Mark Ronson

Mark Daniel Ronson, born on September 4, 1975, in St John's Wood, London, is a British-American musician, DJ, songwriter, and record producer. He holds dual citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United States. Ronson's parents are Laurence Ronson, a music manager and publisher, and Ann Dexter-Jones, a writer and socialite. His family is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, with ancestors from Austria, Russia, and Lithuania. The family surname was originally "Aaronson," later shortened by his grandfather, Henry Ronson. Through his mother, he is related to British Conservative politicians Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Leon Brittan. Ronson has two younger sisters, twins Charlotte, a fashion designer, and Samantha, a singer and DJ. Following his parents' divorce, his mother married Mick Jones, the guitarist of the band Foreigner, which exposed Ronson to a musically enriched environment during his upbringing.

At the age of eight, Ronson relocated with his mother, stepfather, and sisters to New York City. He attended the Collegiate School in Manhattan and later studied at Vassar College and New York University (NYU). During his teenage years, Ronson developed an interest in music and began DJing in the New York club scene. His eclectic taste and ability to blend genres quickly garnered him a reputation, leading to high-profile gigs, including private parties for celebrities such as Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Tom Cruise.

In 2003, Ronson released his debut album, "Here Comes the Fuzz," which, despite featuring collaborations with artists like Nate Dogg, Ghostface Killah, and Rivers Cuomo, did not achieve significant commercial success initially. However, the album received positive critical reviews, showcasing Ronson's versatility as a producer and musician. The lead single, "Ooh Wee," sampled Boney M's "Sunny" and featured Nate Dogg and Ghostface Killah, gaining moderate chart success.

Undeterred by the commercial performance of his debut, Ronson continued to build his career as a producer. In 2004, he founded his own record label, Allido Records, in partnership with his longtime manager, Rich Kleiman. The label's first signing was rapper Saigon, followed by artists like Rhymefest, known for co-writing Kanye West's "Jesus Walks."

Ronson's breakthrough came with his second album, "Version," released in 2007. The album consisted primarily of cover versions of songs by British artists, reimagined with a soulful and brass-heavy sound. Collaborations included Amy Winehouse on "Valerie," Lily Allen on "Oh My God," and Daniel Merriweather on "Stop Me." The album achieved significant success in the UK, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and earning Ronson the Brit Award for Best British Male Solo Artist in 2008. He became the first artist to win a Brit Award without singing on the record.

In 2010, Ronson released his third studio album, "Record Collection," under the moniker Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. The album featured a diverse range of artists, including Boy George, Simon Le Bon, and Q-Tip. It showcased Ronson's ability to blend various musical styles, incorporating elements of funk, hip-hop, and electronic music.

Ronson's fourth album, "Uptown Special," was released in 2015 and marked a significant milestone in his career. The lead single, "Uptown Funk," featuring Bruno Mars, became a global phenomenon, topping charts worldwide, including a 14-week run at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song earned Ronson several accolades, including the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 2016. The album also featured collaborations with artists like Stevie Wonder and Mystikal.

In 2018, Ronson collaborated with producer Diplo to form the duo Silk City. Their debut single, "Electricity," featuring Dua Lipa, achieved commercial success and won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2019. That same year, Ronson co-wrote and co-produced "Shallow" for the film "A Star Is Born," performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. The song garnered critical acclaim, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

Ronson's fifth studio album, "Late Night Feelings," was released in 2019, characterized by its "sad bangers" theme. The album featured collaborations with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Camila Cabello, and Alicia Keys, exploring themes of heartache and melancholy set to danceable beats.

In his personal life, Ronson married French actress and singer Joséphine de La Baume in 2011; however, the couple divorced in 2018. In 2021, he married actress Grace Gummer, daughter of Meryl Streep. The couple welcomed their first child together in early 2023.

Throughout his career, Mark Ronson has established himself as a versatile and influential figure in the music industry, known for his ability to blend genres and collaborate with a wide array of artists. His contributions as a producer and musician have earned him multiple accolades, including seven Grammy Awards, cementing his status as one of the leading producers of his generation.