Chad Elliott


Chad James Elliott, also known by his stage name Dr. Ceuss, is an American songwriter, record producer, and audio engineer. He is best known for co-writing and co-producing Destiny's Child's 2000 single "Jumpin', Jumpin'", as well as Salt-N-Pepa's "Gitty Up", Marc Nelson's "15 Minutes", and 702's "Steelo", among others.

Career

Early career

In 1988, while on a promotional tour for rapper Jaz-O, Elliott met fellow record producer Irv Gotti. Elliott later introduced Gotti to DMX and the founders of Ruff Ryders Entertainment, the Dean brothers. In 1989, Gotti and Elliott produced the beat Born Loser for rapper DMX, which was one of DMX's earliest demos.
Elliott became a member of Swing Mob, a prolific collective of artists, songwriters, instrumentalists, and producers that converged in Teaneck, New Jersey and Rochester, New York during the mid-1990s, and was reportedly an early mentor of producer Jermaine Dupri. Elliott became a producer and instrumentalist for American R&B quartet Jodeci, while also frequently writing for other artists alongside fellow Swing Mob member Missy Elliott, including debut Raven-Symoné single "That's What Little Girls Are Made Of". In 1997, Elliott would contribute five songs to Salt-N-Pepa's fifth album Brand New, including lead single "R U Ready". He would also oversee the A&R direction of R&B girl-group Shades' eponymous debut album for Motown Records. In 1999, Elliott produced major single "15 Minutes" for former Az Yet member Marc Nelson, reaching the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #4 on the R&B charts.

Jumpin', Jumpin'

Elliott received a phone call from Columbia Records A&R Teresa LaBarbera Whites, who wanted him to meet "this great group in Houston" prior to the release of their debut album. He flew to Houston and met for dinner with the group and their manager Mathew Knowles, but was unable to send any productions in time for their album. Elliott, alongside co-writer Rufus Moore and co-producer Jovonn Alexander, subsequently sent a disc of written tracks for potential inclusion on their second album. Elliott was compiling productions for his own rap project at the time, and accidentally sent one of his songs on the same disc. Beyoncé heard the song, began writing to it, and Mathew Knowles sent a rough draft to Elliott, who was impressed with the melodic, syncopated-rap delivery, and the "democratic" message addressed to both men and women. "Jumpin', Jumpin'", the completed product, would secure a placement on blockbuster album The Writing's on the Wall alongside another co-written Elliott song, was selected as the fourth and final single of the campaign, and would ultimately become Elliott's highest-peaking and highest-selling song in multiple global markets.

Later career

Elliott became an A&R for Sony Music Urban / Columbia Records, coordinating Jagged Edge's eponymous fifth album, Noel Gourdin's 2008 debut album After My Time, Lyfe Jennings' 2008 album Lyfe Change, as well as "I'm Grown", the second single from Star Search winner Tiffany Evans' 2008 eponymous debut album.
In 2022, Elliott sold the production rights of his 2-song Destiny's Child catalog to royalty asset management company ICM for an undisclosed sum.

Selected songwriting and production credits

Credits are courtesy of Discogs, Tidal, Apple Music, and AllMusic.
TitleYearArtistAlbum
"A Groove "1990Jaz-OTo Your Soul
"I'll Smoke You"1990Jaz-OTo Your Soul
"Flag of the Mahdi"1990Jaz-OTo Your Soul
"Black Man in Charge"1990Jaz-OTo Your Soul
"I Love Your Smile "1991ShaniceInner Child
"You Can't See What I Can See"1992Heavy D & The BoysHeavy Hitz
"That's What Little Girls Are Made Of" '1993Raven-SymonéHere's to New Dreams
"Let's Go Through the Motions" '1993JodeciWho's the Man?
"Candy Man"1994LL Cool JJason's Lyric
"Rodeo Style" '1994Jamecia Bennett & Mike JacksonJason's Lyric
"You Are The Best"1994Smoothe SylkSmoothe Sylk
"Can I Make It Up To You"1994Groove UTender Love
"Don't Let It Slip Away"1994Groove UTender Love
"Dance 4 Me" '1995Christopher WilliamsNot A Perfect Man
"This Is Not A Goodbye" '1995SubwayGood Times
"No Airplay"1995LL Cool JMr. Smith
"Steelo" '1996702No Doubt
"Intro" 1996TotalTotal
"Whose Is It? "1996TotalTotal
"Definition of a Bad Girl "1996TotalTotal
"Why Why Why"1996Horace BrownHorace Brown
"Ooh, Ooh Baby" '1996Taral HicksThis Time
"Get U Open"1996Skin DeepGet U Open
"Sleep Over Friend"1996Skin DeepGet U Open
"Farewell"1996Assorted PhlavorsAssorted Phlavors
"Champagne" '1996Salt-N-PepaBulletproof
"R U Ready" '1997Salt-N-PepaBrand New
"Good Life"1997Salt-N-PepaBrand New
"Say Ooh"1997Salt-N-PepaBrand New
"Gitty Up" '1997Salt-N-PepaBrand New
"Boy Toy"1997Salt-N-PepaBrand New
"Why"1997ShadesShades
"Love Never Dies"1997ShadesShades
"Last to Know"1997ShadesShades
"I Believe"1997ShadesShades
"What Are We Gonna Do?" '1997Ronnie HensonRonnie Henson
"Come On"1997Boyz II MenEvolution
"Out Of Sight " '1998Rufus BlaqCredentials
"Tell Me, Tell Me" 1998Tyrese GibsonTyrese
"What'cha Gonna Do?"1998MonifahMo'hogany
"You And Me"1998Miss JonesThe Other Woman
"Need Somebody"1998Miss JonesThe Other Woman
"Raindown"1998Miss JonesThe Other Woman
"Turn You On"1998Queen LatifahOrder in the Court
"15 Minutes" '1999Marc NelsonChocolate Mood
"If You Leave" 1999Destiny's ChildThe Writing's on the Wall
"Jumpin', Jumpin'" '1999Destiny's ChildThe Writing's on the Wall
"The Brick Track Versus Gitty Up" '1999Salt-N-PepaThe Best of Salt-N-Pepa
"Dear Diary"20003LW3LW
"Freak In Me" 2000NextWelcome II Nextasy
"Fix Me" 2000JadakissShaft
"Hater"2002IsyssThe Way We Do
"Make U Wanna Stay" 2002Kelly RowlandSimply Deep
"Sickalicious" 2003FabolousStreet Dreams
"Good Luck Charm" '2006Jagged EdgeJagged Edge
"Dog Love" 2006DMXYear of the Dog... Again
"On My Mind" 2022DiploDiplo

Executive-produced projects

Awards and nominations