The Smeezingtons
The Smeezingtons | |
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Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | |
Instruments |
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Years active | 2009–2015 |
Labels | |
Spinoffs | Shampoo Press & Curl |
Past members |
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The Smeezingtons were an American songwriting and record production team consisting of Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine formed in 2009.[1] The Smeezingtons were established in Los Angeles, California; the trio primarily served as the producers for the singles and albums of Mars, with additional work for diverse range of artists. Eventually, the trio split, and Mars and Lawrence formed a successor production trio with Christopher Brody Brown called "Shampoo Press & Curl".
Before Mars' mainstream breakthrough as a performer, the Smeezingtons first gained recognition after producing the song "
Career
Formation
Before meeting
I got a call from [
Keith Harris ], a producer we were both working within late 2006, and he said, "I got this kid who's phenomenally talented ... but he needs a writer to help get his ideas out." At the time I was flat broke with ... no car, and it was going to cost me everything I had to get to that studio session. Plus, I was leery ... because everyone in LA says they have the next big thing. He said, "Whatever it costs you to get out here, I'll reimburse you." So I said, "Just give me five dollars back for the bus." I get to the studio, and it was Bruno, and that session was the first time either of us had written and recorded an entire song.[2]
Mars and Lawrence started writing songs together for Mars to perform but they received rejections from labels. The duo considered moving back to their home cities but that week, they got a call from Mars's former manager Brandon Creed, who was A&Ring a reunited
We used to always say in the studio, "Yo, this is going to be a smash!" And then it turned into, "This is a smeeze!" Then, "This is a Smeezington." We were just like, "We should just base our whole situation upon this word. How great would it be if record labels were like, 'We have to get The Smeezingtons involved?'
—Mars, explaining how they came up with the team's name.[3]
In 2007, Mars was a struggling singer-songwriter and Ari Levine was a producer looking to work with new songwriters.[7][8] Lawrence was the first guest at Levine's studio Levcon Studios; they had previously worked together after being introduced by a mutual friend. Lawrence was responsible for connecting Mars and Levine.[4][9][10] One day, Mars and Lawrence were sitting in a car with no money; they decided to try producing for themselves and enlisted the help of Levine, who contributed his equipment and expertise in drum programming, sampling and other electronic sounds.[11][12] In 2009, The Smeezingtons settled in Hollywood and Levine joined the team. They worked over 10 hours every day for two years.[4][6]
Collaborations
The Smeezingtons ventured into the U.S. market, mostly writing songs for R&B-pop performers.
One of their first successful productions was "
In late 2009, The Smeezingtons landed "
In 2011, The Smeezingtons composed "
In 2014, Mars said he was not interested in composing songs for other artists because he had to pay rent.
Productions for Bruno Mars and recognition
In May 2010, The Smeezingtons composed Mars's debut
In the same year, The Smeezingtons composed Mars's single "
At the
At the
Other ventures
The Smeezingtons said they hoped to eventually move from for-hire work to development of new artists. Their recording suite Levcon Studios was open to musicians of all genres. "I don't think you can name an artist that we don't want to work with," Mars said.[12]
The Smeezingtons composed songs and played the instruments on those songs.[34][36][45] Levine recorded and engineered Mars's debut EP and his first two albums, and mixed the track "Somewhere in Brooklyn".[34][36][45] He also engineered, recorded, and mixed "Nothin' on You".[48] Levine engineered and mixed "Billionaire" and "Young, Wild & Free".[28]
Levcon Studios was located in Los Angeles and was co-owned by Levine and his brother and manager Josh Levine.[49] The studios were used by The Smeezingtons and were described as a "tiny Hollywood studio" with a "whiteboard hanging on the wall".[12] The studio is "set in a ramshackle cottage between a laundromat and a medical marijuana dispensary on a seedy Hollywood side street".[8] In the beginning, and according to Lawrence, they "worked long and hard in this little shack, hoping just to pay rent and have someone listen to our songs".[8] The latter also said; "we always find that we still do our best work in our little shack of a studio ... That's where we find our magic."[7]
Influences and style
Lawrence and Mars came from musical families. Lawrence grew up listening to "everything"
In their usual production style, The Smeezingtons start writing their songs as cathartic, freestyle jams.[7] Lawrence said, "We'll go into the studio, and [Mars will] start playing the piano and I'll start freestyling or vice versa. We're heavily influenced by the '80s [sound]."[19] Lawrence sees himself and Mars as "melody guys", and stated, "That's kind of our main focus, to have really good, memorable melodies".[19] They can also start their songs' production with a "Levine beat, a Mars guitar melody, or a lyric snippet from Lawrence. They reject each other's bad ideas and encourage the good ones in "a melting pot of trial and error", according to Lawrence.[12]
The team explained their songwriting process by saying every song should be like a "three-minute movie" that needs to have a conflict to make it interesting. Mars criticized "hit songwriters" by saying, "I liked hearing that from these hit songwriters because it seems like many times songwriters are more interested in just finishing a song than really taking the time to make a good song a hit song".[4]
After working with The Smeezingtons on Unorthodox Jukebox, Jeff Bhasker said, "One of their great talents is that they have this fun, light vibe in the studio" that enables anyone "to be free so that you can let that primal emotion come out without being embarrassed. Then they polish afterward." Mark Ronson said the key is Mars's charisma.[58]
Mars says the trust that he, Levine and Lawrence have built in seven years of working together is essential. He added "We all know when we're onto something ... We also know when something's not jelling. And that's the thing you pray you will always have."[57] Levine said the musical influences the three share completed his idea: "It's about finding ways to mix the classic we all love with modern songs. That's why people connect to the music on multiple levels: It's familiar-sounding but new-classic songwriting and instrumentation with a little twist".[57] He added, "We're that weird middle ground, where there's live instruments but it's still rhythmic and pop".[8]
Production equipment
The Smeezingtons used an
While recording, they used a
Levine said he does not use any
... my favourites are the McDSP FilterBank for my EQ, the Waves Rvox and Renaissance Compressor as my compressors, the [Waves limiter] L2, and my favourite reverb is [Avid's venerable plug‑in] D‑Verb. I also use [Line 6] Echo Farm, Sound Toys Echoboy, and, well that's pretty much it. I have many plug-ins, but I don't really use them." He said "I've tried
convolution reverbs, but they don't really work. They sound cheap.[49]
He also stated the Avid Reverb One sounded substantially better than Altiverb to him.[49]
Critical reception
Discography
Awards and nominations
ASCAP Pop Music Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Ari Levine | Songwriter | Won | [42] |
ASCAP's Rhythm and Soul Music Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | "Nothin' On You" (with B.o.B) | Top Rap Song | Won | [43] |
Billboard
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | The Smeezingtons | Top 10 Producers in Music | 4th | [24] |
Bruno Mars | Hot 100 Songwriters | 6th | [63] | |
Philip Lawrence | 7th | |||
Ari Levine | 8th |
Grammy Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011
|
"Just The Way You Are" | Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | Won | [41] |
The Smeezingtons | Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Nominated | [40] | |
"Nothin' on You" | Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
|
Nominated | ||
Best Rap Song | Nominated | |||
Record of the Year | Nominated | |||
" Fuck You "
|
Nominated | |||
Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
2012
|
"Grenade" | Nominated | [44] | |
Record of the Year | Nominated | |||
Best Pop Solo Performance | Nominated | |||
Doo-Wops & Hooligans | Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
Best Pop Vocal Album | Nominated | |||
The Smeezingtons | Producer of the Year, Non-Classical | Nominated | ||
2013
|
"Young, Wild & Free" | Best Rap Song | Nominated | [29] |
2014
|
"Locked Out of Heaven" | Record of the Year | Nominated | [46] |
Song of the Year | Nominated | |||
"When I Was Your Man" | Best Pop Solo Performance | Nominated | ||
Unorthodox Jukebox | Best Pop Vocal Album | Won | ||
2017 | 25 | Album of the Year | Won | [32] |
Music Week
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | The Smeezingtons | Biggest Songwriters of the Year | Won | [64] |
The Hollywood Reporter
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | The Smeezingtons | Top Hitmakers | 5th | [7] |
References
- ^ Levine, Josh (January 9, 2010). "Hot producers who (heart) beats". USA Today. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j LeDonne, Rob (September 4, 2013). "Philip Lawrence: Bruno Mars' Right Hand Man Goes Solo". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Wete, Brad (April 13, 2010). "Q&A with Bruno Mars". EW. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Expo Staff (April 21, 2012). "ASCAP Loves The Smeezingtons, Just the Way They Are". ASCAP. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ Halperin, Shirley (May 10, 2016). "Bruno Mars and Manager Brandon Creed Part Ways". Billboard. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ a b c Lipshutz, Jason (October 2, 2010). "After Dominating the Pop Charts as part of the Writing/Producing team The Smeezingtons, Bruno Mars Strikes out on his own". Billboard. Vol. 122, no. 39.
- ^ a b c d Colin Stutz (February 6, 2013). "THR Names Music's 35 Top Hitmakers". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 14, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Diehl, Matt (February 6, 2011). "Bruno Mars' astronomical success". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- ^ Jackson, Isaiah (July 1, 2013). "Interview: Philip Lawrence – talks new Album, Smeezingtons, Hooligans". Next2Shine. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
- ^ Cragg, Michael (October 21, 2010). "Songwriters turned pop stars: the Bruno Mars strategy". The Guardian. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
- ^ Putnam, Rob (May 29, 2013). "Producer Crosstalk: Philip Lawrence (Lil Wayne, Cee Lo Green)". Music Connection. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
- ^ Huffington Post. Archived from the originalon March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ^ a b Cline, Georgette (March 3, 2010). "Bruno Mars Calls on B.o.B, Cee-Lo for EP". Rap-Up. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jayson (May 6, 2010). "B.o.B's 'Nothin' On You' Was Slated For Lupe Fiasco, Producer Reveals". MTV News. Retrieved October 10, 2013.
- ^ "Sugababes Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- A&M/Octone. 2009.
- ^ "Discography K'naan". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ Smirke, Richard (July 23, 2011). "Pop Matters". Billboard. Vol. 123, no. 23.
- ^ a b c Jayson Rodriguez (May 17, 2010). "B.o.B's 'Nothin' On You' Came Together 'Magically,' Smeezingtons Say". MTV News. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ Lewis, Pete (October 2010). "Bruno Mars: Out of this world!". Blue & Soul. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Bruno Mars Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Bruno Mars – Chart Positions". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Discography Bruno Mars". Hung Medien. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ a b Billboard Staff (October 21, 2013). "Sound Selectors: The Top 10 Producers in Music". Billboard. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
- ^ "Cee Lo Green – Charts History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
- ^ Hell: The Sequel (Digital booklet). Bad Meets Evil. Santa Monica, California: Shady Records, Interscope Records. 2011. pp. 13–19.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Bruno Mars Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
- ^ Doggystyle, Fontana Records. 2011.
- ^ a b "Grammys 2013: Complete list of nominees and winners". Los Angeles Times. February 10, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
- ^ Mesfin Fekadu (2014). "Before Super Bowl, Bruno Mars heads to Grammys". New Haven Register. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ Adkins, Adele (2015). 25 (Booklet). London, England, U.K.: XL Recordings. pp. 12–13. 88875176782.
- ^ a b Billboard Staff (February 12, 2017). "Grammy Awards 2017: See the Full Winners List". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
- ^ a b Mench, Chris (November 18, 2016). "Who is Bruno Mars' mystery producer Shampoo Press & Curl? and what happened to the Smeezingtons?". Genius. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
- ^ a b c It's Better If You Don't Understand (Digital booklet). Atlantic Records, Elektra Records. 2010.
- ^ Smirke, Richard (July 15, 2011). "Bruno Mars: The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 30, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- ^ a b c Doo-Wops & Hooligans (inlay cover). Atlantic Records, Elektra Records. 2010.
- Huffington Post. Archived from the originalon March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
- ^ "Digital Music Report 2012" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. January 23, 2012. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 5, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
- ^ The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (soundtrack) (liner notes) (standard ed.). Chop Shop Records, Atlantic. 2011.
- ^ National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. 2010. Retrieved December 2, 2010.
- ^ a b "Grammy awards 2011: list of winners". The Guardiam. February 14, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
- ^ a b "ASCAP Celebrates the Songwriters Behind Pop Music's Biggest Hits at Annual Awards Ceremony in Hollywood". Ascap. April 27, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
- ^ a b "Sean "Diddy" Combs, Dr. Dre, Drake, Mary Mary and Other Top Names in Music Attend ASCAP's Rhythm & Soul Music Awards". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. June 24, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
- ^ a b "Grammy Awards 2012: Winners and nominees list". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 16, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
- ^ a b c Unorthodox Jukebox (CD liner). Atlantic Records. 533064-2.
- ^ a b "Grammys 2014: The complete list of nominees and winners". Los Angeles Times. January 26, 2014. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ^ Roberts, Randall (November 28, 2017). "The mysterious production team Shampoo Press & Curl earns nods for Bruno Mars' 24K Magic". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock, Atlantic. 2010. 2-518903.
- ^ a b c d e f g Tingen, Paul (June 2011). "Ari Levine & The Smeezingtons: Producing Bruno Mars". Sound on Sound. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
- ^ Lester, Paul (September 13, 2010). "New band of the day: Bruno Mars (No 865)". The Guardian. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ "Bruno Mars and Philip Lawrence". ASCAP. March 18, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ Moniz, Melissa (April 14, 2010). "Starring Bruno Mars". MidWeek. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ Hope, Clover (October 4, 2010). "Bruno Mars on Songwriting, Singing as a Tot, Working with Ne-Yo". Vibe. Retrieved March 7, 2011.
- ^ a b Hope, Clover (October 4, 2010). "Bruno Mars on Damian Marley Track, Hip-Hop Influences, B.o.B." Vibe. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
- ^ "Bruno Mars Interview – JustBrunoMars.com Exclusive". Archived from the original on May 4, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
- Daily News. Archived from the originalon October 6, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
- ^ a b c Mitchell, Gail (December 13, 2013). "Bruno Mars: Billboard Artist of the Year Cover Story". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ^ Wood, Mikael (December 26, 2012). "Bruno Mars gladly loses his cool on 'Unorthodox Jukebox'". Los Angeles Times. p. 2. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (October 5, 2010). "Bruno Mars in Ascension". The New York Times. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
- ^ Roberts, Randall (February 13, 2011). "Grammy Awards: Bruno Mars celebrates his seven nominations at the Smeezingtons party at Bardot". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
- Idolator. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ Adams, Erik (January 22, 2014). "Bruno Mars should sound less like himself more often". The A.V. Club. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
- ^ "Hot 100 Songwriters". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
- ^ Copsey, Robert (January 18, 2011). "Bruno Mars named best songwriter of 2010". Digital Spy. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
External links
- The Smeezingtons discography at Discogs