RedOne
Nadir Khayat (Arabic: نادر الخياط; born 9 April 1972), better known by his stage name RedOne,[1] is a Moroccan–Swedish singer, songwriter, record producer and record executive.[2][3] As a record producer and songwriter, he has worked with many Worldwide high-profile recording artists, most notably Lady Gaga, Akon, Michael Jackson, RBD, Now United, U2, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Scherzinger, Gru, Cross Gene, MIKA, Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Wyclef Jean, Mariah Carey, Paulina Rubio, Mylène Farmer, Mohombi, Inna, Alexandra Burke, Austin Mahone, One Direction, Marc Anthony, The Band Perry, Prince Royce, Rod Stewart and Usher, among many others. His production discography boasts many Billboard and international hits, which he produced and co-wrote.[4] RedOne has established his own record label named RedOne Records.[5]
RedOne | |
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 Khayat in 2017 | |
| Born | Nadir Khayat 9 April 1972 |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
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| Labels |
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| Associated acts | |
| Website | redoneprod |
RedOne has been nominated for ten Grammy Awards, winning three. He was also awarded The Grammis Award for Producer of the Year, which is the Swedish equivalent to Grammy Awards. In 2009, he was the number one producer on the Billboard Hot 100, ranking number three as songwriter[6] and BMI Songwriter of the Year.[7] Commonly, he produces pop, rock, R&B, house and dance genres.
Career
1991–2006: Career in Sweden
RedOne was born as Nadir Khayat in Tetouan, Morocco. In an interview, he said he was the ninth and youngest child in his family.[8] In 1991, he immigrated to Sweden when he was 19,[9] to pursue a career as a musician.[6][10] In an interview with HitQuarters website, he said his moving to Sweden was because, "there was so much good music coming from there" mentioning ABBA, Europe, and Roxette as among the most influential to him.[10]
Originally, he pursued his musical ambitions in Sweden by singing and playing guitar in various local rock bands for about four years from 1991 to 1995. He also acquired Swedish citizenship by naturalization.
In 1995, he changed directions by opting to produce and write songs for other artists.[10] Instrumental in helping him make this transition was Rami Yacoub, another fellow ex-rock musician.[11] Yacoub, a Palestinian-Swedish songwriter/producer already enjoyed considerable success and was a well-established producer. Inviting RedOne to work with him in the studio, he taught RedOne about "programming and how the software works" and the pair co-wrote a number of songs together.[10] During this period of cooperation, RedOne worked with the successful Swedish girl band Popsie writing their songs "Funky" and "Joyful Life" co-written and co-produced by Yacoub and RedOne (and where RedOne was credited on Popsie's 1998 self-titled album as songwriter and producer Nadir K). He chose the alias 'RedOne', a pseudonym of the name of a friend of his, Redouan. Redouan introduced Rami to Max Martin, Yacoub was asked some time later to join Cheiron Studios[11] and the two parted company with Yacoub working extensively with huge names like Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Westlife and Céline Dion, amongst others.
RedOne then moved on to produce various Swedish and European pop acts. In 2001-2002, he co-produced, A*Teens, originally an ABBA teen tribute band that already had a huge hit with The ABBA Generation. RedOne co-produced two of their follow-up albums, Teen Spirit in 2001 and Pop 'Til You Drop in 2002 with some original songs like "...to the Music", "Slam" co-written with Flame, Hortlund, and J. Boogie and "Singled Out" co-written with AJ Junior, Dhani, Sara, Savan Kotecha, and ShawnDark in a bid to launch them as "more than just a cover band".
After years of struggling, RedOne finally began to achieve recognition for his work in 2005. He wrote two songs for Daniel Lindström's self-titled chart-topping album, "Break Free" and "My Love Won't Let You Down". RedOne then had his first number one on Sverigetopplistan with Darin Zanyar's "Step Up".[12] The song, co-written by RedOne, Darin, and RedOne's frequent collaborator Bilal Hajji, won them a Swedish Grammy and "Scandinavian Song of the Year".[13] He went on to co-produce Darin's two albums The Anthem and self-titled album Darin alongside well-known producers like Ghost, Jörgen Elofsson, Arnthor Birgisson and George Samuelson.
RedOne had crossover success with the Canadian singer and Juno Award Carl Henry with hits "I Wish" and "Little Mama".[14] In the ensuing period, he went on to produce a number of Swedish and European pop acts. These included the Dutch pop band Ch!pz (2005), two songs Cariño Mio and Wanna Play by the Mexican teen group RBD for the album Rebels (2006), American Christina Milian in a remix of her track "L.O.V.E." as "L.O.V.E. (RedOne remix)" from her album Best Of, the Dutch singer EliZe in "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and Swedish Idol contestant and popular singer Ola Svensson in "Cops Come Knocking" and "Go Go Sweden", the latter in support of the Swedish national football team, all in 2006. In 2005, he also worked with pop singer Britney Spears and songwriter Michelle Bell on a track titled "Money Love and Happiness",[15][16] but the track remained unreleased until 2012, when Bell leaked the track in full online.[17]
2006–2009: International breakthrough and move to the United States
In 2006, RedOne produced the single "Bamboo" that was named an "Official Melody" for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. "Bamboo" was featured for the branding and promotion of the event during television broadcasts and advertising campaigns, branded cross-promotions, and as a part of the World Cup Official Music Program, gaining him much audio exposure.[18] In addition, The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) made him the main producer and songwriter for the 2006 World Cup Official Music Program.[3]
RedOne also produced a "mash-up" remix of Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie" featuring Wyclef Jean and RedOne's "Bamboo." The remix was performed by Shakira and Wyclef Jean at the World Cup's Final in Berlin to an estimated worldwide television audience of more than 1.2 billion.[3]
Although "Bamboo" helped establish him as a notable producer in the global marketplace,[3] RedOne himself claimed that the song didn't have the impact he thought it would, saying: "It was a good thing for me as a personal achievement but in terms of business or attracting labels to get more work, it didn't have a big impact, especially not in the US. It opened a few doors that closed quickly after."[10] It was then that he decided to move to the United States with the aim of breaking his career there.
In 2007, RedOne decided to move to Jersey City, New Jersey with his wife for better career opportunities, believing this to be his "now or never opportunity".[10] Initially the move proved unsuccessful; he struggled to secure even a single production and lost all of his money in the process.[10] Penniless and sleeping on an air mattress with his wife, he was ready to move back to Sweden. He says in an interview with Global Post: "I was really depressed, I told my wife, ‘We gotta go back'. She said we should borrow money and try for a few more months and then really give up if nothing good happens".[9]
His American breakthrough came when he met with Epic Records to present a song for Kat DeLuna, on an upcoming debut album of hers. RedOne started playing songs in front of the marketing team and label president Charlie Walk. After playing the song "Whine Up", RedOne says, "Walk interrupted me and said, "Stop, you're a genius!" I couldn't believe it. We spent the rest of the time playing music and dancing, it was surreal".[9] A subsequent meeting led to RedOne being given a Jennifer Lopez song to remix followed by a couple of demos for Menudo. RedOne was also entrusted the production role on Kat DeLuna's debut album 9 Lives.[9][10][19]
As 2007 came to a close, Alan Melina and Laurent Besencon, of New Heights Entertainment, the management company for Lady Gaga and RedOne, introduced the two them.[10] Together, they wrote a song titled, "Boys, Boys, Boys", which was intended as a spin-off of Mötley Crüe's "Girls, Girls, Girls",[20] and produced hits that became hugely popular including "Just Dance", "Bad Romance" and "Poker Face".
2010–present: Continued success and RedOne Records
RedOne penned many of the songs sung by Alexey Vorobyov (also known as Alex Sparrow), who represented Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest of 2011 and eventually recruited the singer to his record label.[21]
In 2010, RedOne founded 2101 Records, a record label, as a joint venture with Universal Music Group.[5][22] 2101 Songs on the other hand is a publishing company affiliated with 2101 Records and administered by Sony ATV Songs (BMI).[23] Main acts signed to the label are Jennifer Lopez,[24] Mohombi,[25] Havana Brown,[25] Midnight Red,[26] Porcelain Black[26] and 7Lions.[26] RedOne produced and co-wrote four songs for Nicki Minaj's second album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, including the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits, "Starships" and "Pound the Alarm".[27]
In the beginning of 2014 RedOne decided to change his record label 2101 Records into RedOne Records. Main acts signed to the label are Midnight Red, Porcelain Black, Ahmed Chawki, Sophia Del Carmen, Kika and Wayne Beckford. RedOne Records also promotes SuperMartXé events productions.
In 2015, RedOne announced that he is working on his debut album entitled RedOne Presents. He declared that he would like to collaborate with Lady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias, Stevie Wonder, and Lionel Richie for the album. Also in 2015, he started working in country music by co-writing and co-producing The Band Perry's song "Live Forever", the first single off their upcoming third studio album.[28]
RedOne confirmed in January 2015 to be reuniting with Lady Gaga as a producer in her fifth studio album.[29]
RedOne signed a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records in January 2016.[30] His first single with Warner Bros., "Don't You Need Somebody" was released on 20 May 2016 and features Enrique Iglesias, R. City, Serayah, and Shaggy.[31] On his transition from producer to being an artist RedOne has said: "I thought that to be a performer, you had to stick to a single sound, and I loved too many kinds of music to do that. But now I find myself wanting to get back to singing and playing, and friends like Enrique have encouraged me to do so. I want to be an artist in a new way, rather than the traditional one. I’m going to do it the RedOne way, which is creating different sounds with different people, doing the records I want to do". On May 15, 2018, Social Media Sensation Saad Abid helped RedOne Support Morocco's bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup unter the #Maymkench2026.[32]
Production and songwriting
RedOne continued writing and producing with Gaga and a host of other artists.[33] His international production credits include Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Pitbull, Enrique Iglesias, Nicki Minaj, and through his own label 2101 Records Jennifer Lopez, Porcelain Black, Havana Brown, Mohombi, 7Lions.[34]
In addition, he has written for and produced for various artists, in alphabetical order: Akon, Marc Anthony, Justin Bieber, Birdman, Zander Bleck, Mary J Blige, Brandy, Alexandra Burke, Cassie, Cheb Khaled, Cher, Cross Gene, Taio Cruz, Kat DeLuna, Jason Derulo, Jade Ewen, Mylène Farmer, Livvi Franc, Sirusho, Selena Gomez, Ayumi Hamasaki, Enrique Iglesias, Inna, Jean-Roch, K'naan, Katia, Kika, Sean Kingston, KMC, Little Boots, Cher Lloyd, Pixie Lott, Austin Mahone, MIKA, Nicki Minaj, Mohombi, Nayer, Orianthi, Lionel Richie, Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio, Nicole Scherzinger, Space Cowboy, Usher, and Lil Wayne.[35]
Bands include: RBD, Backstreet Boys, Cheetah Girls, Dive Bella Dive, Far East Movement, Flipsyde, Jada, JLS, Love Generation, Midnight Red, New Kids on the Block, One Direction, Sugababes, Now United, Talkback,[36] Ying Yang Twins, amongst others.
Philanthropy
In 2011, RedOne created 2101 Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to helping disadvantaged youth and to inspire and motivate young people to pursue their passion in life through music, arts and education.[33][37]
He is also involved with A Place Called Home, a safe haven in South Central Los Angeles where underserved youth are empowered to take ownership of the quality and direction of their lives through programs in education, arts, and well-being and are inspired to make a meaningful difference in their community and the world.[38]
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak positions | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA |
SPN |
SWE |
SWI | ||||||||
| 2016 | "Don't You Need Somebody" (featuring Enrique Iglesias, R. City, Serayah and Shaggy) |
150 | 18 | 7 | 19 | Non-album singles | |||||
| 2017 | "Boom Boom" (with Daddy Yankee, French Montana and Dinah Jane) |
170 | 33 | — | 90 | ||||||
| 2018 | "One World" (featuring Adelina and Now United)[39][40] |
— | — | — | — | ||||||
| 2019 | "We Love Africa" (featuring Inna Modja and Aminux) |
— | — | — | — | ||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||
Other appearances
| Year | Title | Peak positions | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUT |
BEL (Fl) |
BEL (Wa) |
FRA |
GER |
ITA |
NED |
SPN |
SWI | |||
| 2010 | "Kick Ass (We Are Young)" (Mika vs. RedOne) |
54 | 8 | 5 | — | 54 | 5 | — | — | 56 | Kick-Ass: Music from the Motion Picture |
| 2012 | "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (featuring Nabil Khayat) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Chimes of Freedom |
| 2014 | "A-Ricky-Kee" (SuperMartXé vs. RedOne) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles |
| "¡Hala Madrid! ...y nada más" (Real Madrid featuring RedOne) |
— | — | — | 143 | — | — | — | 1 | — | ||
| 2016 | "La Roja Baila (Himno Oficial de la Selección Española)" (Sergio Ramos, Niña Pastori & RedOne) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3 | — | |
| 2017 | "Voy a Bailar" (Ali B featuring Boef, Rolf Sanchez & RedOne) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | 13 | — | — | |
| "Love Is All That Matters" (Aleksey Vorobev & RedOne) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2018 | "Festival" (Los Polinesios & RedOne) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "Nos Fuimos Lejos (Arabic Version)" (Descemer Bueno, Enrique Iglesias & Hatim Ammor featuring El Micha & RedOne) |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||
Honors and awards
- Moroccan Royal Award
After the Grammy Awards, RedOne was awarded the Moroccan Royal Award for "Intellectual Excellence" and was decorated officially by King Mohamed VI of Morocco in an official ceremony held in Tangier in 2011.
- Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | "Just Dance" | Best Dance Recording | Nominated |
| 2010 | The Fame | Best Dance/Electronic Album | Won |
| 2010 | The Fame | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2010 | "Poker Face" | Best Dance Recording | Won |
| 2010 | "Poker Face" | Record of the Year | Nominated |
| 2010 | "Poker Face" | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2011 | The Fame Monster | Best Pop Vocal Album | Won |
| 2011 | The Fame Monster | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2011 | RedOne | Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Nominated |
| 2012 | Born This Way | Album of the Year | Nominated |
- Latin Grammy Awards
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Euphoria | Album of the Year | Nominated |
- Swedish Music Publishers Association
The Swedish Music Publishers Association awarded RedOne with multiple distinguished awards including:[41]
- Composer of the Year
- Song of the Year for "Bad Romance"
- Most Played Song of the Year for "Bad Romance"
Personal life
In 2009 Khayat married to Laila Aziz, currently a creative designer at Kayat, brand owned by both.[42]
References
- Gundersen, Edna (25 January 2011). "Music producer RedOne achieves monster fame". USA Today. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- "Nominees And Winners". Grammy.com. 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- "RedOne's BMI Artist Roster". Broadcast Music, Inc. 2006–2011. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
- Warner, Kara. "Hit Maker RedOne Introduces New Artists, 'DWTS' Tracks". MTV Newsroom. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- "Universal Music Announces Label Deal with Super Producer RedOne". Universal Music Group. August 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- Levine, Mike (9 April 2010). "RedOne | International Hitman". Electronic Musician. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- "Grammy Award® Winning Producer-Songwriter RedOne Wins BMI Latin Award For Spanish Version Of Jennifer Lopez's "On The Floor" ("Ven a Bailer") Feat. Pitbull". prnewswire.com. PR Newswire Association LLC. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=redone+interview&view=detail&mid=A1D440653CCA99681700A1D440653CCA99681700&FORM=VIRE
- Aida Alami (30 September 2011). "Hollyworld: Meet Morocco's starmaker". Global Post. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
- Bouwman, Kimbel (23 March 2009). "Interview With RedOne". HitQuarters. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- Bouwman, Kimbel (10 August 2009). "Interview with Rami Yacoub quote:". HitQuarters. Retrieved 8 March 2010.
- "Darin- Step Up (Song)". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- "WMC 2011 Schedule Panelist: RedOne". Winter Music Conference. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- Montgomery-Spencer, Jeunesse (18 September 2008). "Carl Henry [Interview]". HipHopCanada.com. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- "Money Love and Happiness (Legal Title)". BMI. Archived from the original on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- "ASCAP ACE – Money Love and Happiness". ASCAP. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- Stern, Bradley (5 April 2012). "Daily B: Songwriter Michelle Bell Leaks "Money Love & Happiness," Talks Lost 'Original Doll' Album". Muumuse.com. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
- "World Cup Gets A Kick Out of RedOne's 'Bamboo'". Broadcast Music, Inc. 13 June 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
- Bouwman, Kimbel (20 January 2009). "Interview with Brandon Creed". HitQuarters. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- Reporter, Staff. "Lady GaGa Profile". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
- Siim, Jarmo (28 March 2011). "Sparrow, Pokerface writer have a go for Russia". Eurovision. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- "Gaga producer signs deal with Universal records". BBC News. 9 August 2010.
- "2101Songs.com". Retrieved 7 April 2011.
- Los Angeles Times: Jennifer Lopez joins RedOne's label, issues 'Live It Up' single
- Christopher Morris (1 May 2013). "2101 Records Pacts With Capitol Records Group". Variety. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- "RedOne's 2101 Records, Capitol Sign Worldwide Partnership Deal". Billboard. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- Mitchell, John. "Nicki Minaj Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded: Reviews Are In!". MTV Rapfix. Viacom. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
- Watts, Cindy (13 August 2015). "The Band Perry debuts new single, video". tennessean.com. Gannett. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
- http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6443520/lady-gaga-back-in-the-studio-with-redone
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BAvyKv2BJkc/
- http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/RedOne-Releases-Debut-Solo-Single-Dont-You-Need-Somebody-ft-Enrique-Iglesias-More-20160520
- "#Maymkench2026 : Saad Abid Scores Gad Elmaleh's Support for Morocco 2026".
- Ali, Lorraine (June 2011). "RedOne: Gaga, J.Lo, and Enrique may throw him props, but this musicmaker likes being the force behind the fame". LA Times blog. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
- "ARTIST DIRECT "7Lions Turn Heads Over "L.A. Kings/Born 2 Run" Stanley Cup Theme"". Retrieved 20 June 2012.
- "Red One:Biography". Red One Official Website. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- "2012 official website".
- "2101 Foundation".
- http://www.acph.org
- http://www.qatar-tribune.com/news-details/id/126698
- https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2018052852264/redone-to-provide-music-for-bein-s-world-cup-coverage.html#axzz5GqjTvm5G
- RedOne biography
- Renowned Designer Laila Aziz Talks About Her Impressive Career In Fashion After Quitting Law
External links
- Official website
- RedOne discography at MusicBrainz
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