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Henry Russell Walter (born April 23, 1986),[1] known professionally as Cirkut, is a Canadian record producer and songwriter. He has produced and co-written commercially successful singles since 2008. His credits include songs and albums for prominent artists including Katy Perry, Becky G, Ava Max, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, R. City, The Weeknd, Kesha, Ciara, Pitbull, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, Adam Lambert, B.o.B, Marina and the Diamonds, will.i.am, Jungkook, Kygo, Juicy J, Sam Smith, and Ed Sheeran, among others. He has numerous collaborations with American record producer Dr. Luke and Swedish producer Max Martin.

Walter has written and produced the Billboard Hot 100-number one singles “Part of Me“, “Roar” and “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry, “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus, “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5, and “Starboy” and “Die for You (Remix)” by the Weeknd.[2][3] He co-produced Jungkook‘s 2023 single “Standing Next to You“. He has co-written and produced every song on Becky G‘s Play It Again, R. City‘s What Dreams Are Made Of, Ava Max‘s Heaven & Hell and Diamonds & Dancefloors, and Lady Gaga‘s Mayhem.

Walter has won three Grammy Awards, including Best Urban Contemporary Album for the Weeknd’s Starboy, Best Dance Pop Recording for Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra“, and was named the 2026 Producer of the Year.[4]

Life and career

Walter was born in Ottawa and mostly lived in Montreal. In his teenage years he had moved to Halifax where he attended Armbrae Academy and St. Pat’s High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he met some other musical artists. He then moved to Toronto in 2004. He co-produced the Britney Spears song “Mmm Papi” which appeared on her 2008 album Circus.[5] He sent it as an instrumental track to Kobalt Music Group via their attorney Chris Taylor, where songwriter Nicole Morier began using it to write with Britney Spears.[6]

Walter opened Dream House Studios in Toronto. He then relocated to Los Angeles, California.[7] He co-produced “Part of Me“, the title song to Katy Perry‘s 2012 concert film Katy Perry: Part of Me. Walter was also responsible for producing and co-writing the Weeknd‘s track “High for This“. In 2016, he co-produced and co-wrote 9 songs on the Weeknd’s album Starboy.[8]

Discography

Title Year Album Writer Producer Remix
Mmm Papi[5] 2008 Britney SpearsCircus checkY checkY
Blow (Cirkut Remix) 2011 KeshaI Am the Dance Commander + I Command You to Dance: The Remix Album checkY checkY checkY
“Seal It with a Kiss” Britney Spears – Femme Fatale checkY checkY
High for This The WeekndHouse of Balloons checkY checkY
“Wild Heart”, “Where Do They Do That At?” SabiAll I Want checkY checkY
Domino Jessie J – Who You Are checkY checkY
Good Feeling Flo RidaWild Ones checkY checkY
Hangover“, “Tattoo”[9] Taio CruzTY.O checkY checkY
You Da One“, “Where Have You Been“, “Fool in Love RihannaTalk That Talk[10] checkY checkY
Turn All The Lights On T-PainRevolver checkY checkY
Never Close Our Eyes“, “Better Than I Know Myself[11] 2012 Adam LambertTrespassing checkY checkY
Part of Me“, “Wide Awake Katy PerryTeenage Dream: The Complete Confection checkY checkY
“Problem (The Monster Remix)” Becky G – Hotel Transylvania Soundtrack checkY checkY
“Young Forever”, “Va Va Voom“, “Masquerade” Nicki MinajPink Friday: Roman Reloaded checkY checkY
Brokenhearted[12] KarminHello checkY checkY
Both of Us(featuring Taylor Swift), “Strange Clouds(featuring Lil Wayne), “Arena” (featuring T.I. & Chris Brown)[13] B.o.BStrange Clouds checkY checkY
Primadonna“, “Lies”, “How To Be A Heartbreaker[14] Marina and the DiamondsElectra Heart checkY checkY
“One More Time” Baby E – N/A checkY checkY
“High For This” The Weeknd – Trilogy checkY checkY
Wish U Were Here(featuring Becky G) Cody SimpsonParadise checkY checkY
Rock Me One DirectionTake Me Home checkY checkY
Oath(featuring Becky G) Cher Lloyd feat Becky G – Sticks + Stones checkY checkY
“Warrior”, “Die Young“, “C’mon“, “Thinking of You”, “Crazy Kids“, “Wherever You Are”, “Dirty Love”, “Wonderland”, “Only Wanna Dance With You”, “Supernatural”, “Gold Trans Am”, “Last Goodbye” Kesha – Warrior checkY checkY
Till The World Ends (Twister Remix) Britney Spears – N/A checkY checkY checkY
Die Young“, “Supernatural” Kesha – Deconstructed checkY
Fall Down(featuring Miley Cyrus), “Far Away from Home” (featuring Nicole Scherzinger), “Geekin” 2013 will.i.am – #willpower checkY checkY
Ooh La La Britney Spears – Music From and Inspired by the Smurfs 2 checkY checkY
Vacation G.R.L. – Music From and Inspired by the Smurfs 2 checkY checkY
Walks Like Rihanna The WantedWord of Mouth checkY checkY
“Play It Again”, “Can’t Get Enough(featuring Pitbull), “Zoomin’ Zoomin”, “Built for This”, “Lovin’ What You Do” Becky G – Play It Again (EP) checkY checkY
Roar“, “Legendary Lovers”, “Birthday“, “Unconditionally“, “Dark Horse(featuring Juicy J), “International Smile”, “Ghost” Katy Perry – Prism checkY checkY
Wrecking Ball Miley CyrusBangerz checkY checkY
“Harder We Fall”, “Excuse My Rude”, “Gold” Jessie J – Alive checkY checkY
“Smokin Rollin”, “Bounce It Juicy JStay Trippy checkY checkY
Give It 2 U Robin ThickeBlurred Lines checkY checkY
“Brightest Morning Star” Britney Spears – Britney Jean checkY checkY
Timber(featuring Kesha) PitbullGlobal Warming: Meltdown checkY checkY
“Show Me What You Got”, “Ugly Heart“, “Rewind” 2014 G.R.L.G.R.L. checkY checkY
“Quiero Bailar (All Through The Night)” 3BallMTY – Globall checkY checkY
Dare (La La La) ShakiraShakira checkY checkY
“La La La (Brazil 2014)” ShakiraOne Love, One Rhythm – The 2014 FIFA World Cup Official Album checkY checkY
We Are One (Ole Ola)(featuring Jennifer Lopez & Claudia Leitte) PitbullOne Love, One Rhythm – The 2014 FIFA World Cup Official Album checkY checkY
Wild Wild Love(featuring G.R.L.) PitbullGlobalization checkY checkY
“Zipper” Jason DeruloTalk Dirty checkY checkY
Shower“, “Can’t Stop Dancin’“, “Can’t Get Enough (Spanish Version)” Becky GN/A checkY checkY
I Don’t Mind UsherN/A checkY checkY
Get on Your Knees(featuring Ariana Grande), “Only (featuring Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown)“, “Trini Dem Girls” (featuring LunchMoney Lewis), “The Night is Still Young“, “Pills N Potions Nicki MinajThe Pinkprint checkY checkY
She Knows Ne-YoNon-Fiction checkY checkY
Stayin Out All Night Wiz KhalifaBlacc Hollywood checkY checkY
Sugar Maroon 5V checkY checkY
Low(featuring Nicki Minaj, Lil Bibby and Young Thug), Juicy JThe Hustle Continues checkY checkY
“Never Been in Love”, “One More” ElliphantOne More checkY checkY
“Completement Fou”, “Coca Sans Bulles”, “Florence En Italie”, “Un Jour Viendra” YelleComplètement fou checkY checkY
“This Is How We Roll” 2015 Fifth HarmonyReflection checkY checkY
Lighthouse G.R.L.N/A checkY checkY
“For Everybody” Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa, R. CityN/A checkY checkY
Dance Like We’re Makin’ Love“, “Give Me Love”, “Lullaby”, “Kiss N Tell”, “Special Edition” CiaraJackie checkY checkY
“Best People in the World” Elliphant – N/A checkY checkY
“The Water Dance” Chris Porter – The Water Dance checkY checkY
“Once in a Lifetime” Flo RidaMy House checkY checkY
“Like This”, “Locked Away(featuring Adam Levine), “Checking for You”, “Take You Down”, “Broadway”, “Over”, “Make Up”, “Again”, “Live by the Gun”, “Slave to the Dollar”, “Save My Soul”, “Crazy Love”, “Don’t You Worry”, “Our Story” R. CityWhat Dreams Are Made Of checkY checkY
Marching Band(featuring Juicy J) R. KellyThe Buffet checkY checkY
“Lovin’ So Hard”, “Break a Sweat“, “You Love It” Becky GN/A checkY checkY
“Everybody” (featuring Azealia Banks), “Love Me Badder” ElliphantLiving Life Golden checkY checkY
Whip It!(featuring Chloe Angelides), “Ain’t Too Cool” Lunchmoney LewisN/A checkY checkY
“Silk Road” Rick RossBlack Market checkY checkY
Ain’t Your Mama 2016 Jennifer LopezN/A checkY checkY
Tabú Pablo Alborán, Ava MaxTabú checkY
Greenlight(featuring Flo Rida & LunchMoney Lewis) PitbullClimate Change checkY checkY
“Guys My Age” Hey VioletFrom the Outside checkY
Starboy(featuring Daft Punk), “False Alarm“, “Reminder”, “Secrets”, “Six Feet Under”, “Ordinary Life”, “Nothing Without You”, “I Feel It Coming(featuring Daft Punk) The WeekndStarboy checkY checkY
Bang Bang(featuring R. City, Selah Sue and Craig David) DJ Fresh, DiploN/A checkY
Another Love Song 2017 Ne-YoN/A checkY checkY
I Don’t Want It at All“, “Slow It Down” Kim PetrasN/A checkY checkY
All Night(featuring LunchMoney Lewis) Big BoiBoomiverse checkY checkY
Ugly Jaira BurnsN/A checkY checkY
A Little Work FergieDouble Dutchess checkY checkY
Girls Like You(featuring Cardi B) 2018 Maroon 5Red Pill Blues checkY checkY
Savior(featuring Quavo) Iggy AzaleaN/A checkY checkY
“Hurt You” (featuring Gesaffelstein) The Weeknd – My Dear Melancholy checkY checkY
Heart to Break“, “Can’t Do Better”, “All the Time” Kim PetrasN/A checkY checkY
“Any Weather” BirdmanBirdman presents: Before Anythang (Soundtrack) checkY checkY
“Nights Like These”, “On Ur Mind”, “Ocean Sure” Ne-YoGood Man checkY checkY
“Animal”, “Priceless” Trey SongzTremaine the Album checkY checkY
“Come See About Me” Nicki MinajQueen checkY checkY
“Creep on Me” (featuring French Montana & DJ Snake) GashiGashi checkY checkY
“Treasure Island” checkY checkY
Sweet but Psycho[15] Ava MaxHeaven & Hell checkY checkY
So Am I“, “Torn“, “Salt 2019 checkY checkY
Kings & Queens“, “Who’s Laughing Now“, “OMG What’s Happening“, “Heaven”, “Naked“, “Tattoo”, “Call Me Tonight”, “Born to the Night”, “Take You to Hell”, “Belladonna”, “Rumors”, “My Head & My Heart 2020 checkY checkY
“On Me” (featuring Ava Max) checkY checkY
EveryTime I Cry 2021
Ava MaxN/A
checkY checkY
“Let you” checkY checkY
“Echo” (featuring blackbear), “One Light” (featuring Bantu), “Convince Me Otherwise” (with H.E.R.) Maroon 5 – Jordi checkY checkY
Hurricane checkY checkY
“Tears in the Club” FKA twigsCaprisongs checkY checkY
House on Fire 2022 checkY checkY
Hold Me Closer Elton John and Britney SpearsThe Lockdown Sessions checkY
Maybe You’re the Problem“, “Million Dollar Baby“, “Weapons“, “Dancing’s Done checkY checkY
Star Walkin’ (League of Legends Worlds Anthem) checkY checkY
“Everything to Everyone” and “Moon” checkY checkY
“Press It (Fast & Furious Drift Tape/Phonk Vol 1)” Bludnymph checkY checkY
Unholy(with Kim Petras) checkY checkY
“Lose You”, “How to Cry” 2023 checkY
Sleepwalker“, “Ghost“, “Hold Up (Wait a Minute)“, “Diamonds & Dancefloors“, “In the Dark“, “Turn Off the Lights“, “One of Us“, “Get Outta My Heart“, “Cold as Ice“, “Last Night on Earth checkY checkY
Red Flags[16] checkY checkY
“Lights Out”, “Watch Me”, “End of the World”, “Grim Reaper” Bludnymph checkY checkY
“Oral Hex (Spell on You)” checkY
“Bite Me” checkY checkY
“King of Hearts”, “Claws” Kim PetrasFeed the Beast checkY checkY
Seven checkY checkY
“Y.O.Universe” VchaSeVit (New Light) checkY checkY
Drown“, “My Favorite Drug”, “Imagination”, “Selfish“, “Conditions” 2024 Justin TimberlakeEverything I Thought It Was checkY checkY
360“, “Rewind”, “365” Charli XCXBrat checkY checkY
Brought The Heat Back EnhypenRomance: Untold checkY checkY
“Wonder” Katy Perry143 checkY checkY
APT.(with Bruno Mars), “Vampirehollie” RoséRosie checkY checkY
Disease Lady GagaMayhem checkY checkY
It Girl 2025 JADEThat’s Showbiz Baby checkY checkY
“Big Sleep,” “Red Terror” The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow checkY checkY
Abracadabra“, “Garden of Eden“, “Perfect Celebrity“, “Vanish into You“, “Killah(featuring Gesaffelstein), “Zombieboy“, “LoveDrug”, “How Bad Do U Want Me“, “Don’t Call Tonight”, “Shadow of a Man“, “The Beast”, “Can’t Stop the High”, “Kill for Love” Lady Gaga – Mayhem checkY checkY
“Opening”, “In Other Words”, “A Little More Ed SheeranPlay checkY checkY
“AEOMG”[17] Coco Jones- Why Not More?[18] checkY checkY
“Squeak” 2026 Bludnymph checkY checkY
Go BlackpinkDeadline checkY checkY
Lighter (The Official FIFA World Cup 26 Song) Jelly Roll and Carín LeónFIFA World Cup 2026 Official Album checkY

Awards and nominations

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2014 Roar Song of the Year Nominated
2018 Starboy Best Urban Contemporary Album Won
2022 Donda Album of the Year Nominated
2024 “Higher than Ever Before” Best Dance/Electronic Recording Nominated
2025 Brat Album of the Year Nominated
360 Record of the Year Nominated
2026 Mayhem Album of the Year Nominated
Abracadabra Record of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Best Dance Pop Recording Won
APT. Record of the Year Nominated
Song of the Year Nominated
Himself Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Won
  • Juno Awards
    • 2014: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year (Won)
    • 2015: Songwriter of the Year (Nominated)

References

  1. ^ “Cirkut on Apple Music”.
  2. ^ “Number one singles”. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  3. ^ Hung, Steffen. “swedishcharts.com – Henry Walter”. swedishcharts.com. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  4. ^ a b “Henry Walter”. GRAMMY.com. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  5. ^ a b “Mmm Papi”. Toronto Star. December 3, 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  6. ^ Nemetz, Andrea (December 3, 2008). “Canadian trio behind Spears tune Mmm Papi”. Toronto Star. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  7. ^ Gormely, Ian (April 2013). “The Dreamhouse”. Exclaim!. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  8. ^ “Starboy liner notes” (PDF). umusic. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  9. ^ “Taio Cruz – TY.O”. Discogs. December 2, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  10. ^ “Track Review: Rihanna, ‘Where Have You Been’. Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  11. ^ “Track Review: Adam Lambert, ‘Better Than I Know Myself’. Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  12. ^ “Broken Hearted”. Retrieved July 18, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ^ “Strange Clouds”. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  14. ^ “News – Entertainment, Music, Movies, Celebrity”. MTV News. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
  15. ^ “Atlantic Records Press | Ava Max”. press.atlanticrecords.com. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  16. ^ Major, Michael (January 13, 2023). “Mimi Webb Releases Releases New Single ‘Red Flags’. Broadway World. Retrieved February 3, 2023.
  17. ^ Atkinson, Katie (February 2, 2026). “Here Are the 2026 Grammys Winners: Full List”. Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
  18. ^ “Coco Jones showcases her vocal power and artistic vision on *Why Not More?* | WRBB 104.9 FM”. wrbbradio.org. Retrieved February 7, 2026.

Further reading