Songwriter behind hits by Ariana Grande, One Direction, and The Weeknd discloses private details about his creative process
In the ever-changing landscape of the music industry, one name stands out as a trailblazer - Savan Kotecha. Known for his collaborations with heavyweights like One Direction, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, and Lizzo, Kotecha is now making waves with his latest venture, StemDrop.
StemDrop, a partnership with TikTok, Simon Cowell, and others, is revolutionising the music industry. It provides designers with the individual components of a track, such as drums, bass guitar, singing parts - known as stems - enabling them to develop and share their own distinct variations. This innovative platform offers an opportunity for new writers to be discovered, a shift from the traditional gatekeeper model.
One of the tracks available on StemDrop is Kotecha's own "One Last Time," a hit single for Ariana Grande. Interestingly, this song was born after a six-month writer's block for Kotecha. The process of writing and refining a song, according to him, takes time, and he advises those who discover success through StemDrop to challenge and refine their work until it's as good as it can be.
The song "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction, another Kotecha creation, has taken on a new significance in the wake of the Manchester Arena terror attack. Now, it is used to comfort and heal. However, contrary to popular belief, this song was not written about a One Direction crush. Instead, it was penned by Kotecha about meeting his partner. All five original members of One Direction were involved with the song before its release.
Kotecha's success can be attributed to a combination of effort, luck, and a relentless focus on his craft. His favorite collaborators include One Direction and Ariana Grande, and he has written hits such as "Can't Feel My Face" by The Weeknd, "2 Be Liked" by Lizzo, and "One Last Time" by Ariana Grande.
Writing songs, according to Kotecha, is about leaving no rock unturned. He believes it is important not to rush the process but to take the time to create something truly special. In a challenging time for new musicians and writers to break through, Kotecha's advice stands as a beacon of hope - don't just create it fast and leave it.
The music industry is evolving, with audiences now stating what they want to listen to rather than record labels dictating favourites. This shift is evident in the success of platforms like StemDrop, which empowers creators and offers new opportunities for collaboration and discovery. As Kotecha continues to shape the future of music, one thing is certain - his impact will be felt for years to come.
