Kerry Brothers Jr.

Kerry Brothers Jr. (born October 1, 1970), also known as Krucial, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper. Both natives of New York City, he and singer-songwriter Alicia Keys began a musical partnership in 1998, with songwriting and production work in tandem on several of the latter's earlier releases—Songs in A Minor (2001), The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), As I Am (2007), and The Element of Freedom (2009). He has won two Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album for his contributions to Songs in A Minor, and Best R&B Song for Keys' 2007 single, "No One".

In 2006, Brothers released his debut extended play (EP) Take Da Hood Back. Brothers co-wrote songs that appeared on the soundtracks of films such as Dr. Dolittle, Shaft, and Ali. He has also worked with other R&B and hip hop acts, including Mario, Rakim, Angie Stone, Nas, Keyshia Cole, Goapele, Drake and K'naan.