LaShawn ‘Big Shiz’ Daniels found huge success as a songwriter and producer for some of the music industry’s A-list performers. With a genuine flair and innate sense for knowing what song best fit what artist, Daniels went all-in, writing some of the music industry’s biggest hits.
Daniels wrote for pop superstars Whitney Houston and Beyoncé and shared a Grammy Award in 2000 for his work on the Destiny’s Child anthem “Say My Name.” The list of artists Daniels wrote for sounds like a Who’s Who of the industry. He’s credited as a composer on songs by Michael Jackson (“You Rock My World”), Lady Gaga (“Telephone,” which featured Beyoncé), Jennifer Lopez (“If You Had My Love”), and Whitney Houston (“It’s Not Right But It’s Okay”), among others.
Daniels often worked with producer Rodney Jerkins, collaborating (along with other writers) on “Say My Name” for “The Writing’s on the Wall,” the sophomore album by the original R&B group Destiny’s Child, featuring LeToya Luckett, LaTavia Roberson, Kelly Rowland, and Beyoncé Knowles.
In an interview with the Recording Academy to mark the 20th anniversary of the “Say My Name” release, Daniels said the idea for the song, which became the second single from “The Writing’s on the Wall” to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, came from his life experience. His girlfriend would call him while he was out, and if she heard anyone “doing anything in the background, she’d be like, ‘Who is that?’ Then she’d be like, ‘Well, say my name then, and tell me that you love me.’”
Success came early for Daniels who broke into songwriting when he was young. He received his first Grammy nominations (for record of the year and best R&B song) in 1998, for “The Boy Is Mine,” a passionate and sentimental duet by Monica and Brandy. Throughout his career, Daniels was nominated for seven other Grammys, including one for the Tamar Braxton hit, “Love and War.”
LaShawn ‘Big Shiz’ Daniels died September 3, 2019. He was 41. Legends are defined by their work and how it impacts the culture. We remember LaShawn ‘Big Shiz’ Daniels so others don’t forget. #livinglegendsfoundation30 #blackmusicmonth #culturecreator #rootedinblackmusic