Di Genius

Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor
Birth nameStephen McGregor
OriginKingston, Jamaica
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active1995–present
Labels

Stephen McGregor, known professionally as Di Genius, is a Jamaican record producer, singer, and songwriter. Di Genius comes from a musical family—his father is legendary veteran reggae artist Freddie McGregor and his siblings, Daniel "Chino" McGregor and Yeshemabeth "Shema" McGregor, are also singers. While Di Genius was primarily known for producing riddims out of his "Big Ship" recording studio, he has gone on to produce and write songs for international artists such as Sean Paul, Drake, Nelly Furtado, Lianne La Havas, Shakira, John Legend among others.[1][2][3] The New York Times named him a "Reggae Veteran At The Age of 18."

In 2017, Billboard.com listed Di Genius as one of the producers who brought dancehall back to the mainstream, noting his work on Drake's hit song "Controlla" off the multi-platinum selling album Views.

His work is also featured on multiple Grammy Awards nominated albums.

Biography

Stephen McGregor is the son of legendary reggae singer Freddie McGregor.[4] The year before, his father had passed up a record deal from Arista Records, choosing instead to create his own record label, which he named Big Ship after his 1982 hit single from the album of the same name.[5] When he renovated the family home in 1995, Freddie McGregor had a small but high-tech recording studio built to produce music for the label, and Stephen took a shine to the studio at an early age. His father recalls of the period: "If we saw the door was open, we’d know Stephen was in there. He was just so short you couldn’t see him over the mixing desk."[1] His father nurtured his interest in music by bringing him along on tour, and the young McGregor would often watch his father's performances from the side of the stage.[5]

Stephen McGregor wrote and recorded his first song at the age of five, a dancehall track titled "School Done Rule" which was featured on the compilation "Reggae For Kids."[6] However, the young McGregor soon gravitated more towards the production end of songwriting, and by the age of seven he had taught himself to play bass, guitar, keyboards, and violin by mimicking the songs he heard on the radio.[7] McGregor began his production career at the age of twelve, contributing to local production studios such as Outlaw. His first hit riddim came in 2004, while still attending Ardenne High School.[1] McGregor and his brother Chino approached dancehall artist Elephant Man at his nearby Havendale home to ask him to deejay on the whimsical "Cartoon" riddim, and the artist accepted, the first of fifteen artists to vocalize on the track. In a radio interview, a local DJ gave McGregor the nickname "Di Genius," as his musical talent came at such a young age.[1][2]

What MTV described as Di Genius's "defining moment" came in 2006, when up-and-coming artist Mavado recorded the song "Weh Dem a Do" on his "Red Bull & Guinness" riddim. The riddim was co-produced with Delly Ranx the previous year, when Di Genius was fifteen years old.[8] The single was a huge success in Jamaica and even made a mark internationally, placing on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the United States.[2] The same year, he also released the successful "Power Cut" riddim and produced singles for several artists, including Bounty Killer, Da'Ville, and Big Ship labelmates Laden and Chino. He also began a project with Mavado's rival, the controversial deejay Vybz Kartel. The record The Teacher's Back was released two years later to a primarily Japanese market and featured eighteen original tracks, all produced by Di Genius.[7]

In addition to his riddim productions and solo work, Di Genius also produced the entirety of his brother Chino's eponymous album in 2011 and the majority of Sean Paul's 2009 album Imperial Blaze and Mavado's Mr. Brooks...A Better Tomorrow, also from 2009.[6] He also wrote and produced several songs for international artists, including Hasidic reggae artist Matisyahu, J-pop singer Mika Nakashima, R&B singers Ne-Yo and Estelle, Drake and pop star Nelly Furtado, whose Di Genius produced song "Don't Leave Me" appeared on her 2012 album The Spirit Indestructible.[2][9][10]

In 2017, Billboard.com listed Di Genius as one of the producers who brought dancehall back to the mainstream, noting his work on Drake's hit song "Controlla" off the multi-platinum selling album Views.

In December 2019, Warner Chappell Music announced that they signed a new writing deal with Di Genius.[11][12]

Production Style

Di Genius has said in interviews that he admires songwriters such as Stevie Wonder for his arrangements and instrumentation. He also stated that he draws inspiration from producers such as Timbaland and The Neptunes for their instantly recognizable production styles.[6][9] Vivien Goldman described his productions in The New York Times as having "a challenging sound that combines playfulness, the spatial drama of a movie soundtrack and orchestral brio" characterized by "sparse, punching jabs of sound and lush snatches of melody." She also wrote that while his tense urban riddims are well suited for American hip hop audiences, he displays a great amount of versatility, with productions ranging from lovers rock to reggae fusion.[1]

Equipment-wise, Di Genius stated that he started out producing with a single drum machine MPC, but has since moved on to multiple MPCs, keyboards, and a variety of audio editing programs, including Pro Tools, Reason, Logic Pro, and REAPER.[2]

Discography

As producer/composer/writer :

Mavado – "Weh Dem A Do" (Producer/Writer)

John Legend – "Bigger Love" (Producer)

Shenseea – "Run Run" (Writer/Producer)

Khea Julia Michaels Becky G – "Only One" ft Di Genius (Producer/Writer)

John Legend - "Don't Walk Away" ft Koffee (Producer/Writer)

John Legend – "I Want You To Know" (Producer/Writer)

John Legend – "Speak In Tongues" ft Jada Kingdom (Producer/Writer)

Raye - "Flip A Switch" (Producer/Writer)

Raye - "Flip A Switch Remix" ft Coi Leray (Producer/Writer)

Myke Towers – "Flow Jamaican" (Producer/Writer)

Myke Towers – "En Nadie" (Producer/Writer)

Becky G - "Rotate" ft Burna Boy (Producer/Writer)

Becky G - "My Man" (Producer/Writer)

Nelly Furtado – "Don't Leave Me (Producer/Writer)

French Montana - "Writing On The Wall" ft Post Malone Cardi B (Producer/Writer)

Rvssian - "IDKW" ft Shenseea Swae Lee Young Thug (Producer/Writer)

Paloma Mami - "RDMDA" (Producer/Writer)

Drake – "Controlla" (Producer/Writer)

Will.i.am – "it's my birthday" (Writer)

Shakira - "Amarillo" (Producer)

Shenseea - "Blessed" ft. Tyga (Producer/Writer)

Neyo Shenseea - "Major Moves" (from the movie "Sprinter") (Producer/Writer)

Teamarrr – "Cool Enough" (HBO Insecure) (Producer/Writer)

Damian Marley - Upholstery (Producer/Writer)

Damian Marley - Slave Mill (Producer/Writer)

Lianne La Havas – "Midnight" (Producer/Writer)

Lianne La Havas – "Fairytale" (Writer)

Sean Paul "Imperial Blaze" : "So Fine" (Producer/Writer)

"Lace it" (Producer/Writer)

"Press it up" (Producer/Writer)

"Now That i've got your love" (Producer/Writer)

"Birthday Suit" (Producer/Writer)

"Evening Ride" (Producer/Writer)

"Daddy's Home" (Producer/Writer)

" Don't Tease Me" (Producer/Writer)

"She Wanna Be Down" (Producer/Writer)

"Lately" (Producer/Writer)

"She Want Me" (Producer/Writer)

"Watch Dem Roll" (Producer/Writer)

Michael Franti – SoulRocker (Album) (Producer/Writer)

FuseODG – "Dangerous Love" (Producer/Writer)

Kalash – "Taken" (Producer/Writer)

Mali music – "One" (Producer/Writer)

Matisyahu – "Motivate"

Matisyahu – "Smash Lies"

Matisyahu – "Struggla"

Nicky Jam – "Me Enamoras" (Writer)

Wretch 32 – "Alright With Me" ft Anne Marie & prgrshn (Producer)

Maverick Sabre – Emotion (Producer/Writer)

Collie Buddz - " i got you" (Producer/Writer)

Collie Buddz - "Defend your own" (Producer/Writer)

Lali Esposito - Sin Querer Queriendo (feat. Mau y Ricky) (Producer/Writer)

Burna Boy - "Destiny" (Writer)

Paloma Mami - "RDMDA" (Producer/Writer)

Compilation albums

  • Labwork Vol. 1 (2010)
  • Labwork Vol. 2 (2010)
  • Lab work Vol. 3

Riddims

2000s

Year Riddim
2004 Cartoon
Dutch Master
2005 Red Bull & Guinness
2006 Breaking News
Ghetto Whiskey
Power Cut
Smoke
Stick Up
2007 After Dark
Bee Hive
Dark Again
Darker Shadow
12 Gauge
Party Time
Shadow
Tremor
2070s
2008 Advocate
Chiney K
Day Break
Day Rave
Forever
Work Out
2009 Boasty
Fitness
Outbreak
Summer Bounce
Trippple Bounce

2010s

Year Riddim
2010 Bad People
Catalog
Championship
Gun Show
Street Swag
Winnings
2011 Bad Acid
Iron Belt
Peppa
Tenement Yard
Wildlife
2012 Bassline
Come Round
Face Off
Moving

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
2009 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album Let's Get Physical (songwriter & producer) Nominated
2010 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album Imperial Blaze (songwriter & producer) Nominated
2014 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album Mali Is... (songwriter & producer) Nominated
2015 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album Blood (Lianne La Havas album) (songwriter & producer) Nominated
2016 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Rap Album Views (songwriter & producer) Nominated
2016 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Album Of The Year Views (songwriter & producer) Nominated
2017 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album Chronology (songwriter & producer) Nominated
2017 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album El Dorado (songwriter & producer) Won
2017 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album Stony Hill (songwriter & producer) Won
2017 ASCAP Awards Best Rap Song "Controlla" (songwriter & producer) Won
2017 Latin Grammy Award Latin Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album El Dorado (songwriter & producer) Won
2019 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best World Music Album African Giant (songwriter) Nominated
2020 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best R&B Album Bigger Love (songwriter & producer) Won
2021 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album 10 (songwriter & producer) Nominated
2022 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album Scorcha (Sean Paul) (songwriter & producer) Nominated [13]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Goldman, Vivien (21 September 2008). "For Him, Reggae Is the Family Business". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e Patterson, Joseph (25 July 2011). "Stephen McGregor: The Interview". MTV. Archived from the original on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  3. ^ "Super bash for Stephen". Jamaica Star. 8 January 2009. Archived from the original on 19 March 2009. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Stephen 'Di Genious' McGregor: About". Facebook. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  5. ^ a b Grindley, Latoya (21 June 2010). "Captain Freddie McGregor Guides His Crew". Jamaica Gleaner. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  6. ^ a b c "Centre Stage: Stephen McGregor". Jamaica Star. 14 November 2008. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  7. ^ a b Henry, Krista (20 July 2008). "'Di Genius' at helm of Big Ship". Jamaica Gleaner. Archived from the original on 16 April 2010. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Freeload: Assassin, 'Money' (Work Out Riddim)". The Fader. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  9. ^ a b Henry, Krista (5 December 2008). "10 questions for Stephen". Jamaica Star. Archived from the original on 28 April 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  10. ^ Brooks, Sadeke (26 September 2012). "Di Genius produces for Nelly Furtado". Jamaica Star. Archived from the original on 2 June 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
  11. ^ "Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor Scores Big With Warner Chappell Music Deal". DancehallMag. 20 December 2019.
  12. ^ "Warner Chappell Music's announcement: Ending the year big and welcoming @digenius1". Instagram. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021.
  13. ^ "Jamaican Producer Di Genius Celebrates John Legend's Grammy Win For 'Best R&B Album' Which Featured Koffee". DancehallMag. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2021.

Read other articles:

Buchs, St. Gallen

Pemandangan kota Untuk tempat lain yang bernama sama, lihat Buchs. Buchs ialah sebuah kotamadya di Wahlkreis (konstituante) Werdenberg, Kanton Sankt Gallen, Swiss. Kota ini terletak dekat perbatasan Liechtenstein, berdampingan dengan kota Schaan. Buchs merupakan titik pemberhentian Orient Express. Pranala luar Wikimedia Commons memiliki media mengenai Buchs, St. Gallen. (Jerman) Situs resmi Artikel bertopik geografi atau tempat Swiss ini adalah sebuah rintisan. Anda dapat membantu Wikipedia d...

 

العلاقات الأوزبكستانية البوتسوانية

العلاقات الأوزبكستانية البوتسوانية أوزبكستان بوتسوانا   أوزبكستان   بوتسوانا تعديل مصدري - تعديل   العلاقات الأوزبكستانية البوتسوانية هي العلاقات الثنائية التي تجمع بين أوزبكستان وبوتسوانا.[1][2][3][4][5] مقارنة بين البلدين هذه مقارنة عامة و...

 

Dede Indra Permana Soediro

Artikel biografi ini ditulis menyerupai resume atau daftar riwayat hidup (Curriculum Vitae). Tolong bantu perbaiki agar netral dan ensiklopedis. Dede Indra Permana SoediroS.H. Anggota Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Republik IndonesiaPetahanaMulai menjabat 1 Oktober 2019PresidenJoko WidodoDaerah pemilihanJawa Tengah X Informasi pribadiLahir9 Juni 1982 (umur 41)Semarang, Jawa TengahPartai politikPDI-PSuami/istriSilvia PutrianiAnak2Alma materUniversitas DiponegoroPekerjaanDirektur, PolitikusSu...

هيستون أسيتيل ترانسفيراز

هذه المقالة يتيمة إذ تصل إليها مقالات أخرى قليلة جدًا. فضلًا، ساعد بإضافة وصلة إليها في مقالات متعلقة بها. (سبتمبر 2023) Histone acetyltransferaseGCN5 histone acetyltransferase domain homo24-mer, Human. Based on PDB structure: 5trm[1]أرقام التعريفرقم التصنيف الإنزيمي2.3.1.48رقم التسجيل CAS9054-51-7 قواعد البياناتقاعدة بيانات الإ...

 

Simon Crean

Simon Crean Pemimpin OposisiMasa jabatan22 November 2001 – 2 Desember 2003Perdana MenteriJohn HowardWakilJenny MacklinPendahuluKim BeazleyPenggantiMark LathamKetua Partai BuruhMasa jabatan22 November 2001 – 2 Desember 2003WakilJenny MacklinPendahuluKim BeazleyPenggantiMark LathamWakil Ketua Partai BuruhMasa jabatan19 Oktober 1998 – 22 November 2001PemimpinKim BeazleyPendahuluGareth EvansPenggantiJenny MacklinMenteri Pembangunan Regional dan Pemerintahan LokalM...

 

Mac Miller

American rapper (1992–2018) Not to be confused with the cross-country skier Mack Miller. Mac MillerMiller performing in 2017Background informationBirth nameMalcolm James McCormickAlso known asDelusional ThomasEasy MacLarry FishermanLarry LovesteinThe Velvet RevivalBorn(1992-01-19)January 19, 1992Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.DiedSeptember 7, 2018(2018-09-07) (aged 26)Los Angeles, California, U.S. Cause of deathAcute combined drug intoxicationWorksDiscographyproduction GenresHip ho...

コルク

この記事は検証可能な参考文献や出典が全く示されていないか、不十分です。出典を追加して記事の信頼性向上にご協力ください。（このテンプレートの使い方）出典検索?: コルク – ニュース · 書籍 · スカラー · CiNii · J-STAGE · NDL · dlib.jp · ジャパンサーチ · TWL（2017年4月） コルクを打ち抜いて作った瓶の栓 コルク（木栓、�...

 

Pers-Jussy

Pers-Jussycomune Pers-Jussy – Veduta LocalizzazioneStato Francia RegioneAlvernia-Rodano-Alpi Dipartimento Alta Savoia ArrondissementSaint-Julien-en-Genevois CantoneLa Roche-sur-Foron TerritorioCoordinate46°07′N 6°17′E / 46.116667°N 6.283333°E46.116667; 6.283333 (Pers-Jussy)Coordinate: 46°07′N 6°17′E / 46.116667°N 6.283333°E46.116667; 6.283333 (Pers-Jussy) Superficie18,75 km² Abitanti2 618[1] (2009) Densità139,...

 

COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia

Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in Croatia COVID-19 pandemic in CroatiaDiseaseCOVID-19Virus strainSARS-CoV-2LocationCroatiaFirst outbreakWuhan, Hubei, Chinavia Italy, Austria,Germany, Romania,Tanzania, TurkeyIndex caseZagrebArrival date25 February 2020(4 years, 3 months and 5 days)Confirmed cases1,317,020[1] (+728)Active cases25,567Hospitalized cases2,444Ventilator cases326Recovered594,929 (+4,588)Deaths18,752[1] (+51)Fatality rate1.42%Vaccinations4.249.704Gover...

Barenton-sur-Serre

Pour les articles homonymes, voir Barenton (homonymie). Barenton-sur-Serre La mairie. Administration Pays France Région Hauts-de-France Département Aisne Arrondissement Laon Intercommunalité Communauté de communes du Pays de la Serre Maire Mandat Christian Lecuyer 2020-2026 Code postal 02270 Code commune 02048 Démographie Gentilé Barentonnais Populationmunicipale 130 hab. (2021 ) Densité 16 hab./km2 Géographie Coordonnées 49° 40′ 20″ nord, 3° 40�...

 

List of chairmen of the London County Council

This is a list of persons who held the offices of chairman, vice chairman and deputy chairman of the London County Council. All three offices existed from 1889 to 1965. Background The chairmanship and vice chairmanship were statutory offices created by the Local Government Act 1888. Both of these positions were generally filled by members of the majority party. The chairman chaired meetings of the council, and was the county's civic leader, filling a similar role to the mayor of a borough or...

 

Casorezzo

Casorezzocomune Casorezzo – VedutaUna delle chiese di Casorezzo LocalizzazioneStato Italia Regione Lombardia Città metropolitana Milano AmministrazioneSindacoPierluca Oldani (lista civica) dal 26-5-2014 TerritorioCoordinate45°31′N 8°54′E45°31′N, 8°54′E (Casorezzo) Altitudine166 m s.l.m. Superficie6,6 km² Abitanti5 523[1] (31-12-2021) Densità836,82 ab./km² Comuni confinantiArluno, Busto Garolfo, Inveruno, Ossona, Parabiag...

Ring, slide and hook

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Ring, slide and hook – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2011) (Learn how and when to re...

 

Cold Copy

Cold CopyPoster rilis teatrikalSutradaraRoxine HelbergProduser Daniel Bekerman Justin Lothrop Brent Stiefel Roxine Helberg Ditulis olehRoxine HelbergPemeran Bel Powley Tracee Ellis Ross James Tupper Ekaterina Baker Nesta Cooper Jacob Tremblay Penata musikTóti GuðnasonSinematograferMatteo CoccoPenyuntingArndt-Wulf PeemöllerPerusahaanproduksi Votiv Films Sycthia Films Needle's Eye Productions ShivHans Pictures 30WEST Carte Blanche DistributorVertical EntertainmentTanggal rilis 11 Juni ...

 

Mème

Pour les articles homonymes, voir Meme (homonymie). Le terme de « mème » a été proposé pour la première fois par le biologiste Richard Dawkins dans Le Gène égoïste (1976), ici dans sa traduction française (Laura Ovion, 2003). Le graffiti « Kilroy was here », devenu populaire dans les années 1940, existait sous des noms divers dans différents pays, montrant comment un mème peut être modifié grâce à la réplication[1]. Un mème [mɛm][2] (de l'an...

ポール・アレン

この項目では、アメリカ合衆国の実業家について説明しています。アメリカ合衆国の作曲家については「ポール・ヘイスティングス・アレン」をご覧ください。 ポール・アレン Paul Allen 2013年のポール・アレン。フライング・ヘリテージ・コレクションにて。生誕 (1953-01-21) 1953年1月21日 アメリカ合衆国・ワシントン州マーサーアイランド（シアトル近郊）死没 (2018-10-15)...

 

Ronaldo Lumungo Afonso

Ronaldo AfonsoNazionalità São Tomé e Príncipe Altezza185 cm Peso82 kg Calcio RuoloAttaccante Squadra Paços Ferreira CarrieraGiovanili 2006-2009 Alcabideche2009-2011 Vendas Novas2011-2016 Estoril Praia2016 Odemirense2017-2018 Praia Cruz2018-2020 Oriental Lisbona Squadre di club1 2020-2021 GRAP7 (0)2021 Loures13 (2)2021-2022 Oliveira do Hospital21 (0)2022-2023 Benfica e C.B.25 (13)2023-2024 Vitória Guimarães B24 (7)2024- Pa...

 

Victimology

Study of victimization This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Victimology – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2007) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Monument to Those Who Saved the World is a monument in Chernobyl, Ukraine, to the firefighters and liquidators victims who d...

スター・ウォーズ・ローンチ・ベイ

プロジェクト ウォルト・ディズニー・パークス・アンド・リゾーツ ポータル ディズニー スター・ウォーズ・ローンチ・ベイ (Star Wars Launch Bay) とは、ディズニーパークにあるアトラクション。アトラクション名の通り、映画『スター・ウォーズ』をテーマとしている。 このアトラクションが存在するパーク ディズニーランド（ディズニーランド・リゾート） �...

 

Little Red Riding Hood

European fairy tale This article is about the folk tale. For other uses, see Little Red Riding Hood (disambiguation). Little Red Cap redirects here. For the poem by Carol Ann Duffy, see Little Red Cap (poem). Little Red Riding HoodA Little Red Riding Hood illustration by J. W. SmithFolk taleNameLittle Red Riding HoodAlso known asLittle RedAarne–Thompson grouping333MythologyEuropeanRegionFrance,[1] Germany[2]Origin Date1697,[1] 1812[3]RelatedPeter and the Wolf...