Joe Solo, Music Producer Who Developed Macy Gray, on his Legacy

Joe Solo is a record producer, songwriter, and music executive. He is passionately committed to discovering and cultivating artists, building marketable talent brands, and creating label-quality, radio-friendly music. Solo’s extensive experience spans all areas of music production, including composition/ songwriting, recording, mixing, mastering, sequencing, and engineering. He is proficient in multiple instruments at a session musician level, including guitar, piano/keys, bass, and beat programming, and is known for inventing new sounds.

Solo began producing music in the late 1980s and spent several years collaborating with Macy Gray to develop her sound and artistic persona from the ground up, establishing himself as one of the pioneers of the Neo-Soul music style. Together, they co-wrote over 50 songs, including her hits "Sweet Baby", which went on to become Gray’s third-highest-charting single, and "Glad You’re Here," and he played a pivotal role in securing her first major record deals and her Best New Artist Grammy win. Following this success, Joe Solo secured a three-year worldwide publishing deal with Paramount’s Famous Music Publishing as Head Writer in the Pop, Rock, and Hip-hop genres.

Since then, Joe has worked with numerous artists, elevating their music to star quality. His extensive portfolio includes over 1,000+ song placements in TV, film, commercials, and video games. Aside from Macy Gray, Solo has helped produce household names such as Fergie, will.i.am, and Michael Jackson. He has worked with major corporations and record labels including Sony Entertainment, Disney, Universal, and Paramount. Solo also worked with high profile producers including Howard Benson, who produced Kelly Clarkson and Papa Roach, Arnie Roman, who produced Celine Dion, and finally, John Ingoldspy who helped produce Madonna and Elton John. For a more extensive list of Joe’s collaborations see below the biography.

Solo has had the honor of delivering over a dozen keynote speeches at The NAMM Show music convention and has appeared at events for ASCAP, the Songwriters Guild of America, the Canadian Music Festival, the Billboard Film & TV Conference, the National Association of Record Industry Professionals, and various schools and Universities like the Musician’s Institute and the Sync Summit. Joe Solo was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Youth Academy Awards for his commitment, years of service, and dedication to helping thousands of emerging artists.

In recent years, Solo has dedicated himself to mentoring emerging music creatives. He launched the Music Success Workshop, a weekend retreat in a Malibu mansion, which includes lectures, expert panels, and group sessions designed to nurture the next generation of industry talent. He is also the founder of the Hollywood Creative Academy, an online school aimed at aspiring entertainment industry professionals. He is looking forward to continuing to help young musicians grow and is excited for what the future holds.