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Mark Batson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mark Batson
Birth nameMark Christopher Batson
Born1968 (age 55–56)
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • arranger
InstrumentPiano
Years active2001–present
Labels

Mark Christopher Batson (born 1968) is an American record producer and songwriter. He has worked on albums by artists including Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews Band, LeAnn Rimes, Anthony Hamilton, Eminem, India Arie, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Maroon 5, Skylar Grey, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Seal, Nas, and Sting. He has also composed music for films and television shows including I, Tonya, American Hustle, Sharp Objects, Spider-Man 2 and Power Book IV: Force.[1]

Early life and career

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Batson was formally trained in classical piano as a child growing up in the Bushwick Houses in Brooklyn, New York. He performed classical piano pieces at Carnegie Hall and Brooklyn Academy of Music at the ages of 12. He later studied jazz piano at Howard University. He was the pianist for the Smithsonian Institution's African American Culture department. He first mixed hip hop sampling and drum programming with live instrumentation as part of the group Get Set V.O.P. This blend is characteristic of much of his later production work.[2][3]

Career

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Batson has composed music for the feature films Beauty Shop, Miami Vice, American Hustle. and Triple 9. He is also the writer of the graphic novel series Loaded, and is developing the music for the series with Dr. Dre.[4]

Awards

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Batson won Grammy Awards in 2010 and 2011 for Best Rap Album For Eminem's Relapse (2010) and Recovery (2011).[5] He also won the Grammy for Best R&B album in 2004 for Beyoncé's Dangerously in Love.[6] In 2016, he produced albums for Alicia Keys, Skylar Grey, LeAnn Rimes and Anthony Hamilton.[7]

Discography

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Production and songwriting

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Albums

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Songs

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Main: List of songs written or co-written by Batson

Score composer

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  • Battlegrounds: Ball or Fall (2003)
  • Afro-Arabian Nights (2010)
  • Incorruptible (2015)
  • The Tale of Four (2016)
  • Dude (2018)
  • Power Book IV: Force (2022–)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Mark Batson | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  2. ^ Van Meter, Jonathan (November 1, 1993). "Get Ready, Get Set for The Influence of Classical Jazz". Vibe. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  3. ^ Pareles, Jon (December 4, 1989). "Reviews/Music; The Jazz Generation Pays Tribute to Jimi Hendrix". New York Times. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  4. ^ Baker, Soren (March 9, 2016). "Dr. Dre Producing Original Music For Adaptation Of Graphic Novel "LOADED"". Hip Hop DX. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  5. ^ "And the Grammy Went to...Eminem". grammy.com. NARAS. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Complete List of Grammy Winners: 2004". Associated Press, via Chicago Tribune. February 6, 2004. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Mark Batson: Credits". allmusic.com. All Music. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
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