Bama Boyz
Encyclopedia
The Bama Boyz are a Grammy-nominated, Dove Award Winning, American
record production, songwriting, and artist trio, consisting of Eddie “E-Trez” Smith III, Jesse J. Rankins, Jonathan D. Wells. Professionally producing and songwriting since 2003, the Bama Boyz have accumulated a diverse range of music credits ranging from genres such as Electro, R&B, Pop
, Hip hop
, urban gospel
, Dance
, and Latin pop
to soundtrack
s/theme music
for Films, Television Shows, Commercials, Toy lines, and Books.
in the same neighborhood of Woodley Park. Jesse and Eddie both played in the percussion section of the symphonic band at Baldwin Jr. High School. Jonathan and Eddie both played in the percussion section of the marching band
at Sidney Lanier High School. Even though the trio knew each other from the neighborhood, band, and school, they never created music as a trio until the summer of 2000. By fall 2001, Eddie, Jesse, and Jonathan were all attending Alabama A&M University where they became known for throwing parties on and off campus, creating funny television commercials to advertise their parties, and creating a popular school song and dance.
In 2003, music mogul, Mathew Knowles
, pioneer of the Grammy Award–winning, Multi-platinum group Destiny’s Child, offered the Bama Boyz a deal immediately after personally witnessing the trio in action in the studio. This opportunity came about when Mathew accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker and judge for a leadership seminar and talent showcase created and hosted by Eddie, Jesse, and Jonathan at Alabama A&M University. Highly impressed by the trio’s professionalism and marketing tactics, Mathew invited the boys to do an internship that summer at his company, Music World Entertainment in Houston, TX.
When the trio arrived in Houston, they learned that the internship was non-paid. Accustomed to the consistent money of their weekly club hustle at Alabama A&M, it didn’t take long for the trio’s instinct to kick in. In exactly three weeks of living in Houston and studying the nightlife, the Bama Boyz begin supporting their expenses of rent, food, and other necessities by creating, promoting, and operating a successful teen night at a local club. While interning at Mathew’s company, the trio jacked Beyoncé's A cappella
for her then current single Crazy in Love and produced an entirely new beat under her vocals. At that time, Mathew didn’t even know that the Bama Boyz produced music. So one day after a label staff meeting, Eddie and Jesse followed Mathew into his office, put their "Crazy in Love Remix" in his stereo and turned the volume up and hit play. Shocked by the boys boldness but impressed by their remix, Mathew told them that they can begin using the Music World studio anytime they want. After personally observing their work in the studio for a few days, Mathew invited the Bama Boyz to his boat on Clear Lake Shores, Texas
and that’s where he offered them a production deal.
titled “Ain’t No Way Bama Boyz Remix” and “Just Like You Bama Boyz Remix”. Afterwards, the Bama Boyz created two remixes for Beyonce’s “Me, Myself, and I” titled the “Bama Boys Sexy Remix” and the other titled “Bama Boys Throwback Remix,” where the trio sampled elements of De La Soul
’s “Me, Myself, and I.” The Bama Boyz first opportunity to work on a movie soundtrack was Roll Bounce
, where the guys were credited with additional production credits.
In 2005, the Bama Boyz produced the Destiny’s Child song “Home for the Holiday,” which became the centerpiece of Wal-Mart
’s national Christmas campaign. “Home for the Holiday” was also included on Destiny’s Child’s album 8 Days of Christmas
. It was the success of this campaign that sparked the Bama Boyz interest in licensing and syncing music.
The Bama Boyz ended up negotiating and producing the music for two more Wal-Mart commercials. Now with an understanding and passion for music synchronization
, the Bama Boyz created music for film and television such as, "Bring It On: All or Nothing
," "the Pink Panther
(2006 film)", "Save the Last Dance 2
", a Ford Fusion Commercial featuring Funkmaster Flex
, MTV
’s "Super Sweet 16 TV Series", "Last Holiday" (2006 film), Nickelodeon
’s "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy" theme song featuring Beyonce, BET
’s "One Night Only", House of Deréon
Commercial, and the UK’s Channel 4
hit reality show, "Chancers", where the Bama Boyz made their first television debut.
Not forgetting their first love of working with artists, the Bama Boyz returned to the studio with a different direction. They produced 8 songs for the platinum selling gospel
group Trin-I-Tee 5:7
’s "T57" album. Their work on T57 earned them a #2 spot on the Gospel Charts, a Grammy Nomination, and a Dove Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album.
The Bama Boyz also stepped outside the box of music synchronization by producing all the music for "Baby Jamz", a hip-hop/rhythm inspired toy line for preschoolers. The toy line also features a hip-hop inspired nursery rhyme CD, which includes their production. The Bama Boyz also produced the theme song for a series of books called Princess Inc.
The Bama Boyz produced two songs for Solange’s Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams album, including the controversial song “ChampagneChronicNightcap” feat. Lil Wayne and the '70's throwback "Valentine's Day". They also produced the “Ring the Alarm Bama Boyz Remix” and were responsible for getting Rick Ross and Mike Jones to feature on it.
On Beyonce’s 3rd solo LP, which is a double-disc titled I Am... Sasha Fierce, the Bama Boyz produced “Why Don’t You Love Me
,” which features their signature sound of combining both electronic dance music and urban music. "Why Don't You Love Me" shot to the number one position on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart becoming the Bama Boyz's first number-one hit and Knowles' twelfth number-one hit on that chart.
"Baby Jamz Vol.1"
"Baby Jamz Vol.2"
Beyoncé
"Chancers" (Channel 4
Reality Show)
Destiny's Child
Ford Fusion TV Commercial
Katy Shotter (UK)
Kelly Rowland
Meet the Bamaz (mixtape)
MTV's Super Sweet 16
Mýa
Natalia (UK)
Nickelodeon
’s "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy"
Princess Inc. (Book)
Roll Bounce
(additional production credits)
Save the Last Dance 2
Socially Awkward E.P.
Solange Knowles
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record production, songwriting, and artist trio, consisting of Eddie “E-Trez” Smith III, Jesse J. Rankins, Jonathan D. Wells. Professionally producing and songwriting since 2003, the Bama Boyz have accumulated a diverse range of music credits ranging from genres such as Electro, R&B, Pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
, Hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, urban gospel
Urban contemporary gospel
Traditional black gospel is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
, Dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
, and Latin pop
Latin pop
Latin pop generally refers to pop music that has what may be perceived a Latin American influence...
to soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
s/theme music
Theme music
Theme music is a piece that is often written specifically for a radio program, television program, video game or movie, and usually played during the title sequence and/or end credits...
for Films, Television Shows, Commercials, Toy lines, and Books.
History
Eddie, Jesse, and Jonathan all grew up in Montgomery, AlabamaMontgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
in the same neighborhood of Woodley Park. Jesse and Eddie both played in the percussion section of the symphonic band at Baldwin Jr. High School. Jonathan and Eddie both played in the percussion section of the marching band
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
at Sidney Lanier High School. Even though the trio knew each other from the neighborhood, band, and school, they never created music as a trio until the summer of 2000. By fall 2001, Eddie, Jesse, and Jonathan were all attending Alabama A&M University where they became known for throwing parties on and off campus, creating funny television commercials to advertise their parties, and creating a popular school song and dance.
In 2003, music mogul, Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles
Mathew Knowles is an American music executive and manager. He is the father and former manager of R&B singer Beyoncé , Knowles also managed Kelly Rowland as well as girl group Destiny's Child . He was also the manager of Solange Knowles.-Manager and producer:Knowles is an alumnus of Fisk...
, pioneer of the Grammy Award–winning, Multi-platinum group Destiny’s Child, offered the Bama Boyz a deal immediately after personally witnessing the trio in action in the studio. This opportunity came about when Mathew accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker and judge for a leadership seminar and talent showcase created and hosted by Eddie, Jesse, and Jonathan at Alabama A&M University. Highly impressed by the trio’s professionalism and marketing tactics, Mathew invited the boys to do an internship that summer at his company, Music World Entertainment in Houston, TX.
When the trio arrived in Houston, they learned that the internship was non-paid. Accustomed to the consistent money of their weekly club hustle at Alabama A&M, it didn’t take long for the trio’s instinct to kick in. In exactly three weeks of living in Houston and studying the nightlife, the Bama Boyz begin supporting their expenses of rent, food, and other necessities by creating, promoting, and operating a successful teen night at a local club. While interning at Mathew’s company, the trio jacked Beyoncé's A cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
for her then current single Crazy in Love and produced an entirely new beat under her vocals. At that time, Mathew didn’t even know that the Bama Boyz produced music. So one day after a label staff meeting, Eddie and Jesse followed Mathew into his office, put their "Crazy in Love Remix" in his stereo and turned the volume up and hit play. Shocked by the boys boldness but impressed by their remix, Mathew told them that they can begin using the Music World studio anytime they want. After personally observing their work in the studio for a few days, Mathew invited the Bama Boyz to his boat on Clear Lake Shores, Texas
Clear Lake Shores, Texas
Clear Lake Shores is a city in Galveston County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. Clear Lake Shores is regarded as "The Yachting Capital of Texas" as the City has more boat slips than people. As of the 2000 U.S...
and that’s where he offered them a production deal.
Career
The Bama Boyz first major production credits were two remixes for SolangeSolange
Solange was a Frankish shepherdess and a locally-venerated Christian saint, whose cult is restricted to Sainte Solange, Cher...
titled “Ain’t No Way Bama Boyz Remix” and “Just Like You Bama Boyz Remix”. Afterwards, the Bama Boyz created two remixes for Beyonce’s “Me, Myself, and I” titled the “Bama Boys Sexy Remix” and the other titled “Bama Boys Throwback Remix,” where the trio sampled elements of De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
’s “Me, Myself, and I.” The Bama Boyz first opportunity to work on a movie soundtrack was Roll Bounce
Roll Bounce
Roll Bounce is a 2005 American comedy-drama film written by Norman Vance Jr. and directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film stars hip hop artist Bow Wow as the leader of a roller skating crew in 1970s Chicago. The film also stars Nick Cannon, Meagan Good, Brandon T...
, where the guys were credited with additional production credits.
In 2005, the Bama Boyz produced the Destiny’s Child song “Home for the Holiday,” which became the centerpiece of Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
’s national Christmas campaign. “Home for the Holiday” was also included on Destiny’s Child’s album 8 Days of Christmas
8 Days of Christmas
8 Days of Christmas is a Christmas album by R&B girl group Destiny's Child, released by Columbia Records in October 2001 in the United States .-Background:...
. It was the success of this campaign that sparked the Bama Boyz interest in licensing and syncing music.
The Bama Boyz ended up negotiating and producing the music for two more Wal-Mart commercials. Now with an understanding and passion for music synchronization
Synchronization
Synchronization is timekeeping which requires the coordination of events to operate a system in unison. The familiar conductor of an orchestra serves to keep the orchestra in time....
, the Bama Boyz created music for film and television such as, "Bring It On: All or Nothing
Bring It On: All or Nothing
Bring It On: All or Nothing is the third installment in the Bring it On series of films that revolves around high school cheerleading. Directed by Steve Rash, the movie was released direct-to-DVD on August 8, 2006 by Universal Pictures....
," "the Pink Panther
The Pink Panther
The Pink Panther is a series of comedy films featuring the bungling French police detective Jacques Clouseau that began in 1963 with the release of the film of the same name. The role was originated by, and is most closely associated with, Peter Sellers...
(2006 film)", "Save the Last Dance 2
Save the Last Dance 2
Save the Last Dance 2 is a direct-to-video sequel to 2001's theatrical feature Save the Last Dance. It was released to DVD on October 10, 2006 by Paramount Home Entertainment and MTV...
", a Ford Fusion Commercial featuring Funkmaster Flex
Funkmaster Flex
Aston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
, MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
’s "Super Sweet 16 TV Series", "Last Holiday" (2006 film), Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
’s "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy" theme song featuring Beyonce, BET
Bet
Bet or BET may refer to:* A wager in gambling* Basic Economics Test * Bet , the second letter in many Semitic alphabets, including Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician and Syriac* Brunauer-Emmett-Teller isotherm. See BET_theory...
’s "One Night Only", House of Deréon
House of Deréon
House of Deréon is a ready-to-wear fashion line introduced by singer and actress Beyoncé Knowles and her mother/stylist Tina Knowles. The style and concept is inspired by three generations of women in their family, with the name "Deréon" paying tribute to Beyoncé's maternal grandmother, Agnèz Deréon...
Commercial, and the UK’s Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
hit reality show, "Chancers", where the Bama Boyz made their first television debut.
Not forgetting their first love of working with artists, the Bama Boyz returned to the studio with a different direction. They produced 8 songs for the platinum selling gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
group Trin-I-Tee 5:7
Trin-i-tee 5:7
Trin-I-Tee 5:7 is a gospel duo from New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. The group was marketed as a gospel alternative to R&B girl groups such as Destiny's Child and TLC. Trin-i-tee 5:7 has sold over 2.5 million albums....
’s "T57" album. Their work on T57 earned them a #2 spot on the Gospel Charts, a Grammy Nomination, and a Dove Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album.
The Bama Boyz also stepped outside the box of music synchronization by producing all the music for "Baby Jamz", a hip-hop/rhythm inspired toy line for preschoolers. The toy line also features a hip-hop inspired nursery rhyme CD, which includes their production. The Bama Boyz also produced the theme song for a series of books called Princess Inc.
The Bama Boyz produced two songs for Solange’s Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams album, including the controversial song “ChampagneChronicNightcap” feat. Lil Wayne and the '70's throwback "Valentine's Day". They also produced the “Ring the Alarm Bama Boyz Remix” and were responsible for getting Rick Ross and Mike Jones to feature on it.
On Beyonce’s 3rd solo LP, which is a double-disc titled I Am... Sasha Fierce, the Bama Boyz produced “Why Don’t You Love Me
Why Don't You Love Me (Beyoncé Knowles song)
"Why Don't You Love Me" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles taken from her third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce. It later released as a bonus track on a digital EP titled I Am... Sasha Fierce - The Bonus Tracks. Composed by Knowles, Angela Beyince, Solange Knowles and The Bama Boyz,...
,” which features their signature sound of combining both electronic dance music and urban music. "Why Don't You Love Me" shot to the number one position on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart becoming the Bama Boyz's first number-one hit and Knowles' twelfth number-one hit on that chart.
Currently
The Bama Boyz are currently in the studio developing new projects within the electronic music scene.Discography
2Much- "My Little Cheerleader"
"Baby Jamz Vol.1"
"Baby Jamz Vol.2"
Beyoncé
- "Me, Myself, and I (Bama Boys Throwback Remix)"
- "Me, Myself, and I (Bama Boys Sexxy Remix)"
- "Check On It (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Check On It (Reggaeton Remix feat. VoltioVoltioJulio Voltio is one of the reggaetón genre's best-known artists.His nickname came to be as the result of an accident. Before joining Karel, he worked as an electrician. One day, he stuck his hand in the wrong place and got shocked...
)" - "Check On It (After Dark Remix)"
- "Check On It (Pink Panther Mix)"
- "Check On It (Bama Boyz Creole Mix)"
- "Déjà Vu (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Ring the Alarm (Bama Boyz Remix feat. Rick RossRick Ross (rapper)William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
and Mike JonesMike Jones (rapper)Michael "Mike" Jones is an American southern rap artist, who initially was affiliated with the record label Swishahouse, then left to be the owner of Ice Age Entertainment....
)" - "Worldwide Woman (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Upgrade You (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Greenlight (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Naughty Girl (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Yes (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Hip Hop Star (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Baby Boy (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Irreplaceable (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Why Don't You Love Me"
"Chancers" (Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
Reality Show)
- "Chancer's Theme Music"
- "Mr. Undercover"
- "I Want It All"
- "L.O.V.E"
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
- "Home for the Holiday’s"
- "Loose My Breathe (Bama Boyz Remix)"
Ford Fusion TV Commercial
- "Club Scene feat. Funkmaster FlexFunkmaster FlexAston George Taylor, Jr. better known as Funkmaster Flex is an American hip hop DJ, rapper, musician and producer on New York City's Hot 97 radio station and host of the hit MTV show Funk Flex Full Throttle....
"
Katy Shotter (UK)
- "Complicated Woman"
Kelly Rowland
Kelly Rowland
Kelendria Trene "Kelly" Rowland is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer, and television personality. She rose to fame as one of the founding members of the American girl group Destiny's Child...
- "Like This (Bama Boyz Remix)"
Meet the Bamaz (mixtape)
- "Caught Up in Rock Roll"
- "Meet the Bamaz"
- "Smilin People"
- "Don't Take it Personal"
- "Close Your Legs"
- "Bamaz Discover Relationships (interlude)"
- "Can't Be Yo Everythang"
- "Home"
- "Who Country"
- "Bamaz Reality Check (interlude)"
- "Check Cash"
- "Play in Yo Hair"
- "Beat It Up"
- "Be Cool"
- "Ur The Only One"
- "A Moment"
- "How Long"
- "A Lie"
- "To the Future"
MTV's Super Sweet 16
- "That Motorbike"
- "We Shinin"
Mýa
Mya
-A person:* Bo Mya , Chief Commander of the Karen National Union* Mýa , American R&B singer-songwriter and actress** Mýa , a 1998 album by Mýa-A code:* Burmese language, ISO 639-3 code is mya* Moruya Airport's IATA code...
- "Dial My Number"
- "Manaholic"
- "70's Kinda Love"
Natalia (UK)
- "I Can't Sleep"
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
’s "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy"
- Theme Song feat Beyoncé
Princess Inc. (Book)
- Theme Song
Roll Bounce
Roll Bounce
Roll Bounce is a 2005 American comedy-drama film written by Norman Vance Jr. and directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film stars hip hop artist Bow Wow as the leader of a roller skating crew in 1970s Chicago. The film also stars Nick Cannon, Meagan Good, Brandon T...
(additional production credits)
- "Superman Lover"
- "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll"
- "Lovely Day"
- "He's the Greatest Dancer"
Save the Last Dance 2
Save the Last Dance 2
Save the Last Dance 2 is a direct-to-video sequel to 2001's theatrical feature Save the Last Dance. It was released to DVD on October 10, 2006 by Paramount Home Entertainment and MTV...
- "Battle Mix"
- "Symphony"
- "Make It Clap"
- "Rumble"
Socially Awkward E.P.
- "Dim Lights & Illusions (Once the Lights Come On)"
- "Her Inability to Focus"
- "Good-Time Theory"
- "A Tale of A Balling Gentleman"
- "Happi PhuckedUp Day"
Solange Knowles
Solange Knowles
Solange Piaget Knowles , who performs under the mononym Solange, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, model, dancer, and DJ. Knowles was born and raised in Houston, Texas along with her older sister singer Beyoncé, a former member of R&B group Destiny's Child...
- "Ain’t No Way (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Just Like You (Bama Boyz Remix)"
- "Bring It On Home"
- "ChampagneChronicNightcap feat. Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
" - "Valentine's Day"
- "Marsai Song" (unreleased)
- "Calendar" (unreleased)