Draft:Romil Hemnani

Romil Hemnani (born April 6, 1995) is an American record producer, DJ, and songwriter. He is best known for being a founding member of hip-hop collective and boyband Brockhampton from the groups founding in 2014 until its dissolution in 2022. Outside of his work as part of Brockhampton, he has served as a producer and songwriter for Kali Uchis, Arlo Parks, Paris Texas, Midwxst, and Brittney Spencer. Hemnani, along with former bandmate Kevin Abstract, founded the record label and clothing brand Video Store in 2021.

Early life
Hemnani was raised in South Windsor, Connecticut, and was born to a Pakistani Hindu family. In Connecticut, Hemnani often collaborated with future bandmates Dom McLennon, Jon Nunes, and Rodney Tenor.

Brockhampton
Hemnani, along with Dom McLennon, Jon Nunes, and Rodney Tenor, formed the Connecticut branch of music collective AliveSinceForever after being recruited by Kevin Abstract on an internet forum. In 2014, Hemnani served as the producer of Abstract’s debut album MTV1987. The same year, Hemnani, along with other members of AliveSinceForever, moved to San Marcos to found a new group, Brockhampton.

Brockhampton achieved notability with their 2017 studio albums Saturation, Saturation II, and Saturation III, a significant portion of which where recorded in Hemnani's bedroom. Hemnani acted as a producer on 33 of the 48 tracks in the trilogy. After signing a deal with RCA Records and removing Ameer Vann amidst allegations of sexual misconduct, the group recorded Iridescence at Abbey Road Studios in London. Iridescence became the group's first record to debut atop the Billboard 200 and earned the band a nomination for Best International Group at the 2019 Brit Awards. The groups fifth album, Ginger, was released in 2019 and spawned the double platinum single "Sugar", produced by Hemnani and Jabari Manwa. Ginger was followed by Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine in 2021. Roadrunner was the first time that Hemnani was credited under the production duo Video Store along with Kevin Abstract.

The Family, released in November 2022, was the first Brockhampton album that Hemnani did not produce for, although he is credited as a songwriter on several tracks. TM, the final Brockhampton album, was released the day after The Family and prominently featured Hemnani's production.

Solo work
Hemnani was an executive producer, creative director, and songwriter on bandmate Kevin Abstract's debut studio album MTV1987, along with serving as a producer on all tracks. He also produced bandmate Joba's debut single, "Sad Saturdays", in 2015. In 2016, he produced "No One Like You", a single by Bearface featuring No Rome. The same year, he returned in his role as a producer and recording engineer on Abstract's second album, American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story. In 2017, Hemnani served as a producer on Roy Blair's debut album Cat Heaven.

Hemnani co-wrote and produced "Just a Stranger" from Kali Uchis' debut album Isolation alongside Steve Lacy, who is also a featured artist. After co-producing Kevin Abstract's third album Arizona Baby alongside Jack Antonoff, Hemnani supervised the recording of Homesick, the sophomore album by Laundry Day. The band later referred to Hemnani as a mentor and unofficial member. In 2020, Hemnani contributed to Jim-E-Stack's Ephemera.

In 2021, Hemnani, along with Kevin Abstract, founded the record label and apparel company Video Store, which signed Brockhampton affiliates SoGone SoFlexy, The Blossom, and Christian Alexander. Hemnani contributed to the debut projects of signees Christian Alexander and The Blossom. The company's first collection, "Warhead", was released alongside Abstract's single "Slugger", which was produced by Hemnani and features Slowthai and Snot. "Slugger" was followed by "Sierra Nights", featuring Ryan Beatty and produced by Hemnani. Hemnani produced RCA labelmate August Royals' single "Prada". Hemnani also contributed to Alexander's studio album I Don't Like You and The Blossom's 2023 single "Merry Go Round".

Hemnani produced for British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks' second studio album My Soft Machine, including the singles "Impurities" and "Pegasus", featuring Phoebe Bridgers. Hemnani co-produced and co-wrote every track on Abstract's fourth studio album Blanket, which was released on Video Store in 2023. In 2024, Hemnani produced "New To This Town" off of Brittney Spencer's first studio album My Stupid Life, and reunited with former bandmate Matt Champion as a songwriter on "Slow Motion", a track by Champion and Jennie that was included on the former's debut album Mika's Laundry.

Selected discography
For Hemnani's work on Brockhampton projects, see the groups discography. For his work on Kevin Abstract's solo albums, see MTV1987, American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story, Arizona Baby, and Blanket.