Interview with Evan Bogart, songwriter for Beyoncé, Rihanna and Leona Lewis - February 8, 2010

“If you have the help of a veteran writer or producer who can help and mentor you then that’s as invaluable as getting a big cheque.”

Having already enjoyed an eventful career that has included successful spells in A&R, management and as a booking agent, helping develop the careers of Eminem, OneRepublic and Maroon 5 in the process, industry chameleon Evan ‘Kidd’ Bogart is now hitting even greater strides as a top drawer songsmith.

Rihanna’s ‘SOS (Rescue Me)’, Beyoncé’s ‘Halo’ and Leona Lewis’ ‘Happy’ are just some of chart treasures so far conjured up by the multi-tasking Bogart brain, alongside frequent collaborators Ryan Tedder, J.R. Rotem, and his own songwriting collective, The Writing Camp.

L.A.-based Bogart speaks to HitQuarters about Rihanna’s unconscious homage to Evan’s own favourite pop music, reveals the truth about which artist’s head ‘Halo’ was supposed to shine around, and even honours the occasion by penning some exclusive lyrics …