Birth name Carlos McKinney Name Carlos McKinney Role Record producer | Instruments Piano Albums Joined At The Hip Years active 1995–present | |
Also known as Pryceless, Los da Mystro Born January 10, 1978 (age 46) Detroit, Michigan, United States ( 1978-01-10 ) Occupation(s) Producer, songwriter, musician Associated acts The-Dream, Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, Trey Songz, Usher, Babyface, Mariah Carey, J. Holiday, Helly Luv Similar People Tricky Stewart, The‑Dream, Buster Williams, Daz Dillinger, Steve Wilson | ||
Carlos McKinney (born January 10, 1978) is a Grammy Award winning American record producer and jazz pianist.
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Biography
McKinney was born into an eminent Detroit jazz family; he is a nephew to pianist Harold McKinney, bassist Ray McKinney, trombonist Bernard McKinney (Kiane Zawadi), and drummers Earl McKinney and Walter Harris. He is a cousin to drummer Ali Jackson and trumpeter Khalil Jackson. His mother, Carolyn McKinney, is a singer, and sister Shani McKinney is a pianist. His younger sister Thema "Tayma Loren" McKinney is an aspiring solo vocalist. Carlos began studying piano at age four with uncle Harold; his first professional appearances were with the R&B group Identity Band when he was 12. He studied classical music at the Center for Creative Studies from 1983 to 1991. He also studied harp under Patricia Terry-Ross, of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. After studying with Harold and Ray McKinney and Marcus Belgrave, he played with the Legacy Quintet (1989–93) and then attended The New School in New York City (1991–95). He played with Winard Harper (1992–93), Antonio Hart (1992–95), Buster Williams (1993), Wallace Roney (1994–96), Sonny Rollins, Elvin Jones, Steve Turre, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Kenny Garrett and Charnett Moffett. He has played jazz festivals in Europe (from 1992), Senegal (1994), Iceland (1995), and Turkey (1997). His first disc as a bandleader was 2000's Up-Front, on Sirocco Jazz.
McKinney has also worked as an arranger and producer. He was assistant composer to James Mtume for the TV show New York Undercover from 1995. He then received a contract from Def Jam, where he worked with musicians such as NIKKO, Case, Keithian, Ciara, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Montell Jordan, Kandace Love, Babyface, and Redman. He has also produced for artists such as The-Dream, J. Holiday, Bobby Valentino, and Jamie Foxx, among others. He produced the hits Shawty Is Da Shit by The-Dream, Bed by J. Holiday and I Invented Sex by Trey Songz featuring Drake in 2009. He won a Grammy Award for his credits and production on the Rihanna Unapologetic album in 2013.
As sideman
with Elvin Jones
with Buster Williams
2007
J. Holiday – Back of My Lac'
Chris Brown – Exclusive
The-Dream – Love Hate
2008
Rantz – "Different Positions"
Unknown – "Red Light"
JC – "Breath"
O'Keith Stewart – "Ooow Girl"
Karina Pasian – First Love
Sean Garrett – Turbo 919
Midwest City – "Show Me Something"
Mayrina Chebel – "Tant D'amour A Donner"
Usher – Here I Stand "Trading Places"
2009
Ne-Yo – Unreleased
Bobby Valentino – The Rebirth
Electrik Red – How to Be a Lady: Volume 1
Jamie Foxx – Intuition
Chrishan
The-Dream – Love vs. Money
Mariah Carey – Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
Trey Songz – Ready
Mario – D.N.A.
R. Kelly – Untitled
R. Kelly – Unreleased from Untitled
2010
Jazmine Sullivan – "Don't Make Me Wait"
Kelly Rowland – "Geronimo"
R. Kelly – "Speakin' My Language"
Monica – Still Standing
The-Dream – Love King
The-Dream – Unreleased from Love King
Fantasia Barrino – Back To Me
2011
Beyoncé – "Schoolin' Life"
2012
Melanie Fiona – The MF Life
Rihanna – Unapologetic
2013
The-Dream – IV Play
Kelly Rowland – Talk a Good Game