# Kurtis McKenzie

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British record producer

Kurtis McKenzie Also known as The Arcade Born United Kingdom Genres Pop, hip hop Occupations Record producer, songwriter Years active 2011–present

Musical artist

**Kurtis McKenzie**, formally known as **The Arcade**,[1][2] is a British record producer and songwriter based in Los Angeles. He co-produced and co-wrote [Iggy Azalea](/source/Iggy_Azalea)'s single "[Fancy](/source/Fancy_(Iggy_Azalea_song))" featuring [Charli XCX](/source/Charli_XCX), which has sold 13 million copies worldwide, including 7 million in the U.S.

As a producer and songwriter, McKenzie has worked with various artists including [Childish Gambino](/source/Childish_Gambino), [Kendrick Lamar](/source/Kendrick_Lamar), [Migos](/source/Migos), [Khalid](/source/Khalid_(American_singer)), [Maroon 5](/source/Maroon_5), [Selena Gomez](/source/Selena_Gomez), [Charli XCX](/source/Charli_XCX), [G-Eazy](/source/G-Eazy), [Doja Cat](/source/Doja_Cat), [Snoh Aalegra](/source/Snoh_Aalegra), [Mark Ronson](/source/Mark_Ronson), [Jidenna](/source/Jidenna) and many more.

## Career

McKenzie began his career producing in his native England, working alongside a number of British artists. In 2011, he worked on the [Taio Cruz](/source/Taio_Cruz) single, Best Girl. The song was from the UK-singer's first album, which peaked at 14th position in the [UK Album Charts](/source/UK_Album_Chart).[3] During the same year, McKenzie worked with [Girls Aloud](/source/Girls_Aloud)-member [Nicola Roberts](/source/Nicola_Roberts) while she was working on her first solo album. [Cinderella's Eyes](/source/Cinderella's_Eyes) was released in September 2011 and included the track, [Take A Bite](/source/Cinderella's_Eyes), which was produced and written by McKenzie. The album itself reached 17th position in the [UK Album Charts](/source/UK_Album_Chart).[4]

In 2013, McKenzie worked on a number of tracks for [Conor Maynard](/source/Conor_Maynard)'s debut album and was listed as one of the main producers for the album. Maynard's success began in 2012 when McKenzie wrote and produced Maynard's first single, [Can't Say No](/source/Can't_Say_No). The song was an instant success and reached number 2 in the [UK singles chart](/source/UK_singles_chart).[5] It also received a silver certification.[6] Maynard and McKenzie then collaborated on a second single together, [Vegas Girl](/source/Vegas_Girl). The single was again successful, reaching number 4 in the singles chart in the UK. It also had success in other countries, making the top 10 in Belgium and peaking at 11th on the US [Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles](/source/Bubbling_Under_Hot_100_Singles) chart. The first two singles were followed that up with the album [Contrast](/source/Contrast_(Conor_Maynard_album)), which McKenzie help produce. It went straight to number one in the [UK Album Charts](/source/UK_Album_Charts).[7] The album also went onto receive a silver certification in the UK for the album sales.[8] McKenzie wrote and produced another track on the album, Take Off. The third and final single for McKenzie produced and wrote from the album was [Animal](/source/Animal_(Conor_Maynard_song)), which reached 6th position in the UK album chart.[9]

McKenzie worked with a number of artists throughout 2014, including [Rita Ora](/source/Rita_Ora), [Katy B](/source/Katy_B) and [Iggy Azalea](/source/Iggy_Azalea). He produced and wrote the [Katy B](/source/Katy_B) track, Next Thing. The song appeared on her album [Little Red](/source/Little_Red_(album)), which reached number one in the [UK album charts](/source/UK_album_chart).[10] McKenzie then teamed up with Australian recording artist, [Iggy Azalea](/source/Iggy_Azalea). Her debut album was released in 2014, after she had success with a number of singles. McKenzie produced and wrote six of the tracks from the album, while also receiving production and writing credits for the album itself, [The New Classic](/source/The_New_Classic). One of the six tracks written and produced by McKenzie was [Fancy](/source/Fancy_(Iggy_Azalea_song)), which went onto become a huge global hit. It reached number 1 in four countries and throughout 2014 was one of the best selling songs of the year. It was number one on the US Hot Rap Songs end of year chart. The tracks success meant it received numerous accolades and awards, going platinum in eight countries. [The New Classic](/source/The_New_Classic) also received a number of awards, winning both Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album at the [American Music Awards](/source/American_Music_Awards) and [Breakthrough Artist Release](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Breakthrough_Artist_-_Release) at the [ARIA Music Awards](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards_of_2014).

Later in 2014, he worked on [Rita Ora](/source/Rita_Ora)'s track for the film, [Beyond the Lights](/source/Beyond_the_Lights). Ora's track was titled [Grateful](/source/Grateful_(Rita_Ora_song)) and appeared on the official soundtrack. Due to the film's success, the track received praise in the music and film industry and was nominated for three separate awards. It was nominated for [Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film](/source/World_Soundtrack_Award_for_Best_Original_Song_Written_Directly_for_a_Film) at the 15th [World Soundtrack Awards](/source/World_Soundtrack_Academy), nominated for [Best Original Song](/source/Academy_Award_for_Best_Original_Song) at the [87th Academy Awards](/source/87th_Academy_Awards) and nominated for [Best Original or Adapted Song](/source/Black_Reel_Award_for_Best_Original_or_Adapted_Song) at the [15th Black Reel Awards](/source/Black_Reel_Awards_of_2015).[11][12]

McKenzie teamed up with rappers [Jidenna](/source/Jidenna) and [Kendrick Lamar](/source/Kendrick_Lamar) in 2015 to produce the track, "[Classic Man](/source/Classic_Man)". The song reached 2nd position on the US [Rhythmic chart](/source/Rhythmic_(chart)). During the same year, he also worked with [Little Mix](/source/Little_Mix) on their album, *[Get Weird](/source/Get_Weird)* and the track, "OMG". The album had huge commercial success in the United Kingdom, going double-platinum.[13] McKenzie finished the year collaborating with [G-Eazy](/source/G-Eazy) on his album track, "Calm Down". *[When It's Dark Out](/source/When_It's_Dark_Out)* reached number 1 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[14]

In 2016, McKenzie followed up his successes of the previous year by working on two notable tracks. The major release of the year was [Maroon 5](/source/Maroon_5)'s "[Don't Wanna Know](/source/Don't_Wanna_Know)", which featured [Kendrick Lamar](/source/Kendrick_Lamar). The track was from Maroon 5's *[Red Pill Blues](/source/Red_Pill_Blues)* album and reached the top ten in 15 countries, including number six in the United States. Its global success meant that it went platinum in eight countries. McKenzie also produced and wrote on his first collaboration with [Chris Brown](/source/Chris_Brown) on the track, *What Would You Do*. The track was unconnected to any of his albums as a standalone track, but was notably released 3 days after he was released following charges of gun possession.[15]

McKenzie teamed up with a number of upcoming artists in 2017, while also working with established artists such as [Khaled](/source/DJ_Khaled) and [Shakira](/source/Shakira). He also continued his relationship with [Maroon 5](/source/Maroon_5), working on the production for their 2017 album, [Red Pill Blues](/source/Red_Pill_Blues). McKenzie worked on a handful of singles for UK-based [Bipolar Sunshine](/source/Bipolar_Sunshine), the upcoming Swedish singer [Léon](/source/L%C3%A9on_(Swedish_singer)) and [Snoh Aalegra](/source/Snoh_Aalegra). McKenzie also worked on two tracks for [Kiiara](/source/Kiiara), one of which was the track, [Whippin](/source/Whippin). The track failed to receive any major chart success in the US, but reached 6th on the New Zealand chart and entered the top 20 in [The Netherlands](/source/The_Netherlands).[16]

During 2017, he also teamed up with [Shakira](/source/Shakira) for her album, [El Dorado](/source/El_Dorado_(Shakira_album)). McKenzie worked on the songwriting and production for the album and also the track, When A Woman. The album was well received in the [Billboard Top Latin Albums](/source/Billboard_Top_Latin_Albums), reaching 1st position. It was also number one on a number of album charts including, [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland). It featured in the top 10 in thirteen countries in total. Its global success led the album to be nominated for a number of album awards. The album was nominated for seven awards at various music award ceremonies. It was nominated in two categories at the [Latin American Music Awards](/source/Latin_American_Music_Awards), in the Album of the Year and Favorite Album Pop/Rock categories.[17] At the [Latin Grammy Awards](/source/Latin_Grammy_Award) it was nominated for Album of the Year and won its first award in the Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album category. It was McKenzie's first award at the [Latin Grammys](/source/Latin_Grammys).[18]

In 2018, the awards and nominations continued for [El Dorado](/source/El_Dorado_(Shakira_album)). [Shakira](/source/Shakira), McKenzie and the rest of the production team won Best Latin Pop Album at the [Grammy Awards](/source/Grammy_Awards).[19] The album has also been nominated for Top Latin Album of the Year and Latin Pop Album of the Year at the [Latin Billboard Music Awards](/source/Latin_Billboard_Music_Awards).[20] McKenzie also worked on the [Black Panther soundtrack](/source/Black_Panther_(soundtrack)), collaborating with [Kendrick Lamar](/source/Kendrick_Lamar) as a producer and writer on the track, Redemption. He also worked on the track for [Migos](/source/Migos), "Gang Gang", which appeared on [Culture II](/source/Culture_II).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Discography

### Singles/Albums

Year Artist Title Album / EP Songwriter Producer 2011 Nicola Roberts Take A Bite Cinderella's Eyes X X Taio Cruz Best Girl Rokstarr X X 2013 Conor Maynard Animal (feat Wiley) Contrast X X Can't Say No X X Take Off X X Better Than You (feat. Rita Ora) X X 2014 Rita Ora Grateful Beyond the Lights (soundtrack) X Iggy Azalea Beg for It (feat. MØ) Reclassified X X Fancy (feat. Charli XCX) The New Classic X X Impossible Is Nothing X X Goddess X X Walk The Line X X Don't Need Y'all X X Lady Patra X X F Love X X Rolex X X Katy B Next Thing Little Red X X 2015 G-Eazy Calm Down When It's Dark Out X X Little Mix OMG Get Weird X Jidenna Classic Man (feat. Kendrick Lamar) Wondaland Presents: The Eephus X 2016 Chris Brown What Would You Do[21] Non-Album Single X X Maroon 5 Don't Wanna Know (feat. Kendrick Lamar) Red Pill Blues X X 2017 Snoh Aalegra You Got Me Feels X X Shakira When A Woman El Dorado X X Léon Surround Me Surround Me EP X X Bipolar Sunshine Major Love Non-Album Single X X Are You Happy Non-Album Single X X Kiiara Wishlist Non-Album Single X X Whippin Non-Album Single X X Khalid Cold Blooded American Teen X X Maroon 5 Don't Wanna Know Red Pill Blues X X 2018 Kendrick Lamar Redemption Black Panther (soundtrack) X X Migos Gang Gang Culture II X X 2019 Doja Cat Tia Tamera Amala X X Doja Cat Won't Bite Ft. Smino Hot Pink X X Doja Cat Talk Dirty Hot Pink X X G-Eazy Ft. Ty Dolla Sign All Facts B-Sides X X GoldLink Ft. Pusha T Cokewhite Diaspora X Khalid Bad Luck Free Spirit X X Wale (rapper) Debbie Wow... That's Crazy X 2020 Selena Gomez Feel Me Rare (Vinyl Edition Bonus Track) X X Childish Gambino Algorhythm 3.15.20 X X Childish Gambino 12.38 3.15.20 X Childish Gambino 19.10 3.15.20 X X Childish Gambino 32.22 3.15.20 X X

### Certifications

Year Artist Title Album/Single Certification 2013 Conor Maynard Contrast Album Silver (United Kingdom) Conor Maynard Can't Say No Single Silver (United Kingdom) 2015 Iggy Azalea The New Classic Album Platinum (Brazil, Colombia, United States), Gold (Australia, Canada), Silver (United Kingdom) Iggy Azalea Fancy Single 7× Platinum (United States), 4× Platinum (Australia, Canada), Platinum x2 (Sweden), Platinum (Italy, New Zealand, United Kingdom), Gold (Spain) Jidenna feat. Kendrick Lamar Classic Man Single Platinum (United States) 2016 Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar Don't Wanna Know Single 3× Platinum (Italy), 2× Platinum (United States, Brazil), Platinum (Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom), Gold (Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden) 2017 Maroon 5 Red Pill Blues Album Gold (Canada, United States, Sweden) Shakira El Dorado Album Platinum (Colombia), Gold (France, Poland)

### Awards

Year Album/Single Award Category Result 2014 Iggy Azalea – The New Classic (Album) American Music Awards Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album Won ARIA Music Awards Breakthrough Artist Release Won Best Urban Album Nominated 2015 Rita Ora – Grateful (Single) 87th Academy Awards Best Original Song Nominated 15th Black Reel Awards Best Original or Adapted Song Nominated 15th World Soundtrack Awards Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film Nominated Iggy Azalea – The New Classic (Album) Grammy Awards Best Rap Album Nominated Billboard Music Awards Top Rap Album Nominated 2017 Shakira – El Dorado (Album) Latin American Music Awards Album of the Year Nominated Favorite Album Pop/Rock Nominated Latin Grammys Album of the Year Nominated Best Contemporary Pop Vocal Album Won 2018 Grammy Awards Best Latin Pop Album Won Latin Billboard Music Awards Top Latin Album of the Year Pending Latin Pop Album of the Year Pending

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["ROCNATION | Jon Mills"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150122084300/http://rocnation.com/artists/jon_mills). Archived from [the original](http://rocnation.com/artists/jon_mills/) on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Fu, Eddie (26 June 2018). ["The Making Of Migos' "Gang Gang" With Kurtis McKenzie"](https://genius.com/a/the-making-of-migos-gang-gang-with-kurtis-mckenzie). *[Genius](/source/Genius_(website))*. Retrieved 21 April 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Official Albums Chart for Rokstarr"](http://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/rokstarr/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Official Albums Chart Cinderella's Eyes"](http://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/cinderella's-eyes/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Official Singles Chart Top 100 22 April 2012 – 28 April 2012"](http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/20120422/7501/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Conor Maynard Can't Say No – Warner Music"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/11717-2433-1). [BPI](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Levine, Nick (2012). ["Conor Maynard Contrast Review"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/n3wx/). [BBC](/source/BBC).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Conor Maynard Contrast – EMI Music"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/8882-2433-2). [BPI](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Conor Maynard Singles"](http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/7389/conor-maynard/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Katy B Chart History"](http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/6425/katy-b/). [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Dear White People, Selma lead 15th annual Black Reel Awards nominations"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141218072239/http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/dear-white-people-selma-lead-15th-annual-black-reel-awards-nominations-2). *[HitFix](/source/HitFix)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/dear-white-people-selma-lead-15th-annual-black-reel-awards-nominations-2) on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Oscar Nominations for 2015 Revealed!"](http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/oscar-nominations-2015-see-the-list-of-academy-award-nominees-2015151). *[Us Weekly](/source/Us_Weekly)*. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["BPI Awards – Get Weird (Little Mix)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170909233259/https://www.bpi.co.uk/bpi-awards/). [BPI](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). Archived from [the original](https://www.bpi.co.uk/bpi-awards/) on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Anderson, Trevor. ["G-Eazy's 'The Beautiful & Damned' Hits No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart"](https://www.billboard.com/pro/g-eazy-beautiful-damned-number-1-rb-hip-hop-rap-albums-chart/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Stutz, Colin (31 August 2016). ["Chris Brown Drops New Song 'What Would You Do?'"](https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/chris-brown-new-song-what-would-you-do-steam-7494758/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["New Zealand Heatseeker Chart – 24 April, 2017"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191011170759/https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/singles%3Fchart%3D4356#all_records_extra). New Zealand Chart. Archived from [the original](https://nztop40.co.nz/index.php/chart/singles?chart=4356#all_records_extra) on 11 October 2019. Retrieved 10 September 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Latin American Music Awards 2017: Complete List of Winners"](http://www.eonline.com/news/889590/latin-american-music-awards-2017-complete-list-of-winners). E!. Retrieved 27 October 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["2017 Latin GRAMMY Awards: Full Winners Lists"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190215175848/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2017-latin-grammy-awards-full-winners-list). [National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences](/source/Grammy_Award). 16 November 2017. Archived from [the original](https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2017-latin-grammy-awards-full-winners-list) on 15 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["J Balvin, Shakira, Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna & Maluma Lead 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists"](https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/2018-billboard-latin-music-awards-nominations-8098517/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["J Balvin, Shakira, Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Ozuna & Maluma Lead 2018 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists"](https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/2018-billboard-latin-music-awards-nominations-8098517/). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. 7 February 2018. Retrieved 19 February 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Chris Brown Drops New Song 'What Would You Do?': Listen"](https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/chris-brown-new-song-what-would-you-do-steam-7494758/). *Billboard*. Retrieved 2 February 2018.

## External links

- [Kurtis McKenzie on Twitter](https://twitter.com/Kurtis_Mckenzie)

- [Kurtis McKenzie on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kurtis.mckenzie/)

Authority control databases: Artists MusicBrainz Grammy Awards

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kurtis McKenzie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurtis_McKenzie) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurtis_McKenzie?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.