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Alex da Kid
Birth nameAlexander Grant
Born (1983-08-27) 27 August 1983 (age 40)
OriginLondon, United Kingdom
GenresHip hop, R&B
Occupation(s)Record producer
Instrument(s)Keyboard, drum machine, sampler
Years active2008–present
LabelsKIDinaKORNER, Interscope Records
WebsiteOfficial Website

Alexander Grant (born Alexander Grant; 27 August 1983) is an English songwriter and hip hop music producer.

Biography

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Alex da Kid made his production debut on a song for rapper Kardinal Offishall (pictured).

Alexander Grant was born in Wood Green, London.[1] He played drums in school[2] and had wanted to be a professional association football player, joining the Bristol City F.C. football team at age 17.[2] He was a midfielder and also played upfront. Grant said his knees did not grow fast and got injured while playing.[2] He later lost interest in football after arguments with his manager,[2] but did not want to live "a regular life" as an adult.[1] Grant continued as a semiprofessional football player at age 19, but felt he would stop playing eventually. A friend had given Grant the digital audio workstation FL Studio (known then as FruityLoops), which yielded "the worst beats".[2][3] Grant studied audio technology in school as part of a program with MTV.[2] One teacher from the program was knowledgable about the music industry and helped mentor Grant.[3]

Under the stage name Alex da Kid, he began to contact record labels and music executives for work experience, spending time at recording studios.[1] A man, Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, gave Alex da Kid an internship at Island Records, where he met various people.[2] He moved to New York and began to produce records.[4] Alex da Kid produced a track for Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall after he contacted his friend, who is Estelle's manager and Offishall's friend.[2] American producer Swizz Beatz was among the first high-profile producers to work with Alex da Kid. One night he asked him to play every track he had produced. They spent eight hours overnight at a studio.[2]

Alex da Kid recieved a deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) in 2009.[4] He had produced "Airplanes", which other labels saw as a potential hit and offered to sign him. The offers were declined since Alex da Kid and UMPG's senior director of creative affairs Jessica Rivera had the same lawer, Scott Felcher.[2] The producer had a friend who worked for Atlantic Records, a label that gave the track to rapper B.o.B.[4] Evan Lamberg—executive vice president of creative affairs for the East Coast of UMPG—sent tracks by Alex da Kid to American rock singer Rob Thomas. Alex da Kid and Thomas shared musical ideas at a studio.[2]


The release of "Airplanes" spawned success in Alex da Kid's career. He produced a track titled "Love the Way You Lie", for which he collaborated with then-new artist Skylar Grey, who wrote the song's chorus.[5] He also signed Grey to his production company Wonderland Entertainment.[2] In early 2010 he met the senior director of Shady Records, Rigo "Riggs" Morales.[6] He offered him his produced tracks, which Morales sent to Detroit rapper and label CEO Eminem for ideas.[6] Eminem wanted to record a sequel to "Airplanes" with B.o.B. after he enjoyed listening to it.[2] Alex da Kid presented him with "Love the Way You Lie" after he wanted a hook for his song, for which Eminem wanted to collaborate with Barbadian recording artist Rihanna.[6] Two to three weeks later, after recording sessions were completed, Alex da Kid went to Detroit mix the song with Mike Strange and Eminem.[6][7]

"Love the Way You Lie" debuted on the United States Billboard Hot 100 chart at number two, in the issue dated 10 July 2010.[8] Alex da Kid praised Rihanna's addition to the song following its success.[2] He produced "Massive Attack" for Trinidadian recording artist Nicki Minaj,[2] with whom he enjoyed collaborating; he called her "down to earth" in an interview for Rap-Up magazine.[9] He suggested that the single would have had a better reception if he had been more involved in the production, rather than letting Minaj's people do what they wanted to the track.[2]

Alex da Kid worked on Rihanna's 2010 album Loud. He based a sequel of "Love the Way You Lie" on a demo version recorded by Grey and added drums to make it "radio-friendly".[10] Then, he sent the track to Rihanna, who liked it. Alex da Kid considered adding a verse by Eminem, who wanted to record a sequel.[10] Initially Rihanna was against recording it and "felt like the original couldn't be beaten"; however, she later agreed to record the sequel, which is titled "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)".[11] It appears as the final track on Loud and an acoustic version appears in the deluxe version.[12][13] Alex da Kid planned to work with Colorado rock band The Fray, who wanted to take a more "beat-driven" approach after their work on Timbaland's 2009 album Shock Value II. Alex da Kid planned to meet the band at a studio in September 2010.[2]

The producer made a track titled "Castle Walls" and gave it to American rapper T.I.'s manager, who liked it. The producer then contacted pop recording artist Christina Aguilera and a collaboration happened. The song was recorded for T.I.'s album No Mercy.[14] Alex da Kid also produced hip hop group Diddy – Dirty Money's single "Coming Home", Lupe Fiasco and Grey's "Words I Never Said" and American rapper Dr. Dre's 2011 single "I Need a Doctor",[15] for which Dr. Dre asked the producer to work with him. Alex da Kid described the project as "amazing" and suggested the record would be successful.[16] It was released on 1 February 2011 and peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100.[17][18] American rapper Machine Gun Kelly collaborated with Ester Dean and Alex da Kid on the song "Invincible".[19] Grey's 2013 debut studio album Don't Look Down was also produced by Alex da Kid.[20]

Awards and nominations

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Songs written and produced

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Title Year Artist(s) Album Writer(s) Producer(s) Ref
"Going In" 2008 Kardinal Offishall Not 4 Sale Alexander Grant, Jason Harrow Alex da Kid [21]
"All Out of Tune" 2009 Alesha Dixon The Alesha Show Alex da Kid
"Massive Attack" 2010 Nicki Minaj, Sean Garrett — Alexander Grant, Sean Garrett, Onkia Maraj Alex da Kid, Sean Garrett [22]
"Airplanes" B.o.B, Hayley Williams B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray Jeremy Dussolliet, Justin Franks, Ian Brieck (piano), Alexander Grant, Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., Tim Sommers Alex da Kid, DJ Frank E [23]
"Airplanes, Part II" B.o.B, Eminem, Hayley Williams Jeremy Dussolliet, Justin Franks, Alexander Grant, Marshall Mathers, Luis Resto, Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., Tim Sommers Alex da Kid, DJ Frank E, Luis Resto [24]
"Love the Way You Lie" Eminem, Rihanna Recovery Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann, Marshall Mathers Alex da Kid [25]
"Love the Way You Lie (Part II)" Rihanna, Eminem Loud Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann, Marshall Mathers Alex da Kid [26]
"Castle Walls" T.I., Christina Aguilera No Mercy Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann, Clifford Harris Alex da Kid [27]
"Coming Home" Diddy – Dirty Money, Skylar Grey Last Train to Paris Shawn Carter, Jermaine Cole, Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann Alex da Kid, Jay-Z [28]
"I Need a Doctor" 2011 Dr. Dre, Eminem, Skylar Grey — Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann, Marshall Mathers, Andre Young Alex da Kid [29]
"Words I Never Said" Lupe Fiasco, Skylar Grey Lasers Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann, Wasalu Jaco Alex da Kid [30]
"Rise Above 1" Reeve Carney, Bono, The Edge Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark Alex da Kid, Bono, The Edge
"Dance Without You" Skylar Grey — Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann Alex da Kid [31]
"Invisible" Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann, Robert Thomas Alex da Kid [32]
"Farewell" Rihanna Talk That Talk Esther Dean, Alexander Grant Alex da Kid [33]
"Love the Way You Lie, Pt. III (Original Demo)" 2012 Skylar Grey The Buried Sessions of Skylar Grey Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann, Marshall Mathers Alex da Kid
"Coming Home, Pt. II" Shawn Carter, Jermaine Cole, Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann Alex da Kid [34]
"Words" Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann Alex da Kid [35]
"Radioactive" Imagine Dragons Continued Silence Alexander Grant, Benjamin McKee, Joshua Mosser, Daniel Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Alex da Kid [36]
"Demons" Alexander Grant, Benjamin McKee, Joshua Mosser, Daniel Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Alex da Kid [37]
"On Top of the World" Alexander Grant, Benjamin McKee, Daniel Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Alex da Kid [38]
"Round and Round" Alexander Grant, Benjamin McKee, Daniel Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Alex da Kid [39]
"Radioactive" Night Visions Alexander Grant, Benjamin McKee, Joshua Mosser, Daniel Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Alex da Kid [36]
"Demons" Alexander Grant, Benjamin McKee, Joshua Mosser, Daniel Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Alex da Kid [37]
"On Top of the World" Alexander Grant, Benjamin McKee, Daniel Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Alex da Kid [38]
"Round and Round" Alexander Grant, Benjamin McKee, Daniel Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Alex da Kid [39]
"Bleeding Out" Alexander Grant, Benjamin McKee, Joshua Mosser, Daniel Reynolds, Wayne Sermon Alex da Kid [40]
"Beautiful Sinner" Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded Esther Dean, Alexander Grant, Onkia Maraj Alex da Kid [41]
"Under the Sun" Cheryl Cole A Million Lights Alex da Kid
"Our House" Slaughterhouse, Eminem, Skylar Grey Welcome to: Our House Alex da Kid
"Rescue Me" Slaughterhouse, Skylar Grey Alex da Kid, Eminem
"Lost Cause" Imagine Dragons Frankenweenie Unleashed! Alex da Kid
"Building a Monster" Skylar Grey Alexander Grant, Holly Hafermann Alex da Kid [42]
"Invincible" MGK, Ester Dean Lace Up Richard Baker, Alexander Grant, Esther Dean Alex da Kid [43]
"Lotus Intro" Christina Aguilera Lotus Alex da Kid, Dem Jointz
"Make the World Move" Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green Alex da Kid, Mike Del Rio, Jayson DeZuzio
"Cease Fire" Christina Aguilera Alex da Kid
"Circles" Alex da Kid
"Best of Me" Alex da Kid, Jayson DeZuzio
"Light Up the Sky" Alex da Kid
"Shut Up" Alex da Kid, Mike Del Rio, Nate Campany
"C'mon Let Me Ride" 2013 Skylar Grey, Eminem Don't Look Down Alex da Kid
"Rumble and Sway" Jamie N Commons Rumble and Sway EP Alex da Kid
"Wash Me In the Water" Alex da Kid
"Worth Your While" Alex da Kid
"Have a Little Faith" Alex da Kid
"Caroline (early demo)" Alex da Kid
"The Preacher" Alex da Kid
"Final Warning" Skylar Grey Final Warning - Single Holly Brook Haferman, Alex Da Kid Alex Da Kid
"Final Warning" Skylar Grey "Don't Look Down" Holly Brook Haferman, Alex Da Kid Alex da Kid
"C'mon Let Me Ride" (featuring Eminem) Hafermann Grant Mike Del Rio Marshall Mathers Freddie Mercury Alex da Kid
"Sunshine" Hafermann Grant Jayson DeZuzio Alex da Kid DeZuzio Hafermann
"Glow in the Dark" Hafermann Grant Del Rio Alex da Kid Del Rio
"Shit, Man!" (featuring Angel Haze) Hafermann Grant DeZuzio Raykeea Wilson Alex da Kid Dezuzio
"Clear Blue Sky" Hafermann Grant Lauren Christy Clare Maguire Alex da Kid
"Tower (Don't Look Down)" Hafermann Grant Alex da Kid
"Unconsolable" X Ambassadors Love Songs Drug Songs EP Alex da Kid
"Love Songs Drug Songs" Noah Feldshuh / Casey Harris / Sam Harris / Alex Da Kid / Adam Levin Alex da Kid
"Down With Me" Alex da Kid
"Stranger" Noah Feldshuh / Casey Harris / Sam Harris / Alex Da Kid / Adam Levin / Dan Reynolds Alex da Kid
"Litost" Alex da Kid
"Brother" Alex da Kid

References

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  1. ^ a b c Youngs, Ian (21 December 2010). "Alex Da Kid: The Brit behind 2010's biggest hit". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Herrera, Monica (21 August 2010). Smith, Danyel (ed.). "Alex Da Kid: The British Songwriter/Producer Behind Two Of The Smashes Of The Season Details His Path To Success". Billboard. Vol. 122, no. 33. New York: Prometheus Global Media. p. 18. ISSN 0006-2510.
  3. ^ a b Rodriguez, Jayson (24 June 2010). "Eminem Producer Alex Da Kid Wants To 'Bounce Around Different Genres'". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  4. ^ a b c Kennedy, Gerrick D. (13 January 2011). "In advance of Times Roundtable, producer-songwriter Alex Da Kid talks Eminem, Grammy-nominated breakout year". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 23 December 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
  5. ^ Tingen, Paul (December 2011). "Alex Da Kid: From Football To Music Recording". Sound on Sound. SOS Publications Group. Retrieved 18 December 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) (subscription required)
  6. ^ a b c d Cline, Georgette (14 June 2010). "Q&A: Producer Alex da Kid talks Eminem". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  7. ^ Tingen, Paul (October 2011). "Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Mike Strange Jr". Sound on Sound. SOS Publications Group. Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Hot 100: Week of July 10, 2010". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Rap-Up TV: Alex da Kid talks Eminem, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  10. ^ a b "Rap-Up TV: Alex da Kid talks 'Love the Way You Lie (Part II)'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  11. ^ "Rihanna worried about Eminem duet sequel". Toronto Sun. Sun Media. 30 October 2010. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2011.
  12. ^ "Tracklisting: Rihanna – Loud". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 23 October 2010. Archived from the original on 29 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  13. ^ "Loud by Rihanna". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 18 August 2011. Archived from the original on 29 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  14. ^ "Rap-Up TV: Alex da Kid Builds 'Castle Walls' for T.I. and Christina Aguilera". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 23 November 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2012.
  15. ^ Saliba, Emmanuelle (2 June 2011). "Alex Da Kid Launches New Label Through Interscope". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  16. ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (3 December 2010). "Alex Da Kid: Dr. Dre Trusted Me With 'I Need A Doctor'". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  17. ^ "I Need a Doctor (feat. Eminem & Skylar Grey) – Single by Dr. Dre". iTunes Store. Apple Inc. 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  18. ^ "Dr. Dre Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  19. ^ "New Music: Machine Gun Kelly f. Ester Dean – 'Invincible'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 17 December 2011. Archived from the original on 11 February 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  20. ^ Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. 6 February 2013 [http://www.rap-up.com/2013/02/26/rap-up-tv-skylar-grey-gets-hands-on-with-eminem-on-debut-album/title= Rap-Up TV: Skylar Grey gets hands on with Eminem on debut album http://www.rap-up.com/2013/02/26/rap-up-tv-skylar-grey-gets-hands-on-with-eminem-on-debut-album/title= Rap-Up TV: Skylar Grey gets hands on with Eminem on debut album]. Retrieved 31 August 2013. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); line feed character in |url= at position 103 (help)
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