LaShawn Daniels

LaShawn Ameen Daniels is an American songwriter.

LaShawn Daniels has a catalogue that includes multi-platinum award winning songs like “It's Not Right But It's Okay" by Whitney Houston, “The Boy Is Mine” by Monica and Brandy, “You Rock My World” by Michael Jackson and “Telephone” by Lady Gaga, "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child. Daniels has been credited as the “Secret Weapon” behind many of today’s biggest stars. Two Grammys and 210 million sold records later, Daniels is finally ready to emerge from the shadows to take his place as an accomplished executive, coupling his business acumen with his incomparable talent as one of the industry’s most prolific singer—songwriter—producers and vocal arrangers.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, Daniels has always had a serious passion for music and decided to pursue his love for the craft at an early age. A chance meeting at a recording session with longtime associate Rodney Jerkins marked the start of a promising career for the then unknown producer and songwriter. Lending his innovative lyrics and vocal arrangements to some of R&B’s best and brightest, Daniels earlier works included placements with artists such as Tyrese (Tyrese), Deborah Cox (One Wish), Brian McKnight (Back At One), Brandy (Never Say Never) Brandy (Full Moon).

In 1999 he scored his first crossover hit with the single “If You Had My Love” by Jennifer Lopez. Soon after, he won his first Grammy for writing the song “Say My Name” which won Best R&B Song at the 2001 Grammy Awards. Almost overnight, Daniels became one of the industry's most respected and sought after writers/vocal arrangers. After writing and arranging hit records and full albums for Whitney Houston (Heartbreak Hotel, I Learned From The Best, It’s Not Right But It’s Okay), Toni Braxton (He Wasn’t Man Enough), The Spice Girls (Forever), Brandy (Full Moon), and Alicia Keys (Songs in A Minor), Daniels had the honor of being called upon to write for one of his musical heroes, Michael Jackson (Invincible). “Working with Michael Jackson was one of the greatest moments of my career,” recalls Daniels, “His contribution to the music industry is unparalleled, a true genius.”

Never being confined to a specific genre or sound, Daniels continues to diversify his brand through universal groundbreaking penmanship. His recent Grammy nominations and win for writing the hit song “Telephone” by Lady GaGa (Best Pop Vocal Album 2011) speak to that fact. Having made appearances as a mentor, coach and vocal producer on television shows Making The Band and season 10 of American Idol, Daniels will appear as a series regular on the reality show Vince & Tamar this fall on WeTV. Viewers will be given a chance to catch Daniels in action as he takes on the role of Co-A&R for Tamar Braxton’s solo CD alongside his friend, executive Vincent Herbert.

An accomplished singer, songwriter, producer, vocal arranger and powerhouse in his own right, Daniels is prepared to take the stage as a lead executive and an example, giving back and showing those behind him the ropes of this ever evolving entertainment industry, with hits like "The Boy Is Mine" by Brandy & Monica, "Say My Name" and "Lose My Breath" by Destiny's Child, "You Rock My World" by Michael Jackson, "It's Not Right (But It's Okay)" by Whitney Houston, "Tell Me" by Melanie B, "If You Had My Love" by Jennifer Lopez, and "Can't Leave 'Em Alone" by Ciara. He also makes sure all vocals are second to none as a talented vocal producer, arranging most of the vocals on almost all songs he has been involved in writing.

Most recently LaShawn and his wife April Daniels play co-star to music mogul and executive Vincent Herbert and his wife recording artist Tamar Braxton in the WeTv hit reality series Vince & Tamar. LaShawn has also worked on Fox network's American Idol critiquing contestants as a mentor and bringing out their full vocal capabilities. In earlier TV appearances, LaShawn was involved in an episode of the ABC/MTV reality television series Making The Band 3, in which he instructed Aundrea on how to complete a difficult vocal. He also lent vocal production to the single of Beyoncé's "Déjà Vu".

Guest appearances

• Natalie Wilson & The S.O.P. Chorale: "Act Like You Know"
• T-Bone: "Can I Live?"
• So Plush: "The Fact That You Lied"
• Brandy: "Like This"
• Gotta Have Gospel (Gold) "Still Blessin Me"
• Nelly Furtado: "Parking Lot"
• Erica Campbell: "I Luh God"

Album

Tears, Lies, Paradise

Japan Only (Release: 26 March 2014)

1. Get Used To Her
2. Prisoner
3. ER (Joe "Emargency Room" Cover)
4. Dream Catcher
5. I Ain’t Him (ft. Jimmy Collinsss)
6. Gone feat. J Prince
7. How I Feel (ft. J Doe)
8. Tears, Lies, Paradise
9. Cool Down
10. I Know Better
11. Take Love
12. Full Speed Ahead
13. Glass Stage

LaShawn Daniels: The Demo Tracks

External links

• https://twitter.com/@BIGSHIZ
• MTB3 Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGsYK2VgDiI
• http://www.wetv.com/shows/tamar-and-vince/cast/leshawn-and-april-daniels

References

1. 1 2 "Watch "The Single: Monica" Reality Special". August 6, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-06.