Young Houston Producer Up For 4 Grammy Nominations

Errol E-Poppi" McCalla, Jr. is crafting a new sound in music. Among the young rising stars in the music industry, Errol E-Poppi" McCalla, Jr., a Houston native with a talent for creating R&B, Pop and Hip-hop sounds, is emerging at the top of the list.

Houston, Texas (PRWEB) January 17, 2004 --The 25-year-old graduate of James Madison High School has received four Grammy nominations for his work: Album of the Year" for Under Construction by Missy Elliott, Best Rap Album" for Under Construction/Missy Elliott, Best Contemporary R&B Album" for Dangerously in Love/Beyoncé, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" for Dangerously in Love/Beyoncé. Im honored to be in the company of such incredibly talented people like Missy Elliott and Beyoncé and have my music a part of their sound," McCalla says.

Just being around them for awhile, you begin to take in their vibe and realize the way you should be doing your thing." By doing his thing," McCalla is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after producers in R&B and hip-hop music with a growing list of producer/writer credits. Having got his start doing remix work with Sean P-Diddy Combs Hitmen production team and also as a songwriter for Mariah Careys short-lived Crave Records, McCalla has been on a fast track in developing his own unique style and sound.
                  
After meeting Missy Elliott late in 1998, McCalla began experiencing some commercial success with R&B vocalist Tamia on her sophomore album, A Nu Day. His sound and skills also impressed Mathew Knowles and soon McCalla joined the group in the studio, producing D.O.T." from the Charlies Angels movie soundtrack, Eight Days of Christmas", and Dangerously in Love" from the groups multi-platinum and Grammy-award winning album Survivor. He also accompanied Destinys Child on the remake to the Samantha Sang classic, Emotion." As well, he handled the scoring for the MTV production of Carmen, in which Beyoncé made her acting debut. While on his first visit to Los Angeles, McCalla was introduced to Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre was so impressed he invited McCalla back to LA to spend time in the studio. Of the four songs worked on, This Feeling" made the final cut.

A trained and gifted musician, McCalla is one of few R&B/hip-hop producers who are as seasoned with musical instruments as with studio master boards. He grew up playing more than seven instruments, including saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, keyboards and flute. By high school, he scored school plays and helped his theatrical team make it to statewide competitions.

Though his success has tempted McCalla to leave his native Houston, he remains firm in hometown roots. Here in Houston, I am able to focus on my company, PlayHouse Music, Inc." McCalla is hoping to create his own camp of writers, producers and recording artists. Theres a lot of talent here in Houston that is being overlooked because the industry is based in New York and LA," he says. Im doing my best to add Houston to the music industrys radar.

McCalla is currently working with artists all over the country, as well as his own artists. The Grammys will air live on CBS on February 8, 2004, from the Staple Center in Los Angeles.
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