"The Music Maestro: Cory Rooney's Impact on the R&B and Pop Genres"

Introduction:

Cory Rooney

Cory Rooney, a Grammy-nominated American music producer, songwriter, and executive, has left an indelible mark on the music industry. With his extensive work with notable artists like Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, and Destiny's Child, among others, Rooney has become a renowned figure in the world of R&B and pop music. As an executive at record labels such as Epic Records and Universal Music Group, he has played a pivotal role in the production and writing of numerous hit songs. In this article, we will delve into Cory Rooney's successful career and his impact on the R&B and pop genres.

Early Life and Musical Influences:

Rooney was born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. He was exposed to the music industry from a young age, thanks to his parents, Herb Rooney and Brenda Reid, who were members of The Exciters, a popular band that toured with The Beatles in the 1960s. His father was also a producer and worked on the Isley Brothers' hit single "It's Your Thing." Rooney's mother, Brenda Reid, continued the legacy of The Exciters, and as a teenager, Rooney himself was a member of the band. These early experiences with music and his parents' influence shaped Rooney's passion for music and laid the foundation for his future career in the industry.

Music Career Beginnings and Success:

In the 1990s, Rooney and Prince Markie Dee of the Fat Boys released two solo albums by Prince Markie Dee, including the Billboard No. 1 Rap Single "Typical Reasons (Swing My Way)." Rooney also formed the group Soul Convention with Prince Markie Dee and signed a deal with Sony Music. He went on to produce hit singles like "Real Love" and "Sweet Thing" by Mary J. Blige, and "I'll Do 4 U" by Father MC at Uptown Records. His talent as a producer caught the attention of Tommy Mottola, who signed him as a producer and later promoted him to Vice President of A&R at Epic Records in 1994. Rooney's success continued as he became VP of A&R at Crave Records and Senior VP of Sony Music Entertainment in 1998. He also took on executive roles at Casablanca Records and produced Lindsay Lohan's single "Rumors" while managing his own company, Cory Rooney Group (CRG), which focuses on music for television, fashion, and publishing.

Notable Achievements and Contributions:

Rooney's contributions to the music industry go beyond producing hit singles and albums. He has also been involved in various television projects, including MTV's television series "The Shop" and VH1's series "Born to Diva." "The Shop" is based on Rooney's own barber shop, Mr. Rooney's, where artists like Busta Rhymes, Diddy, and Fabolous have appeared for discussions on the music industry and their careers. Rooney has also appeared as a panel judge on VH1's "Born to Diva" in addition to his role as an executive producer of the show. With his extensive experience and expertise in the music industry, Rooney has made a significant impact in shaping the careers of artists and influencing the direction of the music industry.

Cory Rooney is a renowned songwriter and producer who has contributed to numerous hit songs throughout his career. Some of the songs written and/or produced by Cory Rooney include:

"Sweet Thing" by Mary J. Blige

"Real Love" by Mary J. Blige

"I'll Do 4 U" by Father MC

"Rumors" by Lindsay Lohan

"Typical Reasons (Swing My Way)" by Prince Markie Dee

"It's Your Thing" by The Isley Brothers (produced by Cory Rooney's father, Herb Rooney)

Songs by The Exciters (band in which Cory Rooney was a member during his teenage years)

Various songs by artists featured on MTV's television series "The Shop," which Rooney executive produced

Various songs by artists featured on VH1's series "Born to Diva," which Rooney executive produced

Numerous songs by artists managed by Cory Rooney's own company, Cory Rooney Group (CRG).

"If You Had My Love" by Jennifer Lopez

"Love Don't Cost a Thing" by Jennifer Lopez

"Jenny from the Block" by Jennifer Lopez

"Play" by Jennifer Lopez

"All I Have" by Jennifer Lopez featuring LL Cool J

"Ain't It Funny" by Jennifer Lopez

"Get Right" by Jennifer Lopez

"Do It Well" by Jennifer Lopez

"Waiting for Tonight" by Jennifer Lopez

"We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey

"It's Like That" by Mariah Carey featuring Jermaine Dupri