Rob Fusari
Rob Fusari, also known as 8Bit, is a Grammy-winning record producer and songwriter, best known for having #1 hits with Beyoncé, Will Smith, Whitney Houston and Lady Gaga.
Early life
Rob Fusari was born and raised in Livingston, New Jersey.[1][2] A child prodigy, Fusari won numerous piano competitions at Radio City Music Hall at only 8 years old.
Career
Fusari began writing songs while a student at William Paterson University.[3] He started recording demos, and subsequently met hit songwriter Irwin Levine,[4] who was known for writing "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" and several other hits for Tony Orlando & Dawn.
In the late 1990s, Fusari became producing partners with Vincent Herbert. It was at this time that he wrote his first #1 hit single, "No, No, No", which launched Destiny Child's career. In 2001, Fusari produced "Bootylicious" for the group's third studio album Survivor. The song also peaked at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In 1999, Fusari produced Will Smith's successful single "Wild Wild West" from the film of the same name.
In 2002, he produced the songs "Train on a Track" by Kelly Rowland and Whitney Houston's "Love That Man", which were both released as singles to varying degrees of success in 2003. The same year, Fusari first worked with Britney Spears on a track titled "Love's Supposed 2 Be", which failed to be included on In the Zone.[5][6] In 2006, Fusari met & developed Stefani Germanotta, aka Lady Gaga. He introduced her to L.A. Reid from Def Jam, who signed her, but later dropped her in January 2007. L.A. Reid claims that was his "single most foolish career mistake." [7] Fusari later called on his old friend Vince Herbert to Lady Gaga at Interscope Records; and signed her immediately.
In 2008, Fusari served as co-executive producer on Gaga's Grammy-winning debut album, The Fame.[8] He co-wrote, produced and is credited on five songs: "Paparazzi", "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich", "Again Again", "Brown Eyes" and "Disco Heaven". Fusari also produced and co-wrote "Vanity", "Glitter & Grease", and "Retro Dance Freak".[9]
In 2012, he started an independent music label, Last Quarter Records which is based in New York City. Fusari is currently signed to Sony ATV Publishing.
In May 2016 ABC's follow-up to the classic Lexicon Of Love album was released called Lexicon of Love II. Fusari co-wrote "Confessions Of A Fool", "Singer Not The Song" and "The Ship Of The Seasick Sailor" with lead singer Martin Fry. The album entered the UK album charts at #5, the band's first Top 10 release since 1990. Fusari is touring with ABC on their Lexicon of Love II UK Tour, Autumn 2016.
References
- ↑ Rose, Lisa. "Lady Gaga files lawsuit of her own against Rob Fusari", The Star-Ledger, 20 March 2010. Accessed 24 February 2011. "The Livingston native, who helped pen and produce such hits as 'Bootylicious' by Destiny's Child and 'Wild Wild West' by Will Smith, was singing a different tune during a taped interview with The Star-Ledger in January."
- ↑ Kawashima, Dale. Rob Fusari Co-Writes & Produces Top Hits For Destiny's Child, Will Smith And Other Artists, SongWriterUniverse.com. Accessed 24 February 2011.
- ↑ "William Paterson University - News". Wpunj.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-08.
- ↑ "Irwin Levine, 58; Wrote 'Yellow Ribbon'". The New York Times. 27 January 1997.
- ↑ "Rob Fusari Co-Writes & Produces Top Hits For Destiny's Child, Will Smith & Other Artists". Singer Universe. 2003. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ↑ "ROB FUSARI PRODUCTIONS". Rob Fusari's Official Website. 2003. Archived from the original on 25 April 2003. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
- ↑ {{cite http://onairwithryan.iheart.com/articles/latest-show-495940/la-reid-says-dropping-lady-gaga-14365491/}}
- ↑ "Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga Win Early Grammys". Billboard. 2010-01-31. Retrieved 2013-10-08.
- ↑ "Names and Faces: Kathy Griffin speaks out against 'don't ask, don't tell'". The Washington Post. 20 March 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2010. C1 control character in
|title=at position 52 (help)