J. R. Rotem (born Jonathan Reuven Rotem in 1975 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is an American record producer, born to Jewish parents. He wanted to be a musician and started playing the piano at the age of 2. Jonathan's parents quickly saw that he was talented and supported him in his dream of becoming a musician. He played classical music until junior high school when he became fascinated by hip hop music.
He has produced tracks for artists such as The Game, Destiny's Child, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Lopez, Mýa, The Cheetah Girls, Plies, Ashley Tisdale and Chamillionare among others. He has also sold a single beat, thump, to Dr. Dre. He currently resides in Los Angeles where he creates most of his music.
In 2006, Rotem started his own record label, Beluga Heights, along with manager Zach Katz, inking a joint deal with Epic and Koch. Sean Kingston, a young Miami-based rapper, was their first signing. Rotem and Katz also started a publishing company under the Beluga Heights umbrella, signing "SOS" co-writer Evan "Kidd" Bogart. Beluga Heights' newest signee is 18-year old R&B singer Auburn from St. Paul, Minnesota.
