Words by Fatima Barrie
Spotify’s inaugural Secret Genius Awards will be taking place on November 1, at the Vibiana Cathedral in Los Angeles. The Secret Genius Awards ceremony was created by Spotify to acknowledge the accomplishments of songwriters, coined Secret Geniuses, who, “contribute to the creative work behind some of the most streamed songs on Spotify.” The awards consist of 13 categories, including the Legendary Genius honor, which was announced back in June to recognize legendary and iconic record producer, Rick Rubin.
Rubin is credited as a musical pioneer and a cultural icon in hip-hop, who co-founded Def Jam Records in 1984 alongside media mogul Russell Simmons. Rubin has crafted the careers of several artists like Run DMC, Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, Jay-Z, Kanye West, the list goes on.
And beyond hip-hop, he’s also delved into genres like rock, pop, and country, producing projects for artists like Adele, Metallica, Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Dixie Chicks, and Mick Jagger. Rubin will be the first recipient of the Legendary Genius award, and it will be presented to him by singer-songwriter Frank Ocean.
Variety exclusively reported the thoughts of Troy Carter, Spotify’s global head of creator services, on the decision to honor Rubin, “There is likely no better person to help us tell the importance of Spotify’s Secret Genius Awards narrative better than Rick Rubin, a true legend to our industry.”
Check out the full list of the Secret Genius nominees down below.
Partial List of 2017 Secret Genius Nominees:
SECRET GENIUS OF THE YEAR: SONGWRITER
Ammar Malik | Songs: “Rockabye” – Clean Bandit (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie), “Don’t Wanna Know” – Maroon 5, “Symphony” – Clean Bandit (feat. Zara Larsson), “Shed A Light” (feat. Cheat Codes) – Robin Schulz, David Guetta
Brian Lee | Songs: “Let Me Love You” – DJ Snake (Justin Bieber), “It Ain’t Me” Kygo, Selena Gomez, “Work From Home” – Fifth Harmony (feat. Ty Dolla $)
J Kash | Songs: “We Don’t Talk Anymore” – Charlie Puth, “Don’t Wanna Know” – Maroon 5, “Swalla” (feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign) – Jason Derulo, “Cold” – Maroon 5 (feat. Future), “NO” – Meghan Trainor, “Shed A Light” (feat. Cheat Codes) – Robin Schulz, David Guetta, “Attention” – Charlie Puth, “Ain’t Your Mama” – Jennifer Lopez
Johnny McDaid | Songs: “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran, “Galway Girl” – Ed Sheeran
Scott Harris | Songs: “Don’t Let Me Down” – The Chainsmokers, Daya, “Treat You Better” – Shawn Mendes, “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” – Shawn Mendes
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SECRET GENIUS OF THE YEAR: PRODUCER
Benny Blanco | Songs: “Cold Water” – Major Lazer (feat. Justin Bieber, MO) , “Don’t Wanna Know” – Maroon 5, “Run Up” Major Lazer (feat. PartyNextDoor) – Major Lazer, “Castle on the Hill” – Ed Sheeran, “Issues” – Julie Michaels, “Love Yourself” – Justin Bieber, “Kill Em With Kindness” – Selena Gomez, “All In My Head (Flex)” – Fifth Harmony (feat. Fetty Wap), “Perfect“- Ed Sheeran, “LUV” – Tory Lanez
Max Martin | Songs: “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake, “Side To Side” – Ariana Grande, “Into You” – Ariana Grande, “Send My Love (To Your New Love)” – Adele, “Dangerous Woman” – Ariana Grande, “Chained To The Rhythm” – Katy Perry (feat. Skip Marley)
Nineteen85 | Songs: “One Dance” – Drake, WizKid & Kyla, “Too Good” – Drake (feat. Rihanna)
Noah Shebib | Songs: “One Dance” – – Drake, WizKid & Kyla, “Passionfruit” – Drake, “Pop Style” – Drake
Steve Mac | Songs: “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran, “Rockabye” – Clean Bandit (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie), “Symphony” – Clean Bandit (feat. Zara Larsson), “Alarm” – Anne-Marie
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SECRET GENIUS OF THE YEAR: FEMALE
Ali Tamposi | Songs: “It Ain’t Me” – Kygo, Selena Gomez, “Let Me Love You” – DJ Snake (Justin Bieber)
Emily Warren | Song: “Don’t Let Me Down” – The Chainsmokers (feat. Daya)
Erika Ender | Songs: “Despacito (Remix)” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber), “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee
Ilsey Juber | Songs: “Mercy” – Shawn Mendes, “In The Name of Love” – Martin Garixx, Bebe Rexha
Starrah | Songs: “Fake Love” – Drake, “Needed Me” – Rihanna
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SECRET GENIUS: POP
Doc McKinney | Songs: “Starboy” – The Weeknd (feat. Daft Punk), “I Feel It Coming” – The Weeknd (feat. Daft Punk)
Eskeerdo | Songs: “Work From Home” – Fifth Harmony (feat. Ty Dolla $), “I Would Like” – Zara Larsson
Frederic Kennett | Song: “Closer” – The Chainsmokers (feat. Halsey)
Greg Kurstin | Song: “Cheap Thrills” – Sia
Teddy Geiger | Song: “Treat You Better” – Shawn Mendes
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SECRET GENIUS: HIP HOP
Frank Dukes | Songs: “Fake Love” – Drake, “Congratulations” – Post Malone
Metro Boomin | Songs: “Mask Off” – Future, “Bad and Boujee” – Migos (feat. Lil Uzi Vert), “Congratulations” – Post Malone, “Low Life” – Future (feat. The Weeknd), “Bounce Back” – Big Sean
Mike WiLL Made-It | Songs: “Black Beatles” – Rae Sremmurd (feat. Gucci Mane), “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar
Starrah | Song: “Fake Love” – Drake
SupaDups | Songs: “Controlla” – Drake, “Too Good” – Drake (feat. Rihanna)
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SECRET GENIUS: R&B
Boi1da | Songs: “Work” – Rihanna (feat. Drake), “Sex With Me” – Rihanna
DJ Mustard | Songs: “Needed Me” – Rihanna, “Promise” – Kid Ink
John Ryan | Song: “Love Me Now” – John Legend
PARTYNEXTDOOR | Songs: “Work” – Rihanna (feat. Drake), “Sex With Me” – Rihanna
Prince Charlez | Song: “Needed Me” – Rihanna
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SECRET GENIUS: LATIN
Erika Ender | Songs: “Despacito (Remix)” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber), “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee
Rude Boyz | Songs: “Felices los 4” – Maluma, “Borro Cassette” – Maluma, “Chantaje” – Shakira
Servando Primera | Songs: “Felices los 4” – Maluma, “DUELE EL CORAZON” – Enrique Iglesias
Sky & Bull Nene | Songs: “Bobo” – J Balvin, “Otra Vez” (feat. J Balvin) – Zion Lennox, “Safari” – J Balvin
Torres & Rengifo | Songs: “Despacito (Remix)” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber), “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, “Traicionera” – Sebastian Yatra
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SECRET GENIUS: BREAKTHROUGH
Alex Beitzke: “Say You Won’t Let Go” – James Arthur
Asia Whiteacre: “Starving” – Hailee Steinfeld, Zedd, Grey
Fredrik Häggstam: “Paris” – The Chainsmokers
Menace: “Panda” – Desiigner
Shaun Frank: “Closer” – The Chainsmokers (feat. Halsey)
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SECRET GENIUS: MOTION PICTURE ADAPTATION
Alex Da Kid | Song: “Sucker For Pain” – X Ambassadors, Logic & Ty Dolla $ (Suicide Squad)
Max Martin, Shellback | Song: “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake (Trolls The Movie)
Max Martin, Shellback, Oscar Holter | Song: “Just Like Fire” – P!nk (Alice Through The Looking Glass)
Mike Elizondo | Song: “Heathens” – Twenty One Pilots (Suicide Squad)
Sam Dew, Jack Antonoff | Song: “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” – Zayn & Taylor Swift (Fifty Shades Darker)
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SECRET GENIUS: SOCIAL MESSAGE
Bryndon Cook, Dave Andrew Sitek, Patrick Wimberly | Song: “Don’t Touch My Hair” – Solange (feat. Sampha)
Ian Kirkpatrick, Ross Golan | Song: “Fresh Eyes” – Andy Grammer
Lori McKenna | Song: “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw
Phonix Beats | Song: “No Role Modelz” – J. Cole
