Thomas Lee Brown was born on May 1st 1986 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and rose from handing out his own CDs to becoming one of the key producers behind major pop hits of this century. He is best known as TBHits and has played a big role in shaping Ariana Grande’s music career.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name |  Thomas Lee Brown |
| Stage Name | TBHits |
| Birthdate | May 1, 19861 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 39 years old |
| Birthplace |  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Profession |  Music Producer, Songwriter, Rapper |
| Known For | Regular producer and songwriter for Ariana Grande |
| Major Label Affiliation | Universal Music Publishing Group |
| Label |  Champagne Therapy Music Group |
| Mentor(s) |   Rodney Jerkins, Roy “Royalty” Hamilton |
| Ongoing music partners |    Ariana Grande, Victoria Monét, Tayla Parx |
| Notable Award Wins | ASCAP Pop Music Awards (7 Rings, Thank U, Next, POV)2 |
| Grammy Nominations | 2020 & 2022: Album & Record of the Year |
| First Major Hit | Just Can’t Get Enough” Black Eyed Peas (2010) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @tbhits Twitter: @tbhits |
| Studio Location |  Los Angeles, California |
Who is Tommy Brown?
Thomas Lee Brown is an American record producer songwriter and rapper better known as TBHits. Brown has had a major impact on music especially through his work with Ariana Grande. He has worked on six of her studio albums her Christmas project “Christmas & Chill” and the 2019 “Charlie’s Angels” soundtrack in which Grande starred. Early in his career Brown was mentored by producers Roy “Royalty” Hamilton and Rodney Jerkins. He often works closely with singer and songwriter Victoria Monét to co-write many songs.
Early Life and Entry into Music
Musical Roots and Personal Loss
Raised in Pittsburgh, Brown was first exposed to music by his father who dreamed of becoming a music manager. This early influence helped him develop a sharp ear for music.
After losing his father at sixteen, Brown turned to music for comfort teaching himself to make beats using Fruity Loops and recording songs at home with a 12 track recorder he bought himself3.
Turning Point in Atlanta
Moving to Atlanta marked a major turning point in Brown’s career. While working at Sears he passed out CDs of his music to local artists. One of those CDs reached rapper Gorilla Zoe who invited him into the studio.
That opportunity led to a meeting with legendary producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins who welcomed him to his studio. During this time he and Victoria Monét began making music together.
First Big Break with Darkchild
In his early days with Darkchild, Brown got a big break by producing the “Black Eyed Peas” & 2011 hit “Just Can’t Get Enough.” He also worked with stars like Jennifer Lopez and Wyclef Jean. In 2012, he signed a publishing deal with Sony ATV that took his career to a global level.
Crafting Hits “Side by Side” with Ariana Grande
The Session That Changed Everything
In 2013, a major turning point in Brown’s career came when he and Victoria Monét joined a writing session for Nick Jonas and met Ariana Grande for the first time. They clicked right away and soon co-wrote “Honeymoon Avenue” and “Daydreamin” for her debut album Yours Truly.
Who is Tommy Brown to Ariana Grande?
Tommy Brown (@TBHITS) on Ariana’s work ethic: “She leaves [the stage], kicks off her boots and is like, ‘Let’s go to the studio.’ And that’s like woah. I’ve never seen a guy do that.” pic.twitter.com/7sPpIgizUs
— Ariana Grande Today ☼ (@ArianaToday) February 13, 2018
Brown’s partnership with Grande grew with every album. Starting with “My Everything” in 2014 where he produced and wrote songs like “My Everything”, “Only 1” and “Cadillac Song”. He went on to contribute to all her major projects including “Christmas & Chill”, “Dangerous Woman”, “Sweetener”, “Thank U”, “Next” and “Positions”4.
Who has Tommy Brown produced for?
In Thank U, Next he helped create blockbuster hits such as “7 Rings,” “Thank U”, “Next,” “Needy,” “NASA,” and “Make Up” in collaboration with Grande, Monét, and Tayla Parx over an intense few weeks of writing sessions5.
Guiding the Sound: The Making of Positions
On Positions, Brown served as executive producer of the album and co‑produced songs like “34+35,” “Just Like Magic,” “POV,” “Love Language,” “Obvious,” “Off the Table” (featuring The Weeknd), and also includes intimate tracks like “My Hair” and “Safety Net”.
🚀 Tommy’s Chart Toppers
| Year | Song Title(s) | Artist(s) | Album / Project | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Just Can’t Get Enough | Black Eyed Peas | The Beginning | Producer |
| 2013 | Honeymoon Avenue / Daydreamin | Ariana Grande | Yours Truly | Producer, Songwriter |
| 2014 | My Everything / Only 1 | Ariana Grande | My Everything | Producer, Songwriter |
| 2015 | A Little More | Machine Gun Kelly | General Admission | Producer |
| 2016 | Be Alright / Let Me Love You | Ariana Grande | Dangerous Woman | Producer, Songwriter |
| 2018 | Better Off / Goodnight n Go | Ariana Grande | Sweetener | Producer |
| 2019 | 7 Rings / Thank U, Next / NASA | Ariana Grande | Thank U, Next | Producer, Songwriter |
| 2020 | Holy | Justin Bieber ft. Chance the Rapper | Justice (Deluxe) | Producer, Songwriter |
| 2020 | Ice Cream | BLACKPINK & Selena Gomez | The Album | Producer, Songwriter |
| 2020 | 34+35 / POV / My Hair | Ariana Grande | Positions | Executive Producer, Co-Producer |
| 2021 | Met Him Last Night | Demi Lovato ft. Ariana Grande | Dancing with the Devil | Co-Producer, Songwriter |
| 2022 | Is There Someone Else | The Weeknd | Dawn FM | Producer |
| 2024 | 1:59 | Normani ft. Gunna | Dopamine | Producer |
| 2025 | I Can’t Wait to Get There | The Weeknd | Hurry Up Tomorrow | Producer |
Tommy Brown on Netflix’s Show “Hitmaker”
Tommy Brown will appear in the Netflix series Hitmakers alongside 12 other songwriters including Jenna Andrews, Stephen Kirk, Sevyn Streeter, Trey Campbell, and Ferras. The six-episode docuseries premieres globally on July 24, 2025.
Tommy Brown’s Global Collaborations
Although Ariana Grande is his most recognized partner, tommy has worked with many top artist like Justin Bieber, BLACKPINK, Megan Thee Stallion, Meghan Trainor, Machine Gun Kelly, and Jennifer Lopez delivering hit songs across pop, rap, and R&B.
His work on Justin Bieber’s “Holy”, Blackpink collabs and Meghan Trainor’s Thank You album show how easily he moves between R&B, pop, hip-hop, and trap sounds.
Building Stars from the Ground Up (Champagne Therapy Music Group)
In 2019, Brown launched Champagne Therapy Music Group under a partnership with Universal Music Group6. This label/publishing platform allows him to sign and develop emerging songwriters and artists aligned with his creative vision. In 2021 his relationship with Universal expanded into a global publishing deal which reflects his growing influence both as creator and music executive.
Further expansion came in 2022 when he entered a creative joint venture with Pulse Music Group signing rising songwriter/producer Taylor Hill as the first talent under that partnership7. Brown has described the venture as a way to create cultural impact on music and support creators through high‑level collaboration and shared resources.
Recognition and Impact
Nominated for Record of the Year and Album of the Year at the 62nd Grammy Awards for Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next”.
Earned an Album of the Year nomination at the 64th Grammys for Justin Bieber’s “Justice”.
Won multiple ASCAP Pop Music Awards for hit songs like “7 Rings,” “Thank U, Next,” “34+35,” “Positions,” and “POV”.
Recognized for producing some of the biggest pop songs of the last decade.
Continues to be celebrated across the industry for his songwriting and production talent.
Tommy Brown Through the Reddit Lens
Many fans praise Brown for helping bring Ariana Grande’s vision to life with each album. However some critics believe his role as executive producer may spread him too thin arguing he shines more when focused on a few key tracks8. Still his success and influence in the music industry remains strong and respected.
📱 Tommy Brown on Instagram: A Glimpse Into the Hitmaker’s World
Tommy Brown keeps fans and collaborators connected through his Instagram, where he shares glimpses of life in and out of the studio. With over 222K followers, his feed showcases studio sessions, artist collaborations, and moments from his label Champagne Therapy Music Group.
View this post on Instagram
Username: @tbhits
Posts: 616
Followers: 222K
Following: 3,191
Bio Highlights:
🥂 Champagne Therapy Music Group
🌎 Global Mogul
🌊 Facilitator Of The Function
📩 Inquiries:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Vibes First: The Human Side of Hitmaking
In interviews Brown emphasizes vulnerability and emotional honesty in the creative process. He strives to build relationships that extend beyond the studio that invests in meaningful human connection and builds a safe space for artists to express themselves honestly9.
He encourages collaboration with top musicians rather than trying to master every instrument himself. His view is that song quality depends on putting the best people in the room & not ego or technical virtuosity.
Heart in Every Session
Brown’s creative style is all about connection and teamwork. He avoids the typical producer mindset and instead encourages open collaboration.
His sessions often feel like hangouts with conversations and meals that lead to real & heartfelt songs.
He remains grateful to Roy Hamilton and Rodney Jerkins for guiding his journey early on.
Shaping the Future: From Hits to New Voices
At 39 Tommy is not only creating hits but shaping music culture. Through Champagne Therapy and his joint ventures he supports rising talent like Taylor Hill through global partnerships with Pulse Music Group and Universal.
FAQs about Tommy Brown
Q: Who is Tommy Brown to Ariana Grande?
A: Tommy Brown is a longtime collaborator and producer for Ariana Grande. He has worked closely with her on six studio albums and several other projects. He helps shape much of her sound and often co-writes songs with her.
Q: Who has Tommy Brown produced for?
A: Tommy Brown has produced music for many top artists including Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, BLACKPINK, Megan Thee Stallion, Jennifer Lopez, Machine Gun Kelly, and more.
Q: Who are Tommy Brown’s songwriting partners?
A: One of Tommy Brown’s main songwriting partners is Victoria Monét. He has also collaborated with other writers and producers like Tayla Parx and various artists across different genres.
Q: What is Tommy Brown’s connection to BLACKPINK?
A: Tommy Brown co-produced the song “Ice Cream” featuring BLACKPINK and Selena Gomez. This collaboration showed his versatility working in pop and K-pop genres.
Q: What is Tommy Brown’s Instagram?
A: Tommy Brown’s Instagram handle is @tbhits. He often shares updates about his projects and behind-the-scenes moments from the studio.
Conclusion
Thomas Lee “Tommy” Brown’s journey is marked by hard work, honesty, and strong creative understanding. Starting with handing out homemade CDs in Atlanta where he grew to produce hit albums and start his own publishing label. His influence on pop music especially Ariana Grande’s songs is respected. By collaborating with artists forming creative teams and helping new writers brown plays a big role in shaping today’s music and future talent.
Kanika Dhingra is a pop culture writer with 5+ years of experience decoding celebrity fame. From hip-hop trailblazers to viral chart-toppers, she delivers smart, stylish profiles that resonate with fans and critics alike.
