Harvey Mason Jr.

Harvey Mason Jr.

born on 3/6/1968 in Boston, MA, United States

Harvey Mason, Jr.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Harvey Mason, Jr.

Harvey Mason, Jr. (born June 3, 1968) is a six-time Grammy Award-winning American songwriter, record producer and movie producer. He has written and produced songs for popular performers in the music industry including Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Whitney Houston, and Luther Vandross as well as current artists like Britney Spears, Jordin Sparks, Chris Brown, Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé, Jessica Mauboy, Mary J. Blige and Justin Timberlake. He served as executive producer on the film More Than A Game" a documentary featuring NBA star, LeBron James.

Biography

Mason Jr. was born into a musical family. His father, noted jazz drummer Harvey Mason, Sr., and mother, Sally Mason, both attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston.[1] Harvey moved with his family to Los Angeles as a child and followed his father to many recording sessions with such greats as Quincy Jones, The Brothers Johnson and Herbie Hancock. Mason Jr. penned his first song at the age of eight for Grover Washington, Jr. titled "Love Makes It Better".[2]

After attending the University of Arizona on a basketball scholarship from 1986-1990 and playing in the 1988 Final Four, he began working as a songwriter/record producer. Some early work included tracks for British pop artist Michelle Gayle's album "Sensational" in 1997 and the jazz/soul duo Imprompt2. He co-produced the jazz album "Ratamacue" with his father, Harvey Mason Sr. in 1997. In addition he worked with Mason Sr.'s group Fourplay and produced the track "Sexual Healing" featuring El Debarge in 1998.

In 1997, Mason Jr. also penned the track "Truthfully" which caught the attention of record producer, Rodney Jerkins. The track was produced for Brandy's 1998 album "Never Say Never".[3] Mason Jr. then worked with Jerkins over the next three years on projects like Say My Name by Destiny's Child, "It's Not Right, But It's Okay" by Whitney Houston, "He Wasn't Man Enough" by Toni Braxton and on the Invincible by Michael Jackson.

The Underdogs

In 2000, Mason Jr. co-wrote the track "I Like Them Girls" with Damon Thomas for Tyrese's album "2000 Watts".[4] The success of that song led to a partnership and the formation of Underdog Entertainment. The Underdogs produced R&B and pop hits like "How You Gonna Act Like That" by Tyrese, "Gots Ta Be" by B2K, "O" by Omarion, "More To Life" by Stacie Orrico, "Sorry 2004" by Ruben Studdard, and No Air by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown.[5] In 2001, he collaborated with British designer and former member of the Spice Girls Victoria Beckham on her debut album Victoria Beckham on tracks like "Girlfriend" and some b-sides.[6] In 2004, The Underdogs signed a label deal through BMG under Clive Davis[7] and created Underdog Music Publishing, a joint venture with Rondor/Universal Music.[8] In 2006, The Underdogs produced the soundtrack to the motion picture Dreamgirls which won the Critic's Choice Award in 2007 for best movie soundtrack.[9] After a three year hiatus, The Underdogs reunited in 2011 to produce "Up 2 You" for Chris Brown's album "F.A.M.E.". The Underdogs wrote and produced the song "Living Proof" performed by Mary J. Blige for the movie "The Help". The Underdogs wrote and produced the second single from Chris Brown's album Fortune titled Turn Up the Music. In 2012 The Underdogs produced the vocals for the film Pitch Perfect, starring Anna Kendrick and Brittany Snow.[10] The Underdogs are currently producing music for the upcoming film "Get on Up" about the life of James Brown.

Harvey Mason Media

Mason Jr. formed his independent company Harvey Mason Media in 2008. It encompasses his film and record productions, music publishing, and website ventures. Record productions include the 2008 releases of Chris Brown's, "Superhuman" from the album "Exclusive", Britney Spears', "Mannequin" from the album "Circus"[11] and Jennifer Hudson's, "You Pulled Me Through" from her self-titled debut album. He produced the title track "I Look To You" along with Tricky Stewart and the cover of "Song for You" along with Stargate for Whitney Houston's 2009 album "I Look To You". .[12] In 2010, Mason Jr. produced the updated version of "One Shining Moment" featuring Jennifer Hudson for CBS Sports to be featured during the Final Four.[13] Mason Jr. produced and worked as A&R on Toni Braxton's Pulse. In 2011, Mason Jr. produced the first single "Where You At" along with R. Kelly for Jennifer Hudson's album "I Remember Me"

Harvey Mason Media produced the feature film "More Than A Game in 2008. This inspirational movie documents the rise of LeBron James and his high school teammates from their early AAU basketball days to the high school national championship stage. The film received rave reviews when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2008 where it won first runner up to best film, Slumdog Millionaire.[14] Lions Gate Films will distribute the film with a fall 2009 release.[15] Harvey Mason Music and Interscope Records distributed the soundtrack album titled "Music Inspired by More Than a Game". "More Than A Game" is nominated for best documentary at the 2010 NAACP Image Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards.

Mason Jr. is also the musical consultant on the social networking website "Sweety High which launched in February 2010. He appeared on the 2011 season of American Idol as a mentor/producer, working with Pia Toscano and Jacob Lusk. He also worked as a mentor/producer on the 2013 season of The X Factor USA. He has also made numerous appearances on the reality series Braxton Family Values on the WEtv Network starring Toni Braxton and Tamar Braxton.

Grammy Foundation

Mason Jr. was elected to the board of the directors for the Los Angeles chapter of NARAS (National Academy of Record Arts and Sciences) in 2007 and the Nationa Board of Trustees in 2009. He has participated in Grammy Foundation events including Grammy in the Schools, Grammy Camp[16] and the Music Cares Foundation.

Basketball

Mason Jr. has also achieved great success on the basketball court. As a guard on the Crescenta Valley High School team in La Crescenta, California he was selected to the All-CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) team in 1984, 1985 and 1986. He received a full-scholarship to the University of Arizona and played for Hall of Fame coach, Lute Olson. Mason Jr.'s teams won the Pac-10 title in 1988, 1989 and 1990 and played in the Final Four in 1988.[17] Notable teammates include Steve Kerr (Chicago Bulls), Jud Buechler (Chicago Bulls), Bison Dele (Chicago Bulls), Sean Elliott (San Antonio Spurs) and Kenny Lofton (Major League Baseball six time all-star).[18] Multiple knee surgeries sidelined Mason Jr.s hope of a continuing basketball career. Most recently he has played in the NBA Entertainment League where he has been consistently selected to the all-star team. Mason Jr. serves on the National Leadership Council and the Board of Trustees for the University of Arizona.

Trey Mason, who plays at Arizona Wildcats, is Harvey Mason, Jr.'s son. Trey wears the same jersey number as his father, number 44.

Songwriting and/or Music Production Highlights

  • 50 Cent featuring Brevi "Be My Bitch"
  • Avant "4 Minutes", "When It Hurts"
  • Babyface "Cant Stop Now", "Loneliness"
  • Backstreet Boys "Rush Over Me"
  • Justin Bieber - "Catching Feelings"
  • E-17 "I Miss You", "I'm Here For You"
  • Victoria Beckham "Girlfriend", "Always Be My Baby"
  • Beyoncé "Listen"
  • Jack Black & Cee-Lo "Kung Fu Fighting"
  • Brandy "Truthfully"
  • B2K "Gots Ta Be"
  • B5 "All Over Again, "What It Do", "Things I Would Do"
  • Dane Bowers "Shut Up And Forget About It"
  • Tamar Braxton - "All The Way Home"
  • Toni Braxton "He Wasn't Man Enough", "I Wanna Be (Your Baby)", "I Hate You", "Finally", "Hands Tied", "Hero", "Why Don't You Love Me", "Stay"
  • Chris Brown "Ya Man Ain't Me", "Young Love", "Is This Love", "Take You Down", "Help Me", "Get At'Cha", "Nothin", "Lottery", "Superhuman", "Heart Ain't A Brain", Turn Up The Music, "Free Run"
  • Kelly Clarkson "Thankful", "You Thought Wrong"
  • Deborah Cox "If I Had One Wish", "U Need To Quit"
  • Craig David "Take 'Em Off", "My Love Don't Stop"
  • Dream "That's OK", "Promise Me"
  • Dreamgirls Movie Soundtrack
  • Fantasia "Ain't Gonna Beg", "This Is Me", "Always on My Mind"
  • Fourplay "Sexual Healing", "Love TKO" (featuring Ruben Studdard)
  • Aretha Franklin featuring Fantasia "Put You Up on Game"
  • Aretha Franklin featuring Mary J. Blige "Never Gonna Break My Faith"
  • Ginuwine "Good For Nothing", "Please You"
  • Girls' Generation - "Mr.Mr."
  • Whitney Houston "I Look To You", "Song For You"
  • Jennifer Hudson "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going", "Love You I Do", "Where You At", "If This Isn't Love", "My Heart", "You Pulled Me Through", "Invisible"
  • Human Nature - The Christmas Album, "Christmas Without You"
  • Javier "Beautiful U R", "Biggest Mistake", "Slow Motion"
  • Lyfe Jennings "Cops Up"
  • Joe "Ain't Nothin' Like Me", "Priceless", "Beautiful"
  • JoJo "Baby, It's You", "Never Say Goodbye"
  • Donell Jones "Ooh Na Na", "Cuttin Me Off"
  • K-Ci & JoJo "Love Me Carefully"
  • Tynisha Keli "Walls Up"
  • Dave Koz "Whisper in Your Ear"
  • Leona Lewis "I Know Who I Am"
  • Luke and Q "My Turn"
  • Mario "What Your Name Is", "Holla Back", "Could U Be", "How Could You", "I'm The One", "If I Hurt You"
  • Marques Houston "Naked", "Always & Forever"
  • Mary J. Blige "Never Gonna Break My Faith", "Living Proof"
  • Jessica Mauboy "Fight For You", "Here For Me"
  • Jesse McCartney "Mrs. Mistake"
  • Brian McKnight "Shoulda Woulda Coulda", "Played Yourself", "Stay Or Let It Go"
  • Katharine McPhee "Do What You Do"
  • Mishon "Text Me", "Life Guard", "Just A Kiss"
  • Monica "Sideline Ho", "My Everything"
  • Musiq Soulchild "Today"
  • R.L. Huggar "Good Man", "Model Chick"
  • NLT "That Girl"
  • Nina "What If"
  • Olivia "You Got The Damn Thing"
  • Omarion "O", "Midnight", "Im Try'na"
  • Shinee - "Symptoms"
  • Spice Girls "Let Love Lead The Way"
  • Stacie Orrico "(There's Gotta Be) More to Life", "I Promise"
  • Calvin Richardson "Not Like This"
  • Jordin Sparks "No Air" featuring Chris Brown, "Don't Let It Go To Your Head"
  • Britney Spears "Mannequin"
  • Ruben Studdard "Sorry 2004", "Change Me", "Get Loose", "Love TKO" (Fourplay)
  • Taeyang - "I Will"
  • Tank "Please Don't Go", "My Body", My Heart", "Wedding Song", "If You Dream", "Sex Music","Beautiful", "You Mean That Much", "Your My Star"
  • Justin Timberlake "Still on My Brain"
  • TGT - "No Fun, "I Need", "Weekend Love", "Explode", "Our House"
  • Tyrese "I Like Them Girls", "How You Gonna Act Like That", "One", "I Ain't Tryna", "Better To Know", "Come Back To Me Shawty", "With Me"
  • J. Valentine "She's Worth The Trouble", "Wassup", "Heartbreak"
  • Luther Vandross "If I Was The One"
  • Luther Vandross and Elton John "Anyone Who Had A Heart"
  • Charlie Wilson "What If I'm The One", "Homeless", "Can't Live Without You"
  • Elliott Yamin "Doorway", "Always"
  • Ya Boy "We Ready" (from "More Than A Game" soundtrack)

Awards and nominations

Year Album/Artist/Song Award/Nomination
2014 Love And War/Tamar Braxton Grammy Nomination "Best Urban Contemporary Album"
2014 Three Kings/TGT Grammy Nomination "Best R&B Album"
2013 Fortune/Chris Brown Grammy Nomination "Best Urban Contemporary Album"
2012 F.A.M.E./Chris Brown Grammy Winner "Best R&B Album"
2012 The Help/Mary J. Blige/"The Living Proof" Golden Globe Nomination "Best Original Song in a Motion Picture"
2012 The Help/Mary J. Blige/"The Living Proof" Critics Choice Award Nomination Best Original Song for a Film
2009 Jordin Sparks/Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown/"No Air" ASCAP Pop Award "Most Performed Songs of 2009"
2009 Jordin Sparks/Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown/"No Air" Grammy Nomination "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals"
2008 Jordin Sparks/Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown/"No Air" People's Choice Award Winner "Favorite Combined Forces Song"
2008 Jennifer Hudson/Jennifer Hudson Grammy Winner "Best Contemporary R&B Album"
2007 Dreamgirls/Beyonce/"Listen" Academy Award Nomination "Best Original Song"
2007 Dreamgirls/Jennifer Hudson/"Love You I Do" Academy Award Nomination "Best Original Song"
2007 Dreamgirls/Eddie Murphy & Anika Noni Rose/"Patience" Academy Award Nomination "Best Original Song"
2007 Dreamgirls/Jennifer Hudson/"Love You I Do" Grammy Winner "Outstanding Song Written for a Motion Picture"
2007 Bobby/Aretha Franklin & Mary J. Blige/"Never Gonna Break My Faith" Golden Globe Nomination "Best Original Song in a Motion Picture"
2007 Dreamgirls/Beyonce/"Listen" Golden Globe Nomination "Best Original Song in a Motion Picture"
2007 Dreamgirls Grammy Nomination "Outstanding Motion Picture Soundtrack or Compilation"
2007 Dreamgirls NAACP Awards Winner "Outstanding Album"
2006 Dreamgirls Critics Choice Award Winner "Best Soundtrack"
2006 O/Omarion/"O" ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award "Most Performed Songs of 2006"
2006 B-Day/Beyonce Grammy Winner "Best Contemporary R&B Album"
2004 I Wanna Go There/Tyrese/"How You Gonna Act Like That" ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award "Most Performed Songs of 2004"
2004 I Wanna Go There/Tyrese/"How You Gonna Act Like That" ASCAP Pop Award "Most Performed Songs of 2004"
2004 Soulful/Ruben Studdard/"Sorry 2004" ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award "Most Performed Songs of 2004"
2003 Justified/Justin Timberlake Grammy Winner "Best Pop Album"
2001 The Heat/Toni Braxton/"He Wasn't Man Enough" ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Award "Most Performed Songs of 2004"
2000 The Heat/Toni Braxton/"He Wasn't Man Enough" Grammy Winner "Best R&B Song"

References

External links

This page was last modified 11.04.2014 14:50:29

This article uses material from the article Harvey Mason, Jr. from the free encyclopedia Wikipedia and it is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.