Brian Kennedy
Quick Facts
Biography
Brian Kennedy Seals (born August 8, 1983) is an American songwriter, record producer, composer and musician from Kansas City, Missouri. In 2006 he was credited with production on Ciara's album Ciara: The Evolution. Some well known artists he has worked with includeRihanna, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Brown, Rascal Flatts, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Gaga, CeeLo Green, Backstreet Boys, Jamie Foxx, Nelly, and Natasha Bedingfield. Kennedy has also collaborated with major songwriters including David Foster, James Fauntleroy and Diane Warren.
Kennedy is best known for his work on "Disturbia", recorded by Rihanna for her "Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded" album and "Forever", the second song released by Chris Brown from his "Exclusive: The Forever Edition" album. He earned a Grammy Award in 2009 for his contribution to Jennifer Hudson's self-titled debut album, which took home honors as Best R&B Album. The song "If This Isn't Love" garnered an ASCAP win for him as well.
He is a graduate of Paseo Academy of Performing Arts and an alumnus of the Kansas City Boys Choir in Kansas City. He now resides in Southern California.
Early life
Brian Kennedy was born in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. He is the fourth of five children to Charles and Beverly Seals (née Davis). At an early age, he developed an appreciation for the piano. He began taking formal classical piano lessons at age six.
Kennedy attended the Paseo Academy school of performing arts with a major in music from 1998–2002.
Production and songwriter credits
2006
- Ciara – Ciara: The Evolution
- 08. "My Love"
- 11. "How We Do It"
2008
- Brandy – Human
- 15. "Fall"
- 17. "Locket (Locked in Love)" [bonus track]
- Chris Brown – Exclusive: The Forever Edition
- 17. "Forever"
- Noel Gourdin – After My Time
- 08. "I Fell"
- Jennifer Hudson – Jennifer Hudson
- 02. "If This Isn't Love"
- 06. "My Heart"
- 07. "You Pulled Me Through"
- Jesse McCartney – Departure
- 02. "It's Over"
- 10. "Runnin'"
- 14. "Crash & Burn"
- New Kids on the Block – The Block
- 11. "Lights, Camera, Action"
- Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded
- 13. "Disturbia"
2009
- Corbin Bleu – Speed of Light
- 01. "Speed of Light"
- 02. "Paralyzed"
- 04. "Fear of Flying"
- 06. "Rock 2 It"
- 09. "My Everything"
- BoA – BoA
- 06. "Obsessed"
- BoA – BoA: DELUXE
- 02. "Control"
- Backstreet Boys – This Is Us
- 08. "Masquerade"
- Chris Brown – Graffiti
- 09. "Pass Out" (featuring Eva Simons)
- 13. "I'll Go"
- 01. "D.E.T.O.X"
- Marié Digby – Breathing Underwater
- 02. "Avalanche"
- 03. "Breathing Underwater"
- 04. "Should've Been Simple"
- 07. "Come Find Me"
- 09. "Machine"
- 10. "Overboard"
- 12. "Come to Life"
- Kid Sister – Ultraviolet
- 07. "Daydreaming" (featuring Cee-Lo)
- Rihanna –Rated R
- 07. "Fire Bomb"
- 13. "The Last Song"
- Westlife – Where We Are
- 07. "The Difference"
- Alexandra Burke – Overcome
- 12. "They Don't Know"
2010
- Jessica Mauboy – Get 'Em Girls
- 5. "Saturday Night"
Charice – Charice
- 4. "Nobody's Singin' to Me"
2011
- Chris Brown – F.A.M.E.
- 12. "Should've Kissed You"
- Joe Jonas – Fastlife
- 03. "See No More"
- "This Time"
- Kelly Clarkson – Stronger
- "Mr. Know It All"
2012
- Jeffree Star – Virginity
- 03. "Best. Night. Ever."
- Chris Brown – Fortune
- 10. "Stuck on Stupid"
- 12. "Party Hard / Cardillac (Interlude) (feat. Sevyn)"
- 13. "Don't Wake Me Up"
- Rihanna – Unapologetic
- 12. "Get It Over With"
2014
Teyana Taylor – VII
- 11. "Business"
2015
CeeLo Green – Heart Blanche
- 13. "Smells Like Fire"
The Internet – Ego Death
- 10. "Partners In Crime Part Three"
Britney Spears – Glory
- "Dem Chicks Be Like" (Unreleased)
2016
Rihanna – Anti
- 13. "Close To You"
Fantasia – No Time For It
2017
CID
- "Believer" (featuring CeeLo Green)
2018
Seeb - Nice To Meet You
- 3. "Nice To Meet You" (featuring Goodito Frito)
Daughtry - Cage to Rattle
- 8. "Gravity"
Exo - Don't Mess Up My Tempo
- 9. "Smile On My Face"
Grammy Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Jennifer Hudson - Jennifer Hudson | Best R&B Album | Won |
2009 | Rihanna - Disturbia | Best Dance Recording | Nominated |
2011 | Chris Brown - F.A.M.E | Best R&B Album | Won |
2012 | Rihanna - Unapologetic | Best Urban Contemporary Album | Won |
2012 | Kelly Clarkson - Stronger | Best Pop Vocal Album | Won |
Ascap Awards
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Rihanna - Disturbia | Among the most performed songs of 2008 | Won |
2009 | Chris Brown - Forever | Among the most performed songs of 2008 | Won |
2010 | Jennifer Hudson - If This Isn't Love | Among the songs that reached the top of the R&B and Hip Hop Charts in 2009 | Won |
2013 | Chris Brown - Don't Wake Me Up | Among the most performed songs of 2012 | Won |
2013 | Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know It All | Among the most performed songs of 2012 | Won |