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Brian Soko | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1991 (age 33–34) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Anashe Media Group |
| Member of | The Order |
| Website | briansoko.com |
Brian Soko (born 1991) is aZimbabwean songwriter and record producer[1] who is based in the United States. He won three awards at the 2014 edition of the Broadcast Music Inc (BMI) R&B/Hip-Hop Awards for composingBeyoncé's song, "Drunk in Love", in 2014[2] and aGrammy Award for his production work on the same song.
Soko was born in 1991 in Zimbabwe in the small town ofChiredzi before moving with his parents to South Africa where they stayed for a short while. They moved toManchester, New Hampshire, in the United States, where he briefly played football before deciding to study sound engineering.[3] He has two brothers named Prince Soko and Arnold Soko.[4]
Soko started as a rapper and used to sell his beats online.[3] He switched to make beats for others while he was still in high school. During his first year at Tampa in Florida, he metDre Moon andRasool Diaz, who were also interested in music production. From then on, they focused on makingrhythm and blues andhip hop beats. Soko's first break with his friends, who became partners, was in 2012 after the release ofLil Wayne's"No Worries".[3]
Soko, together with his partners (The Order), composed and produced Beyonce's "Drunk in Love" in 2013. He also worked on the first compilation album of the group,Rich Gang and wrote and produced "100 Favors" which featuresKendrick Lamar, Birdman andDetail.[5] Soko's vocals were featured for the first time on a track titled "E.F.T." which stands for electronic funds transfer, released by a Pretoria-based rapperChad, formerly known as Chad Da Don.[6] He also worked with South African hip hop artists such asCassper Nyovest on his song, "Phumakim",K.O's "Mission Statement" and MaE. He has also worked withTinashe.[7]
In 2014, Soko launched a media management, marketing and production company, Anashe Media Group, focused on the African music sector with the help of his brothers, Arnold Soko who is a video director and Prince Soko.[8] Anashe Media Group has opened branches in Nigeria with the help of Oladipo Tandoh, Angola, Congo and South Africa. The group has produced videos for Suki Yaki.[4]
Soko has received twoBillboard Music Award nominations.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Drunk In Love | Top R'n'B/Hip-Hop Song | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | "Beyoncé'sDrunk In Love" | ||
| Best R'n'B Song | Won |
