Brian Soko

Brian Soko (born 1991) is a Grammy award winning Zimbabwean songwriter and record producer[1] who is based in the United States of America (USA). He won three awards at the 2014 edition of the Broadcast Music Inc (BMI) R&B/Hip-Hop Awards for composing Beyonce's song Drunk in love in 2014[2] and a Grammy for his production efforts in the same project.

Brian Soko
Born1991 (age 29–30)
Chiredzi, Zimbabwe
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
Years active2003–present
LabelsAnashe Media Group
Associated actsThe Order
Websitebriansoko.com

Background

Brian Soko was born in 1991 in Zimbabwe in the small town of Chiredzi before moving to South Africa where they stayed for a short while. He relocated to the United States with his parents in Manchester, New Hampshire where he briefly played football before deciding to study sound engineering.[3] He has two brothers named Prince Soko and Arnold Soko.[4]

Career

Soko started off as a rapper. He used to sell his beats online.[5] He then switched on to make beats for others whilst he was still in high school. Whilst he was doing his first year at Tampa in Florida, he met Dre Moon and Rasool Diaz, who were also interested in music production. From then onwards, they focused on making R n B and Hip Hop beats. Soko's first break together with his friends-became -partners was in 2012 after the release of Lil Wayne's No worries.[5]

Soko, together with his partners (The Order) composed and produced Beyonce's Drunk in Love in 2013. He also worked on the first compilation album of the group, Rich Gang. He also wrote and produced 100 Favors which features Kendrick Lamar, Birdman and Detail.[6] Soko's vocals were featured for the first time on a track titled ‘E.F.T.’ which stands for ‘Electronic Funds Transfer’ released by a Pretoria based rapper Chad, formerly known as Chad Da Don.[7] He has also worked with South African hip hop artists such as Cassper Nyovest on his song, Phumakim, K.O's Mission Statement and MaE amongst others. He has also worked with Tinashe.[8]

Soko launched a media company in 2014, Anashe Media Group a management, marketing and production company focused on the African music sector together with the help of his brothers, Arnold Soko who is a video director and Prince Soko.[9] Anashe Media Group has so far opened up branches in Nigeria with the help of Oladipo Tandoh, Angola, Congo and South Africa. The group has produced videos for Suki Yaki.[10]

Production discography

Awards

Billboard Music Awards

The Billboard Music Award has been discontinued since 2007, but returned in 2011. Brian Soko has received has received two nominations winning as much.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Drunk In Love Top R'n'B/Hip-Hop Song Won

Grammy Award

The Grammy Award are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States for outstanding achievements in the music industry. The awards were established in 1958. Brian Soko has won the award once, together with his production team(The Order), for their work in Beyoncé's Drunk In Love.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015"Beyoncé's Drunk In Love"
Best R'n'B SongWon
  • Most Performed Song 2014 R&B/Hip-Hop Award Song for Lil Wayne’s No Worries
  • Billboard No 1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song for Beyoncé’s Drunk In Love
  • Billboard No 1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay for Beyoncé’s Drunk In Love[11]

References
  1. "Young Zimbabwean producer Brian Soko credited for composing Beyonce's song Drunk In Love". Greedysouth.
  2. "Zimbabwean Producer Brian Soko Honored for his work on Lil Wayne's 'No Worries' and Beyoncé 'Drunk In Love' at 2014 BMI Awards In Hollywood". Greedysouth.
  3. South African Hip Hop Series: Producer Brian Soko Archived 2015-05-16 at the Wayback Machine, Mahala, Published: October 27, 2014, Retrieved: February 9, 2015
  4. BEATS & BREAKS: THE AHHB’S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN SOKO, African Hip Hop Blog, Published: March 21, 2014, Retrieved: February 9, 2015
  5. Tseliso Monaheng, HANGIN’ WITH BRIAN SOKO, "Mahala", Published:24 Sep 2014,Retrieved:9 February 2015"
  6. http://www.allmusic.com/album/rich-gang-mw0002558422/credits
  7. "Zimbabwean Grammy Winner Soko and Rapper Chad Da Don Partner on E.F.T Single".
  8. "Tinashe - Pretend (Prod. By Brian Soko)".
  9. "Anashe Media Group Officially Launched at a Red Carpet Event".
  10. Phil Chard, BEATS & BREAKS: THE AHHB’S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN SOKO, African Hip Hop Blog, Published:21 Mar 2014, Retrieved:9 February 2015
  11. Zim producer scores big at US awards, NewsDay, Published: August 26, 2014, Retrieved: February 9, 2015
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