Spotify will honor super producer Rick Rubin as the first recipient of the Legendary Genius Award at its inaugural Secret Genius Awards. It will be presented to him by singer-songwriter, Frank Ocean.
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On November 1st at L.A.’s Vibiana Cathedral, Spotify’s Secret Genius Awards will “celebrate the people within the songwriting and producing community that contribute to the creative work behind some of the most streamed songs on Spotify.”
The Secret Genius Awards are made up of 13 main categories with five nominees each and include Secret Genius of the Year: Producer, Secret Genius of the Year: Songwriter and more. [full list below]
Rick Rubin, who will be honored with the inaugural Secret Genius Awards, has been a driving force behind some of the most acclaimed albums and artists of our time, from Slayer and Johnny Cash to Adele and Kanye West.
“There is likely no better person to help us tell the importance of Spotify’s Secret Genius Awards narrative better than Rick Rubin, a true legend to our industry,” said Troy Carter, Global Head of Creator Services, Spotify. “While Rick’s greatness is far from a secret at this stage of his impressive career, he is an inspiration to all the quietly known producers, songwriters, and artists, who are responsible for the music we discover and love every day.”
2017 Secret Genius Nominees
SECRET GENIUS OF THE YEAR: SONGWRITER
Ammar Malik
Songs: “Rockabye” – Clean Bandit (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie), “Don’t Wanna Know” – Maroon 5, “Symphony” – Clean Bandit (feat. Zara Larsson), “Shed A Light” (feat. Cheat Codes) – Robin Schulz, David Guetta
Brian Lee
Songs: “Let Me Love You” – DJ Snake (Justin Bieber), “It Ain’t Me” Kygo, Selena Gomez, “Work From Home” – Fifth Harmony (feat. Ty Dolla $)
J Kash
Songs: “We Don’t Talk Anymore” – Charlie Puth, “Don’t Wanna Know” – Maroon 5, “Swalla” (feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign) – Jason Derulo, “Cold” – Maroon 5 (feat. Future), “NO” – Meghan Trainor, “Shed A Light” (feat. Cheat Codes) – Robin Schulz, David Guetta, “Attention” – Charlie Puth, “Ain’t Your Mama” – Jennifer Lopez
Johnny McDaid
Songs: “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran, “Galway Girl” – Ed Sheeran
Scott Harris
Songs: “Don’t Let Me Down” – The Chainsmokers, Daya, “Treat You Better” – Shawn Mendes, “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” – Shawn Mendes
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SECRET GENIUS OF THE YEAR: PRODUCER
Benny Blanco
Songs: “Cold Water” – Major Lazer (feat. Justin Bieber, MO) , “Don’t Wanna Know” – Maroon 5, “Run Up” Major Lazer (feat. PartyNextDoor) – Major Lazer, “Castle on the Hill” – Ed Sheeran, “Issues” – Julie Michaels, “Love Yourself” – Justin Bieber, “Kill Em With Kindness” – Selena Gomez, “All In My Head (Flex)” – Fifth Harmony (feat. Fetty Wap), “Perfect“- Ed Sheeran, “LUV” – Tory Lanez
Max Martin
Songs: “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake, “Side To Side” – Ariana Grande, “Into You” – Ariana Grande, “Send My Love (To Your New Love)” – Adele, “Dangerous Woman” – Ariana Grande, “Chained To The Rhythm” – Katy Perry (feat. Skip Marley)
Nineteen85
Songs: “One Dance” – Drake, WizKid & Kyla, “Too Good” – Drake (feat. Rihanna)
Noah Shebib
Songs: “One Dance” – – Drake, WizKid & Kyla, “Passionfruit” – Drake, “Pop Style” – Drake
Steve Mac
Songs: “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran, “Rockabye” – Clean Bandit (feat. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie), “Symphony” – Clean Bandit (feat. Zara Larsson), “Alarm” – Anne-Marie
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SECRET GENIUS OF THE YEAR: FEMALE
Ali Tamposi
Songs: “It Ain’t Me” – Kygo, Selena Gomez, “Let Me Love You” – DJ Snake (Justin Bieber)
Emily Warren
Song: “Don’t Let Me Down” – The Chainsmokers (feat. Daya)
Erika Ender
Songs: “Despacito (Remix)” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber), “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee
Ilsey Juber
Songs: “Mercy” – Shawn Mendes, “In The Name of Love” – Martin Garixx, Bebe Rexha
Starrah
Songs: “Fake Love” – Drake, “Needed Me” – Rihanna
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SECRET GENIUS: POP
Doc McKinney
Songs: “Starboy” – The Weeknd (feat. Daft Punk), “I Feel It Coming” – The Weeknd (feat. Daft Punk)
Eskeerdo
Songs: “Work From Home” – Fifth Harmony (feat. Ty Dolla $), “I Would Like” – Zara Larsson
Frederic Kennett
Song: “Closer” – The Chainsmokers (feat. Halsey)
Greg Kurstin
Song: “Cheap Thrills” – Sia
Teddy Geiger
Song: “Treat You Better” – Shawn Mendes
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SECRET GENIUS: HIP HOP
Frank Dukes
Songs: “Fake Love” – Drake, “Congratulations” – Post Malone
Metro Boomin
Songs: “Mask Off” – Future, “Bad and Boujee” – Migos (feat. Lil Uzi Vert), “Congratulations” – Post Malone, “Low Life” – Future (feat. The Weeknd), “Bounce Back” – Big Sean
Mike WiLL Made-It
Songs: “Black Beatles” – Rae Sremmurd (feat. Gucci Mane), “HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar
Starrah
Song: “Fake Love” – Drake
SupaDups
Songs: “Controlla” – Drake, “Too Good” – Drake (feat. Rihanna)
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SECRET GENIUS: R&B
Boi1da
Songs: “Work” – Rihanna (feat. Drake), “Sex With Me” – Rihanna
DJ Mustard
Songs: “Needed Me” – Rihanna, “Promise” – Kid Ink
John Ryan
Song: “Love Me Now” – John Legend
PARTYNEXTDOOR
Songs: “Work” – Rihanna (feat. Drake), “Sex With Me” – Rihanna
Prince Charlez
Song: “Needed Me” – Rihanna
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SECRET GENIUS: DANCE
Ali Tamposi
Songs: “It Ain’t Me” – Kygo, Selena Gomez, “Let Me Love You” – DJ Snake (Justin Bieber)
Andrew Watt
Songs: “It Ain’t Me” – Kygo, Selena Gomez, “Let Me Love You” – DJ Snake (Justin Bieber)
Jr. Blender
Songs: “Cold Water” – Major Lazer (Justin Bieber, MO), “Run Up” – Major Lazer (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR & Nicki Minaj)
Jamie Scott
Song: “Cold Water” – Major Lazer (Justin Bieber, MO)
Giorgio Tuinfort
Songs: “Scared To Be Lonely” – Martin Garrix (feat. Dua Lipa), “This One’s For You” – David Guetta
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SECRET GENIUS: LATIN
Erika Ender
Songs: “Despacito (Remix)” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber), “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee
Rude Boyz
Songs: “Felices los 4” – Maluma, “Borro Cassette” – Maluma, “Chantaje” – Shakira
Servando Primera
Songs: “Felices los 4” – Maluma, “DUELE EL CORAZON” – Enrique Iglesias
Sky & Bull Nene
Songs: “Bobo” – J Balvin, “Otra Vez” (feat. J Balvin) – Zion Lennox, “Safari” – J Balvin
Torres & Rengifo
Songs: “Despacito (Remix)” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee (feat. Justin Bieber), “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, “Traicionera” – Sebastian Yatra
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SECRET GENIUS: ROCK
Alex Da Kid
Songs: “Unsteady” – X Ambassadors, “Demons” – Imagine Dragons, “Thunder” – Imagine Dragons, “Renegades” – X Ambassadors
Mike Elizondo
Songs: “Heathens” – Twenty One Pilots, “Stressed Out” – Twenty One Pilots
Ricky Reed
Song: “Ride” – Twenty One Pilots
Rik Simpson
Songs: “Hymn For The Weekend” – Coldplay, “Sky Full of Stars” – Coldplay, “Adventure of a Lifetime” – Coldplay
Stargate
Songs: “Hymn For The Weekend” – Coldplay, “Adventure of a Lifetime” – Coldplay
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SECRET GENIUS: COUNTRY
Ashley Gorley
Songs: “T-Shirt” – Thomas Rhett, “Play It Again” – Luke Bryan, “Middle of a Memory” – Cole Swindell
Dann Huff
Songs: “Die A Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett, “T-Shirt” – Thomas Rhett, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban, “Sleep Without You” – Brett Young
Luke Laird
Songs: “Head Over Boots” – Jon Pardi, “T-Shirt” – Thomas Rhett
Shane McAnally
Songs: “Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt, “Make You Miss Me” – Sam Hunt, “T-Shirt” – Thomas Rhett, “Take Your Time” – Sam Hunt, “House Party” – Sam Hunt, “Different For Girls” – Dierks Bentley, “Break Up In A Small Town” – Sam Hunt
Zach Crowell
Songs: “Body Like A Back Road” – Sam Hunt, “Make You Miss Me” – Sam Hunt, “Take Your Time” – Sam Hunt, “House Party” – Sam Hunt, “Break Up In A Small Town” – Sam Hunt, “Middle of a Memory” – Cole Swindell
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SECRET GENIUS: BREAKTHROUGH
Alex Beitzke: “Say You Won’t Let Go” – James Arthur
Asia Whiteacre: “Starving” – Hailee Steinfeld, Zedd, Grey
Fredrik Häggstam: “Paris” – The Chainsmokers
Menace: “Panda” – Desiigner
Shaun Frank: “Closer” – The Chainsmokers (feat. Halsey)
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SECRET GENIUS: MOTION PICTURE ADAPTATION
Alex Da Kid
Song: “Sucker For Pain” – X Ambassadors, Logic & Ty Dolla $ (Suicide Squad)
Max Martin, Shellback
Song: “Can’t Stop The Feeling!” – Justin Timberlake (Trolls The Movie)
Max Martin, Shellback, Oscar Holter
Song: “Just Like Fire” – P!nk (Alice Through The Looking Glass)
Mike Elizondo
Song: “Heathens” – Twenty One Pilots (Suicide Squad)
Sam Dew, Jack Antonoff
Song: “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” – Zayn & Taylor Swift (Fifty Shades Darker)
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SECRET GENIUS: SOCIAL MESSAGE
Bryndon Cook, Dave Andrew Sitek, Patrick Wimberly
Song: “Don’t Touch My Hair” – Solange (feat. Sampha)
Ian Kirkpatrick, Ross Golan
Song: “Fresh Eyes” – Andy Grammer
Lori McKenna
Song: “Humble and Kind” – Tim McGraw
Phonix Beats
Song: “No Role Modelz” – J. Cole
Warren Felder, Sebastian Kole, Andrew Wansel
Song: “Scars To Your Beautiful” – Alessia Cara
* Eligible songwriters and producers are identified based on the total number of streams from the top songs they are eligible for within context to the respective genre or overall category between April 1, 2016 and July 1, 2017.
** Members of the Spotify Peer Voting Committee (comprised of songwriters and producers) will vote on the nominees to select winners in each category.