Blackout (musician)


Winston Thomas, better known by his stage name BlackOut or DJ BlackOut, founder & CEO of BlackOut Movement, is an American Grammy Award Winning record producer, engineer and composer. Blackout is signed to Nicki Minaj's recording company Pink Friday Records. Blackout is also co-founder of the music tech startup company, RecordGram.

Life and career

BlackOut was born "Winston Thomas" in Freeport, NY. His Father is from Kingston, Jamaica while is Mother is from Mandeville, Jamaica. He got his start working high school parties and local clubs in the New York area. It was in the club that he got his first break and met Wyclef Jean. Blackout joined the Refugee Camp as a deejay for the artist, Reptile, and got his first taste of touring in the music industry. During his time with the Refugee Camp, Blackout began dabbling in production and made it his hobby. It wasn't long before he became a staple in the deejay industry and began playing gigs nationwide. He eventually became linked with Jada Kiss and toured with him for three years. While playing a gig in a South Beach club, D.J. Blackout slipped a CD of beats to hip hop artist, Ja Rule. This chance meeting would mark the beginning of Blackout's career as a music producer. One of BlackOut's beats was selected to be on Ja Rule's Blood In My Eye Album. Soon after, BlackOut started his own production company Blackout Movement. Full steam ahead, BlackOut and his new company catapulted to the top of the game 1 year later when the company produced the debut album from hip-hop artist Mims, including the widely popular single “This Is Why I'm Hot”. Blackout Movement has since worked with some of the leading artists in the industry. In 2012, Blackout signed to Nicki Minaj's, Pink Friday record label. BlackOut is also co-founder of RecordGram, a music tech startup. RecordGram is 1 of 7 music tech companies to be accepted into , the music tech accelerator program in Nashville.

Production style

BlackOut produces various genres of music. Hip Hop, Pop, R&B, Reggae, and Dance Music. BlackOut states "being a DJ, I am exposed to a lot of music, all the time. That keeps me up to date" BlackOut chiefly produces with Akai MPC4000 and Pro Tools, and just recently been using Native Instruments' MASCHINE and LOGIC to create as he travels.

Production discography

Singles

YearTitleArtistAlbum
2004Niggas & BitchesJa RuleBlood In My Eye
2005No DaddyTeairra MariTeairra Mari
2005Crunk MuzikJim Jones ft Camron & Juelz SantanaOn My Way To Church
2005Spanish FlyJim Jones feat Chico De BargeOn My Way To Church
2005Life As A RidahJim JonesOn My Way To Church
2005Bend n StretchJim JonesOn My Way To Church
2006Leave You AloneCamronKilla Season
2006This Is Why Im HotMIMSM.I.M.S.
2007SupermanMIMSM.I.M.S.
2007Without YouMIMS feat LaToya LuckettM.I.M.S.
2007Like ThisMIMSM.I.M.S.
2007They Don't Wanna PlayMIMS feat Bun BM.I.M.S.
2007Don't CryMIMSM.I.M.S.
2007Cop ItMIMSM.I.M.S.
2007I Did You WrongMIMSM.I.M.S.
2007Its AlrightMIMSM.I.M.S.
2007This Is Why Im Hot MIMS ft Junior Reid & ChamM.I.M.S.
2007This Is Why Im Hot MIMS feat Purple PopcornMicrosoft Zune Commercial
2008CocaineUGKUnderground Kingz
2008She Can Get ItDJ Laz feat Mims & ElijahCategory 6
2008Ghetto SoldierKymani MarleyRADIO
2008Like ThisMIMSNOW Compilation #25
2009NakedSeraniNo Games
2009Be With YouSeraniNo Games
2009Dance With MeAaron Carter feat Flo RidaDance With Me
2009There He GoFabolous feat Red CafeLoso's Way
2009One DayMIMS feat Kymani MarleyGuilt
2009Life Of A StarMIMSGuilt
2009One Last KissMIMS feat Soler MeshGuilt
2009Heal MeMIMSGuilt
2010If It Was Up To MeBun B feat Junior ReidTrill
2010PerfectJaickoJaicko
2010Its My BirthdayUltimate feat CalibeUltimate Domination
2010EncoreJason DeruloJason Derulo
2010White GirlTrina feat Flo Rida & Git FreshAmazin
2010Boom Shaka LakaBrianna feat Flo RidaGirl Talk
2011Dance With MeJustice Crew feat Flo RidaJustice Crew
2011Blow Ya MindNicki MinajPink Friday
2012Roman HolidayNicki Minaj
2012Don Omar feat MIMSDon Omar
2014AngelProstyle feat Nicki Minaj, JeremihProstyle
2015BuildSean PaulSingle
2015All InSean Paul ft MIMS, Amara La NegraSingle
2016Put It OnShaggySingle
2016Take You HomeDJ Shadow ft Sean Paul, BadshahSingle

Awards and nominations