Corey Dennard

What does it mean to be a Southernite?

To be a Southernite is to be the best because of the S on our chest! - Dr. Issac B. Greggs

Corey's Bio:

Corey “Mr. Hanky” Dennard has constructed clubcracking anthems for Nicki Minaj, Jeezy, Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti and Young Dolph. His music became radio mainstays with two breezy, laidback singles--“California” performed by Colonel Loud featuring Young Dolph, Rico Barrino and T.I. and the RIAA Gold Certified Smash “On the Way” featuring DJ Luke Nasty. The most recent hit “Smile Bitch/Living My Best Life” by Lil Duval ft. Snoop Dogg and Ball Greezy. Which was also RIAA Gold Certified and #1 Billboard on Urban Radio For 6 Weeks, RnB Charts for 12 weeks and #4 Rhythmic radio. Early in his career while signed to Collipark Music, his production prowess helped jumpstart the careers of Soulja Boy and V.I.C., as well as provided savage soundtracks for Ying Yang Twins. From laying down unpredictable production for Atlantaʼs newest superstarsin-the-making Dae Dae and YFN Lucci, to Wale, Travis Porter and K Camp, to veteran rappers Fabolous and Plies, multifaceted hip hop/R&B/ EDM beat technician Mr. Hanky is the most accomplished music producer that you may have never heard of. With a musical flair that bounces between riveting dance tracks, mid-tempo melodic grooves and throbbing R&B and Top 40 ballads, Mr. Hanky cannot be contained to one particular genre or style. And over the last few years, he has been quietly overhauling the soundscape of urban music. “I work hard to give artist a better platform to succeed by creating music that crosses genres and reaches different demographics,” Mr. Hanky explains. “In the last three or four years, I just started creating a whole new wave. I started creating a different sound because everything was starting to sound the same.” Born Corey Dennard and raised in East Atlanta, Hankyʼs musical roots date back to childhood. Both his mother and sister are trained musicians, and young Corey got his feet wet in music playing trumpet in the school band and learning the piano. He cultivated those talents into landing a scholarship to Southern University, where he played in the Human Jukebox Marching Band. “Iʼm a musician before Iʼm a producer,” he points out. It was in college that he started making beats in his dorm room and hustling burned CDs for extra cash. By the time he finished college and moved back home to the A, word had already made it back home that the kid had some heat. Building his resume, he worked with several independent artists and eventually landed a position as in-house producer at Collipark Music. While at the label, he helped catapult the careers of Soulja Boy and V.I.C., producing the club smash "Smart Girl Dumb Booty" by Tex James featuring Stuey Rock and Dallas duo Treal Lee and Prince Rickʼs street anthem "Throwed Off (Fuck Everybody). In 2006, he launched his own imprint Mr. Hanky Productions and since then, his client list has swelled to include some of the most-well-known artists in the music industry. Last year, Hankyʼs runaway hit single the relaxed, laidback "California” performed by Colonel Loud featuring Young Dolph, Rico Barrino and T.I. made a huge impact at radio. The infectious single has since appeared in the motion picture Keanu and is slated for two major movie releases next year. He followed up with “On the Way” performed by DJ Luke Nasty, which hit radio and caught on like wildfire. The single reached more than 3,000 spins per week on urban and rhythmic radio stations across the country. "When collaborating with artist, I encourage them to go beyond their comfort zone and speak to a wider range of listeners beyond their neighborhood," Mr. Hanky explains. "Every day I continue to look for ways to be more creative and to come up with records that the people want." That is exactly what he has done and what he will continue to do. Mr. Hanky is developing new artists under his production company and has a brand new album in the works with starstudded singles already on deck. Iʼm just cocking back, loaded and ready to go,” he says. Quiet as itʼs kept, Mr. Hanky has been making hit records for over a decade. With a flair for cooking up hip hop anthems and radio buzz records, Mr. Hanky has built up an impressive list of production credits. The BMI producer has been able to stay in demand over the years because he refrains from focusing on trends and strives to create timeless music. “I can make a song for your local trap artist and then, I can do something for a gospel or R&B artist or a pop record,” says Mr. Hanky. “I do what feels best.”