On Saturday, February 13th Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) presented, “How I Wrote That Song” sponsored by DTS at The Roxy in West Hollywood. The annual event featured esteemed panelists across multiple genres including GRAMMY-winning songwriter Liz Rose (Taylor Swift, Little Big Town, Hunter Hayes), GRAMMY-winning songwriter and producer and star of VH1’s Love & Hip Hop Atlanta Stevie J. (P. Diddy, Notorious B.I.G, Mariah Carey), GRAMMY-winning super-producer Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis (The Fugees, Michael Jackson, Shakira, Carlos Santana) and hitmaker Bilal “The Chef” Hajji (Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, One Direction).
Moderated by BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, the event kicked off with Los Angeles-based DJ Carisma of Real 92.3 FM spinning the chart-topping singles of each panelist. The illustrious group then followed up by sharing the stories behind each song and the creative process of writing, producing and performing those hits. Bilal “The Chef” Hajji spoke on his work with Jennifer Lopez for “On the Floor,” “Fire Burning” performed by Sean Kingston and his collaborations with Nicki Minaj. Stevie J reminisced about working with Puff Daddy and Faith Evans on “I’ll Be Missing You,” Mariah Carey for “Honey” and “Let Me Blow Your Mind” performed by Eve featuring Gwen Stefani. Liz Rose engaged the audience with stories behind her work with Taylor Swift on “You Belong To Me” and “Teardrops on My Guitar” and writing the smash “Girl Crush” for Little Big Town. Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis talked about his work with Shakira on “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Ghetto Superstar” performed by former Fugees member, Pras and his work on the Fugees platinum-selling sophomore album The Score.
Fans were also treated to special performances by Mali Music, who sang his hit “Beautiful” and Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis sat in with The Product G&B as they performed the mega-hit “Maria Maria” which they made famous with Carlos Santana.
BMI’s “How I Wrote That Song” celebrates GRAMMY winners and nominees, and serves as a platform for panelists to discuss the process of writing, producing and performing hit songs. Previous panelists have included Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Nas, will.i.am, RedOne, Zac Brown, Cee Lo Green, B.o.B, Kara DioGuardi, Seal, Luke Laird, Claude Kelly, John Legend, Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Wilson, Alex Da Kid, Dallas Davidson, Common, Colbie Caillat, Linda Perry, Salaam Remi, Rev Run, RZA, The Madden Brothers and more.
