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Alex da Kid

{{short description|British music producer (born 1983)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}

{{Use British English|date=May 2023}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Alex da Kid

| image = Alex da Kid interview.png

| caption = Grant in 2016

| birth_name = Alexander Junior Grant

| alias = {{flatlist|

  • Alex da Kidd
  • by.ALEXANDER

}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1983|8|27}}

| birth_place = Bristol, England

| origin = Wood Green, London, England

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| occupation = {{flatlist|

  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • record executive

}}

| years_active = 2008–present

| label = {{flatlist|

}}

}}

Alexander Junior Grant (born 27 August 1983),{{Cite web|url=https://repertoire.bmi.com/Error.aspx|title=BMI | Repertoire Search|website=Repertoire.bmi.com|access-date=2020-05-21|archive-date=19 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119122851/http://repertoire.bmi.com/Error.aspx|url-status=dead}} professionally known as Alex da Kid or by.ALEXANDER, is a British music producer from Wood Green, London. He has gained recognition for producing several hit singles for artists of multiple music genres (mostly hip hop and alternative rock), such as Dr. Dre ("I Need a Doctor"), Nicki Minaj ("Massive Attack"), B.o.B ("Airplanes" featuring Hayley Williams), Eminem ("Love the Way You Lie" featuring Rihanna), Matthew Koma ("Stars"), Diddy ("Coming Home" with Dirty Money featuring Skylar Grey), Imagine Dragons ("Radioactive" "Believer") and Cheryl ("Under The Sun").

Although he now lives in Los Angeles, the Evening Standard named him one of "London's Most Influential People in 2011." He has been nominated for numerous Grammy Awards including "Album of the Year" for his work on Rihanna's Loud. His record label, KIDinaKORNER, is a subdivision of Interscope Records.{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/videos/alex-da-kid-importance-technology|title=Alex da Kid|website=Grammy Awards|date=30 November 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/people/alex-da-kid-football-music-recording|title=Alex da Kid: From Football To Music Recording|last=Tingen|first=Paul|date=December 2011|website=Sound on Sound|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-02-27}} In both 2013 and 2014, Grant (as owner of KIDinaKORNER Records) was chosen by Billboard magazine for their "Top 40 Under 40."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/5031019/40-under-40-alex-da-kid|title=40 Under 40: Alex da Kid|last=Zemler|first=Emily|date=29 July 2013|magazine=Billboard|access-date=29 July 2013}} In 2020, Grant released a jazz album titled 000 CHANNEL BLACK, under the pseudonym by.ALEXANDER.

Early life

Alexander Junior Grant was born 27 August 1983 in North London, to a Jamaican father and an English mother. Grant was a professional footballer, playing for Bristol City{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12039903|publisher=BBC News|title=Alex da Kid: The Brit behind 2010's biggest hit|date=21 December 2010}} until 19 years of age, at which time a friend introduced him to the digital music editing software FruityLoops, prompting an interest in music production.{{cite book|last=Kondo|first=Toshitaka|title=Production Credit (Alex da Kid)|year=2010|location=XXL Magazine|page=103}} He then attended University of West London (UWL) to study towards a master's degree in Audio Technology, now called Advanced Music Technology.{{cite web|url=https://www.uwl.ac.uk/course/advanced-music-technology-0/29474|title=MA Advanced Music Technology|publisher=University of West London (UWL)|work=London College of Music (LCM)}}

Musical career

Universal Music Publishing Group's Jessica Rivera first heard about Grant in 2009 though Grant's lawyer Scott Felcher. On request, Grant sent Rivera some of his music, and the publishing executive later related her reactions to HitQuarters: "It hit me right away that this dude had something different to bring to the table ... He wasn't just straight up hip-hop – his sound was very different and transcended genres."{{cite web|url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/2011/June22_8_15_44.html|title=Interview with Jessica Rivera|publisher=HitQuarters|date=22 June 2011|access-date=24 July 2011}}

In 2011, Grant launched his record label, KIDinaKORNER. In 2012, he co-written and co-produced multiple songs for Christina Aguilera's seventh studio album Lotus.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7298288-Christina-Aguilera-Lotus|title=Christina Aguilera – Lotus (2012, CD)|publisher=Discogs|access-date=March 11, 2024}}

In 2016, Grant released his first solo project as an artist. The single, "Not Easy" features X Ambassadors, Elle King and Wiz Khalifa via KIDinaKORNER/RCA Records. The track was written and produced by Alex da Kid for KIDinaKORNER, Sam Harris, Casey Harris, Adam Levin, Elle King, and Wiz Khalifa.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-alex-da-kids-eclectic-debut-single-not-easy-w445867|title=Alex da Kid Taps Wiz Khalifa, X Ambassadors, Elle King for Debut Single|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=21 October 2016|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2017-12-04}} In 2017, Grant released his second track, "American Funeral" which was a co-written collaboration with Joseph Angel.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7702035/alex-da-kid-joseph-angel-american-funeral-new-song|title=Alex da Kid & Joseph Angel Release New Collab 'American Funeral': Listen|last=Hazel|first=Allison|date=24 February 2017|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2017-12-04}}

In a Music Connection magazine cover story from January 2015, Grant said, as a producer, he co-writes everything that he works on with the artists.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicconnection.com/alex-da-kid-production-process-philosophy/|title=Alex da Kid on Production Process and Philosophy feature|author=Rob Putnam|date=26 January 2015|publisher=Music Connection|access-date=28 December 2015}}

On 27 August 2020, Grant released his first full-length project, a jazz album titled 000 CHANNEL BLACK, under the moniker by.ALEXANDER.{{Cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/8/alex-da-kid-000-channel-black-new-album-stream-by-alexander?amp=1|title=Alex da Kid Returns as by.ALEXANDER for New Album '000 CHANNEL BLACK'|website=Hypebeast.com|date=27 August 2020 |access-date=7 December 2020}} The album features guest appearances from 070 Shake, Tanerélle, Charles Bukowski, Michèle Lamy, Rainsford and Irina Shayk.

Other ventures

In 2020, Grant founded _by.ALEXANDER, his own luxury fashion label.{{Cite web|url=https://vmagazine.com/article/alex-da-kid-just-launched-his-own-luxury-fashion-label-_by-alexander/|title=Alex da Kid Just Launched His Own Luxury Fashion Label, _by.ALEXANDER|website=Vmagazine.com|date=20 August 2020 |access-date=7 December 2020}} His debut collection, called "000 CHANNEL BLACK", features a mix of one-off pieces and elevated sportswear styles. Actor Gary Busey and model Irina Shayk star in the first editorial campaign, kicking off the launch. Designed and developed in Los Angeles by Grant himself, the unisex 19-piece collection is full of contrasting details and juxtapositions.{{Cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2020/8/alex-da-kid-by-alexander-brand-launch-000-channel-black-release|title=Alex da Kid Debuts First Collection From His Own Luxury Fashion Label|website=Hypebeast.com|date=21 August 2020 |access-date=7 December 2020}}

Discography

= Studio albums =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of studio albums

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Album details

scope="row"| 000 CHANNEL BLACK{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/000-channel-black/1528271227|title=000 CHANNEL BLACK by _BY.ALEXANDER|website=Music.apple.com|access-date=7 December 2020}}

|

scope="row"| MEMORIES FOR SALE ---AT---> 66 GREENE ST SOHO NY {{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/memories-for-sale-at-66-greene-st-soho-ny/1774208266|title=MEMORIES FOR SALE ---AT---> 66 GREENE ST SOHO NY by _BY.ALEXANDER|website=Music.apple.com|access-date=12 February 2025}}

|

  • Released: 8 November 2024
  • Label: by.ALEXANDER

=Singles=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" style="width:19em;"| Title

! scope="col" style="width:1em;"| Year

! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Album

scope="row"| "Not Easy"
(Alex da Kid featuring X Ambassadors, Elle King and Wiz Khalifa)

| 2016

| rowspan="3" {{n/a|non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "American Funeral"{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/american-funeral-single/id1208364157|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304035847/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/american-funeral-single/id1208364157|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2017|title=American Funeral - Single by Alex da Kid & Joseph Angel on Apple Music|publisher=iTunes Store|date=2017-02-24|access-date=2017-05-05}}
(Alex da Kid and Joseph Angel)

| rowspan="1"|2017

scope="row"| "Go 2.0"
{{small|(Alex da Kid featuring Jorja Smith, H.E.R. and Rapsody)}}

| 2018

scope="row"| "Trumpets"{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/trumpets-feat-070-shake-single/1525818189|title=TRUMPETS (feat. 070 Shake) - Single by _BY.ALEXANDER|website=Music.apple.com|access-date=7 December 2020}}
{{small|(by.ALEXANDER featuring 070 Shake)}}

| rowspan="2"| 2020

| rowspan="2"| 000 CHANNEL BLACK

scope="row"| "le merveilleux résumé"{{Cite web|url=https://urbanbridgez.com/2020/08/06/_by-alexander-releases-2-track-single-trumpets-amazing-new-jazz/|title=_by.ALEXANDER Releases 2-track Single 'Trumpets' | Amazing New Jazz|website=Urbanbridez.com|date=6 August 2020|access-date=7 December 2020}}

Production discography

{{main|Alex da Kid production discography}}

=Singles produced=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"

|+ List of singles as either producer or co-producer, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released, performing artists and album name

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;" | Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Year

! scope="col" colspan="10" | Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;" | Certifications

! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Album

scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
R&B

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US
Rap

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| AUS

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| CAN

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| FRA

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| GER

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NZ

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SWE

! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK

scope="row"| "Massive Attack"
(Nicki Minaj featuring Sean Garrett)

| rowspan="4"| 2010

| 122 || 65 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

| {{n/a|non-album single}}

scope="row"|"Airplanes"
(B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore)

| 2 || 65 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 89 || 8 || 1 || 10 || 1

|

  • RIAA: 4× Platinum
  • ARIA: 3× Platinum
  • BVMI: Gold{{cite web|title=Gold-/Platin-Datenbank: B.o.B|url=http://www.musikindustrie.de/gold_platin_datenbank/?action=suche&strTitel=&strInterpret=B.o.B|publisher=Bundesverband Musikindustrie|access-date=2012-05-25|language=de}}
  • MC: 3× Platinum
  • BPI: Platinum{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx|title=BPI – Certified Awards Search|publisher=British Phonographic Industry|access-date=12 April 2012|format=To access, enter the search parameter "Rihanna" and select "Search by Keyword"|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604040853/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certifiedawards/search.aspx|archive-date=4 June 2011}}
  • RIANZ: Platinum{{cite web|title=Top 50 Singles Chart: Chart #1727 (Monday 28 June 2010)|url=http://rianz.org.nz/rianz/oldchart.asp?chartNum=1727&chartKind=S|publisher=Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|access-date=2012-03-22|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715080002/http://rianz.org.nz/rianz/oldchart.asp?chartNum=1727&chartKind=S|archive-date=15 July 2012}}

|| B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray

scope="row"|"Love the Way You Lie"
(Eminem featuring Rihanna)

| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 2

|

  • RIAA: 11× Platinum
    (Diamond){{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=EMINEM&ti=Love+the+Way+You+Lie|title=American album certifications – Eminem – Love the Way You Lie|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=15 July 2010}}
  • ARIA: 9× Platinum{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-singles-2013.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2013 Singles|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=27 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130409211136/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-singles-2013.htm|archive-date=9 April 2013}}
  • BPI: 2× Platinum
  • BVMI: Platinum
  • IFPI SWI: 3× Platinum
  • RIANZ: 2× Platinum

| Recovery

scope="row"| "Coming Home"
(Diddy-Dirty Money featuring Skylar Grey)

| 11 || 83 || 21 || 4 || 7 || 8 || 4 || 5 || 26 || 4

|

  • RIAA: 2× Platinum
  • ARIA: 3× Platinum{{cite web|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2012 Singles|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesSINGLEaccreds2012.htm|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=5 May 2012}}
  • BPI: Gold

| Last Train to Paris

scope="row"|"I Need a Doctor"
(Dr. Dre featuring Eminem and Skylar Grey)

| rowspan="7"| 2011

| 4 || 124 || 16 || 12 || 8 || 29 || 25 || 23 || 56 || 8

|

  • RIAA: 2× Platinum{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Dr.+Dre&ti=I+Need+a+Doctor|title=American album certifications – Dr. Dre – I Need a Doctor|publisher=Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=6 September 2013}}
  • BPI: Silver

| {{n/a|non-album single}}

scope="row"| "Words I Never Said"
(Lupe Fiasco featuring Skylar Grey)

| 89 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|| Lasers

scope="row"| "Rise Above 1"
(Reeve Carney featuring Bono and The Edge)

| 74 || — || — || — || 71 || — || — || — || — || —

|

|| Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark

scope="row"| "Dance Without You"
(Skylar Grey)

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

| rowspan="2" {{n/a|non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "Invisible"
(Skylar Grey)

| — || — || — || — || — || — || 86 || — || — || 63

|

scope="row"| "Invincible"
(MGK featuring Ester Dean)

| 108 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

| Lace Up

scope="row"| "Under the Sun"
(Cheryl)

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 12

|

| A Million Lights

scope="row"| "C'mon Let Me Ride"
(Skylar Grey featuring Eminem)

| rowspan="2"| 2012

| — || — || — || — || 84 || — || — || 17 || — || —

|

|| Don't Look Down

scope="row"| "Radioactive"
(Imagine Dragons)

| 3 || — || — || 6 || 5 || 28 || 4 || 4 || 1 || 12

|

  • RIAA: 10× Platinum (Diamond)
  • ARIA: 4× Platinum
  • BPI: Platinum
  • BVMI: Platinum
  • IFPI SWE: 6× Platinum{{cite web|url=http://www.hitlistan.se/|title=Veckolista Singlar – Vecka 36, 6 september 2013|publisher=Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening|access-date=20 June 2014|format=select "Föreg" to access chart issue|language=sv|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328113017/http://www.hitlistan.se/|archive-date=28 March 2010}}
  • IFPI SWI: Platinum
  • MC: 3× Platinum
  • RMNZ: 3× Platinum{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2013-07-19|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 10 February 2014|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=7 February 2014}}

| rowspan="3"| Night Visions

scope="row"| "Demons"
(Imagine Dragons)

| rowspan="4"| 2013

| 6 || — || — || 11 || 4 || 15 || 15 || 12 || 7 || 13

|

  • RIAA: 5× Platinum
  • ARIA: 2× Platinum
  • BPI: Silver
  • IFPI SWE: 4× Platinum
  • IFPI SWI: Gold
  • MC: Platinum
  • RMNZ: Platinum{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2013-09-20|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 07 October 2013|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=4 October 2013}}
scope="row"| "On Top of the World"
(Imagine Dragons)

| 79 || — || — || 10 || 43 || 35 || 13 || 10 || 40 || 34

|

  • ARIA: 3× Platinum{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-singles-2014.htm|title=ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Singles|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=19 February 2014}}
  • BPI: Silver
  • IFPI SWE: 2× Platinum{{cite web|url=http://www.hitlistan.se/|title=Veckolista Singlar – Vecka 59, 2 November 2013|publisher=Grammofon Leverantörernas Förening|access-date=20 June 2014|format=select "Föreg" to access chart issue|language=sv|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328113017/http://www.hitlistan.se/|archive-date=28 March 2010}}
  • RMNZ: Platinum{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/singles/2013-09-20|title=NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 07 October 2013|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=18 November 2013}}
scope="row"| "Final Warning"
(Skylar Grey)

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

|| Don't Look Down

scope="row"| "Monster"
(Imagine Dragons)

| 78 || — || — || — || 41 || — || — || — || — || —

|

| Smoke + Mirrors (Deluxe Edition)

scope="row"| "Jungle (Remix)"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/jungle-remix-feat-jay-z-single/1445030017|title=Jungle (Remix) [feat. JAY Z] - Single|work=iTunes|date=January 2014 }}
(X Ambassadors and Jamie N Commons featuring Jay Z)

| rowspan="5"| 2014

| 87 || — || — || — || 62 || 55 || 44 || — || — || 18

|

| rowspan="1" {{n/a|non-album single}}

scope="row"| "I Bet My Life"
(Imagine Dragons)

| 28 || — || — || 36 || 15 || 42 || 65 || 28 || — || 27

|

  • RIAA: Gold
  • MC: Platinum

| Smoke + Mirrors

scope="row"| "Bed of Lies"
(Nicki Minaj featuring Skylar Grey)

| 62 || 19 || — || 7 || 41 || 134 || — || 13 || 11 || 73

|

|| The Pinkprint

scope="row"| "Gold"
(Imagine Dragons)

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

| Smoke + Mirrors

scope="row"| "Burning Bridges"
(Ludacris featuring Jason Aldean)

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

| Ludaversal

scope="row"| "American Oxygen"
(Rihanna)

| rowspan="3"|2015

| 78 || — || — || 65 || 59 || 25 || 39 || — || 11 || 71

|

| {{n/a|non-album single}}

scope="row"| "Renegades"
(X Ambassadors)

| 17 || — || — || 43 || 6 || 10 || 10 || — || 70 || 38

|

  • ARIA: Gold
  • MC: 4× Platinum
  • SNEP: Gold
  • BVMI: Gold
  • BPI: Silver
  • RIAA: Platinum

| rowspan="2"|VHS

scope="row"| "Unsteady"
(X Ambassadors)

| 20 || — || — || 94 || 61 || — || — || — || — || —

|

  • MC: Platinum
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum
scope="row"| "Sucker for Pain"
(Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Imagine Dragons, Logic, Ty Dolla Sign and X Ambassadors)

| rowspan="2"| 2016

| 15 || 3 || — || 7 || 19 || 18 || 8 || 5 || 9 || 11

|

  • ARIA: Platinum
  • SNEP: Gold
  • RMNZ: Gold
  • BPI: Silver
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum

|Suicide Squad

scope="row"| "Not Easy"
(Alex da Kid featuring X Ambassadors, Elle King and Wiz Khalifa)

| — || — || — || 73
{{cite web|url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/02/aria-chart-watch-407/|title=ARIA CHART WATCH #407|publisher=auspOp|date=11 February 2017|access-date=11 February 2017|archive-date=16 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316090057/https://www.auspop.com.au/2017/02/aria-chart-watch-407/|url-status=dead}} || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

| rowspan="2" {{n/a|non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "American Funeral"
(Alex da Kid and Joseph Angel)

| rowspan="2"|2017

| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —

|

scope="row"| "Thunder"
(Imagine Dragons)

| 4 || --- || --- || 2 || 18 || 20 || 2 || 3 || 10 || 20

|

  • FIMI: Gold
  • RMNZ: Gold
  • IFPI: Gold

| EVOLVE

References

{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alex da Kid}}

Category:1982 births

Category:British hip-hop record producers

Category:Living people

Category:Musicians from the London Borough of Haringey

Category:Alumni of University College London

Category:Alumni of the University of West London

Category:English record producers

Category:English hip-hop musicians

Category:English pop musicians

Category:Black British musicians

Category:People from Wood Green

Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Haringey

Category:Musicians from Bristol

Category:Bristol City F.C. players

Category:Men's association football players not categorized by position

Category:English men's footballers

Category:English people of Jamaican descent

Category:Fashion designers from London

Category:Black British male rappers

Category:British male rappers

Category:21st-century English sportsmen