Brian Vincent Bates, also known asKillah B, is an American songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for co-writingBillboard Hot 100 number one single "Texas Hold 'Em" from 2024Beyoncé albumCowboy Carter, as well as thetitle track fromAriana Grande albumPositions which also went #1.^[1][2]

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 toNew 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]

Several years later Bates moved to Atlanta, where he began to write and produce forElijah Blake,Tinashe,Keyshia Cole, andUsher, before being signed as a pop songwriter toAPG helmed byMike Caren after an impromptu meeting at a party.^[3] He would later write forAriana Grande andBeyoncé, earning twoBillboard Hot 100 number one singles and 3 Grammy nominations.^[3][4][5]

Credits are courtesy ofDiscogs,Tidal,Apple Music, andAllMusic.

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