Mark Christopher Batson (born 1968) is an American record producer and songwriter. He has worked on albums by artists including Alicia Keys, Dave Matthews Band, LeAnn Rimes, Anthony Hamilton, Eminem, India Arie, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Maroon 5, Skylar Grey, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Seal, Nas, and Sting. He has also composed music for films and television shows including I, Tonya, American Hustle, Sharp Objects, Spider-Man 2 and Power Book IV: Force.

Early life and career

Batson was formally trained in classical piano as a child growing up in the Bushwick Houses in Brooklyn, New York. He performed classical piano pieces at Carnegie Hall and Brooklyn Academy of Music at the ages of 12. He later studied jazz piano at Howard University. He was the pianist for the Smithsonian Institution's African American Culture department. He first mixed hip hop sampling and drum programming with live instrumentation as part of the group Get Set V.O.P. This blend is characteristic of much of his later production work.

Career

Batson has composed music for the feature films Beauty Shop, Miami Vice, American Hustle. and Triple 9. He is also the writer of the graphic novel series Loaded, and is developing the music for the series with Dr. Dre.

Awards

Batson won Grammy Awards in 2010 and 2011 for Best Rap Album For Eminem's Relapse (2010) and Recovery (2011). He also won the Grammy for Best R&B album in 2004 for Beyoncé's Dangerously in Love. In 2016, he produced albums for Alicia Keys, Skylar Grey, LeAnn Rimes and Anthony Hamilton.

Discography

Production and songwriting

Albums

Songs

Score composer