Knobody (producer) | |
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Birth name | Jerome Foster |
Origin | New York, New York, United States |
Genres | R&B, Hip hop, |
Occupation(s) | Record producer, A&R |
Years active | 1993–present |
Jerome Foster, better known as Knobody, is an American music producer and A&R. Knobody has produced records across different genres including soul, R&B, hip hop and rock for several multi-platinum artists including Jay-Z, Ne-Yo, Akon, The Game, Big Pun, Mýa and R.E.M. Knobody worked as an A&R at SRC Records/ Universal. Due to the enormous success Akon experienced following the release of his debut album, Knobody was recognized as a World Top 10 A&R. He is not to be confused with Bay Area rapper/producer and Hieroglyphics crew affiliate who also goes by the name Knobody.
Recognized for his hand in launching the careers of world-renowned artists, Knobody has influenced the success of Jay-Z, Akon Big Pun. Knobody's contributions to these artists' careers has had an enormous impact on the world of hip hop and R&B.
Knobody produced the classic single " Can't Knock the Hustle" for Jay-Z, the first track on the artist's debut album Reasonable Doubt. " Can't Knock the Hustle" was Jay-Z's first chart single, bringing the rapper into the limelight and jump starting a career that has resulted in millions of album sales worldwide. [1] Since 1996, Jay-Z has released hundreds of records, yet " Can't Knock the Hustle" - praised by many as a "classic" - lives on to be recognized as one of the greatest songs he has ever recorded. [2] [3] [4] As Steve Juon of RapReviews.com describes, "Knobody put together an incredibly smooth opening track for Jay that became the mantra of his career." [5]
Knobody produced " Still Not a Player", the lead single from Big Pun's first album, Capital Punishment, which debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200 charts and became the first album by a solo Latino rap artist to reach the platinum sales mark. " Still Not a Player" is credited with taking Big Pun from underground obscurity into super-stardom. MTV's Andrea Duncan writes, " Big Pun made his name in the hip-hop underground, and then, in 1998, rode the made-for-radio vibe of ‘Still Not a Player’ to the top of the R&B chart and full-blown rap stardom." [6] As stated in All Music Guide to Hip Hop by Vladimir Bogdanov, " Big Pun's solo debut, ' Capital Punishment', was released in 1998 and debuted in the Top Five thanks to ‘ Still Not a Player,’ a club-ready remix of ‘I'm Not a Player’ that proved massively popular." [7] Riding the wave of success created by " Still Not a Player", Big Pun's debut album " Capital Punishment" was nominated for Rap Album of the Year at the 1999 GRAMMY Awards. [8] In the May/June 2006 issue of Scratch Magazine, " Still Not a Player" was named one of hip hop's 25 greatest remixes of all time. [9]
During his time as an A&R at SRC Records/ Universal, Knobody was responsible for breaking Akon as an artist and developing his first album, Trouble. Knobody produced Akon's radio hit, " Locked Up" (Remix) featuring Styles P, a contribution that proved to have an enormous impact on the success of the album and the artist. Johnny Loftus of All Music Guide proclaims, "The success of the song ‘ Locked Up’ raised Akon's profile..." [10] Trouble was certified platinum by the RIAA on April 27, 2005, as Akon became a bona fide R&B star. [11] Due to the enormous success Akon experienced following the release of his debut album, Knobody was recognized as a World Top 10 A&R in 2005. [12]
1993: "So Whatcha Want?" (
MF Grimm)
1995: "Funky Piano" (E. Bros)
New Jersey Drive
Soundtrack
1996: "
Can't Knock the Hustle" (
Jay-Z f/
Mary J. Blige)
1997: "How You Want It" (
Jungle Brothers f/
De La Soul &
Q-Tip)
1998: "
Still Not a Player" (
Big Pun f/
Joe)
1998: "Movin' Out" (
Mýa f/
Raekwon &
Noreaga)
2002: "I've Been High" (
R.E.M.)
2004: "
Locked Up (
Remix)" (
Akon f/
Styles P)
2004: "Coo Coo Chee" (Ric-A-Che)
2006: "Feels So Good" (
Remy Ma f/
Ne-Yo)
2006: "Wanna Be" (
The Fugees)
2008: "
Game's Pain" (
The Game f/
Keyshia Cole)
Hit Quarters named Knobody a "World Top 10 A&R" in 2005 as a result of his involvement in Akon's career-launching album Trouble. [12] In 2008, Knobody was awarded a GRAMMY for "Leaving Tonight", his contribution to Ne-Yo's Because of You album, which won the 2007 GRAMMY Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album. [13]