Labels Underdog, J Record label J Records | Active from 2000 | |
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Occupation(s) Record producers and songwriters Years active 2000–2008, 2011–present Members Harvey Mason Jr., Damon Thomas Genres Contemporary R&B, Pop music, Dance-pop, Hip hop music Associated acts Tyrese Gibson, Rodney Jerkins, Babyface, James Fauntleroy, Tank Similar Kenzie, Rodney Jerkins, Babyface, DJ Hurricane, Fabolous | ||
The Underdogs is an American R&B/pop production duo composed of Harvey Mason, Jr. and Damon Thomas.
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Biography
Harvey Mason, Jr. is the son of Harvey Mason, Sr., a noted session drummer. Damon Thomas was a songwriting and production partner for R&B producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds during the late 1990s, and worked with Babyface on hits such as Dru Hill's "These are the Times" and Pink's "Most Girls". Harvey Mason Jr. was part of the Darkchild crew working alongside Rodney Jerkins before teaming up with Thomas.
Mason and Thomas began working together in 1999, with their first major production being Tyrese's single "I Like Them Girls". Since then, the duo has worked with a number of R&B performers, among them Lionel Richie, Omarion, J. Valentine, Justin Timberlake, Joe, Donell Jones, Olivia, Mario, JoJo, Mario Vasquez, Stacie Orrico, R. Kelly, Jessica Mauboy, Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Katharine McPhee and more.
Among their work has been the soundtrack for the long-planned film adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, featuring performances by Jennifer Hudson, Beyoncé Knowles, Anika Noni Rose, Eddie Murphy, Keith Robinson, and Jamie Foxx.
The Underdogs also produced the Aretha Franklin/Mary J. Blige collaboration "Never Gonna Break My Faith" for the Bobby soundtrack.
Damon Thomas was married to celebrity reality star Kim Kardashian from 2000 to 2003.
In 2011, The Underdogs reunited to produce "Up 2 You" for Chris Brown's album "F.A.M.E." and the song "Living Proof" with Mary J. Blige for motion picture "The Help". In 2012 The Underdogs wrote and produced the first single from Chris Brown's "Fortune" titled Turn Up the Music. Also in 2012, The Underdogs produced the soundtrack album for the films Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2. In 2014, the produced and arranged music for Get On Up (film) depicting the life of James Brown. In 2015 The Underdogs produced and arranged music for the motion picture biopic Straight Outta Compton.