pulse Music Publishing |
| Spouse(s) | |
Career edit
Early life edit
Bentley grew up on “the rough side of Kansas City”, and was accepted to Highland Community College, where he played basketball.[7] In his junior year, Bentley suffered a serious leg injury, making the decision to subsequently leave both the basketball team and college. After returning home and starting a job, Bentley began to write songs and rap, attracting the interest of an early manager. He quickly realized that his passion was music, and moved to Los Angeles to break into the music industry. Bentley experienced homelessness for 8 months before a chance encounter with Tony! Toni! Toné! artist and producer Raphael Saadiq, who allowed him to use his studio for six months after hearing several early demos, and Saadiq also introduced him to Mike Caren, the former Executive President of A&R at Atlantic Records.[1] Caren subsequently gave Bentley the opportunity to write for several artists in his roster, including Trey Songz and Tank.[8]
2010-2018: Initial songwriting success edit
In 2010, Bentley co-wrote "Unusual" featuring Drake for American singer Trey Songz, which entered the Billboard Hot 100, peaked at number seven on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and won Bentley an ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award.[9] Over years, he also received album placements on various Tank, Chris Brown, and Jason Derulo projects. In 2016, Bentley released his debut single "Upside Down" featuring rapper O.T. Genasis.[10] Bentley began to create a closer relationship with Chris Brown's camp at this time, accepting potential album submissions and demos for Brown from other songwriters.[11] In 2017. Bentley contributed twelve songs to Chris Brown's album Heartbreak on a Full Moon, including multi-platinum single "Party" featuring Usher and Gucci Mane, as well as platinum single "Questions".[12][13][14] Bentley would also co-write and co-produce "No Pressure" for French Montana's Jungle Rules project, as well as co-write and co-produce Platinum single "Something New" for Wiz Khalifa and Ty Dolla Sign, which went viral as the result of a summer TikTok dance challenge.[15][16]
2019-Present: Sprngbrk edit
In 2019, through a Power 106 interview, Bentley was announced as a new artist signee of T-Pain's record label Nappy Boy Entertainment, releasing debut mixtape Turbulence, before changing his artist name to Sprngbrk as a form of "reintroduction" after his reality TV appearances.[17][18][19] Bentley released single "Pride" in 2021, as the first release in a new collaboration between Nappy Boy and music streaming platform Soundcloud's RePost A&R creation department.[20] In 2022, Bentley co-wrote two songs from Future's album I Never Liked You, including multi-platinum, Billboard number-one single "Wait For U".[2]
Personal life edit
Bentley met fellow artist-songwriter Lyrica Anderson in an elevator at a Los Angeles area studio prior to a songwriting session for a mutual friend, before getting married in 2016.[21] Together they have one son, Ocean Zion Bentley, born in 2018. Anderson filed for divorce in 2022 for undisclosed reasons. [22]
Discography edit
Studio projects edit
- Love Scars EP (with Lyrica Anderson) (2016)
- Turbulence (2019)
Guest appearances edit
| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Sensei" | 2017 | Chris Brown | Heartbreak on a Full Moon |
Songwriting and production credits edit
Credits are courtesy of Discogs, Tidal, Apple Music, and AllMusic.
| Title | Year | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Unusual" (Featuring Drake) | 2010 | Trey Songz | Passion, Pain & Pleasure |
| "I'm Pouring My Heart Out" | Norman Brown | Sending My Love | |
| "Stingy" (Featuring Donnie Wahlberg) | 2011 | Jordan Knight | Unfinished |
| "Lonely" (Featuring Chris Brown) | 2012 | Tank | This Is How I Feel |
| "Nowhere" (Featuring Busta Rhymes) | |||
| "I'm Gone" (Featuring Big Sean) | Tyga | Careless World: Rise of the Last King | |
| "All We Do" | 2014 | Trey Songz | Trigga |
| "Valet" (Featuring Pleasure P & TeeFlii) | Eric Bellinger | Choose Up Season | |
| "Little Bit" | 2015 | Chris Brown | Royalty |
| "Wrist" (Featuring Solo Lucci) | |||
| "Love Like That" (Featuring K. Michelle) | Jason Derulo | Everything Is 4 | |
| "I Just Wanna" (Featuring Dej Loaf) | Elijah Blake | Shadows & Diamonds | |
| "Wrist Remix (Featuring Young Thug & Jeezy) | 2016 | Chris Brown | Before the Trap: Nights in Tarzana |
| "I Need Love" (Featuring Hoody Baby, Young Blacc) | |||
| "Partyin' Next Door" (Featuring Young Blacc) | |||
| "Questions" | 2017 | Heartbreak on a Full Moon | |
| "Roses" | |||
| "Confidence" | |||
| "Sip" | |||
| "Hope You Do" | |||
| "Pull Up" | |||
| "Party (Featuring Usher & Gucci Mane) | |||
| "Summer Breeze" | |||
| "If You're Down" | |||
| "Run Away" | |||
| "Don't Slow Me Down" | |||
| "I Wanna" | |||
| "Hotel Bathroom" | French Montana | Jungle Rules | |
| "No Pressure" (Featuring Future) | |||
| "Classic You" (Featuring Chris Brown) | T-Pain | Oblivion | |
| "No Rush" | |||
| "Ex" (Featuring YG) | Ty Dolla Sign | Beach House 3 | |
| "Enormous" (Featuring Ty Dolla Sign) | Gucci Mane | Mr. Davis | |
| "Tone It Down" (Featuring Chris Brown) | |||
| "Crash & Burn" (Featuring Kehlani) | G-Eazy | The Beautiful & Damned | |
| "Don't Get Much Better" | Jeremih, Ty Dolla Sign & Sage the Gemini | The Fate of the Furious (soundtrack) | |
| "Pie" (Featuring Chris Brown) | Future | Hndrxx | |
| "Me So Bad" (Featuring Ty Dolla Sign & French Montana) | 2018 | Tinashe | Joyride |
| "Something New" (Featuring Ty Dolla Sign) | Wiz Khalifa | Rolling Papers 2 | |
| "Goin Thru Some Thangz" | MihTy | MihTy | |
| "New Level" | |||
| "Take Your Time" | |||
| "These Days" | |||
| "Imitate" | |||
| "You Like That" | 2019 | Chris Brown | Indigo |
| "Cheetah" | |||
| "Part of the Plan" | |||
| "Technology" | |||
| "No Stylist" (Featuring Drake) | French Montana | Montana | |
| "I Got Time" (Featuring Shad Da God) | 2020 | Chris Brown & Young Thug | Slime & B |
| "Undrunk" (Featuring Too Short & E-40) | Chris Brown | ||
| "Wait for U" (Featuring Drake & Tems) | 2022 | Future | I Never Liked You |
| "Back to the Basics" | |||
| "Hmhmm" (Featuring EST Gee) | Chris Brown | Breezy | |
| "Hate Me Tomorrow" | |||
| "Closure" (Featuring H.E.R.) | |||
| "Need A Friend" | 2023 | 11:11 |
Filmography edit
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 - 2019 | Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood | Himself | 54 Episodes - Supporting Cast S3-S4; Main Cast S5-S6 | [23] |
| 2017 | Hollywood Unlocked With Jason Lee Uncensored | Himself | 1 Episode | |
| Love & Hip-Hop Hollywood: Dirty Little Secrets | Himself | 1 Episode | ||
| 2018 | Love & Hip Hop: New York: The Love Edition | Himself | 1 Episode | |
| 2019 | Love & Hip-Hop Awards: Most Certified | Himself | 1 Episode | |
| 40 Greatest Love & Hip Hop Moments: The Reboot – Part 1 & 2 | Himself | 2 Episodes | ||
| 2020 | The Conversation | Himself | 2 Episodes - S1.4 - 1.5 | [24] |
| 2022 | Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars 17 - Hip Hop Edition 5 | Himself | 10 Episodes - Main Cast S19 | [25] |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Work | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards | Award-Winning Songs (Unusual) | Won | [26] |
| 2023 | 65th Annual Grammy Awards | Grammy Award for Best Rap Song (Wait for U) | Nominated | [27][28] |
| Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance (Wait for U) A | Won | [29][30] | ||
| BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards | Most-Performed Songs (Wait for U) | Won | [31] |
Notes edit
- A. A Winning songwriters in this category are awarded with a Winner's Certificate.
References edit
- ^ a b "A1 Has His Thumb on the Pulse of a Generation". January 2, 2020. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ a b "Future, Drake & Tems' 'Wait for U' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 9, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "A1 Keeps Referring to His Singles on the Radio but What Songs Has He Worked On?". VH1. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "A1 Bentley Changes His Name & Look". HotNewHipHop. June 23, 2020. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Love & Hip Hop's Lyrica and A1 Bentley Reveal Baby Ocean for First Time". US Magazine. December 10, 2018. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "A1 Bentley Signs with Beat House/Pulse". Hits Daily Double. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "A1 Keeps It A1 - Love & Hip Hop Hollywood | VH1". August 5, 2019. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Love & Hip Hop Hollywood | vh1". Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Trey Songz Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Hear Love & Hip Hop Hollywood's A1's New Track "Upside Down"". Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Board + Pen: Elijah Blake". December 4, 2021. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown 'Heartbreak on a Full Moon' Album Track List Revealed Feat. 45 Songs". Hiphop N-More. October 14, 2017. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "Chris Brown, Usher & Gucci Mane's "Party" Earns Platinum Certification in US". May 30, 2017. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Chris Brown's New Single "Questions" Blends Two Caribbean Hits". Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Gold & Platinum Certifications". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "French Montana Shared "Unforgettable" with Swae Lee, and "No Pressure" with Future". FADER. April 6, 2017. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "Sprngbrk Flips a Jill Scott Sample on New Song". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
- ^ "A1 Turbulence Album Tracklist: Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, and More". HipHopNMore. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "T-Pain Announces Signing of Love & Hip-Hop LA's A1 Bentley To Label". Power 106. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Sprngbrk Shares New Video "Pride"". Broadway World. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
- ^ "Love in an Elevator: A1 and Lyrica Have an Adorable Meet-Cute Story". Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "'L&HH' Star Lyrica Anderson, A1 Bentley Call It Quits". BET. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "Love & Hip Hop Hollywood | Love & Hip Hop Hollywood: 6 Episodes, News, Videos and Cast | vh1". Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "4. The Conversation: A1 & Lyrica | Part 1 - Season 1". Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Watch Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition Season Online | WE tv". Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ "Quincy Jones, Pharrell Williams Honored; EMI Wins Big at ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. July 2012. Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See the Complete Nominees List". Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "Floyd E. Bentley III | Artist | GRAMMY.com". www.grammy.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023.
- ^ "Future, Drake, and Tems Win Best Melodic Rap Performance for "Wait for U" at 2023 Grammys". Pitchfork. February 5, 2023. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "BMI Congratulates its 2023 GRAMMY Award Winners". BMI.com. February 6, 2023. Archived from the original on March 22, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
- ^ "2023 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards". BMI.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2024.