Babydaddy
Babydaddy is the stage name of Scott Hoffman (born September 1, 1976), an American musician, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and backing vocalist best known as a co-founding member of the glam rock band Scissor Sisters.[1][2] Alongside vocalist Jake Shears, Hoffman formed the initial core of the group in New York City after meeting through mutual connections in the nightlife scene, establishing the band's signature blend of disco, glam, and pop influences.[3][4] His contributions as a lyricist and performer helped propel Scissor Sisters to international success, including winning an Ivor Novello Award for outstanding song collection.[5][1] In addition to his musical career, Hoffman has expanded into visual storytelling, co-creating the graphic novel series Nostalgia and contributing to comic projects that draw on personal and cultural themes.[6][7]Early life and background
Childhood and family origins
Scott Hoffman, professionally known as Babydaddy, was born on September 1, 1976, in Houston, Texas, to a Jewish family.[5] He spent the majority of his childhood in Lexington, Kentucky, after his family relocated there during his early years.[8] In Lexington, Hoffman attended Henry Clay High School, where he developed initial interests that would later influence his musical path, though specific details of his formative experiences remain sparsely documented in public records.[5]Education and early musical influences
Scott Hoffman, professionally known as Babydaddy, grew up primarily in Lexington, Kentucky, where he attended Henry Clay High School.[9][10] Following high school, he enrolled at Columbia University in New York City, graduating in 1999 with a B.A. from Columbia College, during which he studied writing.[11] It was at Columbia that Hoffman first met Jake Shears, the future frontman of Scissor Sisters, through mutual friends, though their musical collaboration began later.[12] As a child, Hoffman identified as a "rock-and-roll kid," reflecting an early immersion in rock music that shaped his foundational interests.[13] His time in Kentucky exposed him to blues traditions, with reported influences including artists such as Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed, and Wayne Bennett, whom he encountered through local blues scenes.[14] These early exposures contrasted with his later pivot toward electronic and dance genres post-college, when he began formal studies in music production and explored acts like Blur, Aphex Twin, and Ace of Base, blending rock roots with emerging club sounds.[13] This evolution informed his multi-instrumentalist approach, prioritizing genre juxtaposition over strict adherence to any single style.[15]Musical career
Involvement with Scissor Sisters
Scott Hoffman, performing under the stage name Babydaddy, co-founded Scissor Sisters in 2001 with Jake Shears in New York City.[16] The pair, both originally from Kentucky, had known each other since childhood and began collaborating musically after Hoffman relocated to study writing at Columbia University.[13] As the band's core songwriting duo, Babydaddy focused on composing music while Shears handled lyrics, establishing the creative foundation for their glam rock and electroclash sound.[17] [18] Babydaddy served as Scissor Sisters' multi-instrumentalist, proficient on keyboards, guitar, bass, and banjo, and contributed backing vocals alongside lead singer Shears and spoken-word artist Ana Matronic.[6] The band's self-titled debut album, released on January 26, 2004, in the UK, featured their production and songwriting, achieving commercial success with over 3 million copies sold worldwide and topping charts in multiple countries.[19] [20] Key tracks like "Take Your Mama" and "Laura" showcased their collaborative dynamic, blending retro influences with contemporary pop.[21] Throughout the band's active years from 2001 to 2012, Babydaddy remained a central figure, co-producing subsequent albums including Ta-Dah (2006), which included guest contributions from Elton John.[18] [10] Following a hiatus, Scissor Sisters reunited in 2024 as a trio comprising Shears, Babydaddy, and guitarist Del Marquis to mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album, performing select shows and emphasizing their enduring partnership.[21] [22]Key contributions and band dynamics
Babydaddy, born Scott Hoffman, co-founded Scissor Sisters in 2001 alongside vocalist Jake Shears, both hailing from Kentucky, initially as a duo focused on producing music in New York City's electroclash scene.[16] Their partnership formed the band's creative core, with Babydaddy handling music composition—including drum beats, bass lines, and piano loops—while Shears contributed lyrics, a process often initiated through informal jamming sessions.[18] This division enabled the development of key tracks like "Take Your Mama" and "Laura" from the 2004 self-titled debut album, where Babydaddy served as co-writer and co-producer.[13] As a multi-instrumentalist proficient in keyboards, bass, guitar, and banjo, Babydaddy provided the band's instrumental foundation and contributed to production across albums, utilizing tools like Logic Pro for programming and recording in home studios before professional mixing.[5][18] Notable credits include co-writing "I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’" with Shears and Elton John for the 2006 album Ta-Dah, which involved looping templates and integrating live elements.[23] He and Shears together authored nearly all of the band's material, blending electronic and pop influences into hits that propelled Scissor Sisters to platinum success.[10] Band dynamics centered on the enduring friendship and synergy between Babydaddy and Shears, who maintained frequent communication even during periods of separation, underscoring their role as the primary creative drivers.[23] The group expanded with additions like guitarist Del Marquis, DJ Paddy Boom (who departed in 2008), and vocalist Ana Matronic, fostering a collaborative environment rooted in performance art origins, though songwriting remained dominated by the founding duo.[23] Following an indefinite hiatus announced on October 23, 2012, at London's Camden Roundhouse—attributed to exhaustion from touring rather than discord—the band paused activities, allowing members to pursue solo endeavors.[24] The 2025 reunion as a trio of Shears, Babydaddy, and Marquis reflects sustained bonds exceeding those of family, with no reported acrimony toward former members, emphasizing a return to foundational dynamics for anniversary performances.[23][25]Post-hiatus activities and reunions
Following the band's announcement of an indefinite hiatus in May 2012 during a concert in Vancouver, Scissor Sisters members pursued individual projects, with no collective performances or releases under the band name until late 2024.[26] The group remained dormant for over a decade, during which core members Jake Shears, Babydaddy, and Del Marquis occasionally collaborated informally but did not reconvene publicly as Scissor Sisters.[21] In October 2024, Scissor Sisters teased a potential return via social media posts featuring archival footage and subtle hints, culminating in an official announcement on October 31 of a reunion tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut album.[27] [28] The tour proceeded as a trio comprising Shears (vocals), Babydaddy (keyboards and production), and Del Marquis (guitar), excluding founding member Ana Matronic, who cited personal reasons for her absence, including a shift toward non-touring commitments.[28] [29] Initial dates focused on the UK and Ireland, beginning May 16, 2025, at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena, followed by shows in Glasgow (May 17), Bournemouth (May 19), Cardiff (May 20), Manchester (May 22), London (May 24–25), Leeds (May 27), Birmingham (May 28), and Dublin (May 31).[30] The reunion performances emphasized the band's early catalog, drawing strong attendance and positive reception for their high-energy sets, which revisited hits like "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" and "Filthy/Gorgeous" while highlighting the trio's streamlined dynamic.[22] The tour expanded into a broader summer 2025 run, described by band members as a "global comeback," reigniting fan interest without new original material at the time.[31] Babydaddy contributed to the shows' production and keyboard arrangements, maintaining his role as a foundational multi-instrumentalist in adapting the setlist for the reduced lineup.[21] By October 2025, following the tour's conclusion, Scissor Sisters confirmed they had entered the studio to develop their first new songs in 14 years, signaling potential for future releases and further activity.[31] [32] Band members expressed optimism about the reunion's sustainability, attributing renewed cohesion to matured perspectives and lessons from the hiatus, though no full album timeline was specified.[22]Solo and collaborative work
Production and songwriting credits
Babydaddy, whose real name is Scott Hoffman, has provided production and songwriting contributions to various artists outside his work with Scissor Sisters. These efforts often involved collaborations with bandmate Jake Shears or other producers, focusing on pop and electronic tracks. His credits emphasize co-writing lyrics and melodies alongside instrumental production, typically leveraging synthesizers and programming for dance-oriented sounds.[33] For Kylie Minogue, Babydaddy co-produced and co-wrote "I Believe in You," a track featured on her 2005 compilation album Ultimate Kylie, which peaked at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart and achieved platinum certification in Australia. The song, blending disco influences with Minogue's vocals, was engineered by Mark Aubrey and mixed by Jeremy Wheatley. He also co-produced and co-wrote "White Diamond" for her 2007 album X, serving as the title track for her accompanying documentary film. Additionally, Babydaddy solely produced "Crystallize" for Minogue's 2014 release, co-written by Devonté Hynes, incorporating electronic elements over a mid-tempo beat.[33][34] In 2016, Babydaddy produced and co-wrote "Ghetto Boy" for Tinashe's mixtape Nightride, collaborating with Dev Hynes and Nicola Roberts. The track features atmospheric synths and explores themes of urban resilience, aligning with Tinashe's R&B-electronic style. He has further co-produced tracks with artists including Tiga and Xavier, though specific releases remain less documented in public discographies.[35]| Artist | Track/Album | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kylie Minogue | "I Believe in You" (Ultimate Kylie) | Co-producer, co-writer | 2005 |
| Kylie Minogue | "White Diamond" (X) | Co-producer, co-writer | 2007 |
| Kylie Minogue | "Crystallize" (single) | Producer | 2014 |
| Tinashe | "Ghetto Boy" (Nightride) | Producer, co-writer | 2016 |
Independent releases and recent projects
Babydaddy has pursued limited independent music releases outside of Scissor Sisters, with his post-2012 efforts centering on production and occasional collaborative singles rather than full solo albums or EPs. In 2017, he contributed to the charity single benefiting victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, collaborating with MNDR and other Scissor Sisters members on a track aimed at fundraising.[36] More recently, Babydaddy has expanded into comic book writing as a primary independent creative outlet. His debut in the medium came with the 2023 miniseries Nostalgia, published digitally by Comixology Originals, depicting a noir tale of a faded child star turned assassin confronting themes of fame, memory, and redemption in a dystopian setting.[37] The work, illustrated by Danijel Žeželj, marked his entry into sequential art, drawing from personal reflections on stardom developed during the pandemic.[38] A print edition of Nostalgia Volume 1 followed from Mad Cave Studios on June 17, 2025, featuring coloring by Lee Loughridge and design by Rian Hughes.[39] Building on this, Babydaddy completed a second miniseries, Wag, announced as his next project after Nostalgia's reception, further establishing his role as a storyteller beyond music.[40] These ventures reflect a shift toward narrative writing, independent of band dynamics.Discography
Scissor Sisters discography highlights
The Scissor Sisters released their self-titled debut studio album on May 24, 2004, in the United Kingdom, where it debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and became the best-selling album of the year with over 1.3 million copies sold domestically.[41] [42] The album featured glam-pop and disco influences, with Babydaddy contributing keyboards, programming, and co-composition alongside Jake Shears' lyrics on tracks like "Laura" and "Take Your Mama".[43] Five singles from the album—"Laura" (UK #12), "Comfortably Numb" (UK #10), "Take Your Mama" (UK #1), "Mary" (UK #9), and "Filthy/Gorgeous" (UK #2)—all reached the UK top 20, while "Filthy/Gorgeous" topped the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.[41] [44] Their second album, Ta-Dah, issued on October 2, 2006, also hit number one in the UK and included the Elton John-co-written single "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'", which reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number one on the US Dance Club Songs chart, selling over 500,000 copies in the UK alone.[41] [26] Babydaddy handled keyboard arrangements and co-production elements, emphasizing the band's shift toward broader pop accessibility.[43] Subsequent releases Night Work (June 28, 2010) and Magic Hour (May 28, 2012) peaked at number three and two on the UK Albums Chart, respectively, with highlights including "Only the Horses" from Magic Hour (UK #8), on which Babydaddy served as co-writer and co-producer.[41] [43]| Album Title | Release Date | UK Albums Chart Peak | Key Singles (UK Peak) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scissor Sisters | May 24, 2004 | #1 | Take Your Mama (#1), Filthy/Gorgeous (#2)[41] |
| Ta-Dah | October 2, 2006 | #1 | I Don't Feel Like Dancin' (#1)[41] |
| Night Work | June 28, 2010 | #3 | Fire with Fire (#15)[41] |
| Magic Hour | May 28, 2012 | #2 | Only the Horses (#8)[41] |