Polow da Don
Polow da Don | |
---|---|
Birth name | Polow Freache' Jamal Fincher Jones |
Born |
Atlanta, Georgia, United States | October 15, 1977
Genres | Hip hop, R&B |
Occupations | Producer, songwriter, singer, rapper |
Years active | 1999-present |
Labels | Zone 4/Interscope |
Website | www.twitter.com/polowdadon |
Polow Freache' Jamal Fincher Jones (born October 15, 1977), known by the professional name Polow da Don, is an American record producer, songwriter, rapper, and singer. His cousin is Atlanta singer Monica. He has produced for a variety of artists including Usher, Chris Brown, Nelly, Christina Aguilera, T.I., Limp Bizkit and Rihanna.
Early life
Polow was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. His mother was born in Japan. As a teenager in the mid-1990s, he listened to groups such as UGK, the Geto Boys, and 8Ball & MJG. His younger sister, Karesha, helped him learn how to play the keyboards and use MPC equipment, he is the cousin of Monica. Polow played football and basketball for the Mount Vernon Christian Academy prep school. After earning good grades, he enrolled in Morehouse College. While halfway through a bachelor's degree in accounting, he left college to pursue a rap career with his group Jim Crow. The group signed to Sony Records in 1999 where they released two albums—Crow's Nest (1999) and Right Quick (2001)—before being dropped. Although disappointed, Polow formed a Southern hip hop group with Bubba Sparxxx, Sean P, Pastor Troy, G Rock, and Timbaland. However, they also split up without any releases.[1] Polow started making beats around 2001. His first beat tape made its way to Interscope Records president Jimmy Iovine. The beats were eventually used for the tracks "Runaway Love" by Ludacris, "Buttons" by the Pussycat Dolls, and "This Is the Life" by Tru-Life, among others.[2] Polow da Don is in the process of revamping his label, Zone 4 Incorporated, by signing many new artists. Zone 4's new talent include King, Veronica Vega, MDMA, Salo Jackson, D. Smith, Dan Talevski (YouTube sensation), Jared Evan, and Ester Dean ("Drop It Low" ft. Chris Brown). Aside from music production & artist development, Polow spends time with his family which he keeps private, developing his non-profit, Celebration for a Cause (C4AC). In July 2012, he had his 2nd annual C4AC event.
Polow is known for his contributions towards the success of artists such as Fergie, Keri Hilson, PussyCat Dolls, Ester Dean, Rich Boy. He also helped reinvent Usher, Chris Brown, Monica, Mario, Ciara, Gucci Mane, even P. Diddy (whom Polow was responsible for his regarding his verse on Waka's widely popular "Oh Let's Do It.")
Discography
Selected Production credits
- 2004: "Fallen (Zone 4 remix)" (Mýa feat. Chingy)
- 2004: "Pimpin' All Over the World" (Ludacris feat. Bobby Valentino)
- 2005: "Party Starter" (Will Smith)
- 2006: "Promise" (Ciara)
- 2006: "London Bridge" (Fergie) (#1 US)
- 2006: "DJ Play a Love Song" (Jamie Foxx feat. Twista)
- 2006: "Blindfold Me" (Kelis feat. Nas)
- 2006: "Runaway Love" (Ludacris feat. Mary J. Blige) (#2 US)
- 2006: "Buttons" (Pussycat Dolls feat. Snoop Dogg)
- 2007: "Glamorous" (Fergie feat. Ludacris) (#1 US)
- 2007: "Like This" (Kelly Rowland feat. Eve)
- 2007: "Crying Out for Me" (Mario)
- 2007: "Whatever U Like" (Nicole Scherzinger feat. T.I.)
- 2007: "Boy Looka Here" (Rich Boy)
- 2007: "Let's Get This Paper" (Rich Boy)
- 2007: "Throw Some D's" (Rich Boy feat. Polow da Don) (#6 US)
- 2007: "She's a Star" (will.i.am)
- 2007: "Get Buck" (Young Buck)
- 2008: "Forever" (Chris Brown) (#2 US)
- 2008: "My Heart" (Jennifer Hudson)
- 2008: "Get Your Money Up" (keri Hilson feat. Keyshia Cole &Trina)
- 2008: "Turnin' Me On" (Keri Hilson feat. Lil Wayne)
- 2008: "Make Me Over" (Keyshia Cole)
- 2008: "Hero" (Nas feat. Keri Hilson)
- 2008: "Lie" (Nelly)
- 2008: "One & Only" (Nelly)
- 2008: "Party People" (Nelly feat. Fergie)
- 2008: "Problems" (Nelly)
- 2008: "Angel" (2PM)
- 2008: "Single" (New Kids on the Block feat. Ne-Yo)
- 2008: "Whatcha Think About That" (Pussycat Dolls feat. Missy Elliott)
- 2008: "Love in This Club" (Usher feat. Young Jeezy) (#1 US)
- 2009: "Baby by Me" (50 Cent feat. Ne-Yo)
- 2009: "Never, Ever" (Ciara feat. Young Jeezy)
- 2009: "Outta Here" (Esmée Denters produced with Justin Timberlake)
- 2009: "Drop It Low" (Ester Dean feat. Chris Brown)
- 2009: "Spotlight" (Gucci Mane feat. Usher)
- 2009: "Back to the Crib" (Juelz Santana feat. Chris Brown)
- 2009: "Stronger" (Mary J. Blige)
- 2009: "Patron Tequila" (Paradiso Girls feat. Lil Jon & Eve)
- 2009: "Medicine"(Plies feat. Keri Hilson)
- 2009: "Drop" (Rich Boy)
- 2009: "Back 2U" (2PM)
- 2009: "Yamaha Mama" (Soulja Boy)
- 2009: "All Night Long" (2PM)
- 2009: "Sex Therapy" (Robin Thicke)
- 2009: "Shakin' It 4 Daddy" (Robin Thicke feat. Nicki Minaj)
- 2009: "So Cold" (Chris Brown)
- 2009: "Wait" (Chris Brown feat Trey Songz & Game)
- 2009: "Remember Me" (T.I. feat. Mary J. Blige)
- 2010: "Own It" (RichGirl)
- 2010: "Lil' Freak" (Usher feat. Nicki Minaj)
- 2010: "Not Myself Tonight" (Christina Aguilera)
- 2010: "Woohoo" (Christina Aguilera feat. Nicki Minaj)
- 2010: "I Hate Boys" (Christina Aguilera)
- 2010: "Already Taken" (Trey Songz)
- 2010: "Fireworks" (R. Kelly)
- 2010: "Hot Tottie" (Usher feat. Jay-Z)
- 2010: "Lay It Down" (Lloyd)
- 2010: "Here I Am (Remix)" (Monica feat. Trey Songz)
- 2010: "The Way You Love Me" (Keri Hilson feat. Rick Ross)
- 2010: "In Love With You" (Jared Evan)
- 2010: "Heaven" (El DeBarge) (under the pseudonym Awesome Jones)
- 2011: "Cupid" (Lloyd)
- 2011: "Your Love" (Diddy - Dirty Money feat. Trey Songz)
- 2011: "Electricity" (2PM)
- 2011: "Sex Your Body" (Mohombi)
- 2011: "Take It Down Low" (Akon feat. Chris Brown)
- 2011: "Be the One" (Lloyd feat. Trey Songz & Young Jeezy)
- 2011: "My Kinda Girl" (Pitbull feat. Nelly)
- 2011: "Dedication to My Ex (Miss That)" (Lloyd feat. André 3000 & Lil Wayne)
- 2012: "Sweet Love" (Chris Brown)
- 2012: "Without You" (Monica)
- 2012: "Cyeah Cyeah Cyeah Cyeah" (Gucci Mane feat. Chris Brown & Lil Wayne)
- 2012: "Party Ain't Over" (Pitbull feat. Usher & Afrojack)
- 2013: "Ready to Go" (Limp Bizkit feat. Lil Wayne)
- 2013: "Somebody Else" (Mario feat. Nicki Minaj)
- 2013: "Wickedest Style" (Sean Paul feat. Iggy Azalea)
- 2014: "Sex You" (Bando Jonez)
Awards
- 2007: Ozone Awards – Best Producer[3]
- 2007: Ozone Awards – Club Banger of the Year ("Throw Some D's")[3]
- 2008: BMI 56th Annual Pop Awards – Songwriter of the Year[4]
- 2009: BMI 57th Annual Pop Awards – Songwriter of the Year[5]
- 2009: BMI Urban Awards – Producer of the Year[6]
References
- ↑ Hope, Clover (June 2007). "I'm Fresh". XXL magazine, p. 70.
- ↑ Shepherd, Julianne (March/April 2008). "Polow Da Don: Back for the First Time". Scratch magazine. Accessed June 4, 2008.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Rodriguez, Jayson (August 15, 2007). "Lil Wayne, T-Pain Win Big At Ozone Awards". MTV. Accessed September 12, 2009.
- ↑ Mitchell, Gail (May 21, 2008). "BMI Pop Awards Crowns Polow Da Don Top Songwriter". Billboard.biz. Accessed June 4, 2008.
- ↑ "Gamble & Huff Named BMI Icons at 57th Annual Pop Awards". BMI (20 May 2009). Accessed 23 September 2009.
- ↑ "BMI Honors George Clinton, T-Pain, Lil Wayne and Many More at Urban Awards in New York". BMI (10 September 2009). Accessed 23 September 2009.