Troy Christopher Taylor is an American record producer, singer, and songwriter from New Haven, Connecticut, best known for his discovery and mentorship of R&B singer Trey Songz. He was formerly a member of production collective The Characters, and founded the record label Songbook Entertainment in 2002, through which he signed Songz the following year.[1] Throughout his career, Taylor has produced and worked extensively with the singer, as well as other prominent R&B acts including the Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, and Boyz II Men.[2]
Troy Taylor | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Troy Christopher Taylor |
| Also known as | Mayor of R&B |
| Born | New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Labels |
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| Formerly of | The Characters |
Career
editMusical upbringing
editTaylor was born in suburban New Haven, Connecticut into a family of musicians, resulting in exposure to music at a very early age.[3] He started by singing in local talent shows, which evolved into playing keyboards as well as learning how to listen to and understand music.[3] He would later graduate from Hartford Conservatory in 1988 with a degree in jazz theory and record production. Anxious to enter the music industry, Taylor regrettably signed a record deal with an independent label in New York in his youth without the assistance of an attorney.[4] Record executive Timmy Regisford would subsequently buy out Taylor's contract, and sign him to Motown Records.[4]
1990s: Motown Deal and "The Characters"
editTaylor was signed in early 1990 at the age of 21 to a solo recording deal with Motown, but decided to instead explore songwriting and production for other artists after several fruitful sessions with a group of talented teenagers who would evolve into R&B vocal group Boyz II Men, as well as a meeting with label president Jheryl Busby and then-Vice President-A&R Regisford.[5] Taylor would subsequently place records from his unreleased debut album on other projects he was writing for at the time, with the remaining portion of his debut album being eventually released in 2021.[2] Two of Taylor’s debut songs, “Little Things” and “Your Love”, were placed on Boyz II Men’s debut album Cooleyhighharmony, which sold over 12 million copies.[6][7][8] Two previously unreleased Taylor tracks, "Just A Cover Up" and "Can't Be Liked", would later appear on a 2009 Cooleyhighharmony repackage.
In the 1990s/early 2000s, Taylor was also a member of The Characters alongside fellow songwriter/producer Charles Farrar: a production collective that signed several acts to their production company Character Music Corporation, and worked with Brownstone, SWV, and Kenny Lattimore, among others. They also produced several remixes for physical singles during their tenure, including Brandy ("Best Friend") and Babyface ("Chivalry").[9] Their work on song "Jezzebel" from 1994 Boyz II Men album II won the duo a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Songwriter Johnta Austin would later join the collective after his label delayed the release of his debut album, and together the trio created award-winning hit single "Sweet Lady" for Tyrese, as well as other songs for SWV and Jason Weaver.
2000-present: Songbook Entertainment and Trey Songz
editThe Characters disbanded amicably in 2002, but would continue to work together to contribute to albums from B2K and Jhené Aiko, as well as appear on the Barbershop soundtrack.[10] Taylor would next create Songbook Entertainment, a multi-disciplinary firm meant to encompass songwriting, publishing, and the development of new artists.[5] Taylor met singer Tremaine Neverson in 2000 while he was participating in various Virginia talent shows, and he would become Taylor's first signee.[11] Taylor would also work with former IMx member Marques Houston on his solo debut.[12] While developing Neverson over the next five years, Taylor would also be commissioned to work on projects from Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Ginuwine, and the Isley Brothers, receiving recognition from the R&B wing of the Grammys for his contributions to 2003 Aretha Franklin album So Damn Happy.[13][14][15][16][17] Taylor would later reminisce about recording sessions in Franklin's home studio, Franklin's ability to record ten full songs without breaks, as well as recording his time producing for Houston for posterity in various interviews and publications.[4][7][18]
In 2016, Taylor was tasked with writing and producing songs based on scripted plotlines for Lee Daniels' Fox television series Star.[19] In 2020, Taylor worked with gospel artist Koryn Hawthorne on her second album I Am, contributing two singles ("Speak To Me", "Pray") that charted on the Billboard Gospel Charts.[20][21] He reunited with Characters collective member Austin to co-write his contributions to Hawthorne's album.[22]
Discography
editSongwriting and production credits
editCredits are courtesy of Discogs, Spotify, and AllMusic.
| Title | Year | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Every Little Thing About You" | 1990 | Today | The New Formula |
| "Self Centered" | |||
| "Home Is Where You Belong" | |||
| "Gonna Make You Mine" | |||
| "Little Things" | 1991 | Boyz II Men | Cooleyhighharmony |
| "Your Love" | |||
| "Just A Cover Up" | Cooleyhighharmony (2009 Expanded Edition) | ||
| "Can't Be Liked" | |||
| "Chivalry" (The Characters Remix) | Babyface | A Closer Look | |
| "I'll Be There For You" | Lateasha | Lateasha | |
| "Mature Love" | Keisha Jackson | Keisha | |
| "All Night Lovin'" | |||
| "All Night Lovin' Interlude" | |||
| "Step by Step (Gonna Make You Mine)" | 1992 | Wendy Moten | Wendy Moten |
| "Take Me Back to Love Again" | Kathy Sledge | Heart | |
| "I've Gotta Have It" | 3rd Avenue | Let's Talk About Love | |
| "The Minute You Fall In Love" | |||
| "I'm Calling You (Do-Po-Liddle-Lo-Le-Yeah)" | OSCAR | Spotlight | |
| "Just For You" | |||
| "Let Me Make It Better" | |||
| "I'll Be There For You" | |||
| "Spotlight" | |||
| "Keep Touching Me" | |||
| "How I Spend My Time" | |||
| "Give Me A Reason" | |||
| "Just Being With You" | Countess Vaughn | Countess | |
| "Once More" | |||
| "Skyy's The Limit" | Skyy | Nearer To You | |
| "Work It Out" | 1993 | Perfect Gentlemen | The Perfect Gentlemen |
| "Don't Go Nowhere" | Riff | To Whom It May Concern | |
| "Adjust Your Love" | |||
| "Adjust Your Love (Interlude)" | |||
| "Floating | 1994 | Debelah Morgan | Debelah |
| "Jezzebel" | Boyz II Men | II | |
| "(Seek And You'll Find) The Kinda Right Baby" | Groove U | Tender Love | |
| "Old Becomes New" | |||
| "Call And I'll Answer" | |||
| "Pass It Over" | Fourmula | Non-album single | |
| "I Can't Tell You Why" | 1995 | Brownstone | From the Bottom Up |
| "Best Friend" (The Characters R&B Mix featuring Channel Live) | Brandy | Brandy | |
| "I'm Sorry" | Solo | Solo | |
| "My Cherie Amour" | Tony Thompson | Sexsational | |
| "Come Over" | |||
| "Goodbye Eyes" | |||
| "Love Today" | Vertical Hold | Head First | |
| "Love In An Elevator" | 1996 | Johnny Gill | Let's Get the Mood Right |
| "Simply Say I Love U" (Featuring Stevie Wonder) | |||
| "So Gentle" (Featuring Ronnie DeVoe) | |||
| "Get Down Like Dat" | 702 | No Doubt | |
| "No Doubt" | |||
| "Show You My Love" | |||
| "All I Want" | |||
| "Just Let Me Know" | Horace Brown | Horace Brown | |
| "Realize" | Jason Weaver | Stay With Me (Shelved) | |
| "Your Body's Callin'" | Norman Brown | Better Days Ahead | |
| "Facts of Love" | |||
| "Love Like This" (Featuring Lil' Cease) | 1997 | SWV | Release Some Tension |
| "Lose Myself" | |||
| "Here For You" | |||
| "Who Are You" | Shades | Shades | |
| "Tell Me (I'll Be Around)" | |||
| "I Believe" | |||
| "How Deep Is Your Love" | |||
| "Time Will Reveal" | |||
| "All He's Supposed to Be" | Johnny Gill | The 6th Man (soundtrack) | |
| "Jam Knock" | Brian McKnight | Anytime | |
| "Dance Wit Me" (Featuring Doug E. Fresh) | 1998 | Miss Jones | The Other Woman |
| "Smooth" | |||
| "In And Out Of My Life" [25] | Ali | Crucial / Bitter Honey | |
| "Once A Fool" | Destiny's Child & William Floyd | eMusic Presents NFL Jams | |
| "Work It Out" | Boyz II Men & Garrison Hearst | ||
| "Let's Get It Started" | Johnny Gill & Corey Harris | ||
| "Sweet Lady" | 1999 | Tyrese | Tyrese |
| "What'cha Gonna Do" | Eternal | Eternal | |
| "Treat Me Like a Lady" | |||
| "Absent From You" | |||
| "He Is" | |||
| "Never Let You Go Away" | Rome | Thank You (Shelved) | |
| "Do It Like Us" | Rudy | Non-album single | |
| "Come Correct" | 2000 | Before Dark | Daydreamin' |
| "Can We Make Love" | Profyle | Nothin' but Drama | |
| "Candles" | Pru | Pru | |
| "Got Me High" | |||
| "Can't Compare Your Love" | |||
| "Sketches of Pain" | |||
| "Hold On" | L.V. | How Long | |
| "Just Because" | F.A.T.E | For All That's Endured | |
| "Weekend" | 2001 | Kenny Lattimore | Weekend |
| "Baby You're the One" | |||
| "Can You Feel Me" (Featuring Shanice) | |||
| "If Love Is What You Want" | |||
| "Right Down to It" | |||
| "Pretty Girl" | Smash Task | Selections From "The Dirty D.I.S.T.R.I.C.T." | |
| "Crave" [26] | 4Shades | 4Shades | |
| "Unashamed" | 2002 | Whitney Houston | Just Whitney |
| "Christmas Party" (Featuring Treach) | 3LW | Naughty or Nice | |
| "You Can Get It" (Featuring Makeba Riddick) | B2K | Pandemonium! | |
| "Why I Love You" | |||
| "What's Come Over Me?" | Glenn Lewis & Amel Larrieux | Barbershop (soundtrack) | |
| "Baby Girl (Terri's Theme)" | B2K | ||
| "He Couldn't Kiss" | Jhené Aiko | B2K: The Remixes – Volume 1 | |
| "Baby Girl" | B2K | B2K | |
| "You" [27] | Ruff Endz | Someone to Love You | |
| "The Only Thing Missin" | 2003 | Aretha Franklin | So Damn Happy |
| "Holdin' On" | |||
| "No Matter What" (Featuring Mary J. Blige) | |||
| "The First Noel" | Whitney Houston | One Wish: The Holiday Album | |
| "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)" | |||
| "Because of You" | Marques Houston | MH | |
| "Can I Call You" | |||
| "Bedda to Have Loved" | Ginuwine | The Senior | |
| "On My Way"/"Sex (Interlude)" | |||
| "Our First Born" | |||
| "Big Plans" (Featuring Method Man) | |||
| "Do Ya" (With Daniel Bedingfield) | 2004 | Lionel Richie | Just for You |
| "Something More" | Patti LaBelle | Timeless Journey | |
| "Good Lovin" | |||
| "I'm Leaving" | Frankee | The Good, the Bad, the Ugly | |
| "Made It Back" | The O'Jays | Imagination | |
| "Separate Ways" | |||
| "Touch You There" | Gordon Chambers | Introducing... | |
| "Never Fall In Love" | |||
| "Slippin' Away" | |||
| "My Imagination" | |||
| "Always Be Proud" | |||
| "A Message from Aretha" | 2005 | Trey Songz | I Gotta Make It |
| "Gotta Make It" (featuring Twista) | |||
| "Cheat on You" | |||
| "Gotta Go" | |||
| "Ooo" | |||
| "All The Ifs" | |||
| "From a Woman's Hand" | |||
| "Kinda Lovin'" | |||
| "Comin' for You" | |||
| "Just Wanna Cut (Prelude)" | |||
| "Just Wanna Cut" | |||
| "In the Middle" | |||
| "Make Love Tonight" | |||
| "Hatin' Love" | |||
| "Gotta Go (Reprise)" | |||
| "Gotta Make It (Remix)" (Featuring Aretha Franklin & Juvenile) | |||
| "Better Than Gold" | Yolanda Adams | Day by Day | |
| "I Found My Everything" (Featuring Raphael Saadiq) | Mary J. Blige | The Breakthrough | |
| "Gotta Go Solo" (Featuring Ronald Isley) | Patti LaBelle | Classic Moments | |
| "Just Came Here to Chill" | 2006 | The Isley Brothers | Baby Makin' Music |
| "Heaven Hooked Us Up" | |||
| "You Help Me Write This Song" | |||
| "Where Love Begins" (Featuring Yolanda Adams) | Patti LaBelle | The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle | |
| "Walking Away" (Featuring CeCe Winans) | |||
| "Long Gone Missin'" | 2007 | Trey Songz | Trey Day |
| "No Clothes On" | |||
| "Wonder Woman" | |||
| "Sex for Yo Stereo" | |||
| "Last Time" | |||
| "Grub On" | |||
| "Role Play" | |||
| "Fades Away" | |||
| "Husband" | Lil' Mo | Pain & Paper | |
| "Can't Bring Me Down" | 2008 | Karina Pasian | First Love |
| "Panty Droppa (Intro)" | 2009 | Trey Songz | Ready [28] |
| "Neighbors Know My Name" | |||
| "Say Aah" (Featuring Fabolous) | |||
| "LOL Smiley Face" (Featuring Gucci Mane & Soulja Boy) | |||
| "Ready to Make Luv" | |||
| "Jupiter Love" | |||
| "Love Lost" | |||
| "Hollalude" | |||
| "Holla If Ya Need Me" | |||
| "Yo Side of the Bed" | |||
| "Scratchin' Me Up" | |||
| "You Belong to Me" | |||
| "Showerlude" | Anticipation | ||
| "You Belong To Me" | |||
| "On Top" | |||
| "Yo Side of the Bed" | |||
| "Here We Go Again (Intro)" | 2010 | Passion, Pain & Pleasure | |
| "Love Faces" | |||
| "Massage" | |||
| "Alone" | |||
| "Pain (Interlude)" | |||
| "Can't Be Friends" | |||
| "Please Return My Call" | |||
| "Made to Be Together" | |||
| "Pleasure (Interlude)" | |||
| "Red Lipstick" | |||
| "Doorbell" | |||
| "You Just Need Me" | |||
| "Panty Droppa (The Complete Edition)" | |||
| "Love Me Better (Here We Go Again Complete Edition)" | |||
| "Hero" | Lyfe Jennings | I Still Believe | |
| "Kitty Kitty" (Featuring Trey Songz) | Plies | Goon Affiliated | |
| "Sex Room" (Featuring Trey Songz) | Ludacris | Battle of the Sexes | |
| "Just the Way You Are" | 2011 | Johnny Gill | Still Winning |
| "It Would Be You" | |||
| "Chapter V" | 2012 | Trey Songz | Chapter V |
| "Dive In" | |||
| "Panty Wetter" | |||
| "Playin Hard" | |||
| "2 Reasons" (Featuring T.I.) | |||
| "Hail Mary" (Featuring Jeezy & Lil Wayne) | |||
| "Don't Be Scared" (Featuring Rick Ross) | |||
| "Pretty Girl's Lie" | |||
| "Forever Yours" | |||
| "Inside Interlewd" | |||
| "Fumble" | |||
| "Without a Woman" | |||
| "Interlude4U" | |||
| "Simply Amazing" | |||
| "Check Me Out" (Featuring Diddy (entertainer) & Meek Mill) | |||
| "I Don't Really Care" (Featuring Trey Songz) | Waka Flocka Flame | Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family | |
| "Your One" | Tank | This Is How I Feel | |
| "Lost It All" | |||
| "My Life" (includes "The Right One" interlude)" | 2013 | K. Michelle | Rebellious Soul |
| "Can't Raise a Man" | |||
| "What's Best for You" | 2014 | Trey Songz | Trigga |
| "Heat of Passion" | Keyshia Cole | Point of No Return | |
| "Push It On Me" (With Trey Songz) | 2016 | Kevin Hart | Kevin Hart: What Now? (The Mixtape Presents Chocolate Droppa) |
| "The Prelude" | 2017 | Trey Songz | Tremaine the Album |
| "Come Over" | |||
| "Run Run" | Tamar Braxton | Bluebird of Happiness | |
| "Pick Me Up" | |||
| "Bless Up" | 2018 | Koryn Hawthorne | Unstoppable |
| "Shut Up & Kiss Me" | 2019 | Maurice Moore | Bravetime Travelling |
| "Sexual" | YK Osiris | The Golden Child | |
| "Make Lovelude" | |||
| "Make Love" | |||
| "Closer" (Featuring Jah Vinci) | |||
| "Everything You Do" | |||
| "Be My Guest" | 2020 | Trey Songz | Back Home |
| "Save It" | |||
| "Hands On" | |||
| "Lost & Found" | |||
| "Circles" | |||
| "Round & Round" | |||
| "Cats Got My Tongue" | |||
| "On Top of Me" | |||
| "Nobody's Watchin" | |||
| "Tug of War" | |||
| "All This Love" | |||
| "OG Lovelude" | |||
| "2020 Riots: How Many Times" | |||
| "I Know a Love" | |||
| "Noah Love" | |||
| "Insecure" | Queen Naija | Missunderstood | |
| "Passionate" | |||
| "Speak To Me" | Koryn Hawthorne | I Am | |
| "Pray" | |||
| "Black And White" (Featuring Ari Lennox) | Nasty C | Zulu Man with Some Power | |
| "Cater" (With 2 Chainz) | 2022 | Tink | Pillow Talk |
| "Drunk Text'n" (With Layton Greene) | |||
| "News" (With Russ) | |||
| "Fast Car" | Syd | Broken Hearts Club |
Guest appearances
edit| Title | Year | Other performer(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Win You Over" | 1994 | Debelah Morgan | Debelah |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Awarding Body | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 37th Annual Grammy Awards | Grammy Award for Best R&B Album (II) | Won | [29] |
| 2000 | ASCAP Pop Awards | Award-Winning Song ("Sweet Lady") | Won | [30] |
| 2000 | ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Awards | Award-Winning Song ("Sweet Lady") | Won | [31] |
| 2012 | BMI Awards | Producer Of The Year | Won | [32] |
| 2022 | BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards | Gospel Song of the Year ("Speak To Me") | Won | [33][34] |
References
edit- ^ "Grammy Award Winning Producer Troy Taylor: Talks Reviving Real R&B, Friendship With Aretha Franklin & Finding Longevity In The Music Business". respect-mag.com. November 15, 2019.
- ^ a b "Grammy Award-Winning Troy Taylor Transcends into the New Era of R&B". December 18, 2019. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ a b "Newcomer Trey Songz and Producer Troy Taylor Join BMI Family". BMI.com. May 3, 2005. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Music Producer Troy Taylor Talks Working with Whitney Houston and Newcomers Like Jacquees". www.theqgentleman.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Burton, Brittany (November 15, 2019). "Grammy Award Winning Producer Troy Taylor: Talks Reviving Real R&B, Friendship With Aretha Franklin & Finding Longevity In The Music Business". Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Grammy Award-Winning Producer Troy Taylor Transcends into the New Era of R&B - Singersroom.com". December 18, 2019. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ a b "Studio Sessions | Troy Taylor has fond Whitney Houston memories, silly Trey Songz stories and unreleased Aretha Franklin music". December 8, 2018. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Cooleyhighharmony – Boyz II Men". Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ "Singles Review: Brandy - Best Friend". Billboard. June 10, 1995. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Singles Review: B2K - Why I Love You". Billboard. September 28, 2002. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Trey Songz Proves He's 'Ready'". BMI.com. August 10, 2010. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Marques Houston Readies Elektra Debut". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ Dansby, Andrew (August 13, 2003). "Aretha Gets Happy With Blige". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ Billboard Staff (September 15, 2003). "Hot Product". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ "Rhythmic Quest Yields 'Just Whitney…'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Whitney Makes a Holiday 'Wish'". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Guests Bolster Ginuwine's Return". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Aretha Teases Album with New Single". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Exclusive: Troy Taylor Talks Working With Legends, His Own Legacy, The Real King of R&B and More!". February 14, 2020. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ "Koryn Hawthorne: The Results "Speak" for Themselves". Archived from the original on December 26, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "Koryn Hawthorne Releases 'Pray' Single & Video". July 24, 2020. Archived from the original on December 27, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
- ^ "Koryn Hawthorne details her "fun" experience working with Johnta Austin and Troy Taylor". KISS 104.1 FM. October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on January 17, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ "Blazetrak | Direct video responses from music industry professionals". Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Troy Taylor Releases New EP 'The 90's Demos'". December 17, 2021. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Soulful U.K. Crooner Ali Bows on Island". Billboard. November 29, 1997. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Ruff Endz – Hip Online – music biographies, reviews & interviews". February 24, 2008. Archived from the original on January 28, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ "Trey Songz 'Ready' to Grow up on Third Album". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "37th Annual Grammy Award Winners". The Recording Academy. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
- ^ "ASCAP Members Make Today's Music POP". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 3, 2000. Archived from the original on January 6, 2023. Retrieved December 24, 2022 – via Billboard.
- ^ "You Are The Rhythm of Today And The Soul of Tomorrow". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 17, 2000. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023 – via Google Books.
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- ^ "Songbook Entertainment". www.facebook.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "2022 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards". Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved December 26, 2022.