Mark Ronson
Born 1975 · Age 50
British-American DJ, record producer, songwriter and composer known for producing Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, co-writing "Shallow", and as artist behind "Uptown Funk". Founder of Allido Records and Zelig Records; member of Silk City.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Notting Hill, London
Mark Daniel Ronson born to Laurence Ronson and Ann (née Dexter) in Notting Hill, London; later raised in NYC.
Moved to New York City with family
Following his mother's remarriage to Mick Jones, Ronson and family relocated to the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Internship at Rolling Stone (persuaded Jann Wenner)
At age 12 Ronson convinced Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner to give him an internship; early exposure to music industry.
Began creating mixtapes and DJing
Started making mixtapes and learning to DJ; early formative period in hip hop/dj culture.
Began DJ career while at NYU
While attending New York University, Ronson became a popular regional DJ for hip hop and multi-genre sets.
Featured in Tommy Hilfiger ad
Ronson appeared in an advertisement for Tommy Hilfiger wearing the company's denim in a recording studio.
Produced Nikka Costa and signed to Elektra Records
Produced Nikka Costa's 'Everybody Got Their Something' and signed a record contract with Elektra Records.
Engaged to Rashida Jones (proposal March 2003)
Began relationship in 2002 and became engaged in March 2003; engagement ended approximately one year later.
Released debut album 'Here Comes the Fuzz' (Elektra)
Debut studio album featured Mos Def, Jack White and others; commercial reception lukewarm.
Single 'Ooh Wee' peaks #15 UK
Lead single from Here Comes the Fuzz reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and was featured in films like Honey (2003).
Dropped by Elektra Records
Two weeks after releasing Here Comes the Fuzz, Elektra Records dropped Ronson.
Signed/Developed artists on Allido Records (early roster)
Allido went on to sign and develop artists including Rhymefest, Daniel Merriweather and later Wale.
Co-founded Allido Records (with Rich Kleiman)
Started his own record label Allido Records (subsidiary of Sony BMG's J Records) to release his projects and sign artists.
Gained recognition producing for Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen, Christina Aguilera
Production credits on major albums (notably Amy Winehouse's Back to Black) raised his industry profile.
Signed to Columbia Records (approx.)
Following production success he signed to Columbia Records ahead of his covers project Version.
Released album 'Version' (2007)
Second studio album, cover-based project that peaked at #2 on the UK Albums Chart; earned critical praise and award nominations.
Released 'Valerie' (feat. Amy Winehouse)
'Valerie' cover featuring Amy Winehouse peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart; major hit from Version.
Released single 'Stop Me' (feat. Daniel Merriweather)
Motown-funk medley 'Stop Me' released and reached number 2 on the UK Singles Chart.
Signed Wale to Allido Records
DC hip hop artist Wale signed to Allido in June 2007 as part of label's expansion.
Performed at BBC Electric Proms (Roundhouse)
One-off set with BBC Concert Orchestra and numerous guest artists as part of BBC Electric Proms 2007.
First Grammy nominations (Producer of the Year etc.)
Received first Grammy nomination for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical; multiple nominations for work on Back to Black.
Toured 'Version' across UK & Europe (sold-out shows)
Extensive touring in support of Version including sold-out Hammersmith Apollo and Brixton Academy shows.
Produced mixtape 'Man in the Mirror' for Rhymefest
Produced an homage mixtape to Michael Jackson released in January 2008 featuring archive audio.
Obtained U.S. citizenship
Ronson became a U.S. citizen in 2008 (cited reason: to vote in that year's election).
Won three Grammys including Producer of the Year
At Grammy ceremony Ronson won Producer of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album (shared, for Back to Black) and Record of the Year ('Rehab' shared).
Won Brit Award – British Male Solo Artist
Won his first Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist following the success of Version.
Performed live with Duran Duran in Paris
Played new arrangements with Duran Duran and performed tracks from Version to an invited audience.
Voted 'Most Stylish Man in the UK' by GQ magazine
GQ UK voted Ronson the most stylish man in the UK in 2009.
Was given Michael Jackson vocal track to produce (did not make final album)
Ronson was given a vocal track titled 'Lovely Way' to work on for Jackson's posthumous album Michael; track not included.
Announced and released 'Record Collection' (The Business Intl.)
Third studio album, credited to Mark Ronson & The Business Intl., released 27 September 2010; charted in UK and US.
Released single 'Bang Bang Bang' (feat. Q-Tip & MNDR)
Lead single from Record Collection peaked at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Released single 'The Bike Song'
Second single from Record Collection featuring Kyle Falconer and Spank Rock.
Composed score for film 'Arthur'
Provided the film score for the 2011 reboot of Arthur.
Married Joséphine de La Baume
Married French actress and singer Joséphine de La Baume; she previously appeared in his video for 'The Bike Song'.
Returned to produce with Duran Duran (Paper Gods era)
Worked on Duran Duran's 14th album Paper Gods (production during 2013-2014 sessions).
'Uptown Funk' chart and streaming records
Song spent 14 consecutive weeks at #1 on US Billboard Hot 100, 15 weeks at #1 on Canadian Hot 100, 7 weeks at #1 UK Singles Chart, and set single-week UK streaming record (2.49M streams in a week).
Announced upcoming single (later 'Uptown Funk')
Tweeted announcement of a new single to be released on 10 November 2014; the single featured Bruno Mars.
Released 'Uptown Funk' (feat. Bruno Mars)
Lead single from Uptown Special; became a global smash and one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Performed 'Uptown Funk' on Saturday Night Live
Appeared as musical guest with Bruno Mars performing 'Uptown Funk' and 'Feel Right'.
Featured in documentary film 'Amy'
Appeared in the documentary about Amy Winehouse; his voice and archive footage featured.
Released album 'Uptown Special' (2015)
Fourth studio album (lead single 'Uptown Funk'), dedicated to Amy Winehouse; peaked at #1 UK Albums Chart and #5 on US Billboard 200.
Named one of GQ's 50 Best Dressed British Men
Included in GQ's list of 50 best dressed British men in 2015.
Ambassador for GRAMMY Amplifier program
Served as official ambassador for the Recording Academy's GRAMMY Amplifier initiative to mentor emerging artists.
Mentor at Turnaround Arts and charity involvement
Served as mentor at Turnaround Arts (Kennedy Center program) and worked with End the Silence/Hope and Homes for Children; patron of Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Became a patron of the Amy Winehouse Foundation
Joined as patron to support the foundation helping disadvantaged youth through music.
Executive produced Lady Gaga's album 'Joanne'
Served as executive producer on Lady Gaga's fifth studio album.
Won Grammys for 'Uptown Funk' including Record of the Year
'Uptown Funk' earned two Grammys at the 2016 ceremony, including Record of the Year.
Performed at Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show
Performed 'Uptown Funk' alongside Bruno Mars at Super Bowl 50 halftime show.
Produced Queens of the Stone Age 'Villains' (2017)
Produced the 2017 Queens of the Stone Age album Villains.
Lawsuits claiming 'Uptown Funk' infringement
Lastrada Entertainment and two other parties filed suits alleging 'Uptown Funk' infringed Zapp & Roger; two suits settled on undisclosed terms.
Separation from Joséphine de La Baume (listed separation date)
Separation date listed as 21 April 2017 when de La Baume later filed for divorce.
Divorce filing by Joséphine de La Baume
De La Baume filed for divorce from Ronson, reported 16 May 2017.
Co-wrote 'Shallow' for A Star Is Born
Co-wrote 'Shallow' with Lady Gaga, Andrew Wyatt and Anthony Rossomando for the 2018 film A Star Is Born.
Founded Zelig Records (Columbia imprint)
Started Zelig Records as an imprint of Columbia Records; signed King Princess as first artist.
Formed Silk City with Diplo
Collaborative duo Silk City formed with Diplo; debuted with 'Electricity' featuring Dua Lipa.
Released 'Electricity' (Silk City feat. Dua Lipa)
Debut Silk City single released 6 September 2018; later won Grammy for Best Dance Recording.
Divorce from Joséphine de La Baume finalized
Divorce finalized in October 2018 following the 2017 filing.
Won Golden Globe for 'Shallow' (Best Original Song)
Golden Globe awarded for Best Original Song for 'Shallow' (A Star Is Born).
Grammy wins for 'Shallow' (Best Song Written for Visual Media)
Won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media for 'Shallow' (plus nominations).
Won Academy Award for 'Shallow' (Best Original Song)
Awarded the Oscar for Best Original Song (A Star Is Born).
Announced fifth album 'Late Night Feelings' (release date)
Announced on 12 April 2019 that Late Night Feelings would be released 26 June 2019; album features Miley Cyrus, Lykke Li, Camila Cabello.
Released 'Late Night Feelings' (2019)
Fifth studio album released on 26 June 2019; described as a collection of 'sad bangers.'
Invested in Lowell Herb Co funding round
On 20 August 2019 Ronson participated in a celebrity funding round for California cannabis brand Lowell Herb Co.
BBC Two broadcast 'Mark Ronson: From the Heart' documentary
Documentary directed by Carl Hindmarch covering Ronson's life and career broadcast on BBC Two.
Married Grace Gummer
Announced marriage to actress Grace Gummer after about a year of dating.
First child born (daughter)
Grace Gummer and Mark Ronson announced first child, a daughter, born December 2022.
Served as lead & executive producer for 'Barbie' soundtrack
Ronson was lead/executive producer and co-wrote/several songs with Andrew Wyatt for the 2023 Barbie soundtrack and co-wrote score material.
Premiered remixed version of Mina's 'Ancora, ancora, ancora' at Milan Fashion Week
Remixed version premiered at Gucci’s runway in September and released October 2023.
Accepted NAMM Music for Life Award (NAMM Show)
Received the Music for Life Award during the NAMM Show and participated in Industry Insights session (interview date Jan 25, 2024).
Barbie soundtrack wins Grammys and Academy Award for 'What Was I Made For?'
Soundtrack won three Grammys including Song of the Year ('What Was I Made For?') and the album won Best Compilation Soundtrack; soundtrack also won Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Birth of second daughter
Ronson and Grace Gummer welcomed their second daughter in February 2025.
Key Achievement Ages
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