LOS ANGELES (Great Scoptt Productions) - Even though you wouldn't know it by looking at the list of Grammy nominees, record producer-songwriter Damon Elliott's Confidential Records label earned two nominations for R&B-hip hop artist Keyshia Cole's platinum sophomore album, Just Like You. Elliott discovered Cole in 2002, helped develop her, inked her to his imprint and landed major label distribution for her debut album, The Way It Is, on which he co-wrote and co-produced three songs. But even before the album was released, Elliott's vital role and significant contributions to her discovery and development were ignored and virtually erased, suffocated by major label corporate politics and a misinformed artist in a story all too familiar in the entertainment industry.
Little remains other than the Confidential Records stamp on the back of Cole's albums.
Actress Meagan Good called Elliott from the set of the film Biker Boyz to tell him she had someone he had to hear sing. At the time, Elliott was at work on Malibu's Most Wanted, which he composed the film score for with John Debney. Elliott got to the set in the wee hours of the night and Cole sang for him. He was immediately taken by her raw talent and felt the genuine pain and passion in her voice. A few days later, she came to his Burbank studio to start recording. The next day, Elliott introduced Cole to writer-producer Greg Curtis and they recorded "Love," which became Cole's breakthrough signature song from her first album. Elliott was working on one of Mya's albums at the time and was generating a lot of media attention for his work with Destiny's Child, Pink and Jessica Simpson. He used the spotlight to introduce Cole to the media and the public by having her join him during some of his print and television interviews. One day prior to starting a recording session for Mya, Elliott played "Love" for a label executive. Even before the song ended, the executive asked Elliott to schedule a meeting right away with the label chairman. Cole's deal was secured at the meeting at the chairman's house, which took place less than two weeks after she met Elliott.
The Way It Is (2005) sold over a million copies and established Cole as an edgy new urban voice from the streets. But some of Elliott's production and songwriting credits on the album were removed or reduced to "D. Elliott" whereas his co-producers and co-writers received first and last name credits. Cole never mentions Elliott in interviews nor is he mentioned in the artist's biography prepared and distributed by the major record label. Essentially Elliott had his well-earned credit for discovering and developing a two-time platinum-selling recording artist stripped. After keeping silent for years hoping this wrong would be righted, he decided it was time to disclose the injustice when the Confidential Records name was left off the list of Grammy nominations in conjunction with Cole.
"I still stand behind Keyshia 100%, but I've always wanted the opportunity to make the truth known." said Elliott, who learned to have tough skin and remain upbeat despite trying circumstances while growing up in the industry as the son of legendary vocalist Dionne Warwick and late actor Bill Elliott (SWAT). "I knew in time people would learn the truth. Those who were there and know what I did (for Keyshia) call me all the time to congratulate me on her successes. They know she's my artist and I'm proud that she was the first one signed to my label. But I'm also excited about the many new projects I'm working on in music, movies and fashion."
Amongst the various projects Elliott is currently focusing his boundless energy on are a solo record from Spice Girl Mel B., executive producing Warwick's gospel album for Warner Brother Records along with Bebe Winans and Edgar Bronfman Jr. (May release), collaborating on new songs with Pink for her next album, and a new artist signed to Confidential Records, Hopsin (May/June release).
"Hopsin is going to mess people up. This kid writes and produces his own rap tracks in his little home studio in the hood using pots and pans from his kitchen as instruments. He's completely innovative and gritty, kind of like a black Marilyn Manson meets Eminem. His record will be distributed by Ruthless Records," explained Elliott.
Another record Elliott is working on is a disc by Chinese actress Bai Ling. "Bai has always been totally outrageous and adventurous in everything she does. The music sounds like a cross between Bjork and Fergie." Ling and Elliott are partners in White Spirit Productions, which is developing music and movie projects, including a reality show entitled Eye Bai. They are also collaborating on a clothing line and a fragrance collection.
Another project that Elliott just came aboard to compose the film score for is a documentary feature about the Negro Baseball League that includes Lou Gossett Jr. as one of the producers. The film is entitled The Untold Truth. When asked about how the film title relates to the Cole situation, Elliott smiled slyly and responded, "Pretty ironic, isn't it?"
