Today I got word that my record “In The Middle” by Trey Songz produced by my production company BeatBanggahz Entertainment, LLC. was Selected by Soul Train Award Winning Website (Singersroom.com) as The #2 song, on their Top 20 Between The Sheets Songs of the 2000’s.
It was chosen amongst other Bedroom classics, such as “Unthinkable” by Alicia Keys, “Say Yes” by Floetry, “Falsetto” by The Dream, “Promise” by Ciara, “Greatest Sex” by R.Kelly, “Untitled (How Does it Feel” by D’angelo and other great songs.
It’s definitely rewarding to be recognized in the media, by taste makers and your peers for your hard work and for your art. It’s not often that you get recognized in this business, especially when your independent or underground, competing against the mainstream.
It’s also surreal that Trey’s debut album was released in 2005 (6 years ago)!!!
I actually still remember when i created that track, back in 2003. I was living with my father at the time in his apartment, and i had just came from my (then mentor & manager) Troy Taylor of Songbook entertainment’s studio in New Jersey.
He had a recording session with Grammy winning songwriter Gordon Chambers, and they had just finished recording a song for called “Touch You There”
it was supposed to be for Usher’s (Confessions) album,
but ended up on Gordon’s debut album “Introducing Gordon Chambers”
I Remember hearing “Touch You There” and feeling these overwhelming feelings of emotion and some envy lol it was one of those songs that inspired me so much, i just had to go create something just as great, if not greater. I loved Gordon’s song, but I recognized the obvious Marvin Gaye Influence the song had. If you listen close, you will notice the song borrows heavily from Marvin Gaye’s song “I Want You”
I was Also heavily inspired by passion and chord progressions, in the live piano’s from “I’m Still waiting” (Jazz Version) by Jodeci (produced by Devante Swing)
The bounce of “Remedy” by Jagged Edge (produced by Bryan-Michael Cox)
And The Minor to Major Chord change from “Here with Me” by Jazz of Dru Hill from the Nutty Professor 2 Soundtrack (produced by Chris Henderson)
So, after creating the skeleton for what eventually ended up becoming “In The Middle” at my Dad’s crib, my partner Buggyeye and I brought it over to Troy’s studio with a batch of other tracks my we had made. I loaded up a bunch of different beats I had been working on onto Troy’s Mpc 2000 XL and also had some beats on Cd. As usual, if troy liked something he would ask for a copy of it. As soon as he heard the track for “In the middle” he showed interest. He began doing a rough mix, taking some instruments out and changing drum sounds on the track to make it “POP” more. Trey Songz and Ezekiel “Zeke” Lewis (of the writing team, The Clutch) were upstairs while we were in the studio vibing. While we were tweaking the track, Trey & Zeke came downstairs and started humming melodies and coming up with words to the track. Buggyeye and I stayed a little while longer, and eventually left before they actually started recording the song.
Eventually we got word that Trey had recorded “In The Middle” and we heard the song and Loved it. We thought it would fit Trey’s album perfectly, but Troy, Delante (Trey, Troy & our, then manager) & Trey all decided to put the song on Trey’s Mixtape “Young and Heartless” (Volume 1) We were really disappointed and felt that the song could be a great record for the album, so the Mixtape thing was somewhat of a slap in the face to our record.
As the story goes, a lot of fans loved “In The Middle” & Trey, but Mike Caren (Trey’s A&R at Atlantic Records) didnt really “Get it” and felt it wasnt needed for the album. So “In the Middle almost got placed on Atlantic Records’, Successful New act (Pretty Ricky)
Luckily for us, at the last-minute, the song cap for Trey’s Album “I Gotta Make it”was raised from 13 to 15 songs. Not only that but, the radio department at Atlantic records loved and vouched for “In the middle”, and although Atlantic Records never gave Trey a 3rd single, “in the middle” was one of the main choices to be released next and it finally made the final cut of songs that you hear today on Trey’s debut album.
As much as “In the middle” was a victory, there are a lot of nuances to the story and it almost didn’t come to pass. The track was created in 2003, recorded in 2004, released in 2005, and only now in 2011 is being called one of the Decade’s best Sex Songs!!! (without even being commercially released as a single) We appreciate every opportunity to be heard and this is just another step forward in our journey to greatness!!
your welcome! i think its important to share the history and lesson behind each placement, its not as easy or simple as just creating a beat and submitting it. i want to thank you for your appreciation!
I still remember when you sang the song to me accapella years ago walking the streets of Harlem. I thought it was dope w/o hearing the other component…the production. Although I am biased when it comes to you guys, I still believe that “In the Middle” is one of Trey’s greatest Songz =)
Wow!! u remember me singing it 2 u?? u have a great memory!! i remember those days man, it was a lot easier to get around in the music industry, there was a lot more access in NYC, plus More checks seemed to be getting cut. But, what’s great now is that those stories still come in handy and they are motivational to new producers, songwriters and artists trying 2 come in the game now!
you know whats crazy? if you log onto twitter and search “Trey Songz” or “Treysongz” and “In The Middle” its still HEAVILY talked about!!! to have a song stay relevant for 7 years without even been released as an official single, without a video, without any support….just word of mouth, it has become a cult classic. thats crazy! the power of GOOD MUSIC is amazing!
thank you for always being one of my biggest fans!! it keeps me going, knowing people actually care 2 hear my creative contributions to the world.
yes, it is true! “In the middle” almost became an (Album Cut) for Pretty Ricky!!! whats funny is, at the time 2005-2006 we actually felt like we would have been better off with the Pretty Ricky placement, because they had gone platinum and were on the SCREAM tour! Meanwhile, Trey’s debut album had yet 2 go GOLD, and Atlantic didnt really seem 2 be behind his project.
fast forward 6 years later, and Trey Songz is the biggest name in R&B, meanewhile Pretty Ricky is in Musical Limbo somewhere. crazy how things turn out right??
Thanks for sharing this, Steff! You guys are such hard-workers and great spirits. It was a blessing that I met you through our great friend in common, Troy Taylor. People often glamourize the industry and don’t know the heartache before every accomplishment. Thanks for “telling it like it is” but still leaving some hope in the story. The best is yet to come. And thanks for writing “Sincere” for my upcoming 3rd album–tentatively called ART & SOUL. Together, we can save R&B!
It’s my favorite song by Trey, Steff. I love the melody and everything about it. You should be very proud of yourself. Good music always gets noticed somehow 🙂
great work by the way! but…im obsessed with the jazz version of im still waiting by jodeci…and im on a mission to find the sheet music…any suggestions? any help? any ideas? its the only song i wanna learn to play on the piano 🙂 keep up the great work!! thanx!
Congrats on all ur accomplishments! Been damn near 20 yrs looking 4 sheet music 4 jazz version of Jodeci I’m still waiting…album was soundtrack to HS and is only song wanna learn on piano lol any suggestions? Btw Ur top result in google!
I am an Award Winning Music Producer & Songwriter, Teaching Artist, Musician & Father from Bronx, NY. I am a Very down to earth, passionate, and free spirited individual. Love me or Hate me, I am who I am and i dont compromise my integrity for anyone, U Gotta Love it lolol Im A True Virgo with lots of opinions, enjoy my blog.
WhoisSteffReed 
iliassou
January 6, 2011
congratulations for this achievement, thanks for sharing the story behind the song
SteffNasty
January 6, 2011
your welcome! i think its important to share the history and lesson behind each placement, its not as easy or simple as just creating a beat and submitting it. i want to thank you for your appreciation!
KrissiLuv
January 6, 2011
I still remember when you sang the song to me accapella years ago walking the streets of Harlem. I thought it was dope w/o hearing the other component…the production. Although I am biased when it comes to you guys, I still believe that “In the Middle” is one of Trey’s greatest Songz =)
SteffNasty
January 6, 2011
Wow!! u remember me singing it 2 u?? u have a great memory!! i remember those days man, it was a lot easier to get around in the music industry, there was a lot more access in NYC, plus More checks seemed to be getting cut. But, what’s great now is that those stories still come in handy and they are motivational to new producers, songwriters and artists trying 2 come in the game now!
you know whats crazy? if you log onto twitter and search “Trey Songz” or “Treysongz” and “In The Middle” its still HEAVILY talked about!!! to have a song stay relevant for 7 years without even been released as an official single, without a video, without any support….just word of mouth, it has become a cult classic. thats crazy! the power of GOOD MUSIC is amazing!
thank you for always being one of my biggest fans!! it keeps me going, knowing people actually care 2 hear my creative contributions to the world.
Shaun
January 6, 2011
I love that song!! I can’t believe it almost didn’t make the album. OMG!! Thanks for sharing your story.
SteffNasty
January 6, 2011
yes, it is true! “In the middle” almost became an (Album Cut) for Pretty Ricky!!! whats funny is, at the time 2005-2006 we actually felt like we would have been better off with the Pretty Ricky placement, because they had gone platinum and were on the SCREAM tour! Meanwhile, Trey’s debut album had yet 2 go GOLD, and Atlantic didnt really seem 2 be behind his project.
fast forward 6 years later, and Trey Songz is the biggest name in R&B, meanewhile Pretty Ricky is in Musical Limbo somewhere. crazy how things turn out right??
gordon chambers
January 7, 2011
Thanks for sharing this, Steff! You guys are such hard-workers and great spirits. It was a blessing that I met you through our great friend in common, Troy Taylor. People often glamourize the industry and don’t know the heartache before every accomplishment. Thanks for “telling it like it is” but still leaving some hope in the story. The best is yet to come. And thanks for writing “Sincere” for my upcoming 3rd album–tentatively called ART & SOUL. Together, we can save R&B!
Sephyr-Patrick
December 15, 2011
It’s my favorite song by Trey, Steff. I love the melody and everything about it. You should be very proud of yourself. Good music always gets noticed somehow 🙂
Peggy Sue
February 10, 2012
great work by the way! but…im obsessed with the jazz version of im still waiting by jodeci…and im on a mission to find the sheet music…any suggestions? any help? any ideas? its the only song i wanna learn to play on the piano 🙂 keep up the great work!! thanx!
Peggy Sue
March 12, 2013
Congrats on all ur accomplishments! Been damn near 20 yrs looking 4 sheet music 4 jazz version of Jodeci I’m still waiting…album was soundtrack to HS and is only song wanna learn on piano lol any suggestions? Btw Ur top result in google!