The Writing Camp is an American songwriting collective, founded by Evan "Kidd" Bogart and David "DQ" Quiñones. Since its formation in 2007, the team has been responsible for a series of successful released in pop, R&B and dance music, including 2008's "Right Here (Departed)" by Brandy and Beyoncé's "Halo."

History

Eventually a trio, the collective was formed in October 2007 following a writing camp throw by Bogart & Quiñones in J.R. Rotem's studio at Chalice, adding Erika Nuri to the collective shortly thereafter.^[1] A fourth member originally added, Victoria Horn, a British songwriter, left the formation soon-after joining amicably due to creative and business differences about the overall goals of The Camp.^[1] The remaining original trio has since formed The Writing Camp LLC, housing a music publishing company, music production house and music supervision company for television, film & commercials. TWC Music Publishing has signed three songwriters Greg Ogan, Shari Short & Eric Bellinger, through their joint-venture with Sony ATV Music Publishing.

The 2011 Bravo series Platinum Hit was an elimination competition series featuring undiscovered singer-songwriters where talented newcomers battle through a series of innovative songwriting challenges to find out who's ready for the top of the pop charts. In each episode, the winning song will be revealed in a performance by a special guest star, some of the hottest singers today. True Entertainment (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”) developed the reality series for Bravo with Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Tim Bogart, Evan Bogart, David Quinones and Erika Nuri serving as executive producers. The Writing Camp is also a producer.

Members

• Evan "Kidd" Bogart, the son of legendary Casablanca Records founder Neil Bogart, began rapping before transitioning into corporate gigs at Interscope and Warner Bros. Records, BAT Management, Casbah Artists Management, and Agency for the Performing Arts, where he aided in the discovery and development of Eminem, Maroon 5 and OneRepublic, among others. When his co-written "SOS", recorded by Rihanna, became a worldwide smash, Bogart returned to the creative side where he has since penned songs for everyone from Beyoncé to Leona Lewis.
• New York-born Erika Nuri spent formative creative time in the musical R&B hotbed of Atlanta before relocating to Los Angeles, signing a co-publishing deal with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds' company and garnering cuts with K-Ci & JoJo, Chingy (featuring Janet Jackson), B2K, Yasmeen and penning "Fatal" for J. Holiday. After a brief hiatus from the business, Nuri rebounded with an eight-week number 1 Billboard hit, the two-time Grammy nominated "When I See U" performed by American Idol champ Fantasia.
• David "DQ" Quinones was raised in the Washington, DC suburb of Sterling, VA. He attended Shenandoah Conservatory for music education and opera studies before entering Berklee College of Music with a focus on music production and engineering. His studio résumé in vocal production and arrangements is extensive and DQ has consistently "wowed" the likes of Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, J.R. Rotem, Ryan Tedder and Midi Mafia, to name a few. DQ's has written most notably for Beyoncé, Brandy, Pussycat Dolls and Enrique Iglesias
• Boston native Greg Ogan signed with TWC Music Publishing/Sony ATV Music LLC in November 2009. He graduated Berklee College of Music with a focus on music production and engineering where he attended with TWC co-founder David "DQ" Quinones. Ogan spent over 2 years as the head engineer for J.R. Rotem's Beluga Heights where he worked closely with TWC co-founder Evan "Kidd" Bogart". While at Beluga Heights, Ogan worked on albums by Britney Spears, Leona Lewis, Rihanna, Natasha Bedingfield and Sean Kingston, among others. Ogan vocal-produced the majority of Kingston's sophomore release "Tomorrow".
• Los Angeles born and bred singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger signed with TWC Music Publishing/Sony ATV Music LLC in mid-2010. Grandson of Jackson 5 hit making songwriter Bobby Day (Rockin’ Robin, Little Bitty Pretty One), Bellinger has been singing since he could speak. Eric Bellinger is an all-star talent who, in his young career, has already written for the likes of Chris Brown, Chipmunk, Greyson Chance, John Brown, Cali Swag District and Selena Gomez & The Scene.
• Singer/Songwriter Shari Short (former Miss Teen Idaho) moved from Idaho to Los Angeles several years ago to pursue her dream as an artist and songwriter. She signed with TWC Music Publishing/Sony ATV Music LLC in early-2010. Shari has had songs placed on Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, and got her first cut as a songwriter on the Hannah Montana soundtrack. She has written with artists such as Joe Jonas, Matthew Morrison and co-wrote the theme song with Jessica Simpson & TWC's Bogart for Simpson's television show "Price of Beauty" on VH1.
• New Jersey native Sonyae Elise grew up in a musical family being with her mother in the recording studio often. In 2011, Elise took part in the television series Platinum Hit and ultimately won the competition. As a part of her prize she won a publishing deal with The Writing Camp.

Discography

Awards

• 01. BMI Billboard #1's Award for "SOS" performed by Rihanna ^[2]
• 02. BMI Pop Award Top Songs of 2006 for "SOS" performed by Rihanna
• 03. Two Grammy Nominations for "When I See U" by Fantasia for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008
• 04. ASCAP 2007 Rhythm & Soul Music Award and Honoree for “When I See U” by Fantasia
• 05. BMI Pop Award Top Songs of 2008 for "Take You There" performed by Sean Kingston
• 06. Best Song "Halo" at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards
• 07. BMI Pop Award Top Songs of 2009 for "Halo" performed by Beyoncé
• 08. Grammy Award winning song "Halo" for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance 2010
• 09. Grammy Nominated song "Halo" for Record of the Year 2010
• 10. Grammy Nominated song "Halo (Live)" for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance 2011

References

External links

• The Writing Camp on Myspace
• Interview with Evan Bogart, HitQuarters Feb 2010