Brian Vincent Bates, also known as Killah B, is an American songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, best known for co-writing Billboard Hot 100 number one single "Texas Hold 'Em" from 2024 Beyoncé album Cowboy Carter, as well as the title track from Ariana Grande album Positions which also went #1.
Early life
Adopted by his grandparents at a young age alongside his brother, Bates was placed into drumming and piano lessons when his grandfather noticed musical talent in him. From 6 until 14, he was classically-trained in piano and learned to play the drums. The family moved to New Mexico, where Bates began playing drums in a church with pastors who had also moved from Chicago, becoming their drummer when their previous drummer moved away.
Career
Several years later Bates moved to Atlanta, where he began to write and produce for Elijah Blake, Tinashe, Keyshia Cole, and Usher, before being signed as a pop songwriter to APG helmed by Mike Caren after an impromptu meeting at a party. He would later write for Ariana Grande and Beyoncé, earning two Billboard Hot 100 number one singles and 3 Grammy nominations.
Songwriting and production credits
Credits are courtesy of Discogs, Tidal, Apple Music, and AllMusic.
| Title | Year | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Translation" | 2017 | Sevyn Streeter | Girl Disrupted |
| "Birthday" | 2018 | Usher | A |
| "Hopscotch" | 2019 | Tinashe | Songs for You |
| "Touch & Go" (Featuring 6lack) | |||
| "Know Better" | |||
| "Positions" | 2020 | Ariana Grande | Positions |
| "Circus" | 2021 | Summer Walker | Still Over It |
| "I Don't Wanna Be in Love" | Keyshia Cole | TBA | |
| "Talm'Bout" | 2022 | Chris Brown | Breezy |
| "Letters" | 2023 | Monica | TBA |
| "Nu King" | 2024 | Jason Derulo | Nu King |
| "Texas Hold 'Em" | Beyoncé | Cowboy Carter |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ASCAP Country Music Awards | Most Performed Country Songs (Texas Hold 'Em) | Won | |
| 2025 | 67th Annual Grammy Awards | Grammy Award for Record of the Year (Texas Hold 'Em) | Nominated | |
| Grammy Award for Song of the Year (Texas Hold 'Em) | Nominated | |||
| Grammy Award for Best Country Song (Texas Hold 'Em) | Nominated | |||
| ASCAP Pop Music Awards | Most Performed Songs (Texas Hold 'Em) | Won | ||
| ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards | Winning R&B/Hip-Hop & Rap Songs (Texas Hold 'Em) | Won |
