James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III is an American R&B/pop songwriter and producer.
History[]
Jimmy Jam, born James Samuel Harris III on June 6, 1959, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a legendary record producer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as one half of the iconic production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who have crafted some of the most memorable hits in pop, R&B, and soul music over the past four decades.
Jam's career began in the late 1970s as a keyboardist for the Minneapolis funk band The Time, which was closely associated with Prince. However, it was his partnership with Terry Lewis that catapulted him to stardom. The duo's breakthrough came in the early 1980s when they began producing for artists such as The S.O.S. Band, with the hit single "Just Be Good to Me" marking one of their first major successes.
In 1985, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis achieved widespread recognition when they produced Janet Jackson's *Control* album, which became a defining moment in both Jackson's career and the pop music landscape. The album's innovative sound, blending R&B, funk, and dance-pop, set the tone for Jackson's future projects and established Jam and Lewis as go-to producers for top-tier artists.
Over the years, Jam and Lewis have worked with a plethora of artists, including Mariah Carey, Usher, Boyz II Men, and Mary J. Blige, among others. Their ability to adapt to various musical styles while maintaining a distinctive sound has made them one of the most successful and influential production teams in music history.
Beyond their work as producers, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have also been recognized for their songwriting prowess. They have penned numerous chart-topping hits, and their work has earned them a slew of awards, including multiple Grammy Awards. In 2017, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, solidifying their legacy as musical innovators.
Credits[]
HIStory[]
- "2 Bad"
- "HIStory"
- "Scream"
- "Tabloid Junkie"