Mark Ronson
Biography
Mark Daniel Ronson (born 4 September 1975) is a British-American DJ, record producer, and songwriter. He was born in London, England, and moved to New York City with his family at the age of eight. His stepfather is Mick Jones, the guitarist of the rock band Foreigner, which contributed to his musical upbringing. Ronson became a popular DJ in the New York hip-hop scene in the 1990s while attending New York University.
Career Beginnings
Ronson's career transitioned from DJing to producing in the early 2000s. He signed with Elektra Records and released his debut album, "Here Comes the Fuzz," in 2003. The album featured guest appearances from prominent hip-hop artists but had limited commercial success. He then founded his own record label, Allido Records, in 2004.
Breakthrough and Major Successes
Ronson's international breakthrough came with his second album, "Version," in 2007. The album consisted of cover songs with a jazzy, soul-infused twist and featured collaborations with artists like Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, and Robbie Williams. It peaked at number two in the UK and earned him a Brit Award for Best British Male Solo Artist in 2008.
Production Work
Mark Ronson is highly acclaimed for his production work with other artists. His most notable collaboration was with Amy Winehouse on her 2006 album "Back to Black." The album's success earned Ronson a Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical. He has also produced for a wide range of artists including Adele, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Queens of the Stone Age, and Paul McCartney.
"Uptown Funk" and Further Success
In 2014, Ronson released the single "Uptown Funk" featuring Bruno Mars, which became a global phenomenon. It was his first number-one single in both the UK and the US and won two Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. The accompanying album, "Uptown Special" (2015), became his first UK number-one album.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Mark Ronson has received numerous prestigious awards. He has won a total of nine Grammy Awards. In 2019, he won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for co-writing "Shallow" for the film "A Star Is Born." He also served as the executive producer for the soundtrack of the 2023 film "Barbie," which won three Grammy Awards.
Recent Work
Studio Albums and Collaborations
Ronson's fifth studio album, "Late Night Feelings," was released in 2019 and featured collaborations with artists like Miley Cyrus, Camila Cabello, and Lykke Li. In 2018, he formed the duo Silk City with fellow producer Diplo, and their single "Electricity" with Dua Lipa won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
Zelig Records
In 2018, Ronson founded his own record label, Zelig Records, signing singer King Princess as his first artist.