On Saturday February 13th, at the Roxy in Hollywood, BMI’s hosted its annual “How I Wrote That Song” panel. The panel consisted of four very talented Grammy Award-winning songwriters and producers.
Panelists included:
-Grammy-winning Country songwriter Liz Rose
-Hit maker and songwriter Bilal ‘The Chef’ Hajji
-Grammy-winning super-producer Jerry ‘Wonda’ Duplessis
-Grammy-winning producer and TV personality Stevie J
The topic of discussion was how these influential few have shaped the soundscape for today’s popular music. Each panelist reminisced upon a time when they made chart topping songs for such artists as Mariah Carey, Pitbull, Mark Anthony, Diddy, Taylor Swift and J-Lo just to name a few.
The panel itself was moderated by BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton. Speakers such as the ever-popular Stevie J or the Country writer Liz Rose spoke on their favorite memories crafting, creating and collaborating with some of the biggest names in music and the top hits that they produced. Each gave valuable insight into the creative process and development of some of today’s biggest hit songs. All four panelists spoke about the hard work and dedication it takes, while also acknowledging how loving what you do makes all the difference.
Check our exclusive interview with Stevie J:
Q: So being that you’ve worked with a lot of the BadBoy family, from back then and today, what are some of your fondest memories working with Biggie or Diddy?
A: Just being happy and having fun in the studio while creating classics is like…I don’t know…a feeling of euphoria when you’re in the studio with these guys. They’re your friends and your family and great musicians and artists. There’s just nothing like it.
Q: How do you usually start your creative process when you’re collaborating with some of these artists.
A: Sometimes I started from a piano or sometimes I started from a guitar, or sometimes I start it with some snaps and it all depends on the energy. You have to base it on the energy. You gotta base the music on the energy.
Q: With that, is there somebody that you recently worked with that was just on a whole another level?
A: Faith Evans, with the project The King and I that’s on a whole another level. Even working with Kelly Price because we did “Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems” and a whole bunch of other hits together. We’ve probably got like 200 hits under our belt. When I’m in the studio with her it’s just like…I did ten songs in three days with her so that’s incredible just to have that kind of connection with a writer and an artist like Kelly.
Q:What are you working on next? What’s coming down the pipeline?
A: There’s the Kelly Price album, the next single with Puff Daddy, the next single with Faith and Biggie. I’m just working and got a lot of music coming out.
Q: Aside from music do you see yourself getting back into TV?
A: I’m just doing all I can do while I can do it and never accepting no, keep pushing forward everyday. Stay starving.
Stay tuned for all the Grammy updates and details as they develop.
