Although a talented singer, Claude Kelly has been nicknamed the “Studio Beast” for good reason. His songwriting credits include: “My Life Would Suck Without You” (Kelly Clarkson), “Party in the USA” (Miley Cyrus), “Forgive Me” (Leona Lewis), “Blame It On Me” (Chrisette Michele), “Like I Never Left” (Whitney Houston), and “Circus” (Britney Spears).
The diverse roster of Claude Kelly’s discography shines as a testament to his ability to write across multiple genres. More amazing, however, is the fact that in seven short years, Kelly has transitioned from being a college grad into the music industry’s hottest musical wunderkind. Even so, Claude Kelly was gracious enough to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Whitney Houston, his quest for musical diversity, and his mother’s lasting influence.
Your mother was a principle influence during your early years. What kind of specific impact did she have in shaping and forming your musical interests?
My mother put me in everything as a child. At two and a half years old, I started piano lessons. I still play piano now. I’ve been singing in the church all my life, singing in the family choir and the boys’ choir. Music was always in the house. Every room in my house had a radio playing, every single room on a different station. The kitchen would be playing the light and easy station. The bathroom would be playing the smooth R&B and jazz station. My mom was a big Motown and soul fan, so she would always be playing Sam Cooke, the Supremes and Aretha Franklin when she was in the living room. Of course, my bedroom always had pop music blasting! [laughing] So I was also listening to TLC and Biggie and Green Day and Nirvana. Whenever I walked around the house, I was always encountering diverse forms of music. So, all my musical influences were really a part of my mother’s doing.
You’ve written a lot of music for some of the industry’s biggest female stars: Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Leona Lewis, Miley Cyrus, Jordin Sparks, Chrisette Michele, and the list goes on and on. Is there a particular lesson that you picked up from your mother, in terms of how to relate to women?
More than anything, my mom taught me how to respect women. I try to treat everybody – women especially – with a great amount of respect. I found that the more respect you give, the more respect you get. Also, take pride in what you do no matter how small it is. If you wrote one line or a whole song or a whole album, it definitely shows in the end result. One of the things I learned from her is to take pride in your work, and if you start something, finish it. I’ve never walked out of a session. I’ve never started a song and not finished. Not every song is going to be a great song, but if you start it, finish it.
Article comments