Blac Elvis, born Elvis Williams, is a 2x Grammy Award-winning record producer, musician, and songwriter whose work has shaped the sound of contemporary music. He gained his Grammy recognition for his contributions to Beyoncé’s “I Am… Sasha Fierce” album, including the bold and unforgettable track “Ego.” This achievement solidified his reputation as a powerhouse producer capable of creating genre-defining hits. Rising to prominence in 2005, Blac Elvis became a trusted collaborator for some of the industry’s biggest stars, including Usher, Ludacris, Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Fergie, and Mario. With chart-topping tracks like Fergie’s “London Bridge,” Ciara’s “Promise,” and Mario’s “Crying Out for Me,” his ability to craft infectious melodies and cutting-edge beats has made him a music industry titan.
In addition to his musical accolades, Blac Elvis is a trailblazing entrepreneur. He has launched multiple record labels and production companies, providing a platform for emerging talent while innovating within the music business. Not content to stop there, he has entered the tech world with groundbreaking AI ventures such as Hero Alert and Red Kulture AI. These projects reflect his visionary mindset, blending creativity with technology to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible across industries. This BeatSelector Magazine exclusive dives into how Blac Elvis merges his love for music and innovation to remain a leader in both fields.
With a career spanning nearly two decades, Blac Elvis’s influence goes far beyond his Grammy wins. His forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence have left an indelible mark on music and technology. As he continues to expand his impact, BeatSelector Magazine celebrates the legacy of a true innovator whose work continues to inspire and pave the way for future generations.
BSM: How did “Like This” become a defining record for Kelly Rowland’s solo career, and what’s the story behind your nickname, “The Cookie Monsta”?
EW: “Like This was, if I’m not mistaken, Kelly Rowland’s big breakout song. Of course she had records out before and had a lot of success with Nelly’s Dilemma, but “Like This” feat Eve was one that solidified her as a solo artist. This was also a huge record for me. Again, we originally crafted this record for Eve and after being dropped again by Dr. Dre, we decided to keep her on it and give the record to Kelly Rowland. This song was a lot of fun because my approach was simply church movements with horn and synth sounds. There was a box of really expensive cookies from Delicious Cookies in LA on the studio credenza at Chalice Studios and we arrived before Eve. Here I am thinking the box was for us or at least everybody and so I decided indulge myself. Eve walks in and open the box and scream…’Who ate my MF Cookies’ !!!!! Everyone pointed to me lending to my nick name, the Cookie Monsta. So, it didn’t hurt to make a glorious sounding record to lighten the mood until a
BSM: What made your chemistry with Ciara so successful, and how did it shape her sound and creative direction?
EW: “What made my creative chemistry with Ciara so successful was her incredibly easygoing energy and spirit. She’s the sweetest person you’ll ever meet. Her ability to dance and bring songs to life visually was the biggest part of where I drew my inspiration. Also, just being young and understanding young love, our records always provided a landing pad for other young girls at the time dealing with relationships and relationship issues. Cici would always be dancing during the sessions, and the energy in the room would just be electrifying.
BSM: You’ve worked in various genres, blending hip-hop, R&B, and pop. How do you manage to maintain your distinct style while adapting to different musical landscapes?
EW: “Balancing genres has never been a problem for me. I’m a true musician that grew up in church. I’ve beenI’ve been playing piano, organ and drums since I was 12yr’s old. Music is a universal language, so my interpretation of a genre while working with a specific artist is always true to who the artist is while applying sonics and emotion that appeals to that specific demographic.”
BSM: The backstory behind “Glamorous” is wild! Can you share how it went from a remix for Gwen Stefani to a global No. 1 hit with Fergie?
EW: “Working with Fergie was an incredible experience!! The backstory on these records is crazzzyyy!!!! Glamorous was originally a remix for Gwen Stefani’s song Luxurious. She passed on the remix, and next thing you know, we’re in LA changing it to Glamorous—and it ended up becoming No. 1 in the world. Fergie always had an incredible voice and tone, but most importantly, she is an incredible vocal stylist. London Bridge and Glamorous don’t showcase her vocal ability but more so her stylistic vocal expression, which made the records what they are—hit records that will live for a lifetime!!! Still to date, Glamorous is one of my biggest records ever!!!!”
BSM: What is your preferred audio gear or software when cranking out hits, and how does it contribute to your production style?
EW: “My favorite gear has definitely change over the years from using the MPC 2000XL, Roland Fantom X6, Voyager Moog, Ti Access Virus, Roland V Synth and a host of other sounds from the Open Labs Neko where all the big hits were made to using logic and my midi controller and mixing in some of the older gear for classic sounds.”
What was your initial reaction when you found out “Ego” was nominated for a Grammy, especially since it wasn’t originally intended for Beyoncé?
EW: “Winning a Grammy for Ego was a super surreal and pivotal moment in my career. I remember everyone calling and telling me congrats on the nomination, and
I was like, wow, I didn’t even know at the time!!!! Life was already great since I had so many other No. 1 records, but this one hit different because it was not expected at all, especially since Ego wasn’t originally crafted for Beyoncé! Me and my partner Harold Lilly originally crafted the record for Jamie Foxx, that’s why it’s such a piano-heavy record. My inspiration and vision was seeing Jamie play this song live while he was performing on stage. Although Jamie cut the record—which I will probably never release—I’m truly thankful he didn’t keep it and put it out!!!! Music always finds the right vehicle and home!!!!”
BSM: “Run Run Run” is one of your favorite records that you’ve produced. What was the process like, and how did it end up with Jill Scott instead of Beyoncé?
EW: “Run Run Run for Jill Scott has to be one of my most favorite records that I’ve produced. Again, me and my partner Harold Lilly were on a roll at the time, cranking out hits left and right. We met Jill in Philly after one of her concerts, where I was absolutely blown away by her performance. I literally had no clue how amazing she was live. We crafted Run Run Run for Beyoncé, honestly, but knowing Jill was working on a new album, we knew it would be perfect for her!!! My approach was simple: keep it funky and soulful. Being born in Mississippi and growing up in Memphis, my music is heavily influenced by Blues, Soul, Funk, and Gospel.”
BSM: What advice would you give to up-and-coming producers looking to make a mark in the music industry, especially in today’s rapidly changing musical environment?
My advice to any inspiring producer, songwriter or creative is to lock in to a source where you can draw inspiration from. My ultimate inspiration is God and the ability he gave me to hear and see melody. Being able to see what music looks like makes it easier to create. Being able to hear tone and melodies in the midst of creating is a gift from God. Moreover, being consistent and being able to deliver every time you’re called upon will keep you in the game for a very long time.
BSM: Can you share any upcoming projects you’re working on or any artists you’re excited to collaborate with in the near future?
EW: “Right now, I’ve been focused on building a lot of Tech and scaling my Tech Ai companies. I am excited about my Ai artist Yom Yom which is from the Planet Carth. Yom Yom, only 15yrs old, fled to earth because her planet was being taken over by the evil Pukis. She’s now here trying to navigate becoming a super star that sings and dance while having super powers and trying to make friends. I’m also excited about some other apps that I’ve developed that you guys will be able to download shortly. Most importantly, I’ve developed an app and software for 911 and first responders that allows callers to share Real-Time video, Location, Text, Phone Numbers and all the vital information needed in emergency situations. Tech is definitely purpose for me now while music still being my passion.”
BSM: Is there a dream collaboration artist that you would like to work with, and why does that collaboration stand out to you?
EW: “My dream collaboration would have been Michael Jackson. Like you said, I’ve worked with some of the best and yes, there are a lot of Artist that I would love to still work with, but nothing would compare to Michael.”
