Wikipedia

Sam Watters

Samuel Joshua Watters(born July 23, 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer andrecord executive.[1]Watters was a member of the multi-platinum selling 1990sR&BgroupColor Me Baddand co-authored many of their hits including "I Adore Mi Amor",and"All 4 Love".[2]Watters has also written and produced songs forGrammy-winning and nominated artists such asAmerican IdolwinnersFantasia,Kelly ClarksonandJordin Sparks,and other superstars such asCéline Dion,Whitney Houston,Leona Lewis,andAnastacia.[3]Watters is a member of the production/songwriting team The Runaways including fellow hitmakersRico Love,Wayne Wilkins,Ryan Tedder,andLouis Biancaniello.[4]

Sam Watters
Birth nameSamuel Joshua Watters
Born(1970-07-23)July 23, 1970(age 54)
Camp Springs,Maryland, U.S.
OriginSan Francisco, California, U.S.
GenresHip hop,R&B,dance,new jack swing,soul
Occupation(s)Record producer, songwriter, singer,record executive
Years active1984–present
LabelsFresh Laundry
Member ofColor Me Badd

Music career

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Color Me Badd

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Watters formed what later would be known as theR&Bsinging groupColor Me Baddin high school along with fellow members Mark Calderon, Kevin Thornton, and Bryan Abrams.[5]After forming, the group was soon discovered by Robert "Kool" Bell ofKool and the Gangfame.[5]Bell introduced them to his management team and the group were soon signed toGiant Recordsin 1990.[5]

As part of Color Me Badd, Watters and his band mates sold 8.8 million records over their career and had nine Top 40 Hits on theBillboardHot 100including three number ones with "I Wanna Sex You Up"(No. 1 Billboard R&B and No. 2 Billboard Hot 100),I Adore Mi Amor"and"All 4 Love".[6][7]Once Color Me Badd disbanded in 1998, Watters elected to pursue a career in music production and songwriting.[5]

Production and songwriting

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Watters met record producer and songwriterLouis Biancanielloin 1996 while working onColor Me Badd's third albumNow and Forever.[8]Watters and Biancaniello soon became production partners and have been writing songs and producing together ever since.[8]

The partners wrote and producedJessica Simpson's hit "I Wanna Love You Forever,"released in September 1999.[9]The platinum single was Simpson's first top ten hit which reached No. 3 on theBillboardHot 100chart.[9][10]

Released in February 1999, the partners produced and co-wrote withAnastaciaher debut single "I'm Outta Love,"from her albumNot That Kindwhich went on to platinum and multiplatinum status in 10 countries.[11][12]The single was a hit internationally going Top 5 in 10 countries.[12][11]

In 2001, Watters produced, co-wrote (with Biancaniello) and sang background vocals (with Mary Griffin) on "What About Love" for the albumBad Girlsfrom Spanish singerMónica Naranjo.

Watters and Biancaniello produced and co-wrote another single with Anastacia, "One Day in Your Life",released in March 2002.[13]The top ten single charted in 8 other countries.[13][14]Also released in March 2002 wasCeline Dion's multi-platinum albumA New Day Has Come.[15][16]Watters and Biancaniello co-wrote the song "I Surrender"on the album that debuted at No. 1 in over 20 countries.[17][18]The album went on to sell 12 million copies worldwide.[18]

In June 2004, Watters and Biancaniello co-wrote with Watters' wife and fellowAmerican IdolcontestantTamyra Gray,"I Believe"released byAmerican IdolSeason 3 winnerFantasia.[19][20]The song debuted at the top of theBillboardHot 100 chart.[21]The single went platinum and won theBillboardTop Selling Single of the Year and Top Selling R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year for 2004 and theBillboardAmerican Urban Radio Networks Top Selling R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year for 2005.[22]

In 2007, Watters formed the production/songwriting team The Runaways along with Biancaniello,Wayne Wilkins,Rico Love,andRyan Tedder.[23]Some of the team's hits have included,Natasha Bedingfield's "Love Like This",andKeri Hilson's "Energy".[23]

In April 2007, Watters and Biancaniello wrote and produced[24]another hit single for Fantasia, "When I See U",which spent 8 weeks at No. 1 on theBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[25]It became the No. 8 song of the decade on the chart,[26]went gold, and was nominated for twoGrammy Awards(Best Female R&B Vocal Performanceand Best R&B Song).[16][27]

The Watters and Biancaniello duo also worked on the British singer'sLeona Lewis' 2007 debut album,Spirit,which sold 7 million units worldwide.[28][29]The duo co-wrote and co-produced two songs, "Yesterday"and" Take a Bow "and produced a third,"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face".[29]

Watters and Biancaniello wrote three songs forKelly Clarkson's March 2009 studio albumAll I Ever Wanted:"Whyyawannabringmedown", "The Day We Fell Apart" and the title track "All I Ever Wanted".They also produced a fourth song entitled" I Want You. "[30]The album sold over 900,000 copies in the US, debuted at No. 1 onBillboard200album chart, and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.[31][32][33]

In May 2009, formerAmerican IdolwinnerJordin Sparksreleased the single "Battlefield".[34]Watters co-wrote and co-produced the song that reached the top ten of theBillboardHot 100.[35]Outside of the US, it reached number five in Canada and reached the top ten in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, and the top twenty in the United Kingdom. With this song Watters assisted the platinum singer in achieving her third top tenBillboardHot 100 single.[35][36]

Watters had chart success overseas with the multi-platinum British girl groupThe Saturdays' "Forever Is Over"which was a No. 2 single on theUK Singles chart.[37]The song was released in October 2009, with Watters co-writing and co-producing the song, along with Biancaniello and others.[38]

Watters followed the success he had overseas with the multi-million selling Irish pop groupWestlifein November 2009.[39]Westlife's albumWhere We Arecontained two titles co-produced and co-written by Watters.[40]The album went double platinum in the United Kingdom, triple platinum in Ireland, and gold in New Zealand and Sweden.[41]

From 2014–2016, Watters was VP ofIsland RecordsunderDavid Masseywhere he worked on artists such asShawn Mendes,Iggy Azalea,Keke PalmerandLuke James.[42]

After leaving Island in 2016, Watters began to manage the artistLucky Daye,who was nominated for four Grammy Awards in 2020.[citation needed]Watters also managesBobi Andonov.[43]

Awards and nominations

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  • Grammynomination for Best R&B Song forFantasia's "When I See U"[44](2008)
  • Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance – Duo or Group forColor Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up"[45](1992)
  • Grammy nomination for Best New Artist for Color Me Badd[45](1992)
  • American Music Awardfor Favorite Single – Soul/R&B for Color Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up"[46](1991)
  • Soul Train Music Awardfor Best RB/Urban Contemporary Single – Group, Band or Duo for Color Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up"[46](1991)
  • Soul Train Music Award for Best RB/Urban Contemporary Song of the Year for Color Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up"[46](1991)
  • American Music Award nomination for Favorite New Artist – Pop / Rock for Color Me Badd[47](1991)
  • American Music Award nomination for Favorite New Artist – Soul / Rhythm & Blues for Color Me Badd[47](1991)
  • American Music Award nomination for Favorite Single – Pop / Rock for Color Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up"[47](1991)
  • American Music Award nomination for Favorite Single – Soul / Rhythm & Blues for Color Me Badd's "I Adore Mi Amor"[47](1991)
  • American Music Award nomination for Favorite Band, Duo or Group – Pop / Rock for Color Me Badd[47](1991)

Singles

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Year Single Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US
Pop 		US Dance Club US
R&B 		CAN UK AUS EU Hot 100 NZ IRA
1991 "I Wanna Sex You Up"(Color Me Badd) 2 – – 1 20 1 4 – 1 9 C.M.B.
"I Adore Mi Amor"(Color Me Badd) 1 – – 1 – – – – – –
"All 4 Love"(Color Me Badd) 1 – – – – 5 9 – 1 8
1993 "Time and Chance"(Color Me Badd) – – – 2 – – – – – – Time and Chance
1999 "I Wanna Love You Forever"(Jessica Simpson) 3 – – – 9 7 9 6 16 13 Sweet Kisses
1999 "I'm Outta Love"(Anastacia) 92 – 2 – 11 6 1 1 1 2 Not That Kind
2002 "One Day in Your Life"(Anastacia) – – 1 – – 11 6 19 15 15 Freak Of Nature
2004 "I Believe"(Fantasia) 1 12 – – 1 – 4 – 20 – Free Yourself
2007 "When I See U"(Fantasia) 32 – – 1 – – – – – – Fantasia
2009 "Battlefield"(Jordin Sparks) 10 11 – – 5 11 4 23 3 9 Battlefield
"Forever Is Over"(The Saturdays) – – – – – 2 – 8 – 9 Wordshaker
2010 "All Night Long"(Alexandra Burke) – – – – – 4 48 14 – 1 Overcome

Discography

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Main article:Color Me Badd discography
Color Me Badd albums

Musical Influences

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Watters has cited diverse singer, songwriter, and producer influences such asRonald Bell,Narada Michael Walden,Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis,L.A. Reid&Babyface,David Foster,Miles Foster,Billy Joel,Celine Dion,Bootsy Collins,Howie Tee,andDiane Warren.[5][46]

Ventures

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London Police

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Watters and Biancaniello formed their own record label, London Police, in 2010.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^"50th annual Grammy Awards nominations - Entertainment News, Award Central News, Media - Variety".www.variety.com.Archived fromthe originalon December 8, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 17,2022.
  2. ^"Color Me Badd | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links".AllMusic.
  3. ^"Sam Watters | Credits".AllMusic.
  4. ^"Keri Hilson - in a Perfect World - Hip Hop Album Review".www.djbooth.net.Archived fromthe originalon March 22, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 17,2022.
  5. ^abcde"Louis Biancaniello & Sam Watters fanlisting".nsyncable.com.Archived fromthe originalon January 16, 2005.RetrievedJanuary 17,2022.
  6. ^"Color Me Badd".Facebook.RetrievedJanuary 13,2020.
  7. ^"Color Me Badd".Billboard.RetrievedMay 12,2020.
  8. ^ab"Hit Factory: The Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters fanlisting".just-a-fan.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 17,2022.
  9. ^abSearch Results | Billboard.com
  10. ^"RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - September 06, 2014".Recording Industry Association of America.September 6, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon September 6, 2014.
  11. ^ab"Not That Kind - Anastacia | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.
  12. ^ab"Anastacia: News".www.anastacia.net.Archived fromthe originalon February 23, 2001.RetrievedFebruary 3,2022.
  13. ^ab"Anastacia".Billboard.RetrievedMay 12,2020.
  14. ^"Anastacia - One Day In Your Life".Top40-Charts.com.
  15. ^"A New Day Has Come - Céline Dion | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.
  16. ^ab"Gold & Platinum".RIAA.
  17. ^"I Surrender - Céline Dion | Song Info".AllMusic.
  18. ^ab"RFI Musique - - Céline Dion".September 28, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2013.
  19. ^"Fantasia | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links".AllMusic.
  20. ^"I Believe - Fantasia | Song Info".AllMusic.
  21. ^":: The Official Fantasia Bookings::".www.fantasiabookings.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 21, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 17,2022.
  22. ^Fantasia Biography & Awards | Billboard.com
  23. ^ab"Made — Louis Biancaniello".www.madeyoufamous.com.Archived fromthe originalon June 11, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 17,2022.
  24. ^"When I See You - Fantasia | Song Info".AllMusic.
  25. ^When I See You – Fantasia | Billboard.com
  26. ^"When I See You – Fantasia | Billboard.com".Billboard.
  27. ^"The Best Variety of 80's, 90's & Today's R&B; New on KISS".www.987kissfm.com.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 17,2022.
  28. ^"Discography | Leona World".leonaworld.net.Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 17,2022.
  29. ^ab"Spirit - Leona Lewis | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.
  30. ^"All I Ever Wanted - Kelly Clarkson | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.
  31. ^"Bonus sales numbers: Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, David Archuleta, more".USATODAY.COM.
  32. ^"Welcome".kellyclarkson.com.
  33. ^"Grammy Awards 2010 Winners & Nominees".PEOPLE.com.
  34. ^"Battlefield - Jordin Sparks | Song Info".AllMusic.
  35. ^ab"Jordin Sparks".Billboard.RetrievedMay 12,2020.
  36. ^"Jordin Receives Platinum Plaques | Jordin Sparks Official Site – RCA Records".
  37. ^"ultimate kylie | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company".Officialcharts.com.RetrievedJanuary 13,2020.
  38. ^"Forever Is Over - The Saturdays | Song Info".AllMusic.
  39. ^"WebCite query result".Webcitation.org.Archived fromthe originalon June 28, 2012.{{cite web}}:Cite uses generic title (help)
  40. ^"Where We Are - Westlife | Songs, Reviews, Credits".AllMusic.
  41. ^"The Irish Charts - All there is to know".Irishcharts.ie.RetrievedJanuary 13,2020.
  42. ^"Sam Watter: New VP of A&R at Island Records".
  43. ^"HITS Daily Double: The B-Side - Lucky Daye (Keep Cool/RCA)".HITS Daily Double.RetrievedMay 12,2020.
  44. ^"Winners - 50th Annual Grammy Awards on CBS".CBS. Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2009.RetrievedFebruary 12,2021.
  45. ^ab"Grammy Nominations Span Streisand, Seal, Seattle Symphony | The Seattle Times".Archive.seattletimes.com.
  46. ^abcd"Color Me Badd Study Guide & Homework Help - eNotes.com".www.enotes.com.Archived fromthe originalon January 22, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 3,2022.
  47. ^abcde"Rock On The Net: 19th American Music Awards (presented in 1992)".Rockonthenet.com.RetrievedJanuary 13,2020.
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