REO (record producer)

Ramon Owen (born February 10, 1981), known by his stage name REO, is an American producer and songwriter. He is a producer representing the music production company that he helped establish, The Soundkillers.^[1]The Soundkillers production group also includes music producers Phoenix, Shamtrax along with songwriter Dion Primo.^[2] Within the first seven years of his career, REO has worked with T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Teedra Moses, Juelz Santana, Keyshia Cole and Beyoncé among other notable music artists.^[3]

Biography

REO was born February 10, 1981 in Goose Creek, South Carolina. From a young age, REO was interested in art attending the Ringling School of Art and Design in Florida. He has credited music with being his main inspiration to get through life. In 2005 REO was diagnosed with cancer. A tumor had grown from his neck to the middle of his chest. The producer credits his unforunate sickness with being a force that brought him closer to music. REO says, "Through that whole thing it kind of showed me I was always meant to do something. I was told by doctor’s that they didn’t know if I was going to live or what kind of cancer it was but once I came out of it solidified was my place here. Music was my therapy. It was the time where I had nothing else."

Career

REO has worked with a variety of artists which include T-Pain, Teedra Moses and Juelz Santana.^[3] MTV's Shaheem Reid's review of T-Pain's Pr33 Ringz mixtape highlights REO’s production as one of the “joints to check for.” T-Pain extended upon this review by suggesting that listeners of the album have to watch out for the REO produced track, "Up & Down" because it's “so different [and] so strong, it's a hot track.”^[4] REO also has featured productions with Keyshia Cole's A Different Me album and Beyoncé's I Am… Sasha Fierce album among other prominent music figures.^[5]Beyoncé has acknowledged her love for Soundkiller's producer REO’s work as well with their collaborative effort “Hello" off I Am... Sasha Fierce for which he co-wrote and co-produced. Throughout her I Am... Tour she has announced the track as her favorite song to perform.^[6] REO was one of nine songwriters acknowledged at the Broadcast Music Incorporated's second annual “Who’s Next? Writers on the Rise" cocktail reception.^[1] At the event, REO was recognized for his writing talents. BMI predicts that among the 9 writers, artists such as REO are poised to leave “indelible marks on the music industry".^[1] Upon receiving his award REO discussed his inspiration for writing music when he said, "A lot of my inspiration comes from movies. I’ll watch a movie. I’m a pretty empathetic type of person. I feel like I’m in there so it’ll draw out some type of story or something that I can convey through music or sometimes I’ll wake up with a melody."^[7]

Discography

References

External links

• REO (record producer) on Myspace