Alex da Kid

Alexander Junior Grant (born 7 August 1982),[1] professionally known as Alex da Kid, is a British record producer, songwriter, and record executive from Wood Green, London. He has gained recognition for producing several hit singles for a plethora of artists in various music genres (mostly hip hop and alternative rock), such as Dr. Dre ("I Need a Doctor"), Nicki Minaj ("Massive Attack"), B.o.B ("Airplanes" featuring Hayley Williams), Eminem ("Love the Way You Lie" featuring Rihanna), Diddy ("Coming Home" with Dirty Money featuring Skylar Grey), Imagine Dragons ("Radioactive") and Cheryl ("Under The Sun").

Alex da Kid
Grant in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Alexander Junior Grant
Born	(1982-08-07) 7 August 1982 Bristol, England
Origin	Wood Green, London, England
Genres	Alternative rock hip hop pop R&B
Occupation(s)	Record producer songwriter record executive
Instruments	Keyboard drum machine sampler
Years active	2008–present
Labels	KIDinaKORNER Interscope
Associated acts	Imagine Dragons Jamie N Commons Skylar Grey X Ambassadors Eminem Halle Berry

Even though he now lives in Los Angeles, the Evening Standard named him one of "London's Most Influential People in 2011." He has been nominated for numerous Grammy Awards including "Album of the Year" for his work on Rihanna's Loud. His record label, KIDinaKORNER, is a subdivision of Interscope Records.[2][3]

In both 2013 and 2014, Grant (as owner of KIDinaKORNER Records) was chosen by Billboard Magazine for their "Top 40 Under 40."[4]

In 2016, Grant released his first solo project as an artist. The single, "Not Easy" features X Ambassadors, Elle King and Wiz Khalifa via KIDinaKORNER/RCA Records. The track was written and produced by Alex da Kid for KIDinaKORNER, Sam Harris, Casey Harris, Adam Levin, Elle King, and Wiz Khalifa.[5] In 2017, Grant released his second track, "American Funeral" which was a co-written collaboration with Joseph Angel.[6]

In a Music Connection magazine cover story from January 2015, Grant said, as a producer, he co-writes everything that he works on with the artists.[7]

Early life

Grant was a professional footballer, playing for Bristol City[8] until 19 years of age, at which time a friend introduced him to the digital music editing software FruityLoops, prompting an interest in music production.[9] He then attended University of West London (UWL) to study towards a master's degree in Audio Technology, now called Advanced Music Technology.[10]

Universal Music Publishing Group's Jessica Rivera first heard about him through Grant's lawyer Scott Felcher. On request, Grant sent Rivera some of his music, and the publishing executive later related her reactions to HitQuarters: "It hit me right away that this dude had something different to bring to the table ... He wasn't just straight up hip-hop – his sound was very different and transcended genres."[11]

KIDinaKORNER

Main article: KIDinaKORNER

Production discography

Main article: Alex da Kid production discography

Singles produced

List of singles as either producer or co-producer, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released, performing artists and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
		US	US R&B	US Rap	AUS	CAN	FRA	GER	NZ	SWE	UK
"Hello Heartbreak" (Michelle Williams)	2008	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Unexpected
"Massive Attack" (Nicki Minaj featuring Sean Garrett)	2010	122	65	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		non-album single
"Airplanes" (B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore)		2	65	2	2	2	89	8	1	10	1	RIAA: 4× Platinum ARIA: 3× Platinum BVMI: Gold[12] MC: 3× Platinum BPI: Platinum[13] RIANZ: Platinum[14]	B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
"Love the Way You Lie" (Eminem featuring Rihanna)		1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	1	2	RIAA: 11× Platinum (Diamond)[15] ARIA: 9× Platinum[16] BPI: 2× Platinum[13] BVMI: Platinum IFPI SWI: 3× Platinum RIANZ: 2× Platinum	Recovery
"Coming Home" (Diddy-Dirty Money featuring Skylar Grey)		11	83	21	4	7	8	4	5	26	4	RIAA: 2× Platinum ARIA: 3× Platinum[17] BPI: Gold[13]	Last Train to Paris
"I Need a Doctor" (Dr. Dre featuring Eminem and Skylar Grey)	2011	4	124	16	12	8	29	25	23	56	8	RIAA: 2× Platinum[18] BPI: Silver[13]	non-album single
"Words I Never Said" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Skylar Grey)		89	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Lasers
"Rise Above 1" (Reeve Carney featuring Bono and The Edge)		74	—	—	—	71	—	—	—	—	—		Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark
"Dance Without You" (Skylar Grey)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		non-album singles
"Invisible" (Skylar Grey)		—	—	—	—	—	—	86	—	—	63
"Invincible" (MGK featuring Ester Dean)		108	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Lace Up
"Under the Sun" (Cheryl)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	12		A Million Lights
"C'mon Let Me Ride" (Skylar Grey featuring Eminem)	2012	—	—	—	—	84	—	—	17	—	—		Don't Look Down
"Radioactive" (Imagine Dragons)		3	—	—	6	5	28	4	4	1	12	RIAA: 10x Platinum (Diamond) ARIA: 4× Platinum BPI: Platinum BVMI: Platinum IFPI SWE: 6× Platinum[19] IFPI SWI: Platinum MC: 3× Platinum RMNZ: 3× Platinum[20]	Night Visions
"Demons" (Imagine Dragons)	2013	6	—	—	11	4	15	15	12	7	13	RIAA: 5x Platinum ARIA: 2× Platinum BPI: Silver IFPI SWE: 4× Platinum[19] IFPI SWI: Gold MC: Platinum RMNZ: Platinum[21]
"On Top of the World" (Imagine Dragons)		79	—	—	10	43	35	13	10	40	34	ARIA: 3× Platinum[22] BPI: Silver IFPI SWE: 2× Platinum[23] RMNZ: Platinum[24]
"Final Warning" (Skylar Grey)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Don't Look Down
"Monster" (Imagine Dragons)		78	—	—	—	41	—	—	—	—	—		Smoke + Mirrors (Deluxe Edition)
"Jungle (Remix)"[25] (X Ambassadors and Jamie N Commons featuring Jay Z)	2014	87	—	—	—	62	55	44	—	—	18		non-album single
"I Bet My Life" (Imagine Dragons)		28	—	—	36	15	42	65	28	—	27	RIAA: Gold MC: Platinum	Smoke + Mirrors
"Bed of Lies" (Nicki Minaj featuring Skylar Grey)		62	19	—	7	41	134	—	13	11	73		The Pinkprint
"Gold" (Imagine Dragons)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Smoke + Mirrors
"Burning Bridges" (Ludacris featuring Jason Aldean)		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Ludaversal
"American Oxygen" (Rihanna)	2015	78	—	—	65	59	25	39	—	11	71		non-album single
"Renegades" (X Ambassadors)		17	—	—	43	6	10	10	—	70	38	ARIA: Gold MC: 4× Platinum SNEP: Gold BVMI: Gold BPI: Silver RIAA: Platinum	VHS
"Unsteady" (X Ambassadors)		20	—	—	94	61	—	—	—	—	—	MC: Platinum RIAA: 2× Platinum
"Sucker for Pain" (Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Imagine Dragons, Logic, Ty Dolla Sign and X Ambassadors)	2016	15	3	—	7	19	18	8	5	9	11	ARIA: Platinum SNEP: Gold RMNZ: Gold BPI: Silver RIAA: 2× Platinum	Suicide Squad
"Not Easy" (Alex da Kid featuring X Ambassadors, Elle King and Wiz Khalifa)		—	—	—	73 [26]	—	—	—	—	—	—		non-album singles
"American Funeral" (Alex da Kid and Joseph Angel)[27]	2017	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Thunder" (Imagine Dragons)		4	---	---	2	18	20	2	3	10	20	FIMI: Gold RMNZ: Gold IFPI: Gold	EVOLVE

References

1. "BMI | Repertoire Search". Repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
2. "Alex da Kid". Grammy awards. 30 November 2011.
3. Tingen, Paul (December 2011). "Alex da Kid: From Football To Music Recording". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
4. Zemler, Emily (29 July 2013). "40 Under 40: Alex da Kid". Billboard. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
5. Blistein, Jon (21 October 2016). "Alex da Kid Taps Wiz Khalifa, X Ambassadors, Elle King for Debut Single". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
6. Hazel, Allison (24 February 2017). "Alex da Kid & Joseph Angel Release New Collab 'American Funeral': Listen". Billboard. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
7. Rob Putnam (26 January 2015). "Alex da Kid on Production Process and Philosophy feature". Music Connection. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
8. "Alex da Kid: The Brit behind 2010's biggest hit". BBC News. 21 December 2010.
9. Kondo, Toshitaka (2010). Production Credit (Alex da Kid). XXL Magazine. p. 103.
10. "MA Advanced Music Technology". London College of Music (LCM). University of West London (UWL).
11. "Interview with Jessica Rivera". HitQuarters. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
12. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank: B.o.B" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
13. "BPI – Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (To access, enter the search parameter "Rihanna" and select "Search by Keyword") on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
14. "Top 50 Singles Chart: Chart #1727 (Monday 28 June 2010)". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
15. "American album certifications – Eminem – Love the Way You Lie". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
16. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 8 May 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
17. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
18. "American album certifications – Dr. Dre – I Need a Doctor". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
19. "Veckolista Singlar – Vecka 36, 6 september 2013" (in Swedish). Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening. Archived from the original (select "Föreg" to access chart issue) on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
20. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 10 February 2014". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
21. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 07 October 2013". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 4 October 2013.
22. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
23. "Veckolista Singlar – Vecka 59, 2 November 2013" (in Swedish). Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening. Archived from the original (select "Föreg" to access chart issue) on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
24. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 07 October 2013". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
25. "Jungle (Remix) [feat. JAY Z] - Single". iTunes.
26. "ARIA CHART WATCH #407". auspOp. 11 February 2017. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
27. "American Funeral - Single by Alex da Kid & Joseph Angel on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2017.