Producer Killah B Talks Making History With Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em”
Brian “Killah B” Bates the Music producer had made a name for himself in the music industry, specifically the single “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which he had worked with Beyonce, that marked his historic foray into the country music scene. This achievement, Bates says, is just the beginning.
The three-time Grammy-nominated producer has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Usher, Ariana Grande, Chris Brown, Summer Walker, Jason Derulo and more. However, it wasn’t until he co-wrote and produced “Texas Hold ‘Em” Beyoncé’s hit single that he made his first country song, one that would go on to break many music records.
“I feel amazing. I feel like I could take over the world,” Bates shared. “That’s the kind of energy that we young Black creators need. I’m so honoured to have left my mark on our history. And with that comes a responsibility that I intend to fulfil.”
Beyoncé Made History With ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’
This year, Beyoncé made history who topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with her song “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 1. becoming the first Black woman And Killah B became the first Black producer, along with Raphael Saadiq, to top the country chart with the hit. Also read – Netflix Acquires Thai Hit Film ‘How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies’
In February, Beyoncé shook up the music world by releasing two singles, “16 Carriages” and “Texas Hold ‘Em,” and announcing a country album during a Super Bowl ad. Within a week, “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 54 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, and Beyoncé’s songs quickly became the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, topping charts and playlists on Apple Music and Spotify.
Killah B credits his grandfather
The Chicago-born songwriter and producer credits his grandfather for his success. Killah B said, “He (my grandfather) had a family and couldn’t focus on his music career. So he saw that I had musical abilities and he invested in me and poured himself into me.”
Killah B says his grandfather put him in piano lessons and he became a classically trained musician at a young age. He eventually taught himself to play drums and asked to play drums in church, which he did.
“My dad played country, classic rock and ’70s R&B all day long,” Bates recalls. “Other than that, I was looking and studying other genres on my own. I studied the Dixie Chicks, Luke Bryan and more.”
After moving to Atlanta and then Los Angeles to pursue her dreams, Bates began making a name for herself in the industry. Her journey to “Texas Hold ‘Em” began when a friend introduced her to Beyoncé’s representatives nearly two years before the song was released.
“She was instantly impressed and asked for the files,” Bates said. Beyoncé then added her touch to the record, and when Bates heard it, he was “blown away” as well.
Although “Texas Hold ‘Em” was her first country project, Bates felt prepared for it. “I had studied so many country songs in the past that when it came time to do this song, it was in my DNA,” she said. “The way I study music allows me to capture the essence and authenticity of each genre.”
Bates emphasized the significant place black artists have in country music. “Black people created the instruments and the style of country music,” he said. “We are at the forefront of country music; at some point it was taken away from us. It is part of our culture.”
Source – USA Today