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Christopher "Tricky" Stewart (born January 4, 1974) is an American songwriter, music producer, music publisher, executive producer, recording industry executive and recording studio owner. In a career spanning 16 years, Stewart, at the helm of his company RedZone Entertainment, is responsible for over 25 million records sold.^[1] He is noted for producing many hip hop, R&B and pop chart topping singles, such as Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”, Britney Spears's "Me Against the Music", Mýa’s “Case of the Ex”, Rihanna’s “Umbrella”, Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine”, Mariah Carey's "Touch My Body" and "Obsessed", Jesse McCartney’s “Leavin'”,^[2] Justin Bieber's "Baby", Ciara's "Ride" and many others. He is currently working on upcoming albums from Ciara, Jennifer Lopez, Pentatonix and Jessica Simpson, among others.

Childhood/early years[link]

Tricky Stewart, was born Christopher Alan Stewart in Markham, Illinois. Raised in a musical family, Stewart was playing guitar, playing keyboards and writing songs by the age of 12. Stewart's older brother, record producer Laney Stewart, introduced him to one of his first music business mentors, the late Louil Silas, Jr.. Silas fostered Tricky’s music career by giving him the opportunity to contribute to the projects of several major artists. Before graduating high school, Stewart had placements with artists such as Aaron Hall, rhythm and blues trio Immature, and Chanté Moore. Stewart credits his work with Chanté Moore with opening many doors for him in his burgeoning music career.^[3]

1994-2000[link]

In 1994, Stewart produced "Treat U Right" for Blackgirl. Around this time, Stewart met record producer and songwriter L.A. Reid, who offered him a deal to move his production company to Atlanta. In 1995, with the support of Reid, in partnership with his brother Laney Stewart, his brother Mark Stewart, and his sister-in-law Judi Stewart, Tricky established RedZone Entertainment and Triangle Sound studios in West Buckhead, Atlanta, GA.

Stewart's career and reputation continued to grow, achieving a major breakthrough in 1999 when he co-wrote the single "Who Dat" for JT Money. "Who Dat" was a #1 rap single, ASCAP's "Song Of The Year", and reached #5 on the Billboard pop chart.^[4] As a talent scout and manager, Stewart and RedZone helped grow the careers of such artists as Solé and Sam Salter.

In 2000 Tricky co-wrote and produced Interscope artist Mya's breakthrough "Case of the Ex", a song about a strong woman who won't tolerate her boyfriend going back to his ex-girlfriend. "Case of the Ex" hit number 2 on the Billboard "Hot 100" in December 2000, and stayed in the Top 10 for a full three months.^[5] Around this time, Stewart discovered and signed Blu Cantrell, and went on to executive produce her debut album "So Blu" on Arista Records. "So Blu" peaked at #8 on the U.S. Billboard 200 charts and spawned the #2 hit "Hit 'em Up Style (Oops!)".

2001-2005[link]

In 2002, Tricky produced and cowrote the single "Uh-Huh" on B2K's self titled album.^[6] The single, "Uh-Huh" was the number one selling Single in the U.S.. The video for the song went to number one on MTV's TRL, and won the Viewers Choice Award at the BET Awards.^[7] 2003 saw the release of Blu Cantrell's second album "Bittersweet", featuring a Tricky Stewart production; the single "Breathe".

One year later, Tricky produced the track Me Against The Music for Britney Spears's album In The Zone alongside with Penelope Magnet.

2006-present[link]

2007 was a breakthrough year for Stewart and RedZone Entertainment. Rihanna's single "Umbrella", co-written with The-Dream and Kuk Harrell, garnered two Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, and a Grammy for "Best Rap/Song Collaboration. Originally penned with Britney Spears in mind, then on hold for Mary J. Blige who was unable to approve it in time, Stewart initially had doubts about whether or not Rihanna was the right choice for the song. That was until he heard her on the record. In an interview with MTV, Stewart said

Released in late March, 2007, "Umbrella" topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart by May, rising 40 spots in one week to land and stay seven straight weeks at number one. The song also broke the iTunes music store's record for biggest debut ever. The success brought Rihanna to a new level of fame, co-writer "The-Dream" went on to debut his own hit record"Love Hate" (executive produced by Stewart), and Stewart finished out the year working with such notable artists as Janet Jackson, Celine Dion (Skies of L.A. off her new album "Taking Chances"), and Usher ("Moving Mountains" and "This Ain't Sex" of his new album Here I Stand).

Stewart was also nominated in 2007 for a Grammy for "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" on Mary J. Blige's "Just Fine"; that same year, Stewart also co-wrote and produced on the album Growing Pains, as well as the vocals were produced by his production and writing partner Kuk Harrell. This writing and production team, composed of Tricky, The-Dream, and Kuk Harrell, proved to be a winning combination.

Stewart executive produced The-Dream's debut album Love Hate, which included the hit single "Shawty Is a 10", peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Stewart also co-wrote and produced Dream's, "Falsetto" and "I Luv Your Girl".

The single "Touch My Body" off of Mariah Carey's album E=MC², produced by Stewart and Carey was described as "...a No. 1 just waiting to pounce the Billboard Hot 100" by Chuck Taylor of Billboard Magazine. On April 2, 2008 it was announced that "Touch My Body" became Carey's 18th #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, pushing her to second place among artists with the most #1 singles in the rock era and first place as a solo artist in the same category, surpassing Elvis Presley. The achievement was attributed to a record-breaking digital sales debut, as 286,000 copies were sold in its first week of availability.

During 2008 he produced the song "Single Ladies" for Beyoncé as well as the ballad "Smash Into You". The former would latter become a pop culture phenomenon due to its female empowering lyrics, catchy melody and much mocked^{[citation needed]} music video.

In 2007-2008 he produced a song for Jazmine Sullivan entitled A Life Without Love.

He produced a High Price featuring Ludacris for Ciara's 2009 album, Fantasy Ride. Tricky won his first Grammy for his work on Mary J. Blige's 2007 album Growing Pains 2009. He also worked with Japanese-American singer-songwriter Utada on her third English studio album This Is The One which he produced four songs from the record.

Tricky and The-Dream almost exclusively co-wrote (with Mariah) and produced the entirety of Mariah Carey's 2009 album, "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel".

Tricky and The-Dream just finished working on Ciara's fourth studio album titled "'Basic Instinct'". The two executive-produced the entire album, and its slated to be released on December 14, 2010. The lead single from the album titled "Ride", was produced by the duo, the single was released in April 2010 and went on to become Ciara's twelfth top ten hit on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.^[8]

Stewart contributed to the Christina Aguilera album Bionic, released in June 2010, and produced the score for her debut film, Burlesque, released in November 2010.

Stewart produced the Katy Perry second studio album, named Teenage Dream and will release in 2010 August.^[9] The second promotional single, "Circle the Drain", produced by Tricky was released on iTunes on August 10, 2010.

Stewart is confirmed to be taking part in Jennifer Lopez's eighth studio album "Love?" which is looking at a Summer 2010 releasing along side The-Dream and Tricky Stewart making it her debut release with Def Jam Records after completing her 10 year contract with Epic Records in February 2010.

Stewart and The Dream are again, teaming up to work on Kim Kardashian's debut single Jam (Turn It Up) and on Jessica Simpson's holiday album Happy Christmas and upcoming pop album.

Stewart and The Dream announced they are working on Estonian singer Kerli's second album. Her album is due to be released at the end of fall 2011.^[10]

Discography/credits[link]

Produced singles[link]