Rich Harrison

Rich Harrison

Background information
Born	1979 (age 35–36)
Origin	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres	R&B, go-go, hip hop, funk
Occupation(s)	Producer, songwriter
Instruments	Percussion, piano, trumpet
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Richcraft Records
Associated acts	Amerie, Lionell Davis, Lorenzo Lynch, Ron Harrison, Chucky Thompson

Rich Harrison (born in 1979) is an American record producer and songwriter from Washington, D.C., specializing in R&B and hip hop music.

The winner of a Grammy Award, Harrison is well known for producing songs such as "Get Right" (by Jennifer Lopez), "1 Thing" (by Amerie) and "Crazy in Love", performed by Beyoncé Knowles and Jay-Z.^[1]

Early life and education

A classically trained pianist and trumpet player, from an early age Harrison demonstrated an liked to play music he heard on the radio. He attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and graduated with degrees in history and communications in 2001.^[2]

Career

Harrison's first big music deal came in 1999 when Harrison worked with Mary J. Blige on "Beautiful One" for her album Mary. In 2001, he created his own production company, Richcraft Inc., and immediately wrote and produced Amerie's debut album, All I Have. In 2004 he won a Grammy Award for Beyoncé Knowles' "Crazy in Love" and a nomination for his work on Usher's Confessions album.

Harrison was back in the spotlight early in 2005 to work with Amerie, and produced Amerie's "1 Thing", from her album Touch, known for its infectious breakbeats and Amerie's unconventional vocals. A similar beat was used by Harrison for Toni Braxton's "Take This Ring" from her 2005 album Libra both tracks include elements of go-go (mainly in the strong, funky drumming with added percussion). New York Times call him "one of R&B's most exciting producers".^[3]

Harrison is currently involved in projects with 50 Cent, Tweet, Missy Elliott, Eve, Brandy, Young Steff and Dawn Robinson, and is still assisting the South Korean pop singer Se7en with his first American album, assisted by his producer Lionell Davis.^[4]

Harrison has been approached by many artists to assist with album productions, but it appears he is now focusing his time on his own artists, such as Yonug Steff and girl group RichGirl. There is a possibility that he may be appearing on Toni Braxton's forthcoming album.

Other works include tracks for Claudette Ortiz's solo album, 3LW's latest and as yet unreleased album and tracks that may appear on 50 Cent's next album. It was reported that Rich Harrison is working once again with Jennifer Lopez.

Production discography

1999

Mary J. Blige – Mary

04. Beautiful Ones (co-produced along with Chucky Thompson)

2001

Mary J. Blige – No More Drama

15. In the Meantime

2002

Amerie – All I Have

01. "Why Don't We Fall In Love"
02. "Talkin' to Me"
03. "Nothing Like Loving You"
04. "Can't Let Go"
05. "Need You Tonight"
06. "Got to Be There"
07. "I Just Died"
08. "Hatin' on You"
09. "Float"
10. "Show Me"
11. "All I Have"
12. "Outro"
13. "Just What I Needed to See" (Japanese bonus track)

Kelly Rowland - Simply Deep

04. "Can't Nobody"

2003

Tha Rayne – Reign Supreme

02. "Didn't You Know"

Beyoncé Knowles – Dangerously in Love

01. "Crazy in Love" (featuring Jay-Z)
- Sample credit: The Chi-Lites – "Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)"
05. "Be with You"
- Sample credits: The Brothers Johnson – "Strawberry Letter 23", Bootsy's Rubber Band – I'd Rather Be with You