The Clutch

The Clutch Talks Songwriting at Emory University

2008-04-10T18:01:00-05:00

Songwriting/production team The Clutch participated in BMI’s “The Art of Songwriting” panel, held April 2 at Emory University in Atlanta. Members Keri Hilson (Britney Spear’s “Gimme More”), Ezekiel Lewis ( Omarion’s “Ice Box”), j.Que ( Usher’s “Yeah!”), Candice Nelson (Mary J. Blige’s “Take Me As I Am”) and Balewa Muhammad (Ciara’s “Like A Boy”) discussed the strategies and creative force behind successful songwriting. Catherine Brewton, BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, moderated the discussion. Directly preceding the panel, Byron Wright, BMI Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, presented BMI 101, a brief introduction to BMI’s core goals, its role in the music industry and how to join the organization.

Keri Hilson; Balewa Muhammad; Candice Nelson; BMI Associate Director Writer/Publisher Relations Byron Wright, BMI Vice President Writer/Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton; j.Que; Ezekiel Lewis.

Candice Nelson, Ezekiel Lewis, j.Que, Keri Hilson, Balewa Muhammad.

BMI Presents . . .The Art of Songwriting: Atlanta

2008-04-02T19:50:01-05:00

BMI Presents. . .The Art of Songwriting featuring The Clutch. This event will take place from 3:00-5:00pm at Emory University.

Admission is free.

Space is limited. Please RSVP evangraafeiland@bmi.com by Friday, March 28th.

BMI Toasts Esteemed Publisher Ethiopia Habtemariam

2007-11-21T13:26:00-05:00

On Thursday, November 8, BMI and The Inner Circle hosted a private cocktail mixer saluting Ethiopia Habtemariam, the Vice President of Urban for Universal Music Publishing. Many of the Atlanta music community's stars came out to shine, honoring Ethiopia's outstanding leadership, dedication and numerous contributions to the music industry.

The event took place at downtown Atlanta hipster restaurant Thrive. Many of Ethiopia's writers numbered among the VIPs who mingled, including hit makers The Clutch, Jasper, Big Reese, R&B singer Lloyd, Ike Dirty, Chris Hicks and many more.

The Clutch

2007-08-02T11:00:01-05:00

Songwriting/production teams that become household names are far and few between: For every Neptunes or The Matrix there are dozens of monikers buried somewhere in an album’s credits, never to be heard from again.

But it seems more than likely that we’ll soon be adding Atlanta-based outfit The Clutch to that roster. Name-checked by Ciara in her hit “Like a Boy,” the five-member team — Candice Nelson, Keri Hilson, j.Que, Ezekiel Lewis, and Balewa Muhammad — has also collaborated on such well-received tunes as Mary J. Blige’s “Take Me As I Am,” Omarion’s “Ice Box” and Bobby Valentino’s “Anonymous.”

Those projects stand proudly alongside the individual members’ ever-growing client list, which includes Usher and Fantasia (j.Que), Beyoncé and Alicia Keys (Nelson), Christina Aguilera (Muhammad), Ludacris and the Pussycat Dolls (Hilson) and Pink and Luther Vandross (Lewis).

Such a wide range of genres requires that songwriting inspiration come in a variety of ways, according to Nelson, who also maintains a singing career. “Sometimes I’m inspired by something I saw or heard, and other times I try and think of things an artist might want to say prior to going in to lay down ideas. I’m inspired by people. Knowing where they’ve been, how they got where they are, where they would like to be.”

She deflects questions on how the five came together — The Clutch’s origins are, to say the least, somewhat mysterious at this point — but declares, “I can say that this is the best group of people I’ve had the opportunity to work with. I mean, I’ve met some amazing individuals, but the collective of The Clutch? Out of this world. Really, truly beautiful, talented people. I’m so glad we met.”

The Clutch’s future projects include Usher, Jennifer Hudson, the reconstituted Menudo and Hilson’s own album. Those undertakings, Nelson says, “should be a pleasant surprise for the world. Well, at least those who know and care about what we bring to entertainment. I’ll say I anticipate an increase in the number of Clutch fans out there.”

She adds, with a smile, “Any day now.”