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Chad Elliott, also known as Dr. Ceuss and Big Chad, is an American songwriter, producer, audio engineer, a&r and multi-instrumentalist, best known for co-writing and co-producing Destiny's Child hit single "Jumpin', Jumpin'", "Gitty Up" for Salt-N-Pepa, "15 Minutes" for Marc Nelson, as well as "Steelo", the debut single from 1990s girl group 702, among others.

Career

Early career

Elliott began his career as a member of Swing Mob, a prolific collective of artists, songwriters, instrumentalists, and producers that converged in Teaneck, New Jersey and Rochester, New York during the mid-1990s, and was reportedly an early mentor of producer Jermaine Dupri. Elliott became a producer and instrumentalist for American R&B quartet Jodeci, while also frequently writing for other artists alongside fellow Swing Mob member Missy Elliott, including debut Raven-Symoné single "That's What Little Girls Are Made Of". In 1997, Elliott would contribute five songs to Salt-N-Pepa's fifth album Brand New, including lead single "R U Ready". He would also oversee the A&R direction of R&B girl-group Shades' eponymous debut album for Motown Records. In 1999, Elliott produced major single "15 Minutes" for former Boyz II Men member Marc Nelson, reaching the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #4 on the R&B charts.

Jumpin', Jumpin'

Elliott received a phone call from Columbia Records A&R Teresa LaBarbera Whites, who wanted him to meet "this great group in Houston" prior to the release of their debut album. He flew to Houston and met for dinner with the group (Destiny's Child) and their manager Mathew Knowles, but was unable to send any productions in time for their album. Elliott, alongside co-writer Rufus Moore and co-producer Jovonn Alexander, subsequently sent a disc of written tracks for potential inclusion on their second album. Elliott was compiling productions for his own rap project at the time, and accidentally sent one of his songs (with no lyrics attached) on the same disc. Beyoncé heard the song, began writing to it, and Knowles sent a rough draft to Elliott, who was impressed with the melodic, syncopated-rap delivery, and the "democratic" message addressed to both men and women. "Jumpin', Jumpin'", the completed product, would secure a placement on blockbuster album The Writing's on the Wall alongside another co-written Elliott song ("If You Leave"), was selected as the fourth and final single of the campaign, and would ultimately become Elliott's highest-peaking and highest-selling song in multiple global markets.

Later career

Elliott became an A&R for Sony Music Urban / Columbia Records, coordinating Jagged Edge's eponymous fifth album (2006), Noel Gourdin's 2008 debut album After My Time, Lyfe Jennings' 2008 album Lyfe Change, as well as "I'm Grown", the second single from Star Search winner Tiffany Evans' 2008 eponymous debut album. In 2022, Elliott sold the production rights of his 2-song Destiny's Child catalog to royalty asset management company ICM for an undisclosed sum.

Selected songwriting and production credits

Credits are courtesy of Discogs, Tidal, Apple Music, and AllMusic.

Executive-produced projects

Awards and nominations

References

1. "The Story of DeVante Swing's Da Bassment As Told By the Artists Who Were There". YouKnowIGotSoul.com. January 28, 2021. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
2. Brown, Preezy (October 23, 2023). "Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Records 30th Anniversary Proves Longevity, Surviving The Times and Hit-Making Equals A Hall of Fame Legacy". Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 25, 2023.
3. "Raven-Symoné's Debut Single Was Written by the One and Only Missy Elliott". Complex. August 7, 2017. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
4. Joyce, Mike (August 1, 1993). "Sorry Mick, But Time Is On Their Side, Yes It Is". Washington Post.
5. "9 gems from Irv Gotti's "Drink Champs" episode". Revolt. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
6. Flick, Larry (October 11, 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Salt N' Pepa "R U Ready"". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024. Retrieved January 22, 2024 – via Google Books.
7. "Reviews & Previews: Marc Nelson "15 Minutes"". Billboard. August 14, 1999. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
8. Taraborrelli, J. Randy (October 27, 2015). Becoming Beyoncé: The Untold Story. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 9781455590346. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023 – via Google Books.
9. "Producer Rights Acquired for Popular Destiny's Child Songs". ICM Asset Management. January 4, 2022. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
10. "SESAC Presents Its Annual Awards". Billboard. April 21, 2001. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
11. "Complete List of SESAC Winners". Billboard. May 18, 2002. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.

• Living people
• American record producers
• American songwriters