Nov 18, 2021
This week on The Entertainment Engine podcast we welcome Multi-Platinum Music producer — Victor Merritt...
Victor work over the years has included working with the iconic artists; Diana Ross, Brownstone, BabyFace, Kirk Franklin, K-CI & JOJO, Bobby Brown, Rome, 3T, U2 and countless others…
This week on The Entertainment Engine podcast, we welcome our next guest to the show US music producer Victor Merritt…
In his high school yearbook, Victor wrote, “Music is My Life”. Grammy-nominated super producer Victor “Vino” Merritt is a humble, living legend, in the flesh.
An acknowledged virtuoso in the music industry, Victor began training for his career at the prodigy‐like age of 15, playing multiple instruments in his family’s small church.
Tireless in his work ethic, the prolific Victor Merritt quickly established himself as a formidable musical force, with a trail of outstanding accomplishments.
A wildly successful producer/songwriter/musician, Merritt along with his production partner Gerald, established himself as an in‐demand producer since his early beginning; megastars lined up to work with him.
He has added to the hit lists of music talents such as BabyFace, Kirk Franklin, Brownstone, K-CI & JOJO, Bobby Brown, Rome, 3T, Trinitee 5:7, U2 and countless others.
Victor is a dynamic music master, whose undeniable magic touch infuses his productions with a one‐of‐a‐kind, unmistakable winning sound. His trained ear consistently produces tracks that have “that certain something.
Victor instinctively knows how to showcase the best attributes of each artist that he works with.
Victor has been responsible for over 20+ million record sales worldwide.
Early Life:
Born the youngest son of a minister of music father, Victor began playing the drums, piano, trumpet and trombone as a young child in his small church.
Victor’s God-given gifts quickly blossomed, as the young phenomenon diligently worked on his music and began recording demos for local talent.
Listen to the full conversation with Victor click on the link below…
When the daughter of legendary singer Jocelyn Brown heard some of the early demos, she introduced Victor and his production partner Gerald to her mother, and Jocelyn mentored his amazing young talent and introduced him to the way real singers record.
In fact, Jocelyn’s single Freedom was his first professional music placement back in 1990. Once Jocelyn left the states and moved to the UK, Victor continued to perfect his craft and landed his next placement as a young artist at Atlantic Records in 1991.
Since that time, Victor’s discography reads like a Who’s Who of Hit Music.
In 1993, Victor continued his ascent to legend status by working with Michael Jackson’s inaugural group Brownstone on their platinum-selling album From the Bottom Up.
Four years later, Billboard magazine listed him as #9 of Hot R&B Singles Producers ahead of iconic Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis listed at #10, and slightly behind David Foster at #7 and Jermaine Dupri at #8.
Victor’s 1997 production of his homegrown artist Rome’s entire album, and chart smashing song “I Belong To You” dominated the airwaves and garnered RCA the most successful, best-selling male artist since Elvis Presley.
In addition, his remix of U2’s “If God Will Send His Angels” in 2000, assisted with U2’s, radio-ready strategy. .
Film contribution:
Victor has also lent his formidable talents to cinematic music, having contributed music to numerous movie soundtracks.
Among them are the films “Woo”, “How to Be a Player”,” RUG RATS”, “Bulworth”, “Tales From The Hood” and “Blank-Man”.
Victor “Vino” Merritt seldom rests, constantly seeking new opportunities to mentor new talented artists and producers, and also continue to grow his extensive, real-estate investment portfolio.
Happily married to Top Attorney and Business Strategist Tye Merritt, Victor is also the father of one child and lives happily today in Southern California.
He’s currently developing a new platform for young artists and producers to collaborate easily using digital technology.
By Peter Moore
