Walter Afanasieff (born Vladimir Nikitich Afanasyev;[1] February 10, 1958[2]), formerly nicknamed Baby Love in the 1980s, is an American record producer and songwriter.

Later, he formed The Warriors[6] with another former Ponty sideman, guitarist Joaquin Lievano, and with 1980s music producer/songwriter and drummer Narada Michael Walden,[5] and these experiences gave him the background and confidence to take an active role as a producer.

[8] One of Afanasieff's biggest hits as a producer was "My Heart Will Go On", the theme tune to the 1997 film Titanic, sung by Celine Dion.

[9] Afanasieff produced and arranged other motion picture soundtracks, including Disney's Beauty and the Beast (the Celine Dion/Peabo Bryson title-track duet),[5] Aladdin ("A Whole New World") and The Hunchback of Notre Dame ("Someday").

"Hero" was released as the second single from Carey's album Music Box,[5] and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on December 25, 1993.

In 2014, Afanasieff became head of the composers/producers department at Isina, a worldwide talent search and development mentorship for those seeking to pursue a career in music.