This week we chat with US music producer Victor Merritt
By: Peter Moore
Tags: Podcast, USA, Music, Producer, Energy

The bands were; (“The All-Female Band “Klymaxx”, who had 2 Top 10 Hits and a Platinum Debut Album, and “The Deele” an all-male band featuring a then-unknown Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and “LA Reid” {Now Chairman at Epic Records}, the band also had a debut album that had a Top 10 Hit.

Victor's band impressed the promoter, so much, they were booked to be the “Local Opening Act” for the National Bands.

After the show, Babyface introduced himself and told Victor how much everyone enjoyed the performance and he couldn’t believe that he was only (17) with such mastery of the keyboards.

Babyface gave Victor his number and the jounrney begain!

Victor then went on to gain a music scholarship to Contra Costa College in Richmond California. Where he attended college for 5 months and just wanted to try music full time.

Victor then left college in early 1986 and with the help of my 3 mentors Babyface, Teddy Riley & Charlie Wilson were Victor learned how to stay “Appreciative and Ambitions”.

Music producer and Composer Victor Merritt

Victor also taught himself how to perfect other instruments, Drums, Lead & Bass Guitar, plus learned how to be a studio engineer & mixer.

With so many ups and downs but managed to still be relevant 40+ years later.

With all this experience at a young age, Victor went on to build a music career working with some music great’s over many years, starting with MCA Chairman in 1997, Doug Morris, Ms. Abby Konowitch, EVP and Ms. Nancy Levin, SVP, made it a very enjoyable for Victor and Gerald, (“The Grand Jury’’, their production name.) to build and perfect their craft!

Going onto work with and produce — K-CI and Jo Jo’s 4x Platinum album,”(All My Life)[Billboard position #6 top 100, and,1 R&B &1 in (4) Foreign Countries] Grammy Nominated.

Working with Doug Morris, and his staff was first class for Victor and his production team. At [R’CA Records in 1997], these executives provided a positive environment of continuity, President of RCA, Bob Jamieson, and Vice President of A&R, Brain Malouf.

Gerald and Victor Produced many“ Debut Albums”.

Victor's nephew Dee then introduced him to a dynamic R&B singer, called Rome at that time.

They then went on to get signed to “RCA”. His debut album, called ‘Romeo’[ Billboard #6 in top 100 and top ten in Billboard’s R&B charts].

With (2) singles and both placed high on Billboard, certified’ “Gold’(Half-Million Copies Sold,) it exceeded over 1 million copies sold since 1997.

The 2nd debut for RCA,(1997.) Produced, Sylk-E-Fyne’s, huge single, “Romeo and Juliet”[Billboard #6 in top 100 & #1 in Rap Category] The “album was certified” Gold 7 times.

Placed a song on the Album’, which included, Superstar, Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds (Wrote 26, #1 Billboard Hits for Whitney Houston, Eric Clapton, TLC and his partner, LA Reid.

The album is called:, (Shot Caller Big Baller”,1997 on the label “ BMG).

Later that year Victor had the opportunity to do a remix for, The Greatest Band On The Planet, (“U2”):,[If God Will Send His Angels] {The Grand Jury Mix, Victor aka “Vito “ Merritt], on ‘Island Records’.

Hanging with “,U2” was a memorable experience.

Victor then went on to work with the legend himself Michael Jackson where he produced and play keyboards from the trio “Brownstone,” (MJJ Records)/Michael Joe Jackson’s label.

Michael was Executive Producer. Victor “When Michael grooves to my music, I was speechless”. “Michael was so humble I really wish I could have spent more time with him”.

To listen more to the chat with Victor click on the link below;

Victor has been blessed to have worked with some of the Legendary Stars over the years.

Victor is currently working with some very talented unsigned artists, helping them just like he got helped by his mentors.

This is what makes him very happy but he’s got just as much enjoyment working with unsigned acts as he did working with global acts like Michael Jackson Babyface and U2.

If you put the work in over the years it does pay off…

By Peter Moore