Thaddis Laphonia "Kuk" Harrell[1] (/ˈkuːk həˈrɛl/ KOOK hə-REL[2]) is an American songwriter, vocal producer, arranger and engineer.

In 2011, Kuk Harrell and partner Tricky Stewart joined the ranks of Fox's American Idol along with music mogul Jimmy Iovine, producing many of the songs performed on television by the contestants and released via iTunes.

The first single from Growing Pains, "Just Fine", earned a Grammy nomination for best R&B vocal performance in 2007.

Kuk Harrell is currently signed to publishing deal with Kobalt Music, and is one of the most sought after vocal producers in the industry.

[3] Harrell's music career began in his native Chicago, where he performed as a drummer and a vocalist before becoming a session musician.

[4] He soon became a commercial writer and producer, working for Joy Art Music, contributing to major ad campaigns for McDonald's, Kraft, Coca-Cola and many others.

After relocating to Los Angeles with his writing and production partner, Laney Stewart in 1992, Harrell then added worship leader to his repertoire, and became a touring vocalist and choir director for Promise Keepers as well.

During this time, he sang on tracks written and produced by Diane Warren and David Foster.

RedZone Entertainment is an Atlanta-based, music-production entity, whose discography includes collaborations with many artists, producers, and composers of note, and is responsible for over 25 million records sold.

[5] In a recent Billboard interview, Mark Stewart describes Kuk Harrell as "...the secret weapon."

Rihanna's "Good Girl Gone Bad" and Mary J. Blige's "Growing Pains" were released this year, both featuring his composition and vocal production skills.

The single "Umbrella" off of "Good Girl Gone Bad" and "Just Fine" off of "Growing Pains" were both nominated for Grammys in 2007.

This was also the year that Harrell established his own music production company, Suga Wuga Entertainment, an imprint of Interscope.

[22] "Umbrella" had a similar success throughout Europe, reaching number one in Ireland, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Norway, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Germany and Spain.

The music video premiered on April 26, 2007, at Thisisrihanna.com, and was officially released on the iTunes Store on May 11, 2007, peaking at number one for a period eight weeks.

[23] Just recently, "Good Girl Gone Bad Live" was nominated for a 2008 Grammy for "Best Long Form Music Video"[24] The single "Just Fine" off of Mary J. Blige's Growing Pains was released in the U.S. on October 19, 2007.

The album has earned platinum certification in the United States from the Recording Industry Association of America and has sold more than three million copies worldwide.

[28] Harrell is also a vocal producer and engineer on Celine Dion's release of November 7, 2007, "Taking Chances", and co-wrote the ballad "Skies of LA".

Harrell lent his engineering expertise to his production and writing partner "The-Dream" on the single "I Luv Your Girl" in 2007.

[38] According to building chart data, the album topped the Billboard 200, and achieved first week sales of 443,000.

[39] The second single from the album "Moving Mountains", was written and produced by Tricky Stewart, Kuk Harrell, and The-Dream.

The song has since reached number 6 in New Zealand and the top 30 in Ireland, Sweden and on the UK Singles Chart.

I Am… Sasha Fierce is the third solo studio album by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles, released on November 18, 2008, in the United States.

Sales of My World 2.0 have topped the two million mark in the US ahead of the upcoming Justin Bieber tour.

"I See You (Theme from Avatar)" is a pop ballad performed by British singer Leona Lewis.

Loud entered at number three on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 207,000 copies in its first week in the United States.

It has also earned Harrell a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording for the lead single "Only Girl (In the World)".

"Never Say Never" by recording artist Justin Bieber serves as the theme song for The Karate Kid (2010), and features rap interludes from the film's star, Jaden Smith.

Kuk Harrell also served as Music Supervisor for Bieber's 3D concert film of the same name.

Written by The Messengers, Rambert, Smith, Bieber, and Harrell, the song was released for digital download in the United States on June 8, 2010.