Biography
Bassist, songwriter, and producer Adam Blackstone navigates jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and pop with equal fluency. Although his most visible credits involve music direction for Nicki Minaj and Justin Timberlake, he has also led ensembles or performed alongside Jay-Z, Rihanna, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, and Eminem. Two Primetime Emmy nominations recognize his arrangements for the 2018 Super Bowl halftime show headlined by Timberlake and the 2020 edition featuring Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. A 2007 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song acknowledges his co-writing contribution to Musiq Soulchild’s “Teachme.” Session credits as a bassist include dates with Jill Scott, Will Downing, and Avery Sunshine, while further work placed him on the 2021 soundtrack for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights and in the role of music director for the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony.
Blackstone entered the world in 1982 in Trenton, New Jersey. At age four he began drumming during church services alongside his father, an organist and jazz musician, and his mother, a vocalist. The family later relocated to Willingboro, New Jersey, where Blackstone took up the bass; by ninth grade he was performing in the school jazz ensemble. After graduation he pursued jazz studies on a full scholarship at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, sharpening his skills in composition and arrangement. There, drummer Questlove recruited him as bassist for Jay-Z’s 2003 Fade to Black concert film at Madison Square Garden and for the 2005 concert documentary Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. Subsequent studio work encompassed recordings with the Roots, Jill Scott, and Angie Stone. In 2007 Blackstone earned his Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song after playing on and co-writing Musiq Soulchild’s “Teachme,” the opening track of Luvanmusiq. He also forged a lasting association with Will Downing, appearing on multiple albums by the saxophonist.
From these recording sessions Blackstone advanced to broader leadership positions, serving as music director and bassist for Rihanna’s 2012 777 tour. He acted as an advisor to Adam Levine during the first season of NBC’s The Voice and later assumed music-director duties for Eminem, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, and Justin Timberlake. With his wife, Kaisha Blackstone, he established the production company BBE (BASSic Black Entertainment). His first Primetime Emmy nomination arrived in 2018 for directing the Super Bowl 52 halftime show starring Timberlake; a second nomination followed in 2020 for Super Bowl 54, shared with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. Additional music-direction assignments have included The Four: Battle for Stardom and The Masked Singer, while recent bass work features appearances on recordings by Will Downing, Raheem DeVaughn, and others. Blackstone contributed to the 2021 soundtrack of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights and served as music director for the 2022 Academy Awards.
Blackstone entered the world in 1982 in Trenton, New Jersey. At age four he began drumming during church services alongside his father, an organist and jazz musician, and his mother, a vocalist. The family later relocated to Willingboro, New Jersey, where Blackstone took up the bass; by ninth grade he was performing in the school jazz ensemble. After graduation he pursued jazz studies on a full scholarship at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, sharpening his skills in composition and arrangement. There, drummer Questlove recruited him as bassist for Jay-Z’s 2003 Fade to Black concert film at Madison Square Garden and for the 2005 concert documentary Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. Subsequent studio work encompassed recordings with the Roots, Jill Scott, and Angie Stone. In 2007 Blackstone earned his Grammy nomination for Best R&B Song after playing on and co-writing Musiq Soulchild’s “Teachme,” the opening track of Luvanmusiq. He also forged a lasting association with Will Downing, appearing on multiple albums by the saxophonist.
From these recording sessions Blackstone advanced to broader leadership positions, serving as music director and bassist for Rihanna’s 2012 777 tour. He acted as an advisor to Adam Levine during the first season of NBC’s The Voice and later assumed music-director duties for Eminem, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, and Justin Timberlake. With his wife, Kaisha Blackstone, he established the production company BBE (BASSic Black Entertainment). His first Primetime Emmy nomination arrived in 2018 for directing the Super Bowl 52 halftime show starring Timberlake; a second nomination followed in 2020 for Super Bowl 54, shared with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. Additional music-direction assignments have included The Four: Battle for Stardom and The Masked Singer, while recent bass work features appearances on recordings by Will Downing, Raheem DeVaughn, and others. Blackstone contributed to the 2021 soundtrack of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights and served as music director for the 2022 Academy Awards.
Albums
Singles
Live
