Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, who is best known as the producer behind such hits as Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” has signed on as executive song producer for the forthcoming animated movie Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. It’s his second foray into film. Last year, he served as executive music consultant on Burlesque.
The 3D/CGI feature by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment comes from the creators of Despicable Me and stars Zac Efron, Danny DeVito, Ed Helms and Taylor Swift. Stewart has co-written the movie’s single with composer John Powell, screenwriter Cinco Paul as well as Ester Dean, who appears on Nicki Minaj’s “Superbass,” and Aaron Pearce.
VIDEO: ‘The Lorax’ Trailer Shows Expanded Story
“I’m a big kid and I have a 15-month-old daughter so I’m constantly listening to sounds at home and watching what intrigues a child mentally or visually,” Stewart tells The Hollywood Reporter. “And I love Dr. Seuss. That hat had mad swag.”
But while Stewart has accelerated his film work, the Grammy winner remains committed to music, having recently joined Epic Records as its new president of A&R. Label chairman and X Factor judge L.A. Reid recruited Stewart, who will have an expanded role that includes production duties (he won’t return to American Idol, however, where he was one of several producers brought on by Interscope head Jimmy Iovine to work with season 10 finalists). His brother Mark Stewart is also coming on board EVP of A&R Operations and the department has further plans to staff up.
VIDEO: Justin Bieber, Boyz II Men Debut ‘Fa La La’ Video
“This is the job that I’ve always done, it’s just the first time somebody wanted to pay me a whole lot of money to do it,” says Stewart. “We’re in the process of putting together an all-star team that’s going to make us the best record company in the world.”
Twitter: @shirleyhalperin
