{{Short description|American songwriters}} thumb|The Swaggernautz The '''Swaggernautz'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/hoy/entretenimiento/ct-hoy-wapea-jovany-barreto-tat-tong-20190905-7zojhy6rqrejhflm6tqwc77634-story.html|title=Wapea fusiona sus ritmos y culturas|last=Orozco|first=Gisela|website=chicagotribune.com|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/little-red-book-home-grown-passions-taken-beyond-borders|title=Little Red Book: Home-grown passions taken beyond borders|date=2017-09-20|website=The Straits Times|language=en|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/elsentinel/entretenimiento/os-es-wapea-duo-fusiona-culturas-refleja-musica-20190615-il6yjpluxbdito26m25mrsrziu-story.html|title=WAPEA, el dúo que fusiona culturas y lo refleja en su música|last=Villegas|first=Ginayra Alvarado|website=orlandosentinel.com|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref> is a songwriting and production duo based in Los Angeles, composed of Singaporean songwriter-producer Tat Tong and American Idol Season 10 alumnus Jovany Javier.<ref name="Dylan" /> Their combined discography has gone 60× platinum, with over 20 #1 hits out of over 60 Top 20 hits worldwide.<ref name="Dylan">{{cite news|url=http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/playing-to-a-global-beat-0|title=Playing to a global beat|last1=Tan|first1=Dylan|date=July 1, 2016|work=The Business Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings}}</ref>
== Early life and history == As a child in Singapore, Tong studied piano and composition at Yamaha Music Foundation.<ref name="mothership">{{cite web|url=http://mothership.sg/2016/07/sporean-navy-scholar-with-computer-science-degree-makes-mark-in-international-pop-music-and-edm/|title=S'porean Navy scholar with computer science degree makes mark in international pop music and EDM|last1=Tan|first1=Jeanette|website=Mothership.sg|publisher=Mothership.sg}}</ref> In 2001, he accepted a scholarship from the Singapore Armed Forces to study Computer Science at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, and following that, worked in the Republic of Singapore Navy for 6 years<ref name="mothership" /> before transitioning to a full-time music career in 2011.<ref name="kevin">{{cite news|url=http://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/local-music-producer-songwriter-tat-tong-and-dj-declan-ee-find-success-us|title=Local music producer-songwriter Tat Tong and DJ Declan Ee find success in US|last1=Mathews|first1=Kevin|date=February 26, 2016|work=TODAYOnline|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings}}</ref>
Growing up in Harvey, Louisiana,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/swmag/docs/jefferson_life-may_2011/20|title=Even Idols Have Heroes|last1=Bouton|first1=Amy|website=Jefferson Life|publisher=Issuu|accessdate=4 February 2017}}</ref> Javier worked as a shipbuilder<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/idolatry/2011/01/american_idol_season_10.html|title=American Idol: Season 10 - Steven Tyler's delightful bleeps; Brett Loewenstern learns to love himself.|last1=Meizel|first1=Katherine|date=21 January 2011|work=Slate|accessdate=4 February 2017}}</ref> before auditioning for American Idol Season 10 in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4304828/|title=Jovany Javier|website=IMDb|accessdate=11 February 2017}}</ref> After finishing in the Top 12 male finalists,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/american-idol-the-top-12-guys/|title='American Idol': The Top 12 Guys|last=Caramanica|first=Jon|date=2011-03-02|website=ArtsBeat|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> he proceeded to perform at 27 military installations in 12 countries on an Armed Forces Entertainment World Tour,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandsintown.com/JovanyBarreto/past_events?page=1|title=Jovany Barreto|website=BandsInTown.com|accessdate=4 February 2017}}</ref> with stops including Japan,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/japan/american-idol-singers-delight-yokota-audience-1.151780|title='American Idol' singers delight Yokota audience|last1=Okubo|first1=Grant|date=11 August 2011|work=Stars and Stripes|accessdate=4 February 2017}}</ref> Korea,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://korea.stripes.com/news/idols-bring-bit-home-rok#sthash.gaYkqby8.Vf3WAOyy.dpbs|title=Idols to bring bit of home to ROK|last1=Hurwitz|first1=David|date=1 August 2012|work=Stripes Korea|accessdate=4 February 2017|publisher=Stars and Stripes}}</ref> Guam,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/archived/45-guam/guam-news/26697-american-idol-world-tour-for-us-armed-forces-ends-on-guam|title=American Idol World Tour For U.S. Armed Forces Ends On Guam|date=27 August 2012|work=Pacific News Center News First|accessdate=4 February 2017}}</ref> Australia, and Hawaii.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hookelenews.com/american-idols-make-a-stopover-at-joint-base-april-15/|title=American Idols make a stopover at joint base April 15|date=21 April 2012|work=Ho'okele: Pearl Harbor-Hickham News|accessdate=4 February 2017}}</ref>
Tong and Javier started collaborating as The Swaggernautz in 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.micatucla.com/blog/2017/11/8/songwriting-101-with-the-swaggernautz|title=Songwriting 101 with The Swaggernautz|website=MIC at UCLA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-29}}</ref>
== Current career == Since its inception, the duo has had releases with artists across North America, Central/South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, including Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato, Troye Sivan, Monsta X, Kaskade, CNCO, Sebastian Yatra, Juanes, CD9, Alvaro Soler, Aitana, ShiNEE, JJ Lin, Vanness Wu, and Wang Lee Hom.<ref name="rep">{{cite web|url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/writer.asp?page=1&blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&fromrow=1&torow=25&affiliation=BMI&cae=536768218&keyID=1531700&keyname=TONG%20HONG%20TAT&querytype=WriterID&detail=Y&affCD=21&term=|title=Repertoire Search|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website=BMI.com|publisher=BMI.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laconexionusa.com/noticias/20190617864014_lc86401417.asp|title=Wapea, el dúo multicultural que busca su inspiración en la diversidad|website=www.laconexionusa.com|language=en|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref>
In the Latin music space, they co-produced and co-wrote the Mandarin remix of "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi featuring JJ Lin.<ref name="Des">{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/luis-fonsi-and-jj-lin-team-up-for-despacito-in-mandarin-and-spanish-8039717/|title=Luis Fonsi and JJ Lin Team Up for 'Despacito' In Mandarin and Spanish: Exclusive|last1=Fonseca|first1=Selma|date=November 20, 2017|work=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8096568/luis-fonsi-despacito-mandarin-jj-lin|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216193955/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8096568/luis-fonsi-despacito-mandarin-jj-lin|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 16, 2019|title=Listen to Luis Fonsi's 'Despacito' Spanish-Mandarin Version with JJ Lin|website=Billboard|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2018/01/29/dance-hit-despacito-now-remixed-as-a-mandarin-spanish-song.html|title=Dance hit 'Despacito' now remixed as a Mandarin-Spanish song|website=The Jakarta Post|language=en|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/ch/news/3350487|title=林俊傑與馮西合作推出洗腦神曲《Despacito》中文版《緩緩》正式上線|last=台灣英文新聞|website=台灣英文新聞|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radiocomercial.iol.pt/noticias/73787/luis-fonsi-canta-despacito-em-mandarim|title=Luis Fonsi canta 'Despacito' em mandarim|last=Comercial|first=Rádio|website=Rádio Comercial|language=pt|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref> They also co-wrote "Apaga La Luz"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/apaga-la-luz-mt0056464324|title=Apaga la Luz - Luis Fonsi {{!}} Song Info|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> from Fonsi's 2019 album "Vida" which was nominated for Best Latin Pop Album in the 62nd Grammy Awards,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/luis-fonsi/3346|title=Luis Fonsi|date=2019-11-26|website=GRAMMY.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-15}}</ref> reached #1 on Billboard's US Top Latin Albums and US Latin Pop Albums, #18 on the Billboard 200, and was certified 22× platinum in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Luis+Fonsi&ti=Vida#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum|last=|first=|date=|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/luis-fonsi|title=Luis Fonsi Chart History|website=Billboard|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> They co-wrote and co-produced "Estoy Enamorado De Ti"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/estoy-enamorado-de-ti-mt0055329043|title=Estoy Enamorado De Ti - CNCO {{!}} Song Info|website=AllMusic|language=en-us|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref> from CNCO's self-titled 2018 album which reached #1 on Billboard's US Top Latin Albums, #33 on the Billboard 200, and was certified platinum in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/cnco|title=CNCO Chart History|website=Billboard|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=CNCO&ti=CNCO#search_section|title=Gold & Platinum|last=|first=|date=|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.laprensa.hn/vivir/espectaculos/1168150-410/cnco-compone-nuevo-album-boy_band-la_banda|title=CNCO compone nuevo álbum|website=Diario La Prensa|language=es-HN|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dm.com.br/entretenimento/2018/04/cnco-estreia-novo-album/|title=CNCO estreia novo álbum|last=Tecnólogicas|first=Data Page-Soluções|date=2018-04-07|website=DM Online|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metroecuador.com.ec/ec/entretenimiento/2018/04/06/cnco-lanza-hoy-nuevo-album-nivel-mundial.html|title=CNCO lanza hoy su nuevo álbum a nivel mundial|last=Ecuador|first=Metro|website=Metro Ecuador|language=es|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latinpopbrasil.com.br/noticias/cnco-e-luan-santana-anunciam-lancamento-de-mamita/|title=CNCO e Luan Santana anunciam lançamento de Mamita|last=Brasil|first=Redação LatinPop|date=2018-03-22|website=LatinPop Brasil|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref>
Their US discography includes Troye Sivan's debut single "Happy Little Pill"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popspoken.com/entertainment/2014/08/troye-sivans-debut-single-composed-singaporean|title=Troye Sivan's Debut Single Is Composed By A Singaporean|last1=Malinda-White|first1=Kyle|website=PopSpoken|publisher=PopSpoken}}</ref> from his 2014 TRXYE album and 2015 Blue Neighborhood album, which were certified Gold in Australia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesaria-charts-accreditations-singles-2014.htm|title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2014 Singles|website=ARIA|publisher=Australia Recording Industry Association}}</ref> Gold in the United States,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/|title=Gold & Platinum|website=RIAA|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-29}}</ref> charted at #1 on iTunes in 66 countries,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7531054/troye-sivan-shoots-to-1-on-itunes-with-debut-ep-trxye|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140820104312/http://www.idolator.com/7531054/troye-sivan-shoots-to-1-on-itunes-with-debut-ep-trxye|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 20, 2014|title=Troye Sivan Shoots To #1 On iTunes (In 55 Countries!) With Debut EP, 'TRXYE'|last1=Stern|first1=Bradley|website=Idolator.com|publisher=Idolator}}</ref> and reached #5 on the Billboard 200 chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fuse.tv/2016/03/troye-sivan-youth-goes-top-40|title=Troye Sivan's 'Youth' soars into Top 40|last1=Benjamin|first1=Jeff|website=FUSE|publisher=fuse.tv}}</ref> They also co-wrote American DJ Elephante's single "Age Of Innocence" featuring Trouze and Damon Sharpe which charted at #18 on the Billboard Dance charts.<ref name="cut">{{cite news|url=http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/making-the-cut|title=Making the Cut|last1=Tan|first1=Dylan|date=December 4, 2015|work=The Business Times|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings}}</ref>
Besides producing and writing music, the duo also speaks at and cohosts the Gamechangers Music Seminar series, with events in the United States, Spain, and Singapore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/bmi_writers_talk_business_at_gamechangers_music_seminar_in_beverly_hills|title=BMI Writers Talk Business at Gamechangers Music Seminar in Beverly Hills|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|website=BMI|publisher=BMI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/could-singapore-be-the-new-sweden-of-pop-songwriting-we-discuss-with-chart-topping-producer-tat-tong|title=Could Singapore be the new Sweden of pop songwriting?|date=2015-12-24|website=Could Singapore be the new Sweden of pop songwriting? {{!}} Editorial {{!}} Bandwagon - Live music, bands and concert guide for Singapore, Manila and Jakarta|language=en|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://es.usembassy.gov/the-embassy-commemorates-world-intellectual-property-day-through-music/|title=The Embassy Commemorates World Intellectual Property Day Through Music|date=2019-05-31|website=U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Spain and Andorra|language=en-US|access-date=2019-07-30}}</ref>
== Partial Discography == <ref name="rep" />
* Luis Fonsi, JJ Lin: "Despacito (Mandarin Remix)", Universal Music Latin Entertainment * Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato: "Échame La Culpa (Not On You Remix)", Universal Music Latin Entertainment * Luis Fonsi: "Apaga La Luz", Universal Music Latin Entertainment * Monsta X, Sebastian Yatra: "Magnetic", Universal Music Latin Entertainment * Troye Sivan: "Happy Little Pill", Universal Music Latin Entertainment * CNCO: "Estoy Enamorado De Ti", Sony Music Latin * Juanes, Alvaro Soler: "Arte", Universal Music Latin Entertainment * ShiNEE: "Tell Me Your Name", SM Entertainment * JJ Lin: "Resurgence", Warner Music Taiwan * JJ Lin: "Sanctuary", Warner Music Taiwan<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ent.rednet.cn/c/2017/06/26/4336042.htm|title="行走的CD"再上线 林俊杰携JFJ团队亮相《天生是优我》 _音乐要闻_娱乐频道|website=ent.rednet.cn|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref> * Vanness Wu: "Rang Wo Geng Ai Wo", Sony Music Taiwan * Lee Hong-gi: "Kings For A Day", LOEN Entertainment<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kkbox.com/my/en/song/0qm00OmKWOH.gryZ.gryZ0XL-index.html|title=Kings For A Day|website=KKBox.com|publisher=KKBox|accessdate=4 February 2017}}</ref> * CD9 feat. Crayon Pop: "Get Dumb", Sony Music Mexico * CD9:"Deja Vu", "Guilty Pleasure" Sony Music Mexico<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hoytamaulipas.net/notas/257236/CD9-cantara-en-Boca-del-Rio-Veracruz-como-parte-de-Evolution-Tour.html|title=CD9 cantará en Boca del Río, Veracruz, como parte de "Evolution Tour"|last=Notimex|date=2016-08-03|website=HoyTamaulipas|language=spanish|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://los40.com.mx/los40/2016/04/11/musica/1460389154_998178.html|title=¡CD9 el fenómeno!|last=México|first=LOS40|date=2016-04-11|website=LOS40MX|language=es|access-date=2019-12-16}}</ref> * Anahí feat. Gente De Zona: "Arena Y Sol", Universal Music Latin Entertainment * Anahí feat. Julión Álvarez: "Eres", Universal Music Latin Entertainment * Kaskade: "Come Play With Me", Arkade * Elephante feat. Trouze and Damon Sharpe: "Age of Innocence", Armada Music * Project 46: "Beautiful It Hurts", Ultra Records * Trouze: "Intersection", "Splash", "Busy" * Christina Grimmie: "Shrug"
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swaggernautz, The}} Category:Songwriting teams