Teddy Walton

{{Short description|American record producer and songwriter from Tennessee}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Teddy Walton

| image = File:Teddy_Walton_Headshot.jpg

| caption =

| birth_name = Travis Darelle Walton

| alias = Teddy Walton

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1992|7|31}}

| birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| occupation = {{flatlist|

Record producer
songwriter
disc jockey

}}

| years_active = 2006–present

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

}}

| website = {{URL|trapwalton.com/}}

}}

Travis Darelle "Teddy" Walton{{Cite web|url=https://repertoire.bmi.com/Catalog.aspx?detail=writerid&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25&keyid=550182235&subid=0|title=BMI | Songview Search}} (born July 30, 1992, in Memphis, Tennessee{{Cite news|url=https://hypebeast.com/2017/4/kendrick-lamar-damn-guide-featured-artists-producers-writers|title=Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.': A Guide to All the Featured Artists, Producers & Writers|work=HYPEBEAST|access-date=2017-04-14|language=en}}) is an American record producer, songwriter and DJ. He began music production by creating songs with his older brother, June, which gained traction on SoundCloud.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8061689/teddy-walton-interview-mental-health-goldlink-crew|title=Memphis Native Teddy Walton Talks Producing GoldLink's Grammy-Nominated Song 'Crew' & His New EP 'Mental Health'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-01-15}} Teddy has gone on to produce for artists including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Chris Brown, Lil Yachty, Travis Scott, Bryson Tiller, ASAP Rocky, Nipsey Hussle, Future, Post Malone, Schoolboy Q, Freddie Gibbs, GoldLink, Maxo Kream, Vince Staples, ASAP Ferg, and Big K.R.I.T. Walton's unique blend of trap, R&B, and hip-hop have produced records earning two Grammy Awards,{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/behind-board-producer-teddy-walton-working-kendrick-lamar-what-makes-great-track|title=Behind The Board: Teddy Walton|date=2019-02-22|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} multi-platinum certifications,{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-15}} and placements on Billboard's Hot 100 and Top 200 charts.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kendrick-lamar|title=Kendrick Lamar DAMN. Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-01-15}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/aap-rocky|title=A$AP Rocky|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-01-15}}

Early life

Walton was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended early years of high school in Columbia, Missouri, soon beginning production and composition of music in FL Studio after he mistakenly downloaded the music producing software thinking it was a video game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/aemdxg/we-interviewed-the-24-year-old-producer-behind-kendrick-lamars-love|title=We Interviewed the 24-Year-Old Producer Behind Kendrick Lamar's "LOVE."|last=Gambardella|first=Andrea|date=2017-04-14|website=Vice|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} He refined his sound by creating projects with his brother, rapper June.{{Cite web|url=http://thesource.com/2014/02/21/exclusive-june-discusses-independence-drake-and-big-pimpin/|title=Exclusive: June Discusses Independence, Drake, And "Big Pimpin'"|last=jnelliott|date=2014-02-21|website=The Source|access-date=2017-04-14}} Walton self-describes his sound as a fusion of influences from Three 6 Mafia, Tame Impala and SWV{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/aemdxg/we-interviewed-the-24-year-old-producer-behind-kendrick-lamars-love|title=We Interviewed the 24-Year-Old Producer Behind Kendrick Lamar's "LOVE."|last=Gambardella|first=Andrea|date=2017-04-14|website=Vice|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} – a soulful and psychedelic blend he calls "urban epic".{{Cite news|url=https://djbooth.net/features/2017-08-02-teddy-walton-interview-beat-break|title=Beat Break: Teddy Walton Shares the Story Behind His 5 Biggest Songs|last=James|first=Andy|website=DJBooth|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}}

In 2012, Walton and June released their first project, EVOL, which gained traction online and attracted the attention of ASAP Yams.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/aemdxg/we-interviewed-the-24-year-old-producer-behind-kendrick-lamars-love|title=We Interviewed the 24-Year-Old Producer Behind Kendrick Lamar's "LOVE."|last=Gambardella|first=Andrea|date=2017-04-14|website=Vice|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} In 2013, June and Walton followed up the project with the single "Big Pimpin" featuring Big K.R.I.T.{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2014/01/june-featuring-big-k-r-t-big-pimpin/|title=June Featuring Big K.R.I.T. "Big Pimpin'" - XXL|website=XXL Mag|date=27 January 2014 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-14}} In 2014, they released Living Colour: Chapter 1,{{Cite web|url=https://mixtapemonkey.com/mixtape-covers/2083.png|title=MixtapeMonkey {{!}} June - Living Color: Chapter 1|last=Serrano|first=Mark|website=mixtapemonkey.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} followed by XXX - EP in 2015.

Music career

In 2015, Walton's first major label placement came with a track off ASAP Rocky's second studio album At. Long. Last. ASAP, "Electric Body" featuring Schoolboy Q.{{Cite news|url=http://www.elevatormag.com/aap-rocky-electric-body-ft-schoolboy-q/|title=A$AP Rocky "Electric Body" (Ft. ScHoolboy Q) {{!}} ELEVATOR|date=2015-05-23|work=ELEVATOR|access-date=2017-04-14|language=en-US}} The track was certified gold in the US{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-15}} and peaked at number 80 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/aap-rocky|title=A$AP Rocky Electric Body Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-01-15}}

In 2017, Walton produced Kendrick Lamar's "Love" and did additional production on "God", from Lamar's fourth studio album Damn.{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/04/producers-kendrick-lamar-album/|title=Alchemist, Cardo, DJ Dahi Among Producers on New Kendrick Lamar Album - XXL|website=XXL Mag|date=7 April 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-04-14}} The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/kendrick-lamar|title=Kendrick Lamar DAMN. Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-01-15}} and won a Grammy for Best Rap Album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/videos/record-kendrick-lamars-damn|title=Kendrick Lamar, 'DAMN.': For The Record|date=2018-02-08|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} "Love" is certified 4× platinum{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-15}} and "God" is certified gold in the US.{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-15}} That same year, Walton produced GoldLink's "Crew",{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8061689/teddy-walton-interview-mental-health-goldlink-crew|title=Memphis Native Teddy Walton Talks Producing GoldLink's Grammy-Nominated Song 'Crew' & His New EP 'Mental Health'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-01-15}} which became 3× platinum.{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-15}} Walton also produced Young Dolph's "Pacific Ocean" and four tracks off of Bryson Tiller's True to Self.{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/04/bryson-tiller-everything-we-know-about-true-to-self-album|title=Everything We Know About Bryson Tiller's 'True to Self' Album So Far|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=2017-04-14}}

In 2018, Walton produced "King's Dead" and "Redemption" off of Kendrick Lamar's Black Panther: The Album.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/behind-board-producer-teddy-walton-working-kendrick-lamar-what-makes-great-track|title=Behind The Board: Teddy Walton|date=2019-02-22|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} At the 61st Annual Grammys, "King's Dead" was nominated for Rap Song of The Year and won Lamar Rap Performance of The Year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/kendrick-lamar-jay-rock-future-james-blake-tie-anderson-paak-win-best-rap-performance|title=A Tie For Best Rap Performance|date=2019-02-10|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} "King's Dead" also became 3× platinum in the US.{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-15}} In the same year, Walton also produced Post Malone's "Spoil My Night" and Jay Rock's "ES Tales".

In 2019, Walton produced "No Guidance" by Chris Brown, featuring Drake, which became certified platinum in August 2019, less than 10 weeks following its release.{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-15}} The song was nominated for Best R&B song at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2020-grammy-awards-complete-nominees-list|title=2020 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees List|date=2019-11-20|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-15}} It was later certified 5× platinum.{{Cite web|title=Gold & Platinum|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|access-date=2020-10-08|website=RIAA|language=en-US}} That same year, Walton also produced DJ Khaled's "Celebrate", featuring Post Malone and Travis Scott.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8512913/aaron-bow-dj-khaled-celebrate-interview|title=How Aaron Bow Made Beats to Leave Missouri and Produce on DJ Khaled's Latest|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-01-15}}

In 2020, Walton was the lead composer for the original score for [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUJxVv1OfEk&ab_channel=Hulu YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE]; a Hulu short-series hosted by Craig Robinson celebrating inspiring Black voices "who are part of the next generation of excellence".{{Cite web|title=Watch Around The Way during Black History Month|url=https://www.hulu.com/black-stories|access-date=2020-09-04|website=Hulu|language=en-US}} He also co-produced four tracks off of Big Sean's Detroit 2 including "Wolves" with Post Malone and "Don Life" with Lil Wayne.{{Cite tweet |user=teddywalton |url=https://twitter.com/teddywalton/status/1301556751729225728 |number=1301556751729225728 |access-date=2023-04-21 |title=#D2 tonight🐻🐻 helped wit these... |archive-date=September 3, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903162559/https://twitter.com/teddywalton/status/1301556751729225728 |language=en}} That same year, Walton contributed additional production to "Wash Us in the Blood" by Kanye West, featuring Travis Scott.{{Citation|title=Kanye West (Ft. Travis Scott) – Wash Us in the Blood|url=https://genius.com/Kanye-west-wash-us-in-the-blood-lyrics|language=en|access-date=2020-07-10}} On his birthday, July 30, Walton premiered "No Love" with Young Dolph.{{Cite tweet |user=teddywalton |url=https://twitter.com/teddywalton/status/1288861823471464448 |number=1288861823471464448 |access-date=2023-04-21 |title=Happy birthday to me! It's out!!! |archive-date=July 30, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730154814/https://twitter.com/teddywalton/status/1288861823471464448 |language=en}} It is the first single off his forthcoming album Mental Health. In September 2020, he produced "Franchise" for Travis Scott, Young Thug, and M.I.A., which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 100.{{Cite magazine|title=The Hot 100 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/2020-10-10|access-date=2020-10-16|magazine=Billboard}} Walton also produced on "Dive" by Kid Cudi and "Next To You" by Bryson Tiller.{{Cite web|last=Minsker|first=Evan|title=Kid Cudi Releases New Album Man on the Moon III: Listen and Read the Full Credits|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/kid-cudi-releases-new-album-man-on-the-moon-iii-listen-and-read-the-full-credits/|access-date=2020-12-11|website=Pitchfork|date=11 December 2020|language=en-us}}

Discography

class="wikitable" \|+Production and songwriting credits !Title !Artist(s)
colspan="2" \|2012
"EVOL" \|June
"City Love" \|June
"Run The Town" \|June
"We On" \|June, Rockie Fresh
"Life" \|June
"Beautiful" \|June, WindoView, Scolla
"One Day" \|June, Skewby
"G-Shit" \|June, Aer
colspan="2" \|2014
"Living Color" \|June
"Like Me" \|June
"Down Low" \|June
"Big Pimpin'"{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/june-big-pimpin-feat-big-krit-new-song.1803439.html\|title=June - Big Pimpin Feat. Big K.R.I.T.\|website=HotNewHipHop\|date=27 January 2014\|access-date=2020-01-08}} \|June, Big K.R.I.T.
"44's" \|June
"Private Affair" \|June
"Trap Life" \|June
"Make It Work" \|June
"One Time" \|June
"Gutta" \|June
colspan="2" \|2015
"Playa$club" \|June
"Switchin' Lanes" \|June
"Playa" \|June
"Made It" \|June
"44's" \|June
"Roc Boy" \|June
"Electric Body"{{Cite news\|url=https://djbooth.net/songs/asap-rocky-electric-body-schoolboy-q\|title=A$AP Rocky - Electric Body ft. ScHoolboy Q\|last=Varan\|first=Brendan\|website=DJBooth\|language=en\|access-date=2020-01-08}} \|A$AP Rocky, ScHoolboy Q
colspan="2" \|2017
"Crew"{{Cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8061689/teddy-walton-interview-mental-health-goldlink-crew\|title=Memphis Native Teddy Walton Talks Producing GoldLink's Grammy-Nominated Song 'Crew' & His New EP 'Mental Health'\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=2020-01-08}}{{Cite web\|url=https://genius.com/a/the-making-of-goldlink-s-crew-with-teddy-walton\|title=The Making Of GoldLink's "Crew" With Teddy Walton\|website=Genius\|language=en\|access-date=2020-01-08}} \|Goldlink, Shy Glizzy, Brent Faiyaz
"LOVE"{{Cite magazine\|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7768107/producer-teddy-walton-kendrick-lamar-damn-love-bryson-tiller\|title=Kendrick Lamar's 'LOVE.' Producer Teddy Walton Discusses 'DAMN.' Collaboration & Bryson Tiller's 'Trapsoul' Follow-Up\|magazine=Billboard\|access-date=2020-01-08}}{{Cite web\|url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/aemdxg/we-interviewed-the-24-year-old-producer-behind-kendrick-lamars-love\|title=We Interviewed the 24-Year-Old Producer Behind Kendrick Lamar's "LOVE."\|last=Gambardella\|first=Andrea\|date=2017-04-14\|website=Vice\|language=en\|access-date=2020-01-08}} \|Kendrick Lamar, Zacari
"Rain On Me (Intro)" \|Bryson Tiller
"In Check" \|Bryson Tiller
"Rain Interlude" \|Bryson Tiller
"Set It Off" \|Bryson Tiller
"Pacific Ocean" \|Young Dolph
"GOD." \|Kendrick Lamar
colspan="2" \|2018
"King's Dead" \|Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future, James Blake
"Redemption" \|Kendrick Lamar, Zacari, Babes Wodumo
"Big Glock" \|Key Glock
"No Cap" \|Key Glock
"Pop Another" \|Maxo Kream
"Keyz 2 the City 2" \|Nipsey Hussle, TeeFlii
"Double Up" \|Nipsey Hussle, Belly, Dom Kennedy
"ES Tales" \|Jay Rock
"Spoil My Night" \|Post Malone, Swae Lee
colspan="2" \|2019
"Celebrate" \|DJ Khaled, Travis Scott, Post Malone
"No Guidance" \|Chris Brown, Drake
"Nunya" \|Kehlani, Dom Kennedy
"Blame" \|Bryson Tiller
colspan="3" \|2020
"Wash Us in the Blood" \|Kanye West, Travis Scott
"Lucky Me" \|Big Sean
"Wolves" \|Big Sean, Post Malone
"Harder Than My Demons" \|Big Sean
"Everything That's Missing" \|Big Sean, Dwele
"ZTFO" \|Big Sean
"Feed" \|Big Sean
"Don Life" \|Big Sean, Lil Wayne
"No Love" \|Teddy Walton, Young Dolph
"Infamy" \|Che Ecru
"Franchise" \|Travis Scott, M.I.A., Young Thug
"Franchise - Remix" \|Travis Scott, M.I.A., Young Thug, Future
"Dive" \|Kid Cudi
"Next To You" \|Bryson Tiller
colspan="4" \|2021
"Remote Control" \|Kanye West, Young Thug
"Losing Focus" \|Bryson Tiller
colspan="4" \|2022
"Candy" \|Che Ecru
"Gotta Move On" \|P Diddy, Bryson Tiller
"Aston Martin Truck" \|Roddy Ricch
"Twin" \|Roddy Ricch
colspan="4" \|2023
"2 For 1" \|Key Glock
"Talk" \|6lack
"Holster" \|Lil Yachty
"God's Wheel" \|Project Pat, Teddy Walton
"FAN" \|Offset
colspan="4" \|2024
"Floodgate" \|Nelly Furtado

class="wikitable"

|+Production and songwriting credits

!Title

!Artist(s)

colspan="2" |2012

"EVOL"

|June

"City Love"

|June

"Run The Town"

|June

"We On"

|June, Rockie Fresh

"Life"

|June

"Beautiful"

|June, WindoView, Scolla

"One Day"

|June, Skewby

"G-Shit"

|June, Aer

colspan="2" |2014

"Living Color"

|June

"Like Me"

|June

"Down Low"

|June

"Big Pimpin'"{{Cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/june-big-pimpin-feat-big-krit-new-song.1803439.html|title=June - Big Pimpin Feat. Big K.R.I.T.|website=HotNewHipHop|date=27 January 2014|access-date=2020-01-08}}

|June, Big K.R.I.T.

"44's"

|June

"Private Affair"

|June

"Trap Life"

|June

"Make It Work"

|June

"One Time"

|June

"Gutta"

|June

colspan="2" |2015

"Playa$club"

|June

"Switchin' Lanes"

|June

"Playa"

|June

"Made It"

|June

"44's"

|June

"Roc Boy"

|June

"Electric Body"{{Cite news|url=https://djbooth.net/songs/asap-rocky-electric-body-schoolboy-q|title=A$AP Rocky - Electric Body ft. ScHoolboy Q|last=Varan|first=Brendan|website=DJBooth|language=en|access-date=2020-01-08}}

|A$AP Rocky, ScHoolboy Q

colspan="2" |2017

"Crew"{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8061689/teddy-walton-interview-mental-health-goldlink-crew|title=Memphis Native Teddy Walton Talks Producing GoldLink's Grammy-Nominated Song 'Crew' & His New EP 'Mental Health'|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-01-08}}{{Cite web|url=https://genius.com/a/the-making-of-goldlink-s-crew-with-teddy-walton|title=The Making Of GoldLink's "Crew" With Teddy Walton|website=Genius|language=en|access-date=2020-01-08}}

|Goldlink, Shy Glizzy, Brent Faiyaz

"LOVE"{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7768107/producer-teddy-walton-kendrick-lamar-damn-love-bryson-tiller|title=Kendrick Lamar's 'LOVE.' Producer Teddy Walton Discusses 'DAMN.' Collaboration & Bryson Tiller's 'Trapsoul' Follow-Up|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2020-01-08}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/aemdxg/we-interviewed-the-24-year-old-producer-behind-kendrick-lamars-love|title=We Interviewed the 24-Year-Old Producer Behind Kendrick Lamar's "LOVE."|last=Gambardella|first=Andrea|date=2017-04-14|website=Vice|language=en|access-date=2020-01-08}}

|Kendrick Lamar, Zacari

"Rain On Me (Intro)"

"In Check"

"Rain Interlude"

"Set It Off"

"Pacific Ocean"

"GOD."

colspan="2" |2018

"King's Dead"

|Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future, James Blake

"Redemption"

|Kendrick Lamar, Zacari, Babes Wodumo

"Big Glock"

|Key Glock

"No Cap"

|Key Glock

"Pop Another"

|Maxo Kream

"Keyz 2 the City 2"

|Nipsey Hussle, TeeFlii

"Double Up"

|Nipsey Hussle, Belly, Dom Kennedy

"ES Tales"

|Jay Rock

"Spoil My Night"

|Post Malone, Swae Lee

colspan="2" |2019

"Celebrate"

|DJ Khaled, Travis Scott, Post Malone

"No Guidance"

|Chris Brown, Drake

"Nunya"

|Kehlani, Dom Kennedy

"Blame"

|Bryson Tiller

colspan="3" |2020

"Wash Us in the Blood"

|Kanye West, Travis Scott

"Lucky Me"

|Big Sean

"Wolves"

|Big Sean, Post Malone

"Harder Than My Demons"

|Big Sean

"Everything That's Missing"

"ZTFO"

"Feed"

"Don Life"

"No Love"

|Teddy Walton, Young Dolph

"Infamy"

|Che Ecru

"Franchise"

|Travis Scott, M.I.A., Young Thug

"Franchise - Remix"

|Travis Scott, M.I.A., Young Thug, Future

"Dive"

|Kid Cudi

"Next To You"

|Bryson Tiller

colspan="4" |2021

"Remote Control"

|Kanye West, Young Thug

"Losing Focus"

|Bryson Tiller

colspan="4" |2022

"Candy"

|Che Ecru

"Gotta Move On"

|P Diddy, Bryson Tiller

"Aston Martin Truck"

|Roddy Ricch

"Twin"

|Roddy Ricch

colspan="4" |2023

"2 For 1"

|Key Glock

"Talk"

|6lack

"Holster"

|Lil Yachty

"God's Wheel"

|Project Pat, Teddy Walton

"FAN"

|Offset

colspan="4" |2024

"Floodgate"

|Nelly Furtado

References

External links

{{Cite news|url=https://www.kraysounds.com/new-music-teddy-walton-dom-kennedy-mental-health/|title=NEW MUSIC: Teddy Walton & Dom Kennedy – "Mental Health" – Kray Sounds|access-date=2017-11-08|language=en-US}}

Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:Musicians from Memphis, Tennessee

Category:American male songwriters

Category:Record producers from Tennessee

Category:African-American DJs

Category:21st-century American musicians

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:African-American songwriters

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:American pop musicians

Category:American soul musicians

Category:American rhythm and blues musicians