Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor Scores Big With Warner Chappell Music Deal
Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor has been producing hits since he was 18-years-old and was famously credited in 2017, by Billboard.com as one of the producers who brought dancehall back to mainstream.
The Grammy Award Winning music producer, singer, and songwriter from Kingston, Jamaica has worked with some of the biggest names in the music biz, even helping with one of Drake’s biggest tracks “Controlla” off the multi-platinum selling album Views.
Now he is looking to soar to even higher heights having signed a new writing deal with publishing giant Warner Chappell Music. The company goes as far back as 1811 and is worth over US $4 billion.
Di Genius has music in his blood and is the son of legendary reggae artist Freddie McGregor. He has a lot of experience in producing and song writing ad has worked with many international artists like Nelly Furtado , Lianne La Havas and Shakira, among others.
His skills are so prolific that the New York Times Named him a “Reggae Veteran At The Age of 18”. Di Genius expressed his excitement at the new deal using Instagram to share his feelings. He said: “Grateful to start the new journey with this dream team! @warnerchappellmusic ! Big respect to everyone in this pic and the people behind the scenes! 2020 about to be crazy!!! Let’s go‼@warnerchappellmusic @wideeyedent @esqdavidjacobs”
More than 700 people have liked the post and congratulations keep pouring in from fans. Even though the details of the new contract haven’t been released McGregor will definitely get a pay hike and word has it he will be earning more royalties as a songwriter.
It’s quite a deserved accomplishment for Di Genius who wrote and recorded his first song at the age of five which was a dancehall track titled “School Done Rule” and was featured on the compilation “Reggae For Kids.” He also taught himself to play bass, guitar, keyboards, and violin by mimicking the songs he heard on the radio.
He may now get the opportunity to further his career and collaborate with some big names like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Katy Perry, Green Day and Rihanna.
Di Genius will also have the chance to develop his craft more as the company hosts several camps and skill building workshops. They also assist with ensuring that writers are fairly treated and properly paid for their work.
He will now be sharing his expertise with the world. His touch will help to give Dancehall an even bigger platform. He demonstrated his knack for hit makers when Mavado recorded the song “Weh Dem a Do” on his “Red Bull & Guinness” riddim. He was just 15-years-old at the time. In 2006 he also released the successful “Power Cut” riddim and produced singles for several artists, including Bounty Killer.
His undying passion for music will no doubt continue to take him higher heights.
Here’s a look at some of his stellar work on multiple Grammy Awards nominated albums:
Discography As producer/composer/writer :
- Mavado – “Weh Dem A Do” (Producer/Writer)
- Nelly Furtado – “Don’t Leave Me (Producer/Writer)
- Drake – “Controlla” (Producer/Writer)
- Will.i.am – “it’s my birthday” (Writer)
- Shakira – “Amarillo” (Producer)
- Damian Marley – Upholstery (Producer/Writer)
- Damian Marley – Slave Mill (Producer/Writer)
- Lianne La Havas – “Midnight” (Producer/Writer)
- Lianne La Havas – “Fairytale” (Writer)
- Sean Paul “Imperial Blaze” : “So Fine” (Producer/Writer)
- Matisyahu – “Motivate”
- Matisyahu – “Smash Lies”
- Matisyahu – “Struggla”
- Collie Buddz – ” i got you” (Producer/Writer)
- Collie Buddz – “Defend your own” (Producer/Writer)