Rob Lewis (musical director, arranger)
Encyclopedia
Robert Lyndel Lewis is a well-established American music arranger, music composer, record producer, musical director, film composer, musician, entrepreneur and philanthropist. In his 15 years in the music industry, Lewis has worked on several Grammy Award winning singles and albums, and his production, songs, and arrangements have been featured on #1 albums, gold and platinum albums, films, live productions, and television shows. His studio experience include works with some of the greatest names in the industry like Babyface, Rascal Flatts
, Mary J. Blige
, Dr. Dre
, Christina Aguilera
, Diddy
, and many more.
love for the piano. So Lewis' mother extended his lesson time from one half hour to an hour: a half hour on classical, and half on jazz.
Lewis' mother was heavily involved in church. Lewis, his mother, and his sister, Samantha, began attending Christ Way Baptist Church under the strict guidance of Rev. Consuella York (who was the first African-American woman to be ordained a Baptist minister in Chicago, and was also the first female chaplain of the Cook County Jail.) Lewis played for all of the services during the week, guided by York's son and Minister of Music, Thomas Alvin Keel, and often played solos. Because Lewis' mother taught school on the north side of the city, she would drop Lewis off at the church early in the morning, and Lewis would stay there until it was time for school, everyday practicing on the church's Steinway and Sons grand piano. At age 10, Lewis then transferred to the Allen Studio Of Music, under the training of Mrs. Lorraine Allen and her son, Ernie Allen, Jr., who was a masterful Hammond organ player. Lewis learned how to play the Hammond organ, although his legs weren't quite long enough to reach the pedals, and by age 12, was teaching at the school. Lewis was looked at as a child prodigy, simply because of how he applied his classical techniques on the Hammond Organ, and because he was teaching choirs at such a young age.
For years, a young Lewis made money as a musician, whether playing for various churches, or for weddings and funerals. He attended the De La Salle Institute for high school, and was the first to get a scholarship for music to the school, because he played for all of the liturgical services at the school. Lewis was involved with the school band as a drummer, and won numerous awards for his talents and 1st place in jazz band competitions around the city. It was Lewis' high school band teacher, Larry Pawlowski, that told Lewis that he had the skills to pursue a career in music, and encouraged Lewis to leave Chicago and apply for Berklee College Of Music
in Boston, Ma.. Lewis was voted "Most likely to become famous" by his peers in the Senior
yearbook.
in Boston, with a dual major in Music Production and Engineering and Music Business. But after 2 years, because of the financial strain, Rob was forced to drop out of school. Lewis got his ‘big break’ in 1995 when Brian McKnight
, whom Lewis met when he was at Berklee, decided to take him on the road for his tour. Lewis' first encounter with McKnight was when his teacher, jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley
brought McKnight to Berklee for a clinic in 1993. Almost two years later, after impressing McKnight's musical director, guitarist Jeff Lockhart, a young Lewis was given the opportunity to go on tour with McKnight. Rob worked with McKnight as his keyboardist for years, and also under McKnight in the studio, and later as his musical director. Under McKnight, Lewis learned the art of writing, producing, and arranging. McKnight's influence on Lewis' music is strong, and Lewis acknowledges his time under Brian McKnight as the most influential in his musical journey, because of his admiration of McKnight's writing style, arranging, and vocal production on his own records.
Rob is best known for his musical direction. He has been musical director for pop superstars Christina Aguilera
, New Kids On The Block
, The Pussycat Dolls, Leona Lewis
, Toni Braxton
, and Jessica Simpson
, as well as R&B stars Brian McKnight
, Eric Benet
, Deborah Cox
, and Fantasia
, and iconic artists like Patti LaBelle
, and Babyface. Lewis recognizes musical director Rickey Minor
as a mentor who's referral and direct tutelage provided many opportunities for Lewis to grow as a musical director.
Lewis has produced, written songs, and arranged on several #1 albums including Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics
, Diddy
's Press Play, Fall Out Boy's Infinity on High
, Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable, Herbie Hancock's "Possibilities", Heather Headley's Grammy Award winning "Audience Of One", and Vanessa Williams' "The Real Thing". Lewis' emotion-filled string and horn arranging has gotten him notoriety for his work on Fall Out Boy
's "Thnks fr th Mmrs
.", Christina Aguilera's "Oh Mother
" and "Understand", Jamie Foxx
's "Heaven"., Chrisette Michele
's "Best of Me" and "Your Joy" (which Lewis also co-wrote with Babyface and Chrisette Michele).
Lewis continues to work with superstar Toni Braxton on several tours, and is also responsible for putting the music production together for Toni Braxton's "Revealed" Flamingo Hotel show in Las Vegas, which ran for two years.
He is well known in the Gospel genre for his early writing and production with the group Here II Praise, who was signed by gospel legend Daryl Coley
and Jenell Alexander Coley through a deal with Verity Records. With their harmonic and artistic capabilities, their album "Giving You Nothing But Praise" debuted on Billboard's Gospel charts in the Top 20 in Sept. 1998, The choir, led by Lewis, won the Bobby Jones Excellence Award for "Best Urban Contemporary Choir of the year" at the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) in 1998, and was nominated for a Stellar Award in 1999. Lewis is a self-taught string arranger, and Grammy Award winning gospel producer Donald Lawrence
employed his arranging talents for several projects in the late 90's including Lawrence's Christmas album "Hello Christmas", and for TD Jakes, A few years later, Lawrence introduced innovative singer and producer Tonex to Lewis to do arranging for Tonex
's O2
album ("The Beautiful Place" and "Even You"). Along with arranging, he is also known for his scores and songs with film maker/playwright and NAACP Image Award winner David E. Talbert
, who assigned him the moniker "Young Q", referring to Lewis as a "young Quincy Jones" (who Lewis always refers to as his "greatest influence" because of Lewis' wide-range of abilities to arrange, compose, and produce music with orchestras and musicians.) Lewis has written the scores for Talbert's theatrical plays "Love Makes Things Happen" featuring the music of Babyface, "The Fabric Of A Man", "He Say She Say, But What Does God Say", and Lewis wrote the original songs and score for "Love On Layaway" starring Deborah Cox
and Cassie Davis
. For Talbert's feature film "First Sunday", starring Ice Cube
and Tracy Morgan
, Lewis wrote and produced the song "Live Again" which played during the end credits.
Rob Lewis has served as a LA Chapter Governor for The Recording Academy, where he worked hard to create opportunities to educate up and coming music professionals, and make a difference in the ailing music industry. As a part of The Recording Academy, Rob Lewis was a part of special events and panels and conducted workshops for Grammy Career Day, Grammy Soundchecks, and Grammy U.
Lewis owns his own production companies: Blacktrak Entertainment, Inc. that is the umbrella for his live production, record production, film composition, and his publishing company, Blacktrak Publishing, and Rob Lewis Enterprises that is the hub for his various entrepreneurial ventures. In 2008, Rob Lewis also started a label, Ladybug&Darling Music, with acclaimed vocalist and star of the Broadway musical "HAIR", Sasha Allen
, working on her debut album.
in 2002, following the release of her second album "Stripped
". Lewis was Aguilera's co-musical director, under Rickey Minor, and traveled as her musical director during the co-headlining "Justified/Stripped" tour with Justin Timberlake
in 2003. In 2004, Lewis was contracted by Aguilera to arrange her Grammy performance of "Beautiful", which featured a 21-piece string orchestra, the Roger Wagner Chorale, and her band. That night, "Beautiful" earned Aguilera the Grammy for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance". Lewis was very involved in Aguilera's 2006 Back to Basics
album as a vocal arranger and producer, string arranger, horn arranger, and was a co-writer on "Without You" (co-written by Christina Aguilera
, Kara Dioguardi
, and Mark Ronson
), Lewis also traveled and collaborated with Aguilera as her musical director and arranger on her 2006-07 Back to Basics Tour
and the tour DVD, "Back to Basics: Live and Down Under", and has also served as her vocal producer on numerous occasions and on records including "Tell Me", the lead single from Diddy's 2006 "Press Play" album. Lewis' vocal production work with Aguilera helped to earn a Grammy nomination in 2006 for Herbie Hancock's album Possibilities
(Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, for "A Song for You") and Lewis was a vocal producer for Aguilera's hit "Ain't No Other Man", which won a 2007 Grammy Award for "Best Pop Performance".
, and is featured on Edmonds' "Grown and Sexy" DVD. While in Boston for a performance with Edmonds, Lewis took Edmonds to Berklee College of Music
to talk with some students, and while there, surprised Edmonds with the creation of a new master songwriting class at Berklee College of Music titled "The Music of Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds", in homage to Babyface’s work in the music industry. Together Lewis and Babyface have written and arranged songs including "Your Joy" with Chrisette Michele
for her debut album "I AM", and "Loving You" for Vanessa L. Williams
' 2009 album "The Real Thing". Lewis considers Babyface to be one of the greatest influences in his career as a writer and producer, and considers his time under Edmonds as "the greatest school ever".
lead single "Tell Me". While working on the song, Diddy noticed Lewis' work ethic and style when producing vocals and had such a regard for Lewis' skills as a vocal producer and arranger, he told Lewis that he was going to put him "on TV". Shrugging the notion off Lewis didn't give it much thought, until he received a call from MTV
stating that Diddy wanted him to be a part of the series "Making The Band". As a vocal coach and producer, Lewis was featured on MTV
's "Making the Band", Season 3 with Diddy and pop girl group Danity Kane
. Diddy also enlisted Lewis to work on most of his album, where Lewis did vocal production for "Come To Me" working with Nicole Scherzinger
, "Tell Me", working with Christina Aguilera, "Making It Hard" working with Mary J. Blige
, string arranging for "Thought You Said" featuring Brandy
, and co-wrote two songs with Diddy, "Crazy Thang" and "Claim My Place". In 2009, Rob Lewis was commissioned by Diddy once again to be on MTV's television series "Making His Band" where Lewis used his musical directing skills to assist Diddy in finding young, up and coming artists to create Diddy's new band for his forthcoming tour.
's highly anticipated reunion tour. Working closely with Donnie Wahlberg
, Lewis has arranged for the last four tours, and they continue to work together for the future tours and television projects. With the New Kids On The Block's fan base, affectionately called the "Blockheads", Lewis has been able to utilize their unyielding support to do good. In 2009, through "The Rob Lewis Dreamers Movement", fans were instrumental in helping to provide new pots and pans, clothing, and financial contributions to the Create Young Adult Boys Shelter in New York, and for Christmas, Lewis orchestrated a coat drive for the Turning Point Young Women Shelter in Brooklyn, NY where all 37 of the residents at the shelter received brand new coats and accessories for Christmas through generous donations and support from the NKOTB fans. Currently, Lewis is the musical director/arranger for the highly anticipated mashup 2011 Summer tour for New Kids On The Block and The Backstreet Boys (NKOTBSB).
As Songwriter:
As Vocal Arranger/Vocal Producer:
Disc One, including "Aint No Other Man" (Grammy Award winner), "Without You", "Back In The Day", "Oh Mother", "On Our Way" and more
"A Song For You" (Grammy nominated)
Entire Disc
As performer:
Tours:
"Brian McKnight" Tour
"Anytime" Tour
"Back At One" World Tour
"Dream Chaser" Tour
"Stripped/Justified" Tour
"Stripped" World Tour
"Back To Basics" World Tour
"Grown and Sexy" World Tour
"Playlist" World Tour
"The Block" World Tour
DVD's:
"Dream Chaser" (2001)
"Stripped" (2003)
"Back To Basics" (2007):
"Grown and Sexy" (2005)
"Coming Home" (2009)
As a personality/judge:
As composer/film composer:
End credits song: "Live Again" featuring Sasha Allen
and Mike Davis
Written and Produced by Rob Lewis
"The Seat Filler", starring Kelly Rowland
and Duane Martin
Music score and songs:
Written and Produced by Rob Lewis
Theatrical work:
"Love Makes Things Happen", starring Dawn Robinson
and Kevon Edmonds
Featuring the music of Babyface, co-produced by Babyface and Tracey Edmonds
Arranged and scored by Rob Lewis
"Love On Lay-a-way", starring Deborah Cox
and Mel Jackson
Music score and original songs
Written and Produced by Rob Lewis
Score written and arranged by Rob Lewis
Score written and arranged by Rob Lewis
Rascal Flatts
Rascal Flatts is an American country music band that originated in Columbus, Ohio, United States of America. Since its inception, Rascal Flatts has been composed of three members: Gary LeVox , Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney...
, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, and many more.
Early life
Rob Lewis was born on the south side of Chicago, the youngest of Anna Lewis, a school teacher, and Robert Samuel Lewis. Wanting a life better for her son, Anna enforced education early on. Lewis' mother put him in piano lessons at 5 years of age with acclaimed pianist Tom Stevens. Until 9, Lewis began learning the techniques of reading music and of the piano, although he didn't favor classical music. Later in life, Lewis would acknowledge that his objection to classical music at that age was probably because "it had rules, with very little freedom to express anything different". Upon arriving to Mr. Stevens' home early one week, Lewis heard Mr. Stevens practicing a different style of piano, and when he went upstairs for his lesson, he asked Mr. Stevens to show him what he had been playing. This was Lewis' first discovery of jazz, and where Lewis found alove for the piano. So Lewis' mother extended his lesson time from one half hour to an hour: a half hour on classical, and half on jazz.
Lewis' mother was heavily involved in church. Lewis, his mother, and his sister, Samantha, began attending Christ Way Baptist Church under the strict guidance of Rev. Consuella York (who was the first African-American woman to be ordained a Baptist minister in Chicago, and was also the first female chaplain of the Cook County Jail.) Lewis played for all of the services during the week, guided by York's son and Minister of Music, Thomas Alvin Keel, and often played solos. Because Lewis' mother taught school on the north side of the city, she would drop Lewis off at the church early in the morning, and Lewis would stay there until it was time for school, everyday practicing on the church's Steinway and Sons grand piano. At age 10, Lewis then transferred to the Allen Studio Of Music, under the training of Mrs. Lorraine Allen and her son, Ernie Allen, Jr., who was a masterful Hammond organ player. Lewis learned how to play the Hammond organ, although his legs weren't quite long enough to reach the pedals, and by age 12, was teaching at the school. Lewis was looked at as a child prodigy, simply because of how he applied his classical techniques on the Hammond Organ, and because he was teaching choirs at such a young age.
For years, a young Lewis made money as a musician, whether playing for various churches, or for weddings and funerals. He attended the De La Salle Institute for high school, and was the first to get a scholarship for music to the school, because he played for all of the liturgical services at the school. Lewis was involved with the school band as a drummer, and won numerous awards for his talents and 1st place in jazz band competitions around the city. It was Lewis' high school band teacher, Larry Pawlowski, that told Lewis that he had the skills to pursue a career in music, and encouraged Lewis to leave Chicago and apply for Berklee College Of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston, Ma.. Lewis was voted "Most likely to become famous" by his peers in the Senior
yearbook.
Musical career
Rob Lewis left Chicago in Aug.1993, and went to be educated at the prestigious Berklee College Of MusicBerklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in Boston, with a dual major in Music Production and Engineering and Music Business. But after 2 years, because of the financial strain, Rob was forced to drop out of school. Lewis got his ‘big break’ in 1995 when Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
, whom Lewis met when he was at Berklee, decided to take him on the road for his tour. Lewis' first encounter with McKnight was when his teacher, jazz saxophonist Walter Beasley
Walter Beasley
Walter Beasley is an American saxophonist, a professor of music at the Berklee College of Music, and founder of Affable Publishing and Affable Records.-Biography:Beasley grew up in El Centro, California...
brought McKnight to Berklee for a clinic in 1993. Almost two years later, after impressing McKnight's musical director, guitarist Jeff Lockhart, a young Lewis was given the opportunity to go on tour with McKnight. Rob worked with McKnight as his keyboardist for years, and also under McKnight in the studio, and later as his musical director. Under McKnight, Lewis learned the art of writing, producing, and arranging. McKnight's influence on Lewis' music is strong, and Lewis acknowledges his time under Brian McKnight as the most influential in his musical journey, because of his admiration of McKnight's writing style, arranging, and vocal production on his own records.
Rob is best known for his musical direction. He has been musical director for pop superstars Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, New Kids On The Block
New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
, The Pussycat Dolls, Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
, Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton
Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
, and Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
, as well as R&B stars Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
, Eric Benet
Eric Benét
Eric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
, Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox is a Canadian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. Her 1998 song "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" held the record for longest-running number one single on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart , a record held for nearly eight years. She has achieved ten number-one hits on...
, and Fantasia
Fantasia Barrino
Fantasia Monique Barrino commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which...
, and iconic artists like Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
, and Babyface. Lewis recognizes musical director Rickey Minor
Rickey Minor
Rickey Minor is a music director, composer and music producer, now best known as musical director and bandleader for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno after Kevin Eubanks left. Minor was born in Monroe, Louisiana to parents Cole and Goldie Minor and was raised in South Central Los Angeles, CA...
as a mentor who's referral and direct tutelage provided many opportunities for Lewis to grow as a musical director.
Lewis has produced, written songs, and arranged on several #1 albums including Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics
Back to Basics (Christina Aguilera album)
Back to Basics is the third studio album by American recording artist Christina Aguilera, first released on August 10, 2006 by RCA Records...
, Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
's Press Play, Fall Out Boy's Infinity on High
Infinity on High
Infinity on High is the fourth studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on February 5, 2007 by Island Records as the follow-up to the band's commercially successful 2005 album From Under the Cork Tree. Pre-production began in the group's hometown of Chicago, where writing and...
, Jamie Foxx's Unpredictable, Herbie Hancock's "Possibilities", Heather Headley's Grammy Award winning "Audience Of One", and Vanessa Williams' "The Real Thing". Lewis' emotion-filled string and horn arranging has gotten him notoriety for his work on Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
's "Thnks fr th Mmrs
Thnks fr th Mmrs
"Thnks fr th Mmrs" is a song by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released March 27, 2007, as the second single from their fourth studio album, Infinity on High...
.", Christina Aguilera's "Oh Mother
Oh Mother
"Oh Mother" is the fourth single from Christina Aguilera's third studio album, Back to Basics . The single – penned by Christina Aguilera, Christophe Barratier, Bruno Coulais and Kara DioGuardi – was released as an international double A-side with "Slow Down Baby".-Background and composition:The...
" and "Understand", Jamie Foxx
Jamie Foxx
Eric Marlon Bishop , professionally known as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, singer-songwriter, stand-up comedian, and talk radio host. As an actor, his work in the film Ray earned him the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a...
's "Heaven"., Chrisette Michele
Chrisette Michele
Chrisette Michele Payne , known professionally as Chrisette Michele, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter....
's "Best of Me" and "Your Joy" (which Lewis also co-wrote with Babyface and Chrisette Michele).
Lewis continues to work with superstar Toni Braxton on several tours, and is also responsible for putting the music production together for Toni Braxton's "Revealed" Flamingo Hotel show in Las Vegas, which ran for two years.
He is well known in the Gospel genre for his early writing and production with the group Here II Praise, who was signed by gospel legend Daryl Coley
Daryl Coley
-Early life:Daryl Coley was born in Berkeley, California in 1955, spending his formative years in Oakland, California. His parents separated when he was five years old, with he and his two siblings being raised by his mother in a solid Christian home. Musically, Coley was first influenced by his...
and Jenell Alexander Coley through a deal with Verity Records. With their harmonic and artistic capabilities, their album "Giving You Nothing But Praise" debuted on Billboard's Gospel charts in the Top 20 in Sept. 1998, The choir, led by Lewis, won the Bobby Jones Excellence Award for "Best Urban Contemporary Choir of the year" at the Gospel Music Workshop of America (GMWA) in 1998, and was nominated for a Stellar Award in 1999. Lewis is a self-taught string arranger, and Grammy Award winning gospel producer Donald Lawrence
Donald Lawrence
Donald Lawrence is an American gospel music songwriter, record producer and artist.-Early years:Donald Lawrence was born on May 4, 1961. He studied at Cincinnati Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music. While in Cincinnati, he was also the Minister of Music at the...
employed his arranging talents for several projects in the late 90's including Lawrence's Christmas album "Hello Christmas", and for TD Jakes, A few years later, Lawrence introduced innovative singer and producer Tonex to Lewis to do arranging for Tonex
Tonéx
Anthony Charles Williams II , better known by his former stage name Tonéx , and most recently as B.Slade, is an American singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, dancer, producer, preacher, and activist. He has gone by various names and aliases, but his primary stage name of choice...
's O2
O2 (Tonéx album)
O2 is Gospel singer Tonéx's second major release. It was released under Zomba Records in 2002 and spawned two major hits, "God Has Not 4Got" and "Bout A Thang", which had a video for the single...
album ("The Beautiful Place" and "Even You"). Along with arranging, he is also known for his scores and songs with film maker/playwright and NAACP Image Award winner David E. Talbert
David E. Talbert
David E. Talbert is an American playwright.. Talbert is a graduate of Morgan State University and attended the New York University film program....
, who assigned him the moniker "Young Q", referring to Lewis as a "young Quincy Jones" (who Lewis always refers to as his "greatest influence" because of Lewis' wide-range of abilities to arrange, compose, and produce music with orchestras and musicians.) Lewis has written the scores for Talbert's theatrical plays "Love Makes Things Happen" featuring the music of Babyface, "The Fabric Of A Man", "He Say She Say, But What Does God Say", and Lewis wrote the original songs and score for "Love On Layaway" starring Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox is a Canadian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. Her 1998 song "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" held the record for longest-running number one single on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart , a record held for nearly eight years. She has achieved ten number-one hits on...
and Cassie Davis
Cassie Davis
Cassie Davis is an Australian singer, songwriter and producer from Perth, Western Australia. In addition to vocals, Cassie can also play the guitar, piano, keyboard and sampler, all of which she plays at some point on her debut album, Differently....
. For Talbert's feature film "First Sunday", starring Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
and Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan is an American comedian who is best known for his eight seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and currently known for playing the role of Tracy Jordan on the NBC series 30 Rock.-Early life:...
, Lewis wrote and produced the song "Live Again" which played during the end credits.
Rob Lewis has served as a LA Chapter Governor for The Recording Academy, where he worked hard to create opportunities to educate up and coming music professionals, and make a difference in the ailing music industry. As a part of The Recording Academy, Rob Lewis was a part of special events and panels and conducted workshops for Grammy Career Day, Grammy Soundchecks, and Grammy U.
Lewis owns his own production companies: Blacktrak Entertainment, Inc. that is the umbrella for his live production, record production, film composition, and his publishing company, Blacktrak Publishing, and Rob Lewis Enterprises that is the hub for his various entrepreneurial ventures. In 2008, Rob Lewis also started a label, Ladybug&Darling Music, with acclaimed vocalist and star of the Broadway musical "HAIR", Sasha Allen
Sasha Allen
Sasha Allen is an American singer and actress with a career in the entertainment industry that spans over 10 years...
, working on her debut album.
His work with Christina Aguilera
Lewis began touring with Christina AguileraChristina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
in 2002, following the release of her second album "Stripped
Stripped (Christina Aguilera album)
Stripped is the fourth studio album by American pop recording artist Christina Aguilera. It was released on October 26, 2002. It reached the top two of the album charts in both the United States and United Kingdom and features two UK number-one hits: "Dirrty" which gained criticism and controversy...
". Lewis was Aguilera's co-musical director, under Rickey Minor, and traveled as her musical director during the co-headlining "Justified/Stripped" tour with Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
in 2003. In 2004, Lewis was contracted by Aguilera to arrange her Grammy performance of "Beautiful", which featured a 21-piece string orchestra, the Roger Wagner Chorale, and her band. That night, "Beautiful" earned Aguilera the Grammy for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance". Lewis was very involved in Aguilera's 2006 Back to Basics
Back to Basics (Christina Aguilera album)
Back to Basics is the third studio album by American recording artist Christina Aguilera, first released on August 10, 2006 by RCA Records...
album as a vocal arranger and producer, string arranger, horn arranger, and was a co-writer on "Without You" (co-written by Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, Kara Dioguardi
Kara DioGuardi
Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, composer and TV personality. She writes music primarily in the light pop-rock, dance, and R&B genres. DioGuardi has worked with many popular artists; her songs have appeared on more than 159...
, and Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson
Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
), Lewis also traveled and collaborated with Aguilera as her musical director and arranger on her 2006-07 Back to Basics Tour
Back to Basics Tour
The Back to Basics Tour was the fourth concert tour by American recording artist Christina Aguilera. The tour supported her third studio album Back to Basics. It grossed over $90 million worldwide with 82 shows...
and the tour DVD, "Back to Basics: Live and Down Under", and has also served as her vocal producer on numerous occasions and on records including "Tell Me", the lead single from Diddy's 2006 "Press Play" album. Lewis' vocal production work with Aguilera helped to earn a Grammy nomination in 2006 for Herbie Hancock's album Possibilities
Possibilities
Possibilities is the forty-fifth studio album by American jazz musician Herbie Hancock, released in the United States on August 30, 2005 by Vector Recordings. The album features a variety of guest musicians such as John Mayer and Carlos Santana...
(Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, for "A Song for You") and Lewis was a vocal producer for Aguilera's hit "Ain't No Other Man", which won a 2007 Grammy Award for "Best Pop Performance".
His work with Babyface
Lewis worked closely with Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, as a writer, string arranger, producer, and musical director, and started touring with Edmonds in 2005. Edmonds used Lewis' skills as an arranger on albums with Jamie Foxx ("Heaven"), Fall Out Boy ("Thnks Fr Th Mrms"), and made him an integral part of his covers album PlaylistPlaylist (Babyface album)
Playlist is the eleventh album by Babyface. It was the first longplay release on the newly re-launched Mercury Records label. The work consists of eight covers and two original compositions...
, and is featured on Edmonds' "Grown and Sexy" DVD. While in Boston for a performance with Edmonds, Lewis took Edmonds to Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
to talk with some students, and while there, surprised Edmonds with the creation of a new master songwriting class at Berklee College of Music titled "The Music of Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds", in homage to Babyface’s work in the music industry. Together Lewis and Babyface have written and arranged songs including "Your Joy" with Chrisette Michele
Chrisette Michele
Chrisette Michele Payne , known professionally as Chrisette Michele, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter....
for her debut album "I AM", and "Loving You" for Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa L. Williams
Vanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
' 2009 album "The Real Thing". Lewis considers Babyface to be one of the greatest influences in his career as a writer and producer, and considers his time under Edmonds as "the greatest school ever".
His work with Diddy
In 2006, Christina Aguilera brought Lewis into the studio to work with her to arrange and produce the vocals for music mogul Diddy'sSean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
lead single "Tell Me". While working on the song, Diddy noticed Lewis' work ethic and style when producing vocals and had such a regard for Lewis' skills as a vocal producer and arranger, he told Lewis that he was going to put him "on TV". Shrugging the notion off Lewis didn't give it much thought, until he received a call from MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
stating that Diddy wanted him to be a part of the series "Making The Band". As a vocal coach and producer, Lewis was featured on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's "Making the Band", Season 3 with Diddy and pop girl group Danity Kane
Danity Kane
Danity Kane was an American female music group signed to Bad Boy Records, first established in 2005. Formed on the third installment of MTV's Making the Band reality television series, the quintet comprised members Aubrey O'Day, Wanita "D. Woods" Woodgett, Shannon Bex, Dawn Richard, and Aundrea...
. Diddy also enlisted Lewis to work on most of his album, where Lewis did vocal production for "Come To Me" working with Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
, "Tell Me", working with Christina Aguilera, "Making It Hard" working with Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, string arranging for "Thought You Said" featuring Brandy
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
, and co-wrote two songs with Diddy, "Crazy Thang" and "Claim My Place". In 2009, Rob Lewis was commissioned by Diddy once again to be on MTV's television series "Making His Band" where Lewis used his musical directing skills to assist Diddy in finding young, up and coming artists to create Diddy's new band for his forthcoming tour.
His work with New Kids On The Block
Recently, Lewis was seen as the keyboardist and musical director of New Kids On The BlockNew Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
's highly anticipated reunion tour. Working closely with Donnie Wahlberg
Donnie Wahlberg
Donald Edward "Donnie" Wahlberg, Jr. is an American singer, actor and film producer. He is a member of the popular 1980s and 1990s boy band New Kids on the Block. His work background includes music, feature films, and television...
, Lewis has arranged for the last four tours, and they continue to work together for the future tours and television projects. With the New Kids On The Block's fan base, affectionately called the "Blockheads", Lewis has been able to utilize their unyielding support to do good. In 2009, through "The Rob Lewis Dreamers Movement", fans were instrumental in helping to provide new pots and pans, clothing, and financial contributions to the Create Young Adult Boys Shelter in New York, and for Christmas, Lewis orchestrated a coat drive for the Turning Point Young Women Shelter in Brooklyn, NY where all 37 of the residents at the shelter received brand new coats and accessories for Christmas through generous donations and support from the NKOTB fans. Currently, Lewis is the musical director/arranger for the highly anticipated mashup 2011 Summer tour for New Kids On The Block and The Backstreet Boys (NKOTBSB).
Philanthropy
Lewis continues an entrepreneur and philanthropist spearheading and branding "THE MOVEMENT ORCHESTRA", a unified assembly of musicians, arrangers, and composers. Lewis' current dream effort is working to build his own music education facility in New York, "MISOMA" (The Movement Institute, School of Musical Advancement), a facility where music education and the arts are brought to the inner city, and where young kids and young adults can learn and experience the arts without cost. Attached to the school is a clothing line "The MISOMA Collection"- an effort to further fund MISOMA and music education. His most recent project is "The Rob Lewis Dreamers Movement", a foundation dedicated to providing care and help to the less fortunate, using music and the patronage of his supporters to give hope and inspire the lives of homeless young adults. While on the road with various artists, Rob Lewis creates live jam sessions, in which he raises money and sponsors shelters and food banks in selected cities. He has also created "MISOMAdigital"-the youtube school, and "MISOMAMobile", where he goes to high schools and colleges to lecture, encouraging youth to "continue dreaming, to stay focused, and to work hard to be successful- not only in music, but in life".Awards
In September 2007, Lewis was awarded the "Distinguished Alumni Award" from Berklee College Of Music in recognition of his career accomplishments.Discography
As Producer/Arranger:- Rob Lewis- "Brokenhearted" (single) (2009)
- Vanessa WilliamsVanessa L. WilliamsVanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
- "The Real Thing" (2009) Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums #1 - Heather HeadleyHeather HeadleyHeather Headley is a Trinidadian-American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She has won one Tony Award and one Grammy Award.-Personal life:...
- "Audience Of One" (2009) Billboard Gospel Charts #1 - Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds- "Playlist" (2007) Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Charts #7
- Fall Out BoyFall Out BoyFall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
- "Infinity On High" (2007) Billboard Top 200 #1 - Jamie FoxxJamie FoxxEric Marlon Bishop , professionally known as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, singer-songwriter, stand-up comedian, and talk radio host. As an actor, his work in the film Ray earned him the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a...
- "Unpredictable" (2007) Billboard Top 200 #1 - Chrisette MicheleChrisette MicheleChrisette Michele Payne , known professionally as Chrisette Michele, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter....
- "I AM" (2007) Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums #5 - Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
- "Back To Basics" (2006) Billboard Top 200 #1 - DiddySean CombsSean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
- "Press Play" (2006) Billboard Top 200 #1 - Herbie HancockHerbie HancockHerbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
- "Possibilities" (2006) Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz #1 - Here II Praise- "Giving You Nothing But Praise" (1998) Billboard Gospel Charts #20
- MyronMyronMyron of Eleutherae working circa 480-440 BC, was an Athenian sculptor from the mid-5th century BC. He was born in Eleutherae on the borders of Boeotia and Attica. According to Pliny's Natural History, Ageladas of Argos was his teacher....
- "Destiny" (1998) Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Charts #38 - Donald LawrenceDonald LawrenceDonald Lawrence is an American gospel music songwriter, record producer and artist.-Early years:Donald Lawrence was born on May 4, 1961. He studied at Cincinnati Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music. While in Cincinnati, he was also the Minister of Music at the...
- "Hello Christmas" (1997) Billboard Gospel Charts #7 - Bishop TD Jakes- "Sacred Love Songs" (1997)
As Songwriter:
- Rob Lewis- "Brokenhearted" (single) (2009)
- Vanessa WilliamsVanessa L. WilliamsVanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
- "The Real Thing" ("Loving You", co-written with Babyface and Carole Bayer Sager) (2009) - Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
- "Back To Basics" (Without You", co-written with Christina Aguilera, Kara Dioguardi, and Mark Ronson) (2006) - Chrisette MicheleChrisette MicheleChrisette Michele Payne , known professionally as Chrisette Michele, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter....
- "I AM" ("Your Joy", co-written with Chrisette Michele and Babyface) (2007) - DiddySean CombsSean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
- "Press Play" ("Claim My Place" and "Crazy Thang", co-written with Sean "Diddy" Combs) (2006) - Here II Praise- "Giving You Nothing But Praise" (1998)
As Vocal Arranger/Vocal Producer:
- Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
- "Back To Basics"
Disc One, including "Aint No Other Man" (Grammy Award winner), "Without You", "Back In The Day", "Oh Mother", "On Our Way" and more
- Herbie HancockHerbie HancockHerbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
-
"A Song For You" (Grammy nominated)
- DiddySean CombsSean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
- "Press Play" - "Tell Me" featuring Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
- "Come To Me" featuring Nicole ScherzingerNicole ScherzingerNicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
- "Making It Hard" featuring Mary J. BligeMary J. BligeMary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
- 50 Cent50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
- "Curtis" - "Fire" featuring Nicole ScherzingerNicole ScherzingerNicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
- Here II Praise- "Giving You Nothing But Praise"
Entire Disc
As performer:
- Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
- "Back To Basics" (bass, guitar) - Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds- "Playlist" (keys)
- Vanessa WilliamsVanessa L. WilliamsVanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
- "The Real Thing" (piano) - Jamie FoxxJamie FoxxEric Marlon Bishop , professionally known as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, singer-songwriter, stand-up comedian, and talk radio host. As an actor, his work in the film Ray earned him the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Actor as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a...
- "Unpredictable" (piano) - Chrisette MicheleChrisette MicheleChrisette Michele Payne , known professionally as Chrisette Michele, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter....
- "I AM" (piano) - Brian McKnightBrian McKnightBrian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
- "Bethlehem" (Hammond Organ) - Patti LaBellePatti LaBellePatricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
- "Classic Moments" (vocals) - Donald LawrenceDonald LawrenceDonald Lawrence is an American gospel music songwriter, record producer and artist.-Early years:Donald Lawrence was born on May 4, 1961. He studied at Cincinnati Conservatory, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in music. While in Cincinnati, he was also the Minister of Music at the...
- "Hello Christmas" (piano)
Tours:
- Brian McKnightBrian McKnightBrian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
(1995–2000):
"Brian McKnight" Tour
"Anytime" Tour
"Back At One" World Tour
- Jessica SimpsonJessica SimpsonJessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
(2001):
"Dream Chaser" Tour
- Patti LaBellePatti LaBellePatricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
(2002–2005)
- Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
(2002–2007):
"Stripped/Justified" Tour
"Stripped" World Tour
"Back To Basics" World Tour
- Babyface (2005–2008):
"Grown and Sexy" World Tour
"Playlist" World Tour
- New Kids On The BlockNew Kids on the BlockNew Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
(2008–2010)
"The Block" World Tour
DVD's:
- Jessica SimpsonJessica SimpsonJessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
:
"Dream Chaser" (2001)
- Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
:
"Stripped" (2003)
"Back To Basics" (2007):
- Babyface:
"Grown and Sexy" (2005)
- New Kids On The BlockNew Kids on the BlockNew Kids on the Block are an American boy band from Boston, Massachusetts, assembled in 1984 by producer Maurice Starr. The band currently consists of brothers Jordan and Jonathan Knight, Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and Danny Wood.New Kids on the Block enjoyed success in the late 1980s and...
:
"Coming Home" (2009)
As a personality/judge:
- MTV and Diddy presents "Making The Band", Season 3 (with Danity Kane) (2006)
- MTV and Diddy presents "Making His Band", entire season (2009)
As composer/film composer:
- "First Sunday", starring Ice CubeIce CubeO'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, Tracy MorganTracy MorganTracy Morgan is an American comedian who is best known for his eight seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live and currently known for playing the role of Tracy Jordan on the NBC series 30 Rock.-Early life:...
, and Katt WilliamsKatt WilliamsMicah S. Katt Williams is a U.S. comedian, rapper, and actor. He is best known for his role as Money Mike in Friday After Next...
End credits song: "Live Again" featuring Sasha Allen
Sasha Allen
Sasha Allen is an American singer and actress with a career in the entertainment industry that spans over 10 years...
and Mike Davis
Written and Produced by Rob Lewis
"The Seat Filler", starring Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
and Duane Martin
Duane Martin
Duane Martin is an American film and television actor.-Personal life:Martin was born in Dayton OH, and went to Dunbar High school and failed the 9th grade freshman year.Then met Tisha Campbell at the New York Liberty City Awards for the World records by doing backflips.-Career:Martin had a short...
Music score and songs:
- "Follow Your Destiny" featuring Kelly RowlandKelly RowlandKelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
- "Lost Without You" featuring Chante MooreChanté MooreChanté Moore is an American R&B and jazz singer.-Biography:Born to a gospel minister, she grew up singing in the church and was heavily influenced by the music of George Duke and Lee Ritenour. While in high school, she decided to make a career of singing...
- "I Need A Love", featuring Kelly RowlandKelly RowlandKelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
Written and Produced by Rob Lewis
Theatrical work:
- With David E. TalbertDavid E. TalbertDavid E. Talbert is an American playwright.. Talbert is a graduate of Morgan State University and attended the New York University film program....
:
"Love Makes Things Happen", starring Dawn Robinson
Dawn Robinson
Dawn Robinson is an American R&B/soul/Dance-pop singer best known for her work as a member of hit Urban/Dance-pop group, En Vogue....
and Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds
Kevon Edmonds February 25, 1957, is a singer and actor and is the older brother of famous producer/songwriter/singer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. He's the 4th of 6 boys. Growing up, Kevon shied away from the church choir, preferring to sing for his own satisfaction...
Featuring the music of Babyface, co-produced by Babyface and Tracey Edmonds
Tracey Edmonds
Tracey Edmonds is the CEO of Edmonds Entertainment Group Inc and COO of Our Stories Films.- Education :...
Arranged and scored by Rob Lewis
"Love On Lay-a-way", starring Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox
Deborah Cox is a Canadian R&B singer-songwriter and actress. Her 1998 song "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" held the record for longest-running number one single on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart , a record held for nearly eight years. She has achieved ten number-one hits on...
and Mel Jackson
Mel Jackson
Melton Jackson is an African-American actor, producer, spoken word artist and R&B musician.- Career :Film...
Music score and original songs
Written and Produced by Rob Lewis
- "He Say, She Say...But What Does God Say", starring Clifton PowellClifton Powell-Movie career:Powell is known for playing the role of Pinky in the 2000 comedy film, Next Friday and its 2002 sequel, Friday After Next. Powell stars also in the Indie thriller Chain Letter.In 2009 he played "Bowman" in the film Just Another Day...
, N'Bushe WrightN'Bushe WrightN'Bushe Wright is an American film and television actress, known mainly for her part in Blade. A native of New York City, she is the daughter of jazzman Stanely Wright aka Suleiman-Marim Wright...
, and DJ Rogers, Jr.
Score written and arranged by Rob Lewis
- "The Fabric Of A Man", starring Darren DeWitt Henson
Score written and arranged by Rob Lewis