Richard Christopher Harrison (born 1979) is an American record producer and songwriter specializing in R&B and hip hop music. The winner of a Grammy Award, Harrison is well known for producing songs such as Jennifer Lopez's "Get Right" (2005), Amerie's "1 Thing" (2005), and Beyoncé and Jay-Z's "Crazy in Love" (2003). Harrison is the founder of Richcraft Entertainment, a label that housed artists such as singer Amerie, R&B girl group RichGirl, and rapper Young Steff.
Early life and education A classically trained pianist and trumpet player,"Artist Profile - Rich Harrison", EMIMusicPub.com. from an early age Harrison demonstrated the ability to play music he heard on the radio, later attending Howard University in Washington, D.C., majoring in history and hip-hop music.
Career Harrison's first big music deal came in 1999 when Harrison worked with Mary J. Blige on "Beautiful Ones" for her album Mary. In 2001, he created his own production company, Richcraft Inc., and immediately wrote and produced Amerie's debut album, All I Have. In 2004 he won a Grammy Award for Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love", and a nomination for his work on Usher's Confessions album.
Harrison was back in the spotlight early in 2005 to work with Amerie, and produced Amerie's "1 Thing", from her album Touch, known for its infectious breakbeats and Amerie's unconventional vocals. A similar beat was used by Harrison for Toni Braxton's "Take This Ring" from her 2005 album Libra both tracks include elements of go-go (mainly in the strong, funky drumming with added percussion). In 2005, The New York Times called him "one of R&B's most exciting producers."Sanneh, Kelefa (2005). "New R&B Sounds, Emanating From One Source", NYTimes.com.
Harrison is currently involved in projects with 50 Cent, Tweet, Missy Elliott, Eve, Brandy, Young Steff and Dawn Robinson. Harrison has worked with Janet Jackson, Usher, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Lopez, and is still assisting the South Korean pop singer Se7en with his first American album, assisted by his producer Lionell Davis.(2007). "Se7en Set to Make U.S. Debut", English.kbs.co.kr.
Harrison has been approached by many artists to assist with album productions, but it appears he is now focusing his time on his own artists, such as Young Steff and girl group RichGirl. There is a possibility that he may be appearing on Toni Braxton's forthcoming album.
Other works include tracks for Claudette Ortiz's solo album, 3LW's latest and as yet unreleased album and tracks that may appear on 50 Cent's next album.
Production discography 1999 Mary J. Blige – Mary 04. "Beautiful Ones"Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (April 1, 2002). "[ Mary - Mary J. Blige | AllMusic: Review]". Allmusic. Retrieved on April 18, 2011.
2001 Mary J. Blige – No More Drama 15. "In the Meantime", producer
2002 Amerie – All I Have, producer and songwriter 01. "Why Don't We Fall in Love" 02. "Talkin' to Me" 03. "Nothing Like Loving You" 04. "Can't Let Go" 05. "Need You Tonight" 06. "Got to Be There" 07. "I Just Died" 08. "Hatin' On You" 09. "Float" 10. "Show Me" 11. "All I Have" 12. "Outro" 13. "Just What I Needed to See" (Japanese bonus track) 14. "Why Don't We Fall in Love" (Remix) (featuring Ludacris) (Japanese bonus track) 15. "Why Don't We Fall in Love (Richcraft Remix)" (Japanese bonus track)
Kelly Rowland – Simply Deep 04. "Can't Nobody"
2003 Tha' Rayne – Reign Supreme 02. "Didn't You Know"
Beyoncé – Dangerously in Love 01. "Crazy in Love" (featuring Jay Z)
05. "Be with You"
2004 Usher – Confessions 11. "Take Your Hand"
Destiny's Child – Destiny Fulfilled 02. "Soldier" (featuring T.I. and Lil Wayne)
2005 Jennifer Lopez – Rebirth 01. "Get Right"
04. "Whatever You Wanna Do"
Christina Milian – Be Cool soundtrack 08. "Ain't No Reason"
Amerie – Touch 01. "1 Thing" 02. "All I Need" 05. "Like It Used to Be" 06. "Talkin' About" 07. "Come with Me" 08. "Rolling Down My Face" 13. "Why Don't We Fall in Love" (Richcraft Remix)
Missy Elliott – The Cookbook 10. "Can't Stop"
Pussycat Dolls – PCD 06. "I Don't Need a Man"
Toni Braxton – Libra 04. "Take This Ring"
2006 Christina Aguilera – Back to Basics 02. "Makes Me Wanna Pray" (featuring Steve Winwood)
Beyoncé – B'Day 03. "Suga Mama"
07. "Freakum Dress" 11. "Creole" (Japanese bonus track) 3LW - Point of No Return (unreleased) Do Ya & Up To You
Diddy – Press Play 18. "Making It Hard" (featuring Mary J. Blige)
Mos Def – Tru3 Magic 02. "Undeniable"
2007 Che'Nelle – Things Happen for a Reason 10. "Summer Jam"
2008 Jean Grae – Jeanius 15. "That's What's Up Now" (Bonus track)
2011 Marsha Ambrosius – Late Nights & Early Mornings 03. "Late Nights & Early Mornings"
Jennifer Hudson – I Remember Me 01. "No One Gonna Love You"
Eric Roberson – Mister Nice Guy 01. "Mister Nice Guy"
RichGirl – RichGirl "24's" "Itty Bitty" "He Ain't Wit Me Now (Tho)"
RichGirl – Fall in Love with RichGirl 02. "Smile & Wave" (featuring Chris Brown) 04. "Circles"
2016 Amerie - Drive 06. "Out Loud"
2020 Tiffany Haddish "Too Much" "Do Our Thing (featuring Snoop Dogg)"
2026 Kehlani - Kehlani "Anotha Luva (featuring Lil Wayne)" Unreleased 3LW "Do Ya" "Got Me On Lock" "Up 2 You"
Amerie "Love's Off the Chain"
Cynthia Lissette "Don't Wanna Go" "What U Say"
Gwen Stefani "Parental Advisory"
Janet Jackson "Clap Your Hands" "Pops Up" "Speed It Up (Put It On Me)" "What Can I Say"
Mary J. Blige "Outta My Head"
Natasha Ramos "Here I Am"
RichGirl "Pimp Cup" (featuring Snoop Dogg) "Foolish" "Treasures" "Blowin' Up Phones" "Millionaire"
Se7en "This is My Year" (featuring Fabolous)
Usher "Dat Girl Right There" (featuring Ludacris) "Ride" "Whatever I Want" (featuring Mike Jones) "I Did It" (featuring RichGirl)
Young Steff "Dat Gurl Right" "Don't Trip" "Feeling Myself" (featuring Brave) "Put That On Everything"
References
External links Rich Harrison at MySpace Richgirl at Myspace