Kuya Productions
Kuya Productions is a multi-platinum Grammy-nominated Canadian hip hop, R&B and pop production duo from Toronto, consisting of Samuel T. Gerongco and Robert T. Gerongco.
Early life
Samuel T. Gerongco and Robert T. Gerongco were born in Toronto, Ontario. They are the sons of Felipe and Godofreda Gerongco, and brothers of America Patman.
Sammy’s first big break as an actor/singer and dancer was in the original Canadian production of the Broadway musical Miss Saigon [1] at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto, which then lead to a five year run on Broadway in New York City. It was there that Sammy met Johann Camat (originally from Montreal) after both being cast in the production. Shortly after that, the group Kuya was formed as soon as Sammy's younger brother Bobby joined after completing his program in music production. After beginning to develop their unique style and recording with producers in Los Angeles, New York City and Toronto, Kuya quickly caught the attention of internationally recognized producers (Wyclef Jean, Pharrell Williams, DJ Enuff, Timbaland), and record label executives within the North American Music Industry
It was in New York that the brothers put their work as a group on hold to begin developing their craft as songwriters and producers.
Career
In 2004, Kuya Productions had produced on two U.S. Top 10 albums including the No.1 Grammy nominated Album Suit (album) for hip hop artist Nelly, as well as Mase's Welcome Back (Mase album) album. Both would do extremely well with Nelly reaching 3 million in sales world wide (3x platinum) and Mase hitting gold (500 000 units). Big Jon Platt from EMI Music Publishing signed them on in 2005.
Kuya Production's official releases include Jesse McCartney, Kandi Burruss, Big Time Rush, Jordin Sparks, Girlicious, and Slim (singer) of 112 among others. The year 2009 was devoted to the development and recording of their new R&B artist, JRDN. The next year was known as a breakout year for JRDN, achieving everything they set out to do; this included a top ten single, a number one hit on the Much Music charts, along with two Juno Award nominations.[2] JRDN’s second single Like Magic (produced by Kuya) achieved a SOCAN award for the most played song on Urban Radio across the nation.[3]
In 2011, Kuya was a part of Cover Me Canada, a Canadian reality television show which aired on CBC Television. Kuya came on as producers to work with the Cover Me Canada contestants.[4]
2012-Present
In January 2012, Vancouver-native Terence (Tee) Lam (born October 27, 1987) joined Kuya Productions as a producer and sound engineer.
2013 includes the release of JRDN's second studio album, as well as single releases for pop artist Karina Es.[5] 2015 Kuya wrote and produced for Canadian R&B singer Alessia Cara's debut album including her hit single Here (Alessia Cara Song) which went #1 on the Billboard Pop Charts and peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Discography
| Year | Single | Artist | Label | Work |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | F.U. | Little Mix | Syco/Columbia | Songwriter/Producer |
| 2015 | Here | Alessia Cara | EP/Def Jam | Songwriter |
| 2015 | Seventeen | Alessia Cara | EP/Def Jam | Songwriter/Producer |
| 2015 | Outlaws | Alessia Cara | EP/Def Jam | Songwriter |
| 2015 | Stars | Alessia Cara | EP/Def Jam | Songwriter/Producer |
| 2015 | Overdose | Alessia Cara | EP/Def Jam | Songwriter |
| 2013 | Under | Ahsan | EP/Interscope | Producer |
| 2013 | Can't Choose feat Kardinal Offishall | JRDN | Kuya/Fontana North | Producer |
| 2012 | Top It All | JRDN | Kuya/Fontana North | Producer |
| 2011 | Like Magic | JRDN | Kuya Productions/Fontana North | Producer |
| 2011 | 100 | Howie Dorough | Howie Do It Music Inc/Fontana | Writer/Producer |
| 2011 | Life of the Party | Aleesia | A-Lista Music Inc/EMI | Producer |
| 2011 | Bye Bye my Friend | Meisa Kuroki | Sony Japan | Writer/Producer |
| 2010 | U can Have it All | JRDN | Kuya/Fontana | Writer/Producer |
| 2010 | Count on You | Big Time Rush | Sony Music | Writer |
| 2009 | I Just Know | Kandi Burruss | Kandi Koated Ent/Asylum | Producer |
| 2009 | Why | Sean Garrett | Interscope Records | Producer |
| 2009 | Find Love | Akon | UpFront Records/Konvict | Producer |
| 2008 | Rock You | Jesse McCartney | Hollywood Records | Producer |
| 2008 | Blow | Nicole Scherzinger | Interscope Records | Producer |
| 2008 | There | Kreesha Turner | Virgin Records | Producer |
| 2008 | I Apologize | Slim (singer) | Virgin Records | Producer |
| 2007 | Ovaload | Cory Lee | Universal Records | Producer |
| 2007 | Lovers Holiday | Cory Lee | Universal Records | Producer |
| 2005 | Far Away | Ginuwine | Sony Urban Music | Producer |
| 2004 | In My Life | Nelly feat Mase | Fo Reel Ent/Universal Records | Producer |
| 2004 | Together | Keshia Chante | BMG | Producer |
| 2004 | Wastin' My Time | Mase | Fo Reel Ent | Producer |
| 2002 | Shook | Shawn Desman | Sony/BMG | Producer |
| 2002 | Get Ready | Shawn Desman | Sony/BMG | Producer |