Carter Lang is an American producer, songwriter, and musician, best known for his work on SZA's acclaimed 2017 and 2022 albums Ctrl and SOS respectively, as well as his contributions to Chicago's burgeoning R&B/Hip-Hop scene.[3][4][5] Lang has received several Grammy nominations for work on projects from Post Malone, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Omar Apollo, and SZA, and recently signed a publishing deal renewal with Warner Chappell Music.[6][7]
Musical origins
Lang, trained in classical piano and bass guitar, formed soul-influenced band "The O'My's" in 2005 with several friends in Chicago.[8] This would lead to collaborations with local acts including Chance the Rapper, Vic Mensa, and Mick Jenkins.[9]
New Orleans, return to Chicago, and SZA
Lang graduated high school and parted ways with his group, moving from Chicago to New Orleans to attend the Loyola University New Orleans music business program, where he was exposed to a diverse soundscape.[10][11] After graduating from the Loyola College of Music & Media and returning to Chicago four years later, Lang began producing for members of Chicago Hip-Hop collective Savemoney, with whom he grew up. Lang was subsequently introduced to recording artist SZA in 2015 through a joint studio session with mutual friend Peter CottonTale, Chance The Rapper's music director.[12] After an initial collaboration at SZA's Lollapalooza set that year, he became a member of her touring band.[12] Lang is credited as a writer and/or producer on 8 tracks from her 2017 debut album, including hit single "Love Galore" and lead single "Drew Barrymore", recorded alongside several other tracks at his Lake Michigan cabin.[3][12] Amongst productions for other artists (including "Sunflower" for Post Malone and Swae Lee), Lang resumed work with SZA, co-producing and co-writing a majority of her 2022 sophomore album SOS, including top 10 singles “Good Days”, “I Hate U”, “Nobody Gets Me”, and “Kill Bill”, which went #1 on five separate Billboard charts including the Hot 100, and held the #1 spot for 21 total weeks on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[13][14] He would also work with rapper Doja Cat, creating Top 5 single "Kiss Me More" featuring SZA (later winning the Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance), as well as promotional single "Okloser" from her deluxe album Scarlet 2 Claude.[15]
