Katrina C. Willis

Katrina Willis
Background information
Birth nameKatrina C. Willis
Born (1971-10-02) October 2, 1971 (age 53)
Kettering, Ohio, United States
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • Piano
  • Drums
  • Guitar
Years active1998–present
Websitewillisongsinc.com

Katrina C. Willis (born October 2, 1971) is a singer/songwriter, musician and producer. She was one of four co-writers of Aretha Franklin's Grammy Award-winning single "Wonderful".[1] and Luther Vandross's "Say It Now".[2] With two others she wrote The Temptations[3]' "I'm Here",[4] and was one of four co-writers of singer/songwriter-turned-Reality T.V. personality Kandi Burruss's solo debut single "Don't Think I'm Not".[5] She also wrote movie soundtracks, including Big Momma's House.[6]

Early life

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Katrina C. Willis was born in Kettering, Ohio, the youngest of four children.[citation needed]

Career

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In 1998 through Ian Burke's affiliation with So So Def Records founder Jermaine Dupri and his publishing company Air Control Music, then EMI Music Publishing[7][8] Executive Leotis Clyburn signed her to a co-publishing deal under EMI/Air Control Music (acquired in 2018 by Sony/ATV.) As a writer with EMI Music Publishing/Air Control Willis had the opportunity to collaborate with various writers, artists, and producers.[7]

Willis's song "Just So You Know", co-written with Laney Stewart and Tab, was included on Kandi's 2000 album Hey Kandi...[9]

In 2004 she recorded and released her own album, through her own independent label Willisongs, Inc,.[10] titled K. Willis & The Collection[11]

References

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  1. ^ Mark Bego (2018). Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul. Skyhorse. p. 477. ISBN 978-1-5107-4508-7.
  2. ^ "Luther Vandross-Billboard Chart History". Billboard. Billboard.
  3. ^ The Washington Post. "THE TEMPTATIONS "Ear-Resistible" Motown". washingtonpost.com.
  4. ^ "Good Ole R&B". Creative Loafing, Ronda Racha Penrice August 25, 2004
  5. ^ Flick, Larry (2000-09-09). "Hit Songwriter Kandi Debuts As An Artist On Columbia Set". Billboard Books Google. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  6. ^ Phares, Heather. "Original Soundtrack Big Momma's House". AllMusic. AllMusic.
  7. ^ a b Baraka, Rhonda (2001-10-27). "Beyond The Music". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved Oct 27, 2001.
  8. ^ ASCAP. "ASCAP Present". ASCAP. ASCAP.
  9. ^ Kandi Hey Kandi...". AllMusic Review by William Ruhlmann
  10. ^ WSI. "Willisongs, Inc". Willisongs, Inc.
  11. ^ Gail Mitchell (1 July 2006). "Raise our pens, Ladies". Billboard. p. 33. ISSN 0006-2510.
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