Founder and Co-CEO of KrucialKeys Enterprises alongside Alicia Keys, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers is a Grammy award-winning, multiplatinum-selling producer and writer who has played an integral role on Keys' albums Songs In A Minor, The Diary of Alicia Keys and As I Am. He has also produced, written, arranged and composed songs that appeared on the soundtracks of Dr. Doolittle, Drumline, Shaft and Ali . In addition to Alicia Keys, Brothers has also worked with Rakim, Mario, Angie Stone, Nas and Keyshia Cole, and is currently working with Anthony Hamilton, Goapele, Robert Randolph and Brandy. This week Krucial checked in to give 24Hr Grind his advice on succeeding as a music producer and songwriter.

Break the Mold, Do Something Different
Do something different. A lot of times when we’re trying to do things, we might like other people’s production or songwriting, and you’re definitely going to be influenced in how you create things. Certain things other people are doing will make you excited and inspire you, but by no means should you try to emulate exactly what you’re hearing. Take what you like and embellish, switch it up, break away from what other people are doing. A lot of times I’ll meet people who bring me tracks or songs and they will sound exactly like everyone else. If there is no originality or individuality you don’t stand out. If you want to cut to the chase and really want to make a difference and get further, you gotta break the mold so you don’t seem run of the mill. It seems like a catch 22, because it appears that work gets attention when things are is done in a certain style but I think it hurts more than it helps. Break the mold, don’t be afraid to be different, don’t be afraid to try something new, don’t be afraid to try different styles.

Greatest Moments in Krucial History:
When the first album came out, I was in the studio working on some other stuff and people called me like "Songs in A Minor debuted at number one!"

When you are working on music, you are confident in what you and people around you like, but to see strangers and the masses gravitate as quick as they did was a real shock. Like, wow it’s really #1.