Taura Stinson
Is nominated in this years 2018 Academy Awards IN THE CATEGORY OF
“Best Original Song”
Taura is a Veteran songwriter Born in Birmingham, AL and raised in Oakland, CA. In her early career she penned songs for artists including Destiny’s Child, Kelis, Kelly Rowland and Deborah Cox and has collaborated with Raphael Saadiq, Dr. Dre, Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon, Kanye West and Andre 3000 among many others. Her very first film soundtrack placement was on “Men in Black” and she has sense worked on various mediums ranging from Film, TV and a wide range of artists. She co-wrote the Grammy nominated single on the Illumination album called “Show Me The Way” for the legendary band, Earth, Wind and Fire. Taura and her long time writing partner, Raphael Saadiq wrote and produced the song “Gonna Be Alright” performed by Steven Tyler(AEROSMITH) for the animated film starring Beyonce titled “Epic”. They also wrote and produced ALL of the songs for the Musical film “Black Nativity” starring Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Hudson, Angela Bassett, Jacob Latimore, Mary J Blige, Luke James, Tyrese and Nas.
Taura and Raphael were nominated for the “Ashford and Simpson Songwriters award as well as Grammy nomination for their collaboration on the song they also co-wrote called “Good Man” on Saadiq’s Stone Rollin Album on which she was a featured artist. Taura is also a freelance A&R consultant garnering a Grammy win for her first A&R project, “The Awakening of LeAndria Johnson”. In addition, Taura was A&R director for Music World Entertainment and BET’S “Sunday Best” franchise for contestants and winners including Amber Bullock, Joshua Rogers, Andrea Helms, Elder Goldwire and Alexis Spight, who were released Top 10 Gospel Singles/Albums. Taura works with a variety of artists as a vocal producer/arranger/choir coordinator from various genres as including but not limited to, Paloma Faith, Kim Burrell, Trombone Shorty, Chaka Khan, Paris Hilton, The Reef Band, Patti Labelle and the television show, “The Underground” among others.
Taura served as lead lyricist for the animated film “Rio 2” starring Oscar Winners Jamie Foxx and Anne Hathaway. She also co-wrote “Airplay”, the end title for the film “Beyond The Lights” and “Champions”, the end title for the 2016 film “Hands of Stone” featuring Usher and Ruben Blades.
She has also worked extensively as a background vocalist, most notably with two other seasoned vocalists, Joi Gilliam & N’Dambi, who can be heard on the monster hit “Bang-Bang” By Jessie JFeaturing Nicky Minaj and Ariana Grande, as well as songs by Stevie Wonder, Tori Kelly, Mark E. Bassy, and various songs on the massively successful TV series, Empire, The Underground and Vinyl.
Most recently, Taura, Raphael and Laura Karpman collaborated on “Jump” the end title song for the film “Step” performed by Tony and Grammy award winning recording artist, Cynthia Erivo. “Jump” has since won the Critics Choice Award for best song in a Documentary as well as the HMMA for best song in a documentary.
In addition, Taura and Raphael co-wrote the end title song for the Oscar nominated film “Mudbound” with it’s star, Mary J. Blige. If that isn’t enough to keep her busy, Taura has also released her first book, “100 Things Every Black Girl Should Know”, starting yet another chapter of her illustrious and multi-faceted career.
