Brian West

Long-time Sony/ATV songwriter Brian West is acknowledged expert in the process of artist

development. His band, the Philosopher Kings, released Gold and Platinum records in Canada

and won multiple Juno’s before becoming Columbia Records first direct signing of a Canadian

artist. After the band dissolved, Brian launched his production career under the name Track &

Field Productions. Among his first development projects was Nelly Furtado. The first album they

did together, Whoa Nelly, was an international smash and won multiple Grammys. His

production and co-writing work on that album garnered him a Grammy nomination for Producer

of the Year.

Track & Field also produced and co-wrote Nelly Furtado’s follow-up album, Folklore. This album

cemented her reputation as a real artist. His next development project was Somali-Canadian

rapper K’naan. Signed to West’s label, their first album together generated two Canadian hits

and won the Juno Award for Rap Album of the Year. K’naan’s next album was picked up by

A&M/Octone and generated the Olympic anthem hit, “Waving Flag”. K’naan’s third album

included duets with Bono and Nelly Furtado.

Since that time, West has been involved in successful artist development projects for Paper

Tongues on A&M/Octone (#1 Heatseekers), Awolnation on Redbull Records (Platinum Record),

Rachel Platten on Columbia and Andy Grammer on S-Curve/BMG (triple platinum single). West

continues to seek and develop young artists while writing for established artists such as Sia and

Maroon 5. He’s currently writing and producing the reunion album for The Philosopher Kings.

Publishing company credits include [l=World Wide West Publishing Inc.] and [l=Worldwide West Music Inc.]