This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Street Symphony" producer – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Street Symphony | |
---|---|
Birth name | Torrance Esmond |
Origin | Memphis, Tennessee |
Occupation(s) | Record producer, Music executive, Entrepreneur |
Years active | 2006−present |
Labels | Track Or Die |
Website | trackordie |
Torrance Esmond, better known by his stage name Street Symphony, is an American record producer and music executive from Memphis, Tennessee.
Biography
Dividing his youth between Memphis and Nashville, Street Symphony was compelled to pursue a career in music after watching an Outkast concert. With roommates owning equipment, the Sean Combs-influenced entrepreneur began making beats by fiddling with the turntables and drum machines through the night in his Middle Tennessee State University dorm. At school, Street juggled prospects of a bountiful career in Electrical Engineering with his visions of music stardom. In the end, he switched majors, formed a notable area Hip-Hop group Player Way with best friends Mike Sean and Lonnel Matthews and went all in. Through performing at college parties, Street Symphony & Player Way garnered respect and fans on campus, as well as surrounding areas. People took notice, ranging from Street's early mentor Carlos "6 July" Broady, to NBA champion superstar Gary Payton, who signed the producer to his Rock Solid imprint in 2005. It was there that Street Symphony acquainted himself with big recording studios, honing his original sounding repertoire of beats with the likes of Yo Gotti and Starlito, who were flirting with a Cash Money Records deal. Overnight sessions, traveling, and a tireless hustle gave Street Symphony a director's chair in the action, as he refined his multi-genre, unique style of music.
Solidifying his presence in Tennessee, Street Symphony took interest in the Houston hustle. As artists like Paul Wall, Chamillionaire, and Mike Jones were reaching gold and platinum, Street remembered thinking, "Let me catch this wave." As he slept on his H-Town friend's floor, worked a day-job, and devoted off hours to his craft, he networked to shop his tracks to any artists he could reach. "In the evenings, I'd get out and hustle. I'd go to Guitar Center, in the DJ room, and play my beats so everyone could hear." Local artists took interest, as well as stars like Lil' Keke of the Screwed Up Click.
After finding success in Houston, Street Symphony followed Rap's next wave to Atlanta. It was there that he connected with Ludacris's label Disturbing tha Peace working with I-20, Dolla Boy of Playaz Circle & Luda himself. In 2009 he reconnected with friend and former college classmate, Lecrae. With a label, Reach Records behind him, Lecrae hoped to expand his audience and accessibility, attaching the touted-Christian Rap star with music that legitimized his careful message. First contributing to Lecrae's Rehab album, Street Symphony's knowledge and sound attracted his longtime friend and the Reach Records' brass to want him on board. As their flagship artist was kicking down mainstream doors, Street had a musical style and a Rolodex that functioned as a key to the industry's doors. In the subsequent two years, Street Symphony would handle artist and repertoire and executive production of Lecrae's music, especially surrounding his acclaimed Church Clothes mixtape series. In their time together, Lecrae garnered a Top 3 debut, as Street Symphony earned his first GMA Dove Award and Grammy Award, for 2012's Gravity. Continuing his success with Lecrae, Esmond returned to the 2015 GRAMMY Awards, winning as co-writer & producer for Best Christian Contemporary Music Performance/Song, "Messengers".
Following his achievements in the Christian Hip Hop subgenre with Lecrae, Street Symphony returned to the mainstream focusing on his Track Or Die production company. After affiliation from working together in The Playaz Circle days, 2 Chainz welcomed Street Symphony to the studio to assist in crafting the EP, Freebase—including video single "Trap Back." Additional frequent collaborators include: Yo Gotti, Starlito, Don Trip, Snootie Wild, and Tracy T.
Once shopping his sound from Tennessee to Texas to Georgia, top artists are now the ones traveling to Street Symphony to maestro their music.
Track Or Die
After two years of working on staff as Vice President of A&R, he departed from Reach Records and in February 2014 launched his own label, publishing and mgmt company, Track Or Die.
- Artists
- Moe The Natural
- Jacob Feltman
- In-House Producers
- D.O. Speaks
- J Super
- Kangaroo
- Moe The Natural
- Tez Mania
- Former
- Reconcile
- Tyshane aka Beam
- GNRA
- Spade Melo
- Ronnie Doe
- 8X8 Bocci
Production credits
The following is a list of songs produced or co-produced by Street Symphony.
2022
- 8. Red Light Green Light (featuring Jay-Way & Ty Brassel)
- 15. Glory On Me (featuring Childish Major & Taylor Hill)
- 2. Heartbreaker
2021
- 5. Glory On Me (featuring Childish Major & Taylor Hill)
2020
- 2. More Ready Than Ever
Jada Kingdom - Non Album Single
- 1. Green Dreams
2019
- 2. Karma
- 5. Born Hustla (feat. Janine The Machine)
- 6. Mine (feat. Q Money)
- 12. Everyday (featuring Gunna)
Yo Gotti - I Told U So (with DJ Drama)
- 14. Work Hard Play Hard (featuring Block Burnaz)
2018
- 15. Grateful (featuring Marsha Ambrosius)
Saint Malo - Wild Wild West
- 4. Who Am I featuring Lester Shaw
Saint Malo - Wild Wild West
Nipsey Hussle - Victory Lap
- 7. Hussle & Motivate
Tiffany Foxx - Non Album Single
- 1. War Zone
- 1. Imagine
2017
Starlito & Don Trip - Step Brothers 3
- 04. If My Girl Find Out
- 06. Me & You Both
- 09. The 13th Amendment Song
- 15. Untitled No Hook
DaBoyDame, Blac Youngsta & Mozzy - Can't Fake The Real
- 10. Get Whacked
David Banner - The God Box
- 02. Black Fist (featuring Tito Lopez)
Starlito - Hot Chicken
- 09. TBG (featuring Red Dot, West & Marty)
- 19. Outro
- 13. - YBA (featuring The-Dream)
- 14. - Open (featuring Verse Simmonds)
Starlito - Non Album Single
- 01. You Should Be Proud
GNRA - Heartlines EP
Don Trip - Free Roy, Free Fletch
- 04. 10:04pm
Alphabet Rockers - Risen Shine #Woke
Rikki Blu - You Cant Make Me
- 07. Youth
Trav - QRAK (Queens Raised A King)
- 19. Bando (featuring Lil Durk)
2016
Wale - Non Album Single
- 01. PowerBall Freestyle
2 Chainz - Felt Like Cappin
- 05. Minding My Business
- 09. Momma
Kris J - The A.R.T. Project
- 06. Follies
David Banner - Before The Box
- 02. Black Fist
Don Trip - The Head That Wears The Crown
- 06. Higher Learning
MMG - Priorities 4
- 17. Powerball Freestyle
Trav - Push 3
- 02. Its A Will Its A Way
- 21. We Living
G-Eazy - Non Album Single
- 01. So Much Better
Trina - Non Album Single
- 01. Overnight
Zoey Dollaz - October
- 01. Scammers (featuring Fat Trel)
- 06. U Can Be That (featuring Ink)
2015
Yo Gotti - Concealed (with DJ Drama)
- 03. Super Power
Neek Bucks - Here For A Reason 2
- 05. How Can I (featuring Kevin Gates)
Plane Jaymes - Vape Music Vol 1
- 06. Align
Starlito - Introversion
- 18. It's OK (featuring Robin Raynelle)
- 20. 10,000 Hours
Rikki Blu - Non Album Single
- 01. Holy Vices
Don Trip - GodSpeed
- 07. Get Away (featuring Singa B)
- 17. Losing Streak
2 Chainz - Trap-A-Velli Tre
- 09. Halo (Letter From My Unborn Son)
Tracy T - 50 Shades of Green
- 15. Hard Way (featuring MeetSims)
Reconcile - Catchin' Bodies EP
Blac Youngsta - I Swear To God
- 10. Codeine
Yo Gotti - CM8
- 6. No Mo
2014
Don Trip - Randy Savage
- 04. Road Warriors (featuring Starlito)
- 07. Cream of the Crop
- 08. Neil Armstrong
- 01. Trap Back
Tracy T - The Wolf of All Streets
- 14. Save Me
- A&R
- 01. Outsiders
- 15. Messengers (featuring For King & Country)
Wave Chapelle - Only The Beginning
- 05. I Want It All
Snootie Wild - Go Mode
- 01. Here I Go (featuring Starlito)
Scotty - Spaghetti Junction
- 10. Long Day 2ma
- 15. Stealing Shit
Starlito - Black Sheep Don't Grin
- 10. She Just Want The Money (featuring Don Trip, Petty & WILX)
- 12. No Rearview TWO (featuring Don Trip and Yo Gotti)
2013
- 13. Curious
- 15. Tug Of War (featuring Krizz Kaliko)
Scotty - F.A.I.T.H. (Forever Atlanta In The Heart)
- 17. Fuss And Fight (featuring Lecrae)
Derek Minor - Minorville
Starlito & Don Trip - Step Brothers 2
- 01. Paper, Rock, Scissors
- A & R / Executive Producer
- 01. Co-Sign pt. 2
- 02. Believe
- 07. Sell Out
- 15. My Whole Life Changed
- 17. Hang On
2012
Json - Growing Pains
- 02. Making Me Over (featuring Pastor AD3 and Tedashii)
- 04. Schizo (featuring Tedashii)
- A & R / Executive Producer
- 01. Co-Sign
- 04. Cold World (featuring Tasha Catour)
- 12. No Regrets (featuring Suzy Rock)
- 04. Don't Mean Much (featuring Sho Baraka and Mitch Parks from After Edmund)
Canon - Non Album Single
- 01. Work
Alex Faith - Honest 2 God
- 04. Georgia Clay (featuring JAMM)
- A & R / Executive Producer
- 01. The Drop (Intro)
- 06. Fakin (featuring Thi'sl)
- 10. Buttons
- 12. Lord Have Mercy (featuring Tedashii)
- 14. Tell The World (featuring Mali Music)
2011
- 01. Overdose
- 05. Blow Your High (featuring Canon)
Trina - Diamonds Are Forever
- 10. Waist So Skinny (featuring Rick Ross)
- 09. Go Until I'm Gone (featuring Thi'sl)
Thi'sl - Beautiful Monster
- 08. My Radio On Drugs
- 11. It's Not About Me (featuring Pettidee)
2010
I-20 - Non Album Single
- 01. Down Chic (featuring Devin the Dude and Lil Keke)
Arab - The Package
- 07. Go
- 09. 31st Floor
Dolla Boy of Playaz Circle - It's Official
- 15. Oxygen (featuring J. Hard)
- 09. New Shalom (featuring Derek Minor)
Starlito - Starlito's Way 3: Life Insurance
- 03. SW3
2009
Lil Scrappy - Non Album Single
- 01. Look Like This (featuring Gucci Mane)
Clyde Carson - Bass Rock
- 02. Popular Thugs (featuring The Jacka)
B.G. - Built To Last 1.5
- 14. Gotta Get My Money (Remix) (featuring Gorilla Zoe, Yung LA, Bun B, TC and Lady Dolla]
Starlito - I Love You, Too Much: The Necessary Evils
- 08. I Don't Believe Her
Starlito - The Tenn-A-Keyan 3
- 21. Grind Hard Cypher
Awards and achievements
- 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards (2012) - Awarded Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
- 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards (2013) - Awarded Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year
- 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards (2013) - Awarded Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
- 46th Annual GMA Dove Awards (2015) - Awarded Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
- 50th Annual Grammy Awards - Nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album
- 51st Annual Grammy Awards - Nominated for Best R&B Song
- 51st Annual Grammy Awards - Nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
- 55th Annual Grammy Awards - Awarded Best Gospel Album
- 57th Annual Grammy Awards - Awarded for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
- 60th Annual Grammy Awards - Nominated for Best Children's Album
- 61st Annual Grammy Awards - Nominated for Best Rap Album
- 62nd Annual Grammy Awards - Nominated for Best Children's Album
References
- "58th Annual GRAMMY Awards Winners & Nominees". The GRAMMYs. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- Los Angeles Times (8 February 2015). "Grammys 2015: Complete list of winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- "Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance - Grammys 2014 - CBS.com". www.cbs.com. Archived from the original on 2014-01-16.
- Grant, Andre (May 8, 2014). "2 Chainz - Freebase EP". HipHopDx. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
- "PREMIERE: Starlito Invites You Inside His Head with 'Introversion'". NOISEY. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- "Wale - Powerball (Freestyle) - Stream [New Song]". HotNewHipHop. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- "2 Chainz - Felt Like Cappin (Mixtape Stream/Download) - ThisIs50.com". www.thisis50.com. Archived from the original on 2016-01-31.
- "[ALBUM] Atlanta's Kris J Releases Album, The A.R.T. Project Hosted By DJ Outta Space - ThisIs50.com". www.thisis50.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-10.
- "New Music: David Banner x Tito Lopez "Black Fist"". 5 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
- "G-Eazy Drops 'In The Meantime' and 'So Much Better'". 29 June 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
- Lilah, Rose (January 19, 2015). "Yo Gotti - Concealed (Hosted By Dj Drama)". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- "Rikki Blu Makes A Welcomed Return With the Street Symphony Assisted 'Holy Vices'". Boi-1da.net. 8 June 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- "2 Chainz (Tity Boi) - Trap-A-Velli 3". LiveMixtapes. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- Diep, Eric (May 27, 2014). "Tracy T Releases New Mixtape, 'The Wolf Of All Streets'". XXL. Harris Publications. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
- "Snootie Wild - Here I Go (feat. Starlito) - OnSMASH". 24 March 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
- "2015 Winners". Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- David Daniels (13 October 2015). "Lecrae's 'Anomaly' wins Rap/Hip-Hop Album of the Year at 2015 Dove Awards". Rapzilla. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- 21st-century American businesspeople
- 21st-century American musicians
- American music industry executives
- African-American businesspeople
- African-American record producers
- American hip-hop record producers
- Musicians from Nashville, Tennessee
- Songwriters from Tennessee
- Middle Tennessee State University alumni
- Living people
- Musicians from Memphis, Tennessee
- 21st-century African-American musicians