Winston Thomas, better known by his stage name BlackOut or DJ BlackOut, founder & CEO of BlackOut Movement, is an American record producer, engineer and composer. Blackout is signed to Nicki Minaj's recording company Pink Friday Records. Blackout is also co-founder of the music tech startup company, RecordGram.
Life and career BlackOut was born "Winston Thomas" in Freeport, NY. His father is from Kingston, Jamaica, while his mother is from Mandeville, Jamaica. He got his start working high school parties and local clubs in the New York area. It was in the club that he got his first break and met Wyclef Jean. Blackout joined the Refugee Camp as a deejay for the artist, Reptile, and got his first taste of touring in the music industry. During his time with the Refugee Camp, Blackout began dabbling in production and made it his hobby. It wasn't long before he became a staple in the deejay industry and began playing gigs nationwide. He eventually became linked with Jada Kiss and toured with him for three years. While playing a gig in a South Beach club, D.J. Blackout slipped a CD of beats to hip hop artist, Ja Rule. This chance meeting would mark the beginning of Blackout's career as a music producer. One of BlackOut's beats was selected to be on Ja Rule's Blood In My Eye Album. Soon after, BlackOut started his own production company Blackout Movement. Full steam ahead, BlackOut and his new company catapulted to the top of the game 1 year later when the company produced the debut album from hip-hop artist Mims, including the widely popular single “This Is Why I'm Hot”. Blackout Movement has since worked with some of the leading artists in the industry. In 2012, Blackout signed to Nicki Minaj's, Pink Friday record label. BlackOut is also co-founder of RecordGram, a music tech startup. RecordGram is 1 of 7 music tech companies to be accepted into Project Music, the music tech accelerator program in Nashville.
Production style BlackOut produces various genres of music. Hip Hop, Pop, R&B, Reggae, and Dance Music. BlackOut states "being a DJ, I am exposed to a lot of music, all the time. That keeps me up to date" BlackOut chiefly produces with Akai MPC4000 and Pro Tools, and just recently been using Native Instruments' MASCHINE and LOGIC to create as he travels.
Production discography
Singles YearSingleU.S. Hot 100[ "Mims Mane Album & Song Chart History: Billboard Hot 100"]. Billboard.com. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2010-11-02.U.S. R&B[ "Mims Mane Album & Song Chart History: Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs"]. Billboard.com. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2010-11-02.U.S. Rap[ "Mims Mane Album & Song Chart History: Billboard Rap Songs"]. Billboard.com. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2010-11-02.U.S. Pop[ "Mims Mane Album & Song Chart History: Billboard Pop Songs"]. Billboard.com. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2010-11-02.Album2007"This Is Why I'm Hot"12111Music Is My Savior"Like This" (featuring Rasheeda)32541124
YearTitleArtistAlbum2004Niggas & BitchesJa RuleBlood In My Eye2005No DaddyTeairra MariTeairra MariCrunk MuzikJim Jones ft Camron & Juelz SantanaOn My Way To ChurchSpanish FlyJim Jones feat Chico De BargeOn My Way To ChurchLife As A RidahJim JonesOn My Way To ChurchBend n StretchJim JonesOn My Way To Church2006Leave You AloneCamronKilla SeasonThis Is Why Im HotMIMSM.I.M.S. (#1 Single)2007SupermanMIMSM.I.M.S. (ALBUM)Without YouMIMS feat LaToya LuckettLike ThisMIMSThey Don't Wanna PlayMIMS feat Bun BDon't CryMIMSCop ItMIMSI Did You WrongMIMSIts AlrightMIMSThis Is Why Im Hot (Reggae Version)MIMS ft Junior Reid & ChamThis Is Why Im Hot (Rock Version)MIMS feat Purple PopcornMicrosoft Zune Commercial2008CocaineUGKUnderground KingzShe Can Get ItDJ Laz feat Mims & ElijahCategory 6Ghetto SoldierKymani MarleyRADIOLike ThisMIMSNOW Compilation #252009NakedSeraniNo GamesBe With YouDance With MeAaron Carter feat Flo RidaDance With MeThere He GoFabolous feat Red Cafe Loso's WayOne DayMIMS feat Kymani MarleyGuiltLife Of A StarMIMS One Last KissMIMS feat Soler MeshHeal MeMIMS2010If It Was Up To MeBun B feat Junior ReidTrillPerfectJaickoJaickoIts My BirthdayUltimate feat CalibeUltimate DominationEncoreJason DeruloJason DeruloWhite GirlTrina feat Flo Rida & Git FreshAmazinBoom Shaka LakaBrianna feat Flo RidaGirl Talk 2011Dance With MeJustice Crew feat Flo RidaJustice Crew (Single)Blow Ya MindNicki MinajPink Friday2012Roman HolidayPink Friday: Roman ReloadedFML (Fuck My Life)Don Omar feat MIMSDon Omar (Single)2014AngelProstyle feat Nicki Minaj, JeremihProstyle (Single)2015BuildSean PaulSingle2015All InSean Paul ft MIMS, Amara La NegraSingle2016Put It OnShaggySingle2016Take You HomeDJ Shadow ft Sean Paul, BadshahSingle
Awards and nominations Year Organization Award Work Result2008 ASCAP AWARDS Ringtone Of The Year Producer (MIMS - This Is Why Im Hot) ASCAP AWARDS POP Music Award Producer (MIMS - This Is Why Im Hot) ASCAP AWARDS #1 Performed Song of 2007 Producer (MIMS - This Is Why Im Hot) 2012 54th Grammy Awards Best Rap Album Nicki Minaj (Production) 2012Latin Grammy AwardsBest Urban AlbumDon Omar presents MTO2Won
References
External links Official website