8 January 2008 email: greatscottproductions@earthlink.net

The untold truth: Damon Elliott’s record label scores two Grammy nominations for Keyshia Cole’s second album

Producer-songwriter’s work and role in discovering the platinum artist slighted

Even though you wouldn’t know it by looking at the list of Grammy nominees, record producer-songwriter Damon Elliott’s Confidential Records label earned two nominations for R&B-hip hop artist Keyshia Cole’s platinum sophomore album, Just Like You. Elliott discovered Cole in 2002, helped develop her, inked her to his imprint and landed major label distribution for her debut album, The Way It Is, on which he co-wrote and co-produced three songs. But even before the album was released, Elliott’s vital role and significant contributions to her discovery and development were ignored and virtually erased, suffocated by major label corporate politics and a misinformed artist in a story all too familiar in the entertainment industry. Little remains other than the Confidential Records stamp on the back of Cole’s albums.

Actress Meagan Good called Elliott from the set of the film Biker Boyz to tell him she had someone he had to hear sing. At the time, Elliott was at work on Malibu’s Most Wanted, which he composed the film score for with John Debney. Elliott got to the set in the wee hours of the night and Cole sang for him. He was immediately taken by her raw talent and felt the genuine pain and passion in her voice. A few days later, she came to his Burbank studio to start recording. The next day, Elliott introduced Cole to writer-producer Greg Curtis and they recorded “Love,” which became Cole’s breakthrough signature song from her first album. Elliott was working on one of Mya’s albums at the time and was generating a lot of media attention for his work with Destiny’s Child, Pink and Jessica Simpson. He used the spotlight to introduce Cole to the media and the public by having her join him during some of his print and television interviews. One day prior to starting a recording session for Mya, Elliott played “Love” for a label executive. Even before the song ended, the executive asked Elliott to schedule a meeting right away with the label chairman. Cole’s deal was secured at the meeting at the chairman’s house, which took place less than two weeks after she met Elliott.

The Way It Is (2005) sold over a million copies and established Cole as an edgy new urban voice from the streets. But some of Elliott’s production and songwriting credits on the album were removed or reduced to “D. Elliott” whereas his co-producers and co-writers received first and last name credits. Cole never mentions Elliott in interviews nor is he mentioned in the artist’s biography prepared and distributed by the major record label. Essentially Elliott had his well-earned credit for discovering and developing a two-time platinum-selling recording artist stripped. After keeping silent for years hoping this wrong would be righted, he decided it was time to disclose the injustice when the Confidential Records name was left off the list of Grammy nominations in conjunction with Cole.

“I still stand behind Keyshia 100%, but I’ve always wanted the opportunity to make the truth known.” said Elliott, who learned to have tough skin and remain upbeat despite trying circumstances while growing up in the industry as the son of legendary vocalist Dionne Warwick and late actor Bill Elliott (SWAT). “I knew in time people would learn the truth. Those who were there and know what I did (for Keyshia) call me all the time to congratulate me on her successes. They know she’s my artist and I’m proud that she was the first one signed to my label. But I’m also excited about the many new projects I’m working on in music, movies and fashion.”

Amongst the various projects Elliott is currently focusing his boundless energy on are a solo record from Spice Girl Mel B., executive producing Warwick’s gospel album for Warner Brother Records along with Bebe Winans and Edgar Bronfman Jr. (May release), collaborating on new songs with Pink for her next album, and a new artist signed to Confidential Records, Hopsin (May/June release).

“Hopsin is going to mess people up. This kid writes and produces his own rap tracks in his little home studio in the hood using pots and pans from his kitchen as instruments. He’s completely innovative and gritty, kind of like a black Marilyn Manson meets Eminem. His record will be distributed by Ruthless Records,” explained Elliott.

Another record Elliott is working on is a disc by Chinese actress Bai Ling. “Bai has always been totally outrageous and adventurous in everything she does. The music sounds like a cross between Bjork and Fergie.” Ling and Elliott are partners in White Spirit Productions, which is developing music and movie projects, including a reality show entitled Eye Bai. They are also collaborating on a clothing line and a fragrance collection.

Another project that Elliott just came aboard to compose the film score for is a documentary feature about the Negro Baseball League that includes Lou Gossett Jr. as one of the producers. The film is entitled The Untold Truth. When asked about how the film title relates to the Cole situation, Elliott smiled slyly and responded, “Pretty ironic, isn’t it?”

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Did producer-songwriter Damon Elliott watch too much television while growing up? Last summer, Elliott contributed music to the "Scooby-Doo" motion picture soundtrack and now he's working on music for three more 1970's TV shows-turned-feature films. Elliott is creating new material for "Charlie's Angels II" and composing what may be the theme song for the feature film "S.W.A.T." Elliott had previously been commissioned to score the live-action feature "Fat Albert," based upon the famed 1970's cartoon series.

"It's just a coincidence," Elliott laughed. "No, I don't have a thing for TV shows from the 70's. To me the coolest thing about working on 'S.W.A.T.' is that my dad (actor/musician Bill Elliott) was one of the stars of the television series."

Elliott's first film score will be a collaboration with John Debney for the hip hop comedy "Malibu's Most Wanted," which stars Jamie Kennedy, Taye Diggs, Anthony Anderson, and Blair Underwood. In addition to writing and producing the rap tracks for Kennedy's character, Elliott was tapped to play the role of a DJ in the Warner Brothers feature. For the film "The Fighting Temptations," Elliott produced a version of the vintage "Fever" that Beyonce Knowles delivers on screen opposite Cuba Gooding Jr. Previously Elliott worked with Beyonce on "Austin Powers in Goldmember" in addition to producing her pop group, Destiny's Child.

As for record projects, Elliott remixed Kelly Rowland's solo debut single, "Stole," which is the version currently stealing its way to the top of the singles charts. Presently Elliott is finishing up songs for Mya's third album and producing several cuts for Jessica Simpson's next record. Due in stores soon is the Elliott-produced debut single from Solange Knowles called "Feelin' You," which pairs Beyonce's younger sister with rapper N.O.R.E.

Perhaps the record project that Elliott is most excited about is a collection of duets to mark Dionne Warwick's 40th anniversary as a recording artist. Warwick happens to be Elliott's mother. "This is a dream come true," said an enthused Elliott. "We're putting my mom together with some of today's divas to sing her classic hits. Basically I've asked the female singers that I work with if they want to participate. So far we've got Beyonce (Knowles), Kelly (Rowland), and Michelle (Williams) from Destiny's Child and Mya on-board and I think we'll be adding Pink soon."

Elliott is developing a stable of newcomers - Keyshia Cole, Val C., DeJuan Turrentine, Natsha and Marcia Brady - for his production company, Elliott Entertainment, with an eye cast upon launching his own record label.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 8, 2002
Contact: Rick Scott 310.274.0248
email: greatscottpr@pacificnet.net

Son of Pop Legend Has Hot Music and Film Projects with Destiny's Child, "Austin Powers," "Scooby-Doo," Pink & Mya

Damon Elliott knows a thing or two about divas. His mom is one: Dionne Warwick. So it should come as no surprise that the producer-songwriter is making a name for himself by creating music for some of the top female artists in popular music today. What is unusual is that not only is Elliott involved with some of the hottest recording artists, he's also contributing music to blockbuster motion pictures at the same time.

In the last year, Elliott has produced, written and/or remixed songs for Destiny's Child, Pink, Mya, and Kylie Minogue as well as solo material for all three members of Destiny's Child. He's also helping to shake movie theatres this summer with his music for "Scooby-Doo," "Austin Powers in Goldmember," and "The Master of Disguise." Recently Elliott was recruited to serve as music supervisor and composer for the live-action "Fat Albert" feature, which is based on the famed cartoon series.

While his mom is best known for singing the gentle ballads of Bacharach & David and his father was a jazz drummer, Elliott's own musical signature is more aggressive, comprised chiefly of funky beats and vibrant melodies. He's incredibly musical and diverse. In recent years, Elliott has joined forces with a wide array of stellar artists that includes Green Day, Eminem, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Keith Sweat, Barry White, and Ziggy Marley. But it is his work with female vocalists that has him on the fast track. Elliott co-wrote and produced four songs for Pink's multi-platinum album, "Missundaztood," including the title cut. He was tapped to produce one of Beyonce Knowles' songs ("Hey Goldmember") and remix the first single ("Work It Out") for the third installment of the "Austin Powers" film franchise. For the "Scooby-Doo" soundtrack, Elliott wrote and produced "Thinkin' 'Bout You" for Beyonce's younger sister, Solange Knowles, which features Murphy Lee of St. Lunatics. Elliott co-produced Mya's vocals on the Grammy winning remake of "Lady Marmalade" for the "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack and wrote and produced a half-dozen selections for Mya's next album. As a remixer, Elliott retooled Minogue's international smash, "Love At First Sight."

"Not exactly sure how I ended up working with all these incredible women, but I don't think too many guys would complain," said Elliott with a chuckle. But in his Burbank-based recording studio, Elliott is all business. Tall and burly, he's a dynamic ball of energy, committed and passionate about his art. "Whether it's making music for an artist for an album or hooking up with a director for a film, it's about the challenge of coming up with something fresh, something that really captures the personality of the artist or the movie. That's what excites me and keeps me up all night in the studio."

Staying up all night in the studio is exactly what Elliott will be doing for a while. He has new record projects coming soon from Mya, Solange Knowles, Dream and solo material from Kelly Rowland and Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child, in addition to newcomers Hot Karl and Alley Life (Interscope), Natasha (Universal), Yasmeen (MCA) and LovHer (Def Jam). Aside from commencing work on "Fat Albert," Elliott is slated to create the title track for the motion picture "The Fighting Temptations" to be sung by Beyonce Knowles, as well as music for the films "The Master of Disguise" (starring Dana Carvey), "Malibu's Most Wanted" (starring Jamie Kennedy), "Papi Chulo" (produced by Forest Whitaker) and "Lil' Pimp," based on the popular Internet character.