Hit-maker Claude Kelly pens Leona Lewis, Jennifer Hudson ballad, ‘Love is your Color,' on ‘Sex and the City 2' soundtrack

By Eunice Moseley

  

Affectionately called "Studio Beast," songwriter Claude Kelly adds yet another amazing milestone to his resume with the placement of ‘Love is your Color' on the "Sex and the City 2" soundtrack. Released May 25, 2010, the song - produced by Salaam Remi - features the vocals of Jennifer Hudson and Leona Lewis.

A performer at-heart Kelly said it was his songwriting skills that took off first. "I have been professionally writing songs for seven years," Studio Beast said. "I was playing piano at two and a half... I went to college for music at Berkley in Boston. I didn't consider writing...my passion was performing. I went to college because my mother wouldn't have it no other way."

Claude said being a singer and performer helped him as a songwriting. His first song placed was on a Japanese CD. He worked his way to penning Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA"; Ke$ha's "Dancing with Tears in My Eye"; Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You"; five songs on Chrisette Michele's "Epiphany," such as "Blame it on Me," and Britney Spears' "Circus." Studio Beast has also written for the upcoming Fantasia CD titled "Bittersweet" and projects for Brandy, Jessie McCartney, Toni Braxton and Christina Aguilera.

"A good friend, a producer (Nas), was doing all the music for the soundtrack," Kelly said when asked how he got on the project. "(The film is about) women empowerment. They wanted a song to show that."

For more on Claude "Studio Beast" Kelly log onto www.myspace.com/claudekelly - he is also on twitter.

The Alliance of Women in Media honors the Spelling Family, Suze Orman and Jessica Simpson with a Gracie Award
"It's named after Gracie Allen. She was the first woman known by her first name," said Cary Broussard founder of The Alliance of Women in Media (formerly known has American Women in Radio and Television) about the name of the awards.

The 5th annual Gracie Awards Gala was recently held in Beverly Hill and honored the Spelling Family with the Gracie Lifetime Achievement Award, Suze Orman with the Gracie Tribute Award and Jessica Simpson with the Gracie Dove Real Beauty Award. Hosted by Maria Menounos (Access Hollywood), the Gracie Awards was well attended by media (attending and covering), Hollywood and supporters of The Alliance of Women in Media organization.

"News isn't always good. We are the guardians of what you hear," said Robin Meade, anchor for HLN's Morning Express with Robin Meade about those in the media.

Aside from Robin, others who came in support of the event and the awardees were "30 Rocks'" Jane Krakowski; philanthropist and founder of the Arbus Foundation Loreen Arbus; "Gossip Girl's" Penn Badgley and Kelly Rutherford; "Secret Life of an American Teenager's" Melissa Rivers and Camille Winbush, and "Half and Half's" Obba Babatunde.

"I'm here to support all of the ladies," said actor Obba Babatunde. "What they do ...need to be recognized."

The Gracie Awards, named for radio and television pioneer Gracie Allen, recognizes exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of the media - including radio, television, cable and new media. It is presented by The Alliance of Women in Media Foundation which supports educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns, and scholarships to benefit the public and women in the media.

For more information on The Alliance of Women in Media, its' foundation or the Gracie Awards log onto www.awrt.org. (Photo ID: Robin Meade of HNL's Morning Express with Robin Meade. Photo Credit: Eunice Moseley)