Andre Merritt

If you thought the only artists coming straight outta Compton were rappers, then meet Andre Merritt.

At just 27, the Compton, Calif., native has found success as the Grammy-Award-winning singer/songwriter behind some of R&B's most famous and respected artists. Merritt is the artistic mind behind Chris Brown's "Wet the Bed," Marques Houston's "Favorite Girl," and more. Besides upcoming projects with Willow and Jaiden Smith, Natasha Beddingfield, Usher, he turns his creative talents to his own project with the debut album, Elecktrik City.

Here, an introduction to the family-oriented fly guy.

REFLECTIONS: Hometown: Los Angeles, California. * Advice you would have given yourself 10 years ago: Don't be afraid to fail and don't care what people say. * First job: Ross Department store. I didn’t go to college, and I really wish I went. That’s one thing I do regret. * Most valuable business lesson learned: WYM -- “Watch Yo Money” and read the FINE print. * Most valuable life lesson learned: Live life to the best of my ability because time is sooo precious. * Words to live by: “EAT what you KILL.” It simply means you deserve what you work for. * What keeps you up at night: Besides just being a weirdo, what keeps me up at night is worrying about my family.

DIVERSIONS: Reading now: I’m currently reading a book written by a good friend of mine titled "In Our House." * Last fun purchase: My new 9900 Blackberry. Believe it or not, I got it from AT&T, and it was the last one there. That was a good day… * Recently discovered: I can't believe I didn't know about the site stuffflypeoplelike.

PLAYING FAVORITES: Hotel: The Cosmopolitan Hotel Las Vegas. * Getaway: Anyplace with white sand, crystal- clear water, and a few beautiful ladies around. * Drink: Vodka Crane, all day. * Vice: The Internet. * Guilty pleasure: Sleep! * Current radio hit: Tyga -- “Rack City.”