Steven Russell Harts is Just getting started

---

 In a musical career spanning over two decades, Steven Harts started his professional musical journey as one of the lead men for the 90's platinum-selling group Troop. Steven has remained relevant and in demand, taking part in remarkable hit records such as Jordin Sparks' Grammy-nominated "No Air." As well as Chris Brown's Grammy-nominated "Take You Down" and Jennifer Hudson's 2009 Grammy-winning debut album titled "Jennifer Hudson."  

Steve was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and raised in Pasadena, California. As a teen, Steven would spend countless hours in front of the television watching and mocking the musical and dance styling of his most admired artist - Michael Jackson.   Having aspirations of being the next phenomenon, Steven would wow crowds at LA's renowned Venice Beach by displaying his undeniable singing and dancing talents.  Often drawing crowds of hundreds to watch him perform, Steven predicted that by the time he was 18, he would have a #1 record playing on the radio.   

Steven fulfilled his prophecy by winning a talent show with childhood friends Allen McNeil, Rodney Benford, John Harreld, and Reggie Warren. Winning sparked interest from major record labels, and in 1987 they signed with Atlantic Records; thus, Troop was formed.  

Troop released their debut single, "Mamacita," from their self-titled album in 1988. It reached #2 on Billboard's R&B charts birthing their sophomore album "Attitude" in 1990, which included such hit songs as "Spread My Wings" and the Jackson 5 cover of "All I Do Is Think of You."  Both hits reached #1 on the Billboard R&B charts and remained in the top 10 charts for several weeks.   In 1991 at the height of Troop's success, the group appeared in the classic urban film New Jack City harmonizing their rendition of the O'Jays, "For the Love of Money/Living for the City." Following a stream of hits, Troop released "Deepa" in 1992 and remained consistent with yet another #1 Billboards single, "Sweet November." Two more albums would follow, "A Lil Sumpin' Sumpin'" in 1994 and "Mayday" in 1998, which both received rave reviews.   

After releasing "Mayday" in 1998, Troop took a hiatus, and Steven began redirecting his focus on songwriting and producing. As a part of Troop, having had collaborated with artists such as Babyface, Chuckii Booker, and Gerald Levert, Steven began what would be a long productive relationship with the Los Angeles-based production team The Underdogs.   

As one of the principles for The Underdogs, Steven would write and produce hit songs for artists such as Aretha Franklin, Kelly Clarkson, Charlie Wilson, Jordin Sparks, Tyrese, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia, Mario, Omarion, B2K, Joe, Tank, and Katherine McPhee.   

As a team, Steven and The Underdogs undertook sole production of the soundtrack for the 2006 Dreamgirls. Proving he still could swoon audiences as he did leading songs with Troop, Steven made a cameo appearance and had song placement, "A Perfect World," in the 2006 hit.  Steven has proven to be one of today's most prolific lyrical wordsmiths and has established himself as one of R&B and Pop music's most sought-after producers. Steven's success as a producer can be attributed to creating simple but heartfelt, relatable yet dreamy, sweet, and sincere hits.  

After completing a highly regarded tenure with The Underdogs, Steven is stepping out on his own to continue writing and producing timeless music. Establishing his own production company, The Motel Music Media. Industry leaders still rely on Steven to write and produce for current artists such as Toni Braxton,  David Archuletta, Tank, Change, and Elliot Yamin. As well as working with NBA player Lebron James on his recently released film - "More Than A Game."   

Steve recently received production and writing credits for seven songs on Charlie Wilson's CD "Uncle Charlie," nominated for a 2010 Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B album.