Cory Rooney
Encyclopedia
Cory Rooney is an American
songwriter
, record producer
, and C.E.O. of Cory Rooney Group. He has written, produced, and developed many hits and careers for artists such as Mariah Carey
, Mary J. Blige
, Jessica Simpson
, Jennifer Lopez
, Marc Anthony
, Thalia, Destiny's Child
, and many more.
He was raised in Jamaica, Queens
, New York
and at an early age he was exposed to the music industry by his parents, Herb Rooney and Brenda Reid of The Exciters
, who toured with The Beatles in the early 1960s. His father later branched out into production and was responsible for both the infectious piano part and production on the Isley Brothers hit, "It's Your Thing". When the original members disbanded, his mother, Brenda Reid, brought her children on board to continue the group. As a teenager he not only was exposed to the music industry but experienced the industry first hand as a member of The Exciters. "I grew up around music and picked things up by ear." However, Cory's musical DNA was only part of a very talented equation. Raised in New York, his love for music was reinforced at an early age due to the geographic proximity of rap all-stars like Marley Marl
, LL Cool J
, Russell Simmons
, and RUN-DMC.
In the 1990s Cory teamed up with Prince Markie Dee
of the Fat Boys and they released two solo albums by Prince Markie Dee including Billboards #1 Rap Single "Typical Reasons/Swing My Way" (written by EMI writer/producer & Cory's brother-in-law Hasan Johnson.) Feeding off their success Cory and Prince Markie Dee decided to create Soul Convention together, when they were approached by Sony Music and signed a label deal. Sony recognized Cory's talents early on and was approached by Sony to sign a solo artist deal but he decided quickly that he didn't want to be an artist. Being behind the scenes as a writer and producer, he went on to produce hits such as, "Real Love
" and "Sweet Thing" by Mary J. Blige
and "I'll Do 4 U" by Father MC
at Uptown Records
. The success of the hits caught the attention of Tommy Mottola
who signed him not only as a producer but also brought him onboard as VP of A&R at Epic Records in 1994 and two years later, Cory moved on to become VP of A&R at Crave Records. Proving himself not only as an accomplished writer and producer, Tommy Mottola
was impressed with his managerial skills and was subsequently named Senior VP of Sony Music Entertainment in 1998. Maintaining his unique position both as senior executive and producer at Sony, he was offered another executive position at Casablanca Records where he also wrote Lindsay Lohan
's single, "Rumors
". He also produced the album and performed keyboards
and provided background vocals. His albums have sold over 100 million copies and many of his albums exceed the one million records-sold mark.
Aside from his musical success he also has had sizable television success as executive producer on MTV's, "The Shop
" and VH1's "Born to Diva". "The Shop
" is based out of Cory Rooney's own barbershop, Mr. Rooney's, in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Artists such as Busta Rhymes
, Diddy
, and Fabolous
frequent the shop not only to get the city's hottest cuts but also to elaborate on the music industry, their career, and the gossip that surrounds their world. VH1's "Born to Diva" featured Cory Rooney as one of the panel judges aside from his role in executive producing the show.
Since his time at Casablanca, Cory Rooney has established his own company, Cory Rooney Group. CRG manages a multi-talented roster of writers, producers, and two developing artists. His company focuses on music involved in television, fashion, and the publishing world.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, and C.E.O. of Cory Rooney Group. He has written, produced, and developed many hits and careers for artists such as Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
, Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
, Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony
Marc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads...
, Thalia, Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child
Destiny's Child was an American R&B girl group whose final line-up comprised lead singer Beyoncé Knowles alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. Formed in 1997 in Houston, Texas, Destiny's Child members began their musical endeavors in their pre-teens under the name Girl's Tyme...
, and many more.
He was raised in Jamaica, Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and at an early age he was exposed to the music industry by his parents, Herb Rooney and Brenda Reid of The Exciters
The Exciters
The Exciters were an American pop music group of the 1960s. They were originally a girl group, although a male member was added later. The group consisted of lead singer Brenda Reid, her husband Herb Rooney, Carolyn Johnson and Lillian Walker....
, who toured with The Beatles in the early 1960s. His father later branched out into production and was responsible for both the infectious piano part and production on the Isley Brothers hit, "It's Your Thing". When the original members disbanded, his mother, Brenda Reid, brought her children on board to continue the group. As a teenager he not only was exposed to the music industry but experienced the industry first hand as a member of The Exciters. "I grew up around music and picked things up by ear." However, Cory's musical DNA was only part of a very talented equation. Raised in New York, his love for music was reinforced at an early age due to the geographic proximity of rap all-stars like Marley Marl
Marley Marl
Marlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:...
, LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons
-External links:** * * * * * * from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum* *...
, and RUN-DMC.
In the 1990s Cory teamed up with Prince Markie Dee
Prince Markie Dee
Mark Anthony Morales, better known by the stage name Prince Markie Dee, is an American rapper, songwriter, producer, and radio personality of Puerto Rican descent...
of the Fat Boys and they released two solo albums by Prince Markie Dee including Billboards #1 Rap Single "Typical Reasons/Swing My Way" (written by EMI writer/producer & Cory's brother-in-law Hasan Johnson.) Feeding off their success Cory and Prince Markie Dee decided to create Soul Convention together, when they were approached by Sony Music and signed a label deal. Sony recognized Cory's talents early on and was approached by Sony to sign a solo artist deal but he decided quickly that he didn't want to be an artist. Being behind the scenes as a writer and producer, he went on to produce hits such as, "Real Love
Real Love (Mary J. Blige song)
"Real Love" is a 1992 hit single by hip hop soul singer Mary J. Blige. It was the second single off Blige's debut album, What's the 411?. Written and produced by Mark C. Rooney and Mark Morales and built off a drum sample from hip hop duo Audio Two's 1988 track "Top Billin'"...
" and "Sweet Thing" by Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
and "I'll Do 4 U" by Father MC
Father MC
Father MC African American rapper Timothy Brown achieved success in the early 1990s on the Uptown Records label. Discovered and signed by then-Uptown executive Sean "Puffy" Combs, he is best known for introducing the public to Uptown's successful R&B act Jodeci in the track, "Treat Them Like They...
at Uptown Records
Uptown Records
Uptown Records was an American record label, founded by Andre Harrell in 1986. It went on to become one of the most popular Hip-Hop and R&B labels of the late 1980's and early 1990s. Featured on the roster were such luminaries as Guy, Heavy D & The Boyz, Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, and Soul for Real...
. The success of the hits caught the attention of Tommy Mottola
Tommy Mottola
Thomas Daniel "Tommy" Mottola is an American music executive, co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group. He is the ex-husband of Mariah Carey and is married to Mexican singer Thalía...
who signed him not only as a producer but also brought him onboard as VP of A&R at Epic Records in 1994 and two years later, Cory moved on to become VP of A&R at Crave Records. Proving himself not only as an accomplished writer and producer, Tommy Mottola
Tommy Mottola
Thomas Daniel "Tommy" Mottola is an American music executive, co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group. He is the ex-husband of Mariah Carey and is married to Mexican singer Thalía...
was impressed with his managerial skills and was subsequently named Senior VP of Sony Music Entertainment in 1998. Maintaining his unique position both as senior executive and producer at Sony, he was offered another executive position at Casablanca Records where he also wrote Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan is an American actress, pop singer and model. She began her career as a child fashion model before making her motion picture debut in Disney's 1998 remake of The Parent Trap at the age of 11...
's single, "Rumors
Rumors (song)
"Rumors" is a dance-pop song recorded by Lindsay Lohan for her debut album, Speak. It was released as the album's first and lead single on September 21, 2004 in the United States. Although it failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at #6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart...
". He also produced the album and performed keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and provided background vocals. His albums have sold over 100 million copies and many of his albums exceed the one million records-sold mark.
Aside from his musical success he also has had sizable television success as executive producer on MTV's, "The Shop
The Shop
This article is about the reality show. For the fictional government agency, see The Shop .The Shop is a reality show on MTV about a barbershop located in the heart of Jamaica, Queens. The shop is owned by music producer Cory Rooney, who has produced for some of the big names out there like hits...
" and VH1's "Born to Diva". "The Shop
The Shop
This article is about the reality show. For the fictional government agency, see The Shop .The Shop is a reality show on MTV about a barbershop located in the heart of Jamaica, Queens. The shop is owned by music producer Cory Rooney, who has produced for some of the big names out there like hits...
" is based out of Cory Rooney's own barbershop, Mr. Rooney's, in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Artists such as Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, Diddy
Sean Combs
Sean John Combs , also known by his stage names Diddy and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur. He has won three Grammy Awards and two MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award. He was originally...
, and Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
frequent the shop not only to get the city's hottest cuts but also to elaborate on the music industry, their career, and the gossip that surrounds their world. VH1's "Born to Diva" featured Cory Rooney as one of the panel judges aside from his role in executive producing the show.
Since his time at Casablanca, Cory Rooney has established his own company, Cory Rooney Group. CRG manages a multi-talented roster of writers, producers, and two developing artists. His company focuses on music involved in television, fashion, and the publishing world.
Songwriting and production credits
- For Brie LarsonBrie LarsonBrie Larson is an American actress and pop rock singer/songwriter. She is best known for her roles in United States of Tara, Sleepover, Remember The Daze and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World...
- Produced some tracks in her debut album, Finally Out Of P.E.Finally Out Of P.E.Finally Out of P.E. is the debut album of American singer and actressBrie Larson. The album features 13 tracks, most of then were written by Brie, and focuses on the ups and down of being a teenager....
- Produced some tracks in her debut album, Finally Out Of P.E.
- For Jennifer LopezJennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
- "Ain't It FunnyAin't It Funny"Ain't It Funny" is a song recorded by American recording artist Jennifer Lopez. The song was written by Lopez and Cory Rooney, and produced by Rooney and Dan Shea for Lopez's second studio album, J.Lo...
" - "I'm RealI'm Real/I'm Real (Murder Remix)"I'm Real" is the name of two songs by Jennifer Lopez. One is the song taken from her second studio album, J.Lo , and the other is "I'm Real ", which features rapper Ja Rule of The Inc. Records "I'm Real" is the name of two songs by Jennifer Lopez. One is the song taken from her second studio...
" - "If You Had My LoveIf You Had My Love"If You Had My Love" is a song by American recording artist and actress Jennifer Lopez, taken from her debut studio album, On the 6 . Released in 1999, the single peaked at number one in the United States, becoming Lopez's first number-one single; it also peaked at number four in the United Kingdom...
" - "Feelin' So GoodFeelin' So Good"Feelin' So Good" is the fourth single from Jennifer Lopez's debut album, On the 6 . Released in March 2000, it features rappers Big Pun and Fat Joe. Although it was released as the album's fourth single, Lopez wanted this song to be the lead single, instead of "If You Had My Love"...
" - "PlayPlay (Jennifer Lopez song)"Play" is the second single from Jennifer Lopez's second album, J.Lo. Singer Christina Milian co-penned the song for Lopez before hitting the music scene herself. She has also allegedly provided vocals for the chorus...
" - "All I HaveAll I Have (song)"All I Have" is the title of a song by American recording artist Jennifer Lopez, featuring American rapper LL Cool J. Written by Lopez, Makeba Riddick, Curtis Richardson, and Ron G and produced by Cory Rooney, Ron G, and Dave McPherson, it was released in December 2002 as the second single from...
" - "Jenny from the BlockJenny from the Block"Jenny from the Block" is a song by American singer Jennifer Lopez, featuring American rappers Styles P and Jadakiss. Written by Lopez, Troy Oliver, Mr. Deyo, Samuel Barnes, and Jean-Claude Olivier and produced by Cory Rooney, Oliver, and Poke & Tone, it was released to radio in late September 2002...
" - "I'm GladI'm Glad"I'm Glad" is the third single from Jennifer Lopez's third studio album, This Is Me... Then . Released in 2003, it did not follow the success of her previous two singles, peaking at number thirty-two on the Billboard Hot 100, though its remixes by Paul Oakenfold, Ford, and Murk became club hits in...
" - "AliveAlive (Jennifer Lopez song)"Alive" is the other part of the double A-side along with "I'm Gonna Be Alright" , the second and final single from Jennifer Lopez's remix album, J to tha L-O!: The Remixes . Released in 2002, the single failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 due to its limited release, becoming Lopez's second...
" - "Hold You DownHold You Down"Hold You Down" is the second and final single from Jennifer Lopez's fourth studio album, Rebirth . Released in 2005, the single features rapper Fat Joe, and peaked at number sixty-four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and at number six in the United Kingdom. The song's Eliel Remix featuring Don Omar...
" - "We Gotta Talk"
- "Ain't It Funny
- For Toni BraxtonToni BraxtonToni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
- "Stupid" (co-wrote)
- For Lindsay LohanLindsay LohanLindsay Lohan is an American actress, pop singer and model. She began her career as a child fashion model before making her motion picture debut in Disney's 1998 remake of The Parent Trap at the age of 11...
- "Rumors" (co-wrote)
- For ThalíaThalíaAriadna Thalía Sodi Miranda , known simply by the mononym Thalía , is a Mexican singer and actress. She has sold over 40 million albums worldwide...
- "I Want YouI Want You/Me Pones Sexy"I Want You" / "Me Pones Sexy" is the first single from the Mexican Latin pop singer Thalía's 2003 crossover studio album Thalía. The track features Fat Joe. The song peaked at number twenty two in the U.S. charts. Both songs were written by Cory Rooney, Davy Deluge, Gregory Bruno, Fat Joe, Thalía,...
" - "The Mexican/The Mexican (Spanish)"
- "I Want You
- For Destiny’s Child
- "Independent Women, Pt. 1" (co-wrote)
- For Mary J. BligeMary J. BligeMary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
- "Real Love" (co-wrote)
- For Marc AnthonyMarc AnthonyMarc Anthony is an American singer-songwriter, actor and producer. Anthony is the top selling tropical salsa artist of all time. The two-time Grammy and three-time Latin Grammy–winner has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. He is best known for his Latin salsa numbers and ballads...
- "I Need To KnowI Need to Know (Marc Anthony song)"I Need to Know" is a song by Marc Anthony, and was released as the lead single of his first English language album Marc Anthony, in August 1999.-Song information:...
" (co-wrote)
- "I Need To Know
- For Jessica SimpsonJessica SimpsonJessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
- "I Think I'm in Love with YouI Think I'm in Love with You"I Think I'm in Love with You" is a song written and produced by Cory Rooney and Dan Shea for Jessica Simpson's debut album Sweet Kisses . It contains a sample of singer-songwriter John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane" and was released as the album's third and final single in summer 2000...
" - "Hot Like Fire"
- "What's It Gonna Be"
- "His Eye Is On The SparrowHis Eye is on the Sparrow"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is a Gospel hymn. Although today it is a staple of African-American worship services, the song was originally written in 1905 by two white songwriters, lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel...
" - "Swing With Me"
- "Fired Up" (co-wrote)
- "Between You & I" (co-wrote)
- "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)"You Spin Me Round " is a song by British band Dead or Alive on their 1985 album Youthquake. The song was the first UK number-one hit by the Stock Aitken Waterman production trio. Released in November 1984, the record reached number one in March 1985, taking seventeen weeks to get there...
"
- "I Think I'm in Love with You
- For Mandy MooreMandy MooreAmanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore is an American singer-songwriter, actress and fashion designer. Moore became famous as a teenager in the late 1990s, after the release of her teen pop albums So Real, I Wanna Be with You, and Mandy Moore. In 2007, she took an adult pop-folk direction with the release of...
- "Everything My Heart Desires" (co-produced)
- "The Way to My Heart" (co-produced)
- For Yulia K
- "End of the Earth" (produced)
- "Saved Me the Trouble" (produced)
- "Make Some Noise" (produced)
- "Body Language" (produced)
- "Quarter Past Sorry" (produced)
- "Self Service" (produced)