Killah B
American producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brian Vincent Bates, also known as Killah B, is an American songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for co-writing Billboard Hot 100 number one single "Texas Hold 'Em" from 2024 Beyoncé album Cowboy Carter, as well as the title track from Ariana Grande album Positions which also went #1.[1][2]
- Producer
- songwriter
- multi-instrumentalist
Brian Vincent Bates | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Other names | Killah B, Brian Bates, IllestProducer |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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Early life
Adopted by his grandparents at a young age alongside his brother, Bates was placed into drumming and piano lessons when his grandfather noticed musical talent in him.[3] From 6 until 14, he was classically-trained in piano and learned to play the drums. The family moved to New Mexico, where Bates began playing drums in a church with pastors who had also moved from Chicago, becoming their drummer when their previous drummer moved away.[3]
Career
Several years later Bates moved to Atlanta, where he began to write and produce for Elijah Blake, Tinashe, Keyshia Cole, and Usher, before being signed as a pop songwriter to APG helmed by Mike Caren after an impromptu meeting at a party.[3] He would later write for Ariana Grande and Beyoncé, earning two Billboard Hot 100 number one singles and 3 Grammy nominations.[3][4][5]
Songwriting and production credits
Credits are courtesy of Discogs, Tidal, Apple Music, and AllMusic.
| Title | Year | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Translation" | 2017 | Sevyn Streeter | Girl Disrupted |
| "Birthday" | 2018 | Usher | A |
| "Hopscotch" | 2019 | Tinashe | Songs for You |
| "Touch & Go" (Featuring 6lack) | |||
| "Know Better" | |||
| "Positions" | 2020 | Ariana Grande | Positions |
| "Circus" | 2021 | Summer Walker | Still Over It |
| "I Don't Wanna Be in Love" | Keyshia Cole | TBA | |
| "Talm'Bout" | 2022 | Chris Brown | Breezy |
| "Letters" | 2023 | Monica | TBA |
| "Nu King" | 2024 | Jason Derulo | Nu King |
| "Texas Hold 'Em" | Beyoncé | Cowboy Carter | |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ASCAP Country Music Awards | Most Performed Country Songs (Texas Hold 'Em) | Won | [6] |
| 2025 | 67th Annual Grammy Awards | Grammy Award for Record of the Year (Texas Hold 'Em) | Nominated | [5][7] |
| Grammy Award for Song of the Year (Texas Hold 'Em) | Nominated | [5][8] | ||
| Grammy Award for Best Country Song (Texas Hold 'Em) | Nominated | [5][8] | ||
| ASCAP Pop Music Awards | Most Performed Songs (Texas Hold 'Em) | Won | [9] | |
| ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards | Winning R&B/Hip-Hop & Rap Songs (Texas Hold 'Em) | Won | [10] | |
