Amaire Johnson is an American producer, songwriter, music director, and multi-instrumentalist who primarily collaborates with rapper Big Sean, and is best known for co-writing and producing Big Sean singles "Moves", "Single Again", "Bounce Back", and "One Man Can Change the World". Johnson has contributed to the following Big Sean projects in various capacities: Dark Sky Paradise (2015), Twenty88 (2016), I Decided (2017), Detroit (2019), Detroit II (2020), and Better Me Than You (2024). Johnson has also contributed to projects from Schoolboy Q, Isaiah Rashad, Nipsey Hussle, and Jhené Aiko, among others. In December 2024, XXL recognized his contribution to Ab-soul's studio album Soul Burger (album cut "Peace") as the "best produced track" on the project.
Influenced by "Motown, early hip-hop, and neo-soul", Johnson is signed to Don Life, Big Sean's production company. Johnson also acted as music director and/or performed keyboards alongside Ab-soul and Big Sean during their respective NPR Tiny Desk performances.
Early career Johnson started playing keyboards in church at 15 years old, and moved to Los Angeles in 2012 to attend the Musicians Institute. Upon graduation, he became a musician on the Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson-helmed 12th Annual Honda Civic Tour. He next joined Big Sean's touring band as a keyboardist.
Selected songwriting and production credits Title Year Artist Album"One Man Can Change the World" (featuring Kanye West & John Legend)2015Big SeanDark Sky Paradise"On the Way"2016Twenty88Twenty88"Memories Faded""Won’t Be the Same" (featuring Ayo the Producer)Westside BoogieThirst 48, Pt. II"Sunroof" (featuring Dana Williams)"Moments" (featuring Big Sean)2017Jhené AikoTrip"OLLA (Only Lovers Left Alive)" (featuring Twenty88)"You Are Here""Never Call Me" (featuring Kurupt)"Overstimulated""Bad Trip (Interlude)""Oblivion (Creation)" (featuring Dr. Chill)"Psilocybin (Love in Full Effect)" (featuring Dr. Chill)"Intro"Big SeanI Decided"Light" (featuring Jeremih)"Bounce Back""Moves""Same Time Pt. 1" (featuring Twenty88)"Owe Me""Halfway Off the Balcony""Voices in My Head / Stick to the Plan""Sunday Morning Jetpack" (featuring The-Dream)"Inspire Me""Bigger Than Me" (featuring Flint Chozen Choir & Starrah)"Victory Lap" (featuring Stacy Barthe)2018Nipsey HussleVictory Lap"Million While You Young" (featuring The-Dream)"The Recipe"2019SiRChasing Summer"More Thoughts (2019)"Big SeanDetroit (Streaming Edition)"Harder than My Demons"2020Detroit 2"Everything That's Missing" (featuring Dwele)"Don Life" (featuring Lil Wayne)"Single Again""Wat U Sed" (featuring Doechii and Kal Banx)2021Isaiah RashadThe House Is Burning"Bomb" (featuring Kari Faux)2022Black PartyHummingbird"On Up"2024Big SeanBetter Me Than You"Boundaries""Pop" (featuring Rico Nasty)Schoolboy QBlue Lips"Pig Feet" (featuring Childish Major)"Love Birds" (featuring Devin Malik & Lance Skiiiwalker)"Peace" (featuring Lupe Fiasco & Punch)Ab-SoulSoul Burger"Overqualified"2025Durand BernarrBloom"Do I Look High?" (with Julian Sintonia)2026Isaiah RashadIt's Been Awful"Ceiling (Freestyle)"Jhené AikoWestside Whimsy
Awards and nominations Year Ceremony Award ResultRef 2018 ASCAP Pop Music Awards Most Performed Pop Songs ("Bounce Back") 2026 68th Annual Grammy Awards Best R&B Song ("Overqualified")
References