Harold O'Neal
| Harold O'Neal | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Harold Mujahid O'Neal |
| Born | March 27, 1981 |
| Origin |
Tanzania USA |
| Genres |
Jazz Classical Hip Hop R&B Pop |
| Occupation(s) |
Composer Producer Dancer Actor Public Speaker |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | BluRoc/Universal Music Group PME Smalls Records |
| Associated acts | Jerry Duplessis, Lil' Ronnie, Damon Dash, Ski Beatz, Bobby Watson, Greg Osby, Andrew Hill, Ahmad Alaadeen |
Harold O'Neal (born March 27, 1981) is a Tanzanian - American pianist, composer, record producer, actor, and dancer. He has worked with Bono, Jerry Wonda, Busta Rhymes, Lil' Ronnie, Ne-yo, Damon Dash, Ski Beatz, Damien Rice, Lupe Fiasco, and many of the industry's finest artists.
Career
The last protégé of Andrew Hill, O'Neal began working with musical luminaries from a young age — touring the world with Bobby Watson when he was 19 after studying composition at the Berklee College Of Music and leaving the Manhattan School of Music to replace pianist Jason Moran in the influential band, The Greg Osby 4, recording for Blue Note Records.
As a composer, Harold is known for blending the genres of 20th-century impressionist music with modern music. His solo album, "Marvelous Fantasy", is influenced by the works of Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy. His work has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, and PRI.
Production
In addition to composing, O'Neal is equally active as a producer in the worlds of Pop, Hip-Hop, and R&B. In 2010, Harold began working with hip hop legend Damon Dash. This led to a long term collaboration with the iconic hip hop producer Ski Beatz, touring extensively with hip-hop artists, and producing tracks for Mac Miller, Cam'Ron, Murs, and Sir Michael Rocks. In 2012, Harold began a collaboration with super-producers Lil' Ronnie (R. Kelly, Britney Spears, T-Pain) and Jerry Duplessis, a.k.a. Jerry Wonda (The Fugees, Wyclef Jean, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Whitney Houston).
Filmography
| Year | Title | Director | Production Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Tomorrowland (Blast From The Past Theme) | Brad Bird | Walt Disney Pictures |
| 2015 | Tanu Weds Manu Returns (Old School Girl) | Anand L. Rai | Colour Yellow Pictures |
| 2015 | Loisaidas (Ballade Of Jean Grey) | Damon Dash Exec. Prod. Kanye West | Damon Dash Studios |
Discography
Songs
| Year | Artist | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Tank | Thanking You | Atlantic Records |
| 2014 | Mali Music | Ready Aim | RCA Records |
| 2014 | Mali Music | One | RCA Records |
| 2013 | RaVaughn Feat Wale | Better Be Good | Sony Music Entertainment |
| 2013 | Gyptian | Good Girls | VP Records |
| 2013 | Gyptian | Turn Me On | VP Records |
| 2012 | Selah Sue | Fade Away | Because Music |
| 2012 | Ashanti Feat R. Kelly | That's What We Do | Written Entertainment |
| 2012 | Wonda Music Presents Feat Busta Rhymes | Make It Shake | Wonda Music |
| 2012 | Cam'Ron & Vado | BluTops | BluRoc |
| 2011 | Cassidy | Majesty | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Mikey Rocks | Cotton Candy | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Najee | This World | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Glc & Stat Quo | You Already Know | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | MURS | Reach Hire | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | MURS | Westside Love | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | MURS | Epic Salutations | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | MURS | Hip Hop & Love | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Mikey Rocks & Trademark Da Sk Diver | Living It Up | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Mac Miller | As Time Goes By | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Rugz D Bewler | Thank God | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Najee & Nicole Wray | New York City | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Locksmith | Silly Negro | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Locksmith | The Bottom | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Locksmith | Going Numb | Universal Music Group |
Albums
| Year | Artist | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Harold O'Neal | Man On The Street | Universal Music Group |
| 2012 | Cam' Ron And Vado | BluTops | Universal Music Group |
| 2012 | Ski Beatz | 24 Hour Karate School Presents: Twilight | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Ski Beatz | 24 Hour Karate School 2 | Universal Music Group |
| 2011 | Harold O'Neal | Marvelous Fantasy | Smalls Records |
| 2010 | Harold O'Neal | Whirling Mantis | Smalls Records |
| 2008 | Bobby Watson | From The Heart | Palmetto Records |
| 2007 | Ahmad Alaadeen | And The Beauty Of It All | ASR Records |
| 2007 | Harold O'Neal | Charlie's Suite | PME Records |
| 2005 | Ahmad Alaadeen | New Africa Suite | ASR Records |
| 2005 | Leron Thomas | Dirty Draws Vol. 1 | Leron Thomas |
| 2003 | Greg Osby | St. Louis Shoes | Blue Note Records |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | MTV - The Elements NYC: Bboy | Himself | Documentary |
| 2009 | Jay Z feat Mr. Hudson Young Forever | Dancer | Music video |
| 2010 | Boardwalk Empire | Stride Pianist | Episode: "Home" |
| 2010 | iPad Music Video - Eye of the Tiger remix | Dancer | Music video |
| 2011 | The Daily Habit | Himself | Episode: 168 |
| 2012 | Electric Burma | Himself | Documentary |
| 2014 | Keep On Keepin' On | Himself | Documentary |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Lady Day | Sonny | Off-Broadway (Understudy) |
References
- NPR's All Things Considered Interview
- PRI's Studio 360: Profile
- WNYC Soundcheck: Interview
- NPR's Fresh Air: Interview
- The New York Times - Marvelous Fantasy
- The New York Times - Whirling Mantis
- The 92Y's 7 Days Of Genius
External links
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