Mark Batson


Mark Batson is an American producer, musician and songwriter. He has worked on albums by artists including Alicia Keys, Leann Rimes, Jay Z, Dave Matthews Band, Beyoncé, Maroon 5, Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, James Blunt, Anthony Hamilton, Skylar Grey, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Seal, Nas, and Sting.

Early life and career

Mark 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. Mark 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.

Career

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

Awards

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

Discography

Production and songwriting

Albums