Birth name Emile Ghantous Role Record producer Name Emile Ghantous | Years active 2002-present Instruments programmer Labels Cartoons | |
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Occupation(s) music producer, songwriter, arranger, vocal producer, A&R Genres Pop music, Rock music, Contemporary R&B, Soul music, Alternative dance, Hip hop music Similar People JLS, Nasri, Charlie Wilson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Frankie J | ||
Emile Ghantous (born Peoria, IL) is a Los Angeles-based Grammy nominated songwriter and record producer. He moved to Chicago in 2000 to study music production and business at Columbia College. While studying at Columbia College, he got his big break by working with local Chicago legends Public Announcement (of R. Kelly fame), Sparkle, and Do or Die.
In 2005, Ghantous created the songwriting/production duo The Insomniax along with partner Erik Nelson. The Insomniax quickly began working with major recording artists Boyz II Men (MSM Records), JoJo (Blackground/Universal), 3LW (So So Def/Jive), Bobby V (formerly Bobby Valentino) (Disturbing The Peace/Def Jam), Jon B (Yab Yum/Epic), B5 (Bad Boy Records), Fat Joe (Atlantic Records), R. Kelly (Jive Records), Ralph Tresvant (of New Edition), 2XL (Tommy Boy Records), Karina Pasian (Def Jam Records), Lemarvin (Motown Records), I-15 (Interscope Records), Na'Shay, Nephu, Aksent (Capitol Records), AI (Def Jam Japan), Lil Romeo (No Limit Records), and many others.
In 2009, with a production schedule in high gear, Ghantous relocated to Los Angeles, CA where he worked on international releases for German artist Fabian Buch and Japanese recording artist Che'Nelle (EMI Japan Records).
In 2010, Ghantous worked with R&B legend Charlie Wilson, of the Gap Band. He wrote and produced "Never Got Enough" and "Throw It Away" from the album Just Charlie on RCA Records.
From 2011- 2012, Ghantous co-wrote and co-produced the #1 hit for JLS "Take A Chance On Me" on Sony Records UK. He also worked with Jason Derulo, Kristinia DeBarge, Frankie J, Prince Royce, X Factor group Lakoda Rayne, and many others.
During 2013, Ghantous worked with Pitbull and Chris Brown on the song "Hope We Meet Again" from the 'Global Warming' album on RCA Records, as well as Charlie Wilson's newest album release Love, Charlie on RCA Records. Wilson recently received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award. Ghantous also worked with international recording artist Inna on her latest album Party Never Ends and was Grammy nominated for his work on Frankie J's "Faith, Hope y Amor" album.
In 2014, Ghantous teamed up with songwriters/producers Steve Daly and Keith Hetrick and formed a new production company called The Cartoons. The Cartoons spent the year working on projects which included Charlie Wilson, Boyz II Men, Cher Lloyd, Christina Aguilera, Snoop Dogg, Taio Cruz, Shaggy, Johnny Gill, IM5, Jolin Tsai, and Benj.
2015 was a busy year as well for Ghantous. He was Grammy nominated for "Best R&B Album" and received an NAACAP nomination for "Best R&B Album" and "Song of the year" for the Top 5 Urban AC hit song "Goodnight Kisses" for Charlie Wilson. He also worked with Latin sensation Paulina Rubio, Aston Merrygold of JLS, Sophia Grace, the Queen of C-Pop Jolin Tsai, Fifth Harmony, Korean K-Pop girl group Playback (South Korean band) and boyband New District.
In 2016, Ghantous began working as an A&R Consultant for several Korean K-Pop labels and landed a #1 hit with I.O.I called "Whatta Man". He also worked closely with Randy Jackson of American Idol fame with the boyband New District. Other projects included Carah Faye Charnow of Shiny Toy Guns, Emmalyn Estrada of G.R.L., R&B sensation Mario Dewar Barrett, Interscope Records recording artist Jaira Burns and The Jacksons. Ghantous ended the year with the Charlie Wilson and T.I. hit single "I'm Blessed".