Brian Soko

Brian Soko (born 1991) is a Zimbabwean songwriter and record producer[1] who is based in the United States. He won three awards at the 2014 edition of the Broadcast Music Inc (BMI) R&B/Hip-Hop Awards for composing Beyoncé's song, "Drunk in Love", in 2014[2] and a Grammy Award for his production work on the same song.

Brian Soko
Born1991 (age 31–32)
Chiredzi, Zimbabwe
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
Years active2003–present
LabelsAnashe Media Group
Member ofThe Order
Websitebriansoko.com

Background

Soko was born in 1991 in Zimbabwe in the small town of Chiredzi before moving with his parents to South Africa where they stayed for a short while. They moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, in the United States, where he briefly played football before deciding to study sound engineering.[3] He has two brothers named Prince Soko and Arnold Soko.[4]

Career

Soko started as a rapper and used to sell his beats online.[3] He switched to make beats for others while he was still in high school. During his first year at Tampa in Florida, he met Dre Moon and Rasool Diaz, who were also interested in music production. From then on, they focused on making rhythm and blues and hip hop beats. Soko's first break with his friends, who became partners, was in 2012 after the release of Lil Wayne's "No Worries".[3]

Soko, together with his partners (The Order), composed and produced Beyonce's "Drunk in Love" in 2013. He also worked on the first compilation album of the group, Rich Gang and wrote and produced "100 Favors" which features Kendrick Lamar, Birdman and Detail.[5] Soko's vocals were featured for the first time on a track titled "E.F.T." which stands for electronic funds transfer, released by a Pretoria-based rapper Chad, formerly known as Chad Da Don.[6] He also worked with South African hip hop artists such as Cassper Nyovest on his song, "Phumakim", K.O's "Mission Statement" and MaE. He has also worked with Tinashe.[7]

In 2014, Soko launched a media management, marketing and production company, Anashe Media Group, focused on the African music sector with the help of his brothers, Arnold Soko who is a video director and Prince Soko.[8] Anashe Media Group has opened branches in Nigeria with the help of Oladipo Tandoh, Angola, Congo and South Africa. The group has produced videos for Suki Yaki.[4]

Production discography

Awards

Billboard Music Awards

Soko has received two Billboard Music Award nominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Drunk In Love Top R'n'B/Hip-Hop Song Won

Grammy Award
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015"Beyoncé's Drunk In Love"
Best R'n'B SongWon
  • Most Performed Song 2014 R&B/Hip-Hop Award Song for Lil Wayne's "No Worries"
  • Billboard No 1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Song for Beyoncé's "Drunk In Love"
  • Billboard No 1 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay for Beyoncé's "Drunk In Love"[9]

References
  1. Godwin Mungwadzi (25 January 2014). "Young Zimbabwean producer Brian Soko credited for composing Beyonce's song Drunk In Love". Greedysouth.
  2. Godwin Mungwadzi (25 August 2014). "Zimbabwean Producer Brian Soko Honored for his work on Lil Wayne's 'No Worries' and Beyoncé 'Drunk In Love' at 2014 BMI Awards In Hollywood". Greedysouth.
  3. Tseliso Monaheng (24 September 2014). "Hangin' With Brian Soko". Mahala. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  4. "BEATS & BREAKS: THE AHHB'S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN SOKO". African Hip Hop Blog. 21 March 2014. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  5. "Rich Gang Credits". AllMusic.
  6. Godwin Mungwadzi (27 July 2015). "Zimbabwean Grammy Winner Soko and Rapper Chad Da Don Partner on E.F.T Single". Greedysouth. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  7. Godwin Mungwadzi (25 August 2014). "Tinashe - Pretend (Prod. By Brian Soko)". Greedysouth. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  8. Godwin Mungwadzi (22 April 2014). "Anashe Media Group Officially Launched at a Red Carpet Event". Greedysouth. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  9. "Zim producer scores big at US awards". NewsDay. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
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