In a musical career that has spanned over two decades, Steven Russell Harts started his professional musical journey as one of the lead men for the 90's platinum-selling group Troop. Steven has remained relevant and in demand from today's music industry elite to budding new artist by creating and taking part in remarkable hit records such as Jordin Sparks’ Grammy nominated "No Air", Chris Brown's Grammy nominated "Take You Down”, and 2009 Grammy winner for Jennifer Hudson's debut CD titled "Jennifer Hudson". Singer, songwriter, producer and vocal arranger, Steven Harts has personified the essence of song making and has spawned hits that will continue to influence generations to come.
Steve was born in Hartford, Connecticut as Steven Russell and raised in Pasadena, California. As a teen, Steven would spend countless hours in front of the television watching and mocking the musical and dance styling of his most admired artist - Michael Jackson. Having aspirations of being the next phenomenon, Steven would wow crowds at Los Angeles renowned Venice Beach by displaying his undeniable talents of singing and dancing. Often drawing crowds of hundreds to watch him perform, Steven predicted that by the time he was 18 he would have a #1 record playing on the radio. Well, Steven would fulfill his prophecy far beyond his expectations by winning a talent show with childhood friends Allen McNeil, Rodney Benford, John Harreld and Reggie Warren that sparked interest from major record labels. Signing to Atlantic Records, these childhood friends from Pasadena would be known to the world as Troop. Troop released their debut single, "Mamacita", from their self-titled debut album in 1988 that reached #2 on Billboard's R&B charts. After the release of their debut album, Troop released "Attitude" in 1990, which included such hit songs as "Spread My Wings" and the Jackson 5 cover of "All I Do is Think of You", which were both #1 on the Billboard R&B charts and remained in the top 10 on the charts for several weeks. At the height of Troop's success, the group appeared in the 1991 urban classic film New Jack City harmonizing their rendition of the O'Jays, "For the Love of Money/Living for the City". Following a stream of hits and an enormous fan base, Troop released "Deepa" in 1992 and remained consistent with yet another #1 single, "Sweet November", on the Billboard R&B charts. Two more albums would follow... "A Lil Sumpin' Sumpin'" in 1994 and "Mayday" in 1998 which both received rave reviews.
After releasing "Mayday" in 1998, Troop took a hiatus and Steven began to redirect his focus on songwriting and producing. Acquiring much experience writing and producing with the likes of Babyface, Chuckii Booker and Gerald Levert while recording with Troop, as well as singing background vocals for Babyface's "Tender Lover" album as well as Keith Sweat's "Merry Go Round", Steven began what would be a long productive relationship with the Los Angeles based production team The Underdogs.
As one of the main writers and producers for The Underdogs, Steven would write and produce hit songs for artist like:, Aretha Franklin, Kelly Clarkson, Charlie Wilson, Jordin Sparks, Tyrese, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Mario, Omarion, B2K, Joe, Tank, Katherine McPhee. The Underdogs, along with Steve, undertook the task of being the sole production team to produce the soundtrack for the 2006 film adaptation of Dreamgirls, which Steven also had a cameo appearance in, as well as a song placement “A Perfect World". Proving he still had the ability to swoon audiences as he did with leading songs with Troop like "All I Do Is Think of You" and "Sweet November", Steven continues to reincarnate and refine his talents. Not only has Steven proven to be one of today's most prolific lyrical wordsmith's, he has also established himself as one of R&B and Pop music's most sought after producers. Steven's success as a producer can be attributed to creating hits that are simple but heartfelt, relatable yet wishful, sweet and sincere.
After completing a very successful and highly regarded tenure with The Underdogs, Steven stepped out on his own to continue writing and producing timeless music. Establishing his own production company, The Motel Music Media, industry leaders still rely and call upon Steven to write and produce for projects such as: Toni Braxton, Elliot Yamin, NBA player Lebron James recently released film - "More Than A Game", David Archuletta, Tank and Chanj. Steven had production and writing credit for seven songs on Charlie Wilson's CD “Uncle Charlie”, which was nominated for a 2010 Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B album.
After 20 years and counting in the music industry, Steve Russell Harts has maintained his status as one of the industry's most relevant and hit making sources. A 2009 ASCAP Pop Music Award Winner for one of the most performed songs in 2009 for Grammy nominated "No Air", a 2009 ASCAP Music Award Winner for one of the most performed songs in 2009 for Grammy nominated "Take You Down” and a 2010 Grammy nomination for Charlie Wilson. Steven received Grammy nominations for the “FORTUNE” album by Chris Brown and Tamar Braxton “LOVE AND WAR album (for “All The Way Home”).
In 2012, after a lifetime of searching Steven found his father John Harts and his true last name, HARTS, thus Steven Harts. With this newly found inspiration, the sky is definitely the limit and Steven Harts – the singer, songwriter, producer, and vocal arranger – is just getting started!
