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Wayne Wilkins

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Wayne Wilkins
Birth nameWayne Andrew Wilkins
BornCroydon, England
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Occupations
Instruments
Years active2000–present

Wayne Wilkins is a pianist, record producer, songwriter, record engineer, and record mixer. Wilkins has produced such tracks as Natasha Bedingfield "These Words," "Single" and "Love Like This"),[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Beyoncé ("Sweet Dreams"),[8] Cheryl Cole ("Fight For This Love", and "Promise This"),[4][9][10] and Jordin Sparks ("Battlefield").[11]

Early life

Wilkins was born in Croydon.[citation needed] He began taking piano lessons by the age of four.[12] Wilkins earned a scholarship to a music conservatory as a child.[12] Growing up, he played organ at cathedrals and other venues around London.[12]

Wilkins went on to Royal College of Music in London.[12] Wilkins later graduated with a physics degree from Imperial College.[12]

While in college one of Wilkins early jobs was teaching piano.[12] He also interned at Townhouse Studios and Olympic Studios where he received further training in engineering, mixing, and producing.[13]

Music career

While Wilkins was interning at Olympic Studios he got the opportunity to work for famous engineer Spike Stent.[13] Stent's resume includes working with such artists as Madonna, Beyoncé, Björk, Lily Allen, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Oasis, U2, Usher, and Lady Gaga.[14] Working for Stent provided Wilkins the opportunity to program for the engineer and work on high budgeted recordings.[13] During his tenure with Stent Wilkins was able to work with producers and artists such as Timbaland, Oasis, Rodney Jerkins, Madonna and U2.[13] Wilkins was able to work on the No Doubt Rock Steady album, which Wilkins says later on afforded him higher profile opportunities for him to work on in the industry.[13]

In 2000, Wilkins started working independently.[13] The first band Wilkins produced after going independent was The Corrs.[13][15]

In May 2004, Natasha Bedingfield released "Single", a song co-written and co-produced by Wilkins.[4][5][6] The song went on to reach No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart.[7] Natasha Bedingfield followed "Single" with "These Words" released in August 2004.[1] Co-produced and co-written by Wilkins, the song climbed to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and reached No. 17 on Billboard's Hot 100.[2][3]

Wilkins co-wrote and co-produced another hit for Natasha Bedingfield, "Love Like This", which also featured Sean Kingston.[16] The song released in September 2007 went platinum, to the top of Billboard 's Dance/Club Play Songs, and to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3]

Keri Hilson released her debut single "Energy" off her gold album In a Perfect World... in May 2008.[17][18] Wilkins co-wrote and co-produced the single with fellow prominent members of production team The Runaways, Sam Watters, Rico Love, and Louis Biancaniello.[19]

In early 2008, Wilkins co-wrote "We Break the Dawn" alongside Solange Knowles and Andrew Frampton for Michelle Williams' third album Unexpected. He was also involved in creating the remix for the same song.

In June 2008, Shontelle's "T-Shirt" was released. It was co-written by Wilkins.[20] The single was a dance hit in the United Kingdom and the United States. Reaching No. 1 on UK's Urban Chart and No. 1 on Billboard 's Hot Dance Club songs.[21]

Beyoncé released her Grammy Award winning album, I Am... Sasha Fierce, in November 2008 which included the Wilkins' production and co-written single "Sweet Dreams".[22][23][24] The song went on to reach platinum status and landed at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[8][25]

In May 2009, former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks released the single "Battlefield". Wilkins co-wrote and co-produced the song that reached the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100. With this song Wilkins assisted the singer in achieving her third top 10 Billboard Hot 100 single.[26][27]

In 2009, he worked with Irish pop band Westlife for a track "Sound of a Broken Heart" included in their Where We Are album where it charted at No. 2 in both UK Albums Chart and Irish Albums Chart.

Cheryl Cole released the single "Fight For This Love" in October 2009, taken from her album 3 Words.[4][28] Wilkins co-wrote and co-produced the single which went platinum in the UK and reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart.[4][9][10]

In July 2014, Cheryl Cole released the single "Crazy Stupid Love" from her fourth studio album. The song topped the UK Singles Chart. Wilkins co-wrote and co-produced the song, which also features British rapper Tinie Tempah.

Awards and nominations

Singles

Year Single Chart positions Album
AUS FR GER IRE UK US Hot 100 US
R&B 		US
Pop 		US
Dance
2001 "Would You Be Happier?" (The Corrs) 47 61 81 26 14 – – – – Best of The Corrs
2004 "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield) 78 – – 7 3 57 – 38 – Unwritten
"These Words" (Natasha Bedingfield) 5 19 2 1 1 17 – 9 35
2005 "I Bruise Easily" (Natasha Bedingfield) – – 46 17 12 – – – –
2007 "I Wanna Have Your Babies" (Natasha Bedingfield) 50 – 39 8 7 – – – – NB
"Love Like This" (Natasha Bedingfield ft. Sean Kingston) 77 – 33 34 20 11 – – 1 Pocketful of Sunshine
2008 "We Break the Dawn" (Michelle Williams) – – – – 47 – – – 4 Unexpected
"Energy" (Keri Hilson) 55 – – – 43 78 21 72 – In a Perfect World...
"T-Shirt" (Shontelle) – – – 26 6 36 – – 1 Shontelligence
2009 "Battlefield" (Jordin Sparks) 4 – 40 9 11 10 – 6 – Battlefield
"Sweet Dreams" (Beyoncé) 2 – 8 4 5 10 48 2 1 I Am… Sasha Fierce
"Touch My Hand" (David Archuleta) – – – – – – – – – David Archuleta
"Battle Cry" (Shontelle) – – – – 61 – – – – Shontelligence
"Fight for This Love" (Cheryl Cole) 54 7 4 1 1 – – – – 3 Words
"No More" (Cassie Davis) 90 – – – – – – – – Differently
2010 "Strip Me" (Natasha Bedingfield) – – – – – 91 – – – Strip Me
"Promise This" (Cheryl Cole) 78 – – 1 1 – – – – Messy Little Raindrops
2011 "The Flood" (Cheryl Cole) – – – 26 18 – – – –

Further information

Musical influences

Wilkins has cited artists such as Michael Jackson, David Foster, Whitney Houston, Chicago, John Williams, and Oscar Peterson as having a major influence on his style and tastes.[13]

Songwriting

With his writing techniques, Wilkins prefers to start with chord progressions as opposed to lyrics.[12] He has said he attempts to be a "vessel" in which music just flows out of him naturally.[12] He prefers writing and producing together to see the song all the way through both processes to make sure it's a hit.[31] When writing Wilkins chooses not to use many sounds but only what is completely necessary.[31] He says he tends to write simple lyrics that people can grasp with a running theme throughout the song.[31] He likes to write simple chords to pop songs and focuses on the melody.[31] When he can Wilkins prefers co-writing.[32] Generally Wilkins focuses on the music and the melody and collaborates with lyricists.[13]

Mixing and engineering

Early in his career, Wilkins worked under mixing engineer Mark "Spike" Stent of EMI.[31] Wilkins knows how to record and also professionally mix recordings.[12] Wilkins prefers to record an artist where they are most comfortable, so he travels to where the artist is with portable gear.[32]

Gear

Wilkins' gear generally consists of an Apple Logic, a MacBook Pro and an Apogee Symphony Mobile System.[12] Wilkins has stated his gear allows him to record anywhere in the world.[32]

References

  1. ^ a b "These Words - Natasha Bedingfield | Song Info | AllMusic". Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via www.allmusic.com.
  2. ^ a b "These Words | Natasha Bedingfield Number Ones | Number One hits from the UK Singles Charts". Number-ones.co.uk. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Natasha Bedingfield Album & Song Chart History | Billboard.com
  4. ^ a b c d e http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx Archived 17 January 2010 at WebCite
  5. ^ a b "Natasha Bedingfield Scores Grammy Nomination". Top40-Charts.com. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Single - Natasha Bedingfield | Song Info | AllMusic". Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via www.allmusic.com.
  7. ^ a b "Single by Natasha Bedingfield - Music Charts". Acharts.co. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  8. ^ a b Sweet Dreams – Beyoncé | Billboard.com
  9. ^ a b https://www.billboard.com/artist/cheryl-cole/chart-history/ [dead link]
  10. ^ a b "angel of retribution | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  11. ^ (https://www.billboard.com/artist/jordin-sparks/chart-history/
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "How to Write a Hit Song | Home Recording Tips, How To Record, Artist Recording Blogs | Apogee's Recording Blog". Archived from the original on 20 March 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Talking Shop With Grammy-Nominated Songwriter and Producer Wayne Wilkins – Part 1 | Serve The Song". Archived from the original on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  14. ^ "Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Mark 'Spike' Stent". Soundonsound.com. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  15. ^ The Corrs Official Website
  16. ^ "Love Like This - Natasha Bedingfield, Sean Kingston | Song Info | AllMusic". Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via www.allmusic.com.
  17. ^ "Keri Hilson Scores Grammy Nominations for Best New Artist and Best Rap/Sung... – SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/". Archived from the original on 31 December 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  18. ^ "Pop Singer Keri Hilson Debut Album In a Perfect World is Certified... – SANTA MONICA, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/". Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  19. ^ "Keri Hilson | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  20. ^ "T-Shirt - Shontelle | Song Info | AllMusic". Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via www.allmusic.com.
  21. ^ "Career Timeline | // ShontelleOnline.com – #1 Source for Everything Shontelle! //". Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  22. ^ "RIAA – Recording Industry Association of America". Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  23. ^ "Nominees And Winners | GRAMMY.com". 30 April 2017. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  24. ^ I Am...Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé | Billboard.com
  25. ^ "GOLD GANG MUSIC GROUP LLC". RIAA. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  26. ^ Jordin Sparks Album & Song Chart History | Billboard.com
  27. ^ "RIAA – Recording Industry Association of America". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  28. ^ "Fight for This Love - Cheryl | Song Info | AllMusic". Retrieved 16 July 2020 – via www.allmusic.com.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h "BMI | Repertoire Search". Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  30. ^ "Nominees And Winners | GRAMMY.com". 30 April 2017. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  31. ^ a b c d e "Wayne Wilkins: Keepin' it Simple". Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  32. ^ a b c "Talking Shop With Grammy-Nominated Songwriter and Producer Wayne Wilkins – Part 2 | Serve The Song". Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
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