Damon Elliott on his latest projects & growing up in music! 

I had the amazing opportunity to speak with Grammy-winning producer, Damon Elliott. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the business such as Beyonce, Macy Gray, Pink, Jessica Simpson, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Keyshia Cole and the list goes on. As someone who grew up in this industry being the son of Dionne Warwick, he has a sense for these things for music. 

“I’m knocking on wood but it seems like the song will head for an Oscar nomination,” said Elliott when I asked about his latest project Applause from the film “Tell It Like A Woman” that is sung by Sofia Carson. This song was produced by Damon and written by Diane Warren. 

Versed in all Genres 

Being so multi-talented and his producing catalog stretches to all genres. I was curious to know how he has created a career by being so fluid in his musical abilities to produce. “I grew up in a household where music is just music,” said Elliott. The reason he can create for anyone regardless of their genre of music is because he was raised to see that music doesn’t have to check a particular box. 

Seeing his mom scale the pop charts showed him that there were no boundaries for him in the music industry at an early age. 

“I think that because I see music as music without boundaries it helps me to be a producer that isn’t confined,” said Elliott. 

If you ask Damon he will describe producing, especially the way he does it as a director in film. As a director has to work with all the moving parts of a film to bring it to life pre and postproduction, so does the producer. “I come from that school where the producer was involved in everything like Quincy Jones who I idolized growing up,” said Elliott. From the artists to the songwriters and the engineers, there isn’t one part of the process he isn’t involved in making sure the final product will be exceptional.

Leaving Hip Hop

Early on Damon had much success with producing for major Hip-Hop artists such as Biggie, Puff, Tupac, and others. “I saw many people getting shot and killed and I said this isn’t for me,” said Elliott when he spoke about why he left Hip Hop to work with more women in different genres. He will credit his tenure working with singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress May for leading him down the road to work with pop artists. 

“Some of the greatest records are made through heartache and pain,”said Elliott. As producer and songwriter Damon sometimes first serves as a therapist for artists. This approach of listening to what’s going on with them he can pull from their life’s diary to make mega hits. This is where the magic happens because what he does so special is take their words and expression and turn them into songs and melodies to express an exactness of emotions. 

Check out his newest song “Nicotine” by Nomad!

Pairing the voice with the artist

I wanted to know how he knew what songs would work best for certain artists. “I work with artists who could do any song justice I put in front of them, but it’s about a feeling,” said Elliott. He told me the story of the song Beautiful sang by Christina Aguilera on her Stripped Album. He was there when Linda Perry (who wrote and produced it) pitched the song to Christiana. Pink heard it originally and wanted it. Damon said, “I had know doubt that Pink would have demolished the song.” But Linda had a feeling that this was the song meant for Christina. 

With music, Damon is the one you call when you want someone to take a methodical approach to your artist’s next project. From the artists to the fans, he knows exactly what to listen for so the artists stays authentic and for the fans to get something they will love and cherish.