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Transcenders

Transcenders is an American composer collective and music production company based in , specializing in original scores and soundtracks for television series, films, and commercials. Founded in 2003 by Brian Lapin, Terence Yoshiaki, and Mike Fratantuno—all former founding members of the —the group blends diverse genres including , rock, , R&B, and orchestral elements to create dynamic, collaborative music. Their work draws from nearly a decade of prior experience as performers and songwriters with the , contributing to Grammy-winning tracks like "Where Is the Love?" and "." The trio's career began transitioning from live performance to scoring in the early 2000s, with initial projects including music for Judd Apatow's and commercials for brands like and . They gained prominence in television through long-running scores for series such as (six seasons), (eight seasons, Emmy Award-winning), and Madam Secretary (six seasons), where their innovative approaches—like bass-driven rhythms for and drum-centric pulses for —earned critical acclaim. In film, Transcenders provided music for Judd Apatow comedies including , , , and , as well as other titles like and . Beyond production, Transcenders emphasizes creative ownership and diversity, launching the TRN Community in 2021 to support for underrepresented youth and promote genre-blending innovation. Their multi-ethnic composition and adaptive style have made them a staple in scoring, with ongoing work in both episodic television and feature films.

History

Formation

Transcenders was established in 2003 in the United States as a by Brian Lapin, Terence Yoshiaki, and Mike Fratantuno. The trio, who had previously collaborated as founding members of the , formalized their partnership during a break from the group's touring schedule to pursue scoring opportunities in film and television. This legal establishment as a production entity allowed them to channel their combined expertise into creating original for media projects. The founders drew from distinct yet complementary backgrounds that shaped the collective's inception. Brian Lapin contributed extensive production experience, including keyboard work and songwriting honed through early associations with the . Terence Yoshiaki brought hip-hop roots developed during his time as a drummer and core member of the , where he helped craft innovative tracks blending urban sounds with broader appeal. Mike Fratantuno added musical depth as a and , with contributions to rhythm sections and compositions that emphasized groove and texture. Their shared history in the influenced the group's style, infusing sensibilities into more expansive productions. The initial motivation for forming Transcenders was to create a collaborative unit that fused , electronic, and orchestral elements specifically for media scoring, leveraging live alongside advanced techniques. This approach stemmed from their desire to apply a record-making sensibility—rooted in pop, R&B, rock, and —to craft dynamic, scene-specific music that transcended traditional genre boundaries. Their first collaborative project as Transcenders was scoring the 2004 film Cross Bronx, which served as an early inspiration and for their blended sonic palette.

Evolution and milestones

Following their formation in the early , Transcenders expanded significantly in the mid- by entering major film projects, providing original songs and contributions to comedies such as (2007), (2007), and (2008). This period marked their transition from songwriting roots with the to full-service music production for , leveraging their collaborative expertise in bass-driven, rhythmic scores that complemented comedic narratives. Key milestones included their first major television series involvement with the CW's (2007–2012), where they composed the main title and underscore for all six seasons, establishing a reputation for dynamic, youth-oriented soundscapes. By around 2010, they deepened TV commitments with projects like Joey (2004–2006, extended influence) and later Madam Secretary (2014–2019), blending orchestral elements with contemporary beats to suit political drama. Growth in international collaborations emerged by 2015, including work on globally distributed series and contributions to films with cross-cultural themes, such as (2010), which incorporated diverse musical influences. Their scoring for (2014–2022) further solidified this trajectory, earning BMI Film & TV Awards for innovative, family-centric compositions over eight seasons. Transcenders adapted by shifting toward diverse genres, from high-energy action-comedy in Apatow films to nuanced drama in Madam Secretary and culturally resonant scores for Black-ish, reflecting broader industry demands for inclusive storytelling. They integrated technology into their processes, using networked computer setups to enable real-time collaboration among members Brian Lapin, Terence Yoshiaki, and Mike Fratantuno, enhancing efficiency in producing hybrid electronic-orchestral tracks. Notable industry recognitions include multiple BMI Composer Awards (e.g., for Gossip Girl and Black-ish), a 2005 Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song with the Black Eyed Peas' "Let's Get It Started," and a 2024 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series for their score to Netflix's Survival of the Thickest. As of 2025, Transcenders has expanded into with projects like Loot (2022–present) on Apple TV+ and (2023) on , alongside global outreach initiatives such as sponsoring international youth choirs in in 2024. In 2025, the collective collaborated with the Bloom Arts Foundation's Futures in Tune (FIT) program on efforts. This evolution underscores their pivot toward digital platforms and worldwide educational collaborations, building on foundational roles from the original founders.

Members

Founders

Transcenders was founded in 2003 by Brian Lapin, Terence Yoshiaki, and Mike Fratantuno, all of whom were original members of the , bringing their shared experience in and live performance to the collective's inception. Their collaboration stemmed from years of working together in the starting in 1995, where they honed a dynamic group dynamic before transitioning to film and television scoring. Brian Lapin, the keyboardist and primary composer for Transcenders, has a background rooted in music production and songwriting. Prior to forming the collective, Lapin served as a founding keyboardist for the from 1995 until 1999, contributing to their early albums (1998) and Bridging the Gap (2000). After leaving the group in 1999, he pursued opportunities as a songwriter and producer, spending two years signed with Publishing, where he developed skills in crafting versatile tracks for commercial and media use. In Transcenders, Lapin acts as the coordinator and lead composer, leveraging his production expertise to structure the group's scores with layered keyboard arrangements that blend electronic and organic elements. Terence Yoshiaki, the drummer, brought his hip-hop roots and rhythmic innovation to Transcenders' foundation. As a founding member of the from 1995 to the early , Yoshiaki provided percussion and drum programming for their debut releases, infusing the group's sound with energetic, groove-driven beats characteristic of . His pre-Transcenders credits include co-writing the hit "," which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2005. Yoshiaki's expertise in production shaped Transcenders' scoring , introducing syncopated rhythms and multicultural influences drawn from his work with diverse artists in the era. Within the collective, he focuses on drums and beat construction, ensuring a propulsive foundation for their compositions. Mike Fratantuno, the bassist and producer, contributed his foundational groove skills to Transcenders' core sound. A founding member of the from 1995 to the early 2000s, Fratantuno played bass on key tracks like "" and "Smells Like ," establishing the low-end drive that defined the group's early identity. His instrumentation expertise includes proficient bass performance and production techniques honed through live touring and studio work with the band. In Transcenders, Fratantuno handles bass lines and overall production, collaborating closely with Lapin and Yoshiaki to integrate deep, rhythmic pulses into their scores. The founders' combined talents—Lapin's compositional oversight, Yoshiaki's hip-hop rhythms, and Fratantuno's bass-driven production—created Transcenders' signature approach to scoring, characterized by multicultural rhythms that fuse hip-hop grooves with cinematic for a fresh, energetic style. This synergy, built on their collaboration, allowed the trio to translate live performance energy into cohesive media soundtracks from the outset.

Associated artists

Transcenders maintains a stable core of its three founders—Brian Lapin, Terence Yoshiaki, and Mike Fratantuno—but extends its creative reach through notable collaborations with artists from and electronic music scenes. Early in their career, the trio co-wrote and performed with members , , and on seminal tracks such as "" (2004) and "Where Is the Love?" (2003, featuring ), which earned Grammy nominations and Songwriter Awards for blending rhythms with electronic production elements. In more recent years, Transcenders has incorporated guest performers and producers into side projects, exemplifying their collaborative ethos. For instance, in 2023, they launched Low Coast alongside vocalist and guitarist Jeff Caudill (formerly of punk band Gameface) and lead guitarist Dave Hemann, resulting in a debut album that fuses the trio's electronic and hip-hop influences with emo and alternative rock textures, distributed by Spartan Records. The model of Transcenders emphasizes a non-hierarchical structure where rotating collaborators contribute specialized skills, enabling genre versatility across , electronica, R&B, and without rigid roles. This approach, rooted in their origins, allows the core trio to integrate diverse voices for innovative soundscapes in productions. Since their formation in 2003, Transcenders has grown from a tight-knit trio into a broader network by the , leveraging project-based alliances to expand their influence. This evolution includes integrating guest artists into scoring ensembles for television series like and , where additional musicians enhanced their hybrid scores, and formalizing community ties through the 2021 TRN Community initiative to mentor emerging talents.

Creative output

Film scores

Transcenders contributed additional music to Judd Apatow's The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005) and Superbad (2007), a coming-of-age comedy directed by Greg Mottola, providing songs that blended hip-hop rhythms with upbeat elements. These early contributions marked their entry into feature films. They provided additional music for subsequent Apatow projects including Knocked Up (2007) and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), as well as for I Think I Love My Wife (2007) directed by Chris Rock. Transcenders composed the original score for Our Family Wedding (2010) starring Forest Whitaker, along with full scores for other projects such as Bring It On: In It to Win It (2007), Road Trip: Beer Pong (2009), and Mean Girls 2 (2011). Their filmography up to 2025 remains centered on these comedic and direct-to-video projects, with no major credits in action blockbusters reported. Stylistically, Transcenders fused beats and bass-driven grooves with orchestral swells and textures in their full scores, creating tension-building cues that heightened emotional beats in comedic narratives. In Our Family Wedding, for instance, their use of layered drums and R&B-inflected melodies synchronized with family dynamics, adding ironic depth to the humor without overpowering . This approach extended to other works, where rock-infused scores amplified key sequences, blending soulful undertones with percussive energy. Such innovations departed from traditional orchestral comedy scores, incorporating a "record-making sensibility" that made the music feel contemporary. Their production process emphasized collaboration among the trio—Brian Lapin on and orchestration, Mike Fratantuno on , and Terence Yoshiaki on —beginning with rhythmic foundations and building iteratively via networked to ensure synchronization with visuals. For projects like , they crafted custom cues by starting with tempo and beats, then layering bass lines and synths to match scene pacing, often using sample libraries for lush orchestrations while reserving live players for key emotional peaks. This ego-free, team-oriented method allowed rapid adaptation to directors' notes, producing cohesive scores that felt organic to the film's tone. Transcenders' music contributions helped enhance the comedic genre's sound during the late , appearing in Apatow-produced hits that appealed to younger audiences. By merging street-level beats with cinematic elements in their full scores, they influenced trends toward hybrid approaches in ensemble-driven films.

Television compositions

Transcenders have composed original scores for numerous television series since the late , with a focus on episodic music and main titles that enhance serialized narratives in dramas and comedies. Their early prominence came with the CW's (2007–2012), where they created the main title theme and provided music for episodes, including original songs for the fictional rock band Lincoln Hawk, led by the character Rufus Humphrey. The theme for has been hailed as iconic for its pulsating rhythm that mirrors the show's fast-paced social intrigue. In the , Transcenders expanded their portfolio with scores for ABC's (2014–2022), its spin-off (2019–2021), and CBS's Madam Secretary (2014–2019), delivering modular cues tailored to weekly episode arcs across multiple seasons. They also contributed to series like (2011–2012) and (2016–2017), adapting their sound to legal dramas and family comedies. More recently, the collective scored Netflix's (2023–), a comedy-drama following a plus-size stylist's personal reinvention, with an emphasis on uplifting, character-driven motifs; a six-track EP was released, featuring vocal by Francci Richard on the main and end titles. They have continued with scores for ABC's (2023–2025) and OWN's The Kings of Napa (2022). A EP for Season 2 was released in March 2025. Transcenders' compositional approach relies on collaboration among its members—Brian Lapin, Mike Fratantuno, and Terence Yoshiaki—to blend genres and prioritize emotional impact, such as using simple harmonic shifts to evoke character feelings. This method allows for versatile, dynamic scores that support ongoing storylines, like recurring rhythmic themes in Black-ish to underscore family tensions and triumphs. However, television scoring demands precision under tight production timelines, leaving little room for revisions once integrated into episodes. Their innovations include crafting adaptable cues for streaming platforms, as seen in Survival of the Thickest, where tracks like "Le Freak (Iconic Natasha)" fuse funk influences to heighten comedic empowerment scenes. In seasons like Madam Secretary's later arcs, their music played a pivotal role in building tension during diplomatic crises, using subtle orchestral builds to amplify narrative stakes.

Additional productions

Transcenders expanded their creative output into original album releases early in their career, with their self-produced debut What It Is issued in 2005 on independent distribution. The 12-track album explores and introspective themes through instrumental and vocal compositions, highlighted by tracks like "," which delves into personal turmoil, and "The Believer," a dynamic opener blending rhythmic bass lines with layered keyboards. Beyond albums, Transcenders composed custom scores for high-profile television commercials, targeting major corporate clients such as , , , , , , , and Levi's, often integrating pop and electronic elements to enhance brand narratives. These works, beginning as early as , marked their entry into music and demonstrated versatile production techniques adapted from their scoring background. In the streaming era, Transcenders released compilation soundtrack albums on platforms like and , including Survival of the Thickest (Soundtrack from the Series) in 2023, featuring original cues such as "Better Know About Me (End Title)," and its follow-up for Season 2 in 2025. These digital exclusives have garnered significant streams, with tracks like "One Time (Main Title)" exceeding 265,000 plays, reflecting sustained fan interest in their accessible formats. Experimental endeavors include non-commercial uploads on , where Transcenders share genre-blending pieces like "Exhibit A" from 2012, an abstract instrumental exploration outside traditional scoring constraints, encouraging direct listener interaction and community feedback.

Community impact

Educational programs

Transcenders launched the TRN Music Academy in 2021 as an educational arm of their philanthropic division, the TRN Community, dedicated to for underserved communities worldwide. The academy operates from the company's studio while extending its reach globally, including pilot programs in and partnerships for international initiatives. Its curriculum emphasizes , film scoring, and , blending elements with orchestral and electronic techniques to reflect Transcenders' signature style in media soundtracks. The academy offers hands-on workshops that integrate practical scoring sessions, allowing participants to collaborate on original compositions for visual media. These programs target underserved youth and emerging artists, providing access to professional recording facilities and fostering skills in writing, producing, and performing diverse genres. A key initiative, Futures in Tune, launched in January 2023 in partnership with the Bloom Arts Foundation, connects elementary school students in under-resourced areas—including (460 students at Egcekeni Primary School in ), (50 students in ), and the (65 fifth graders at Delevan Drive Elementary in )—to professional musicians through innovative curricula that introduce multiple musical styles and cross-cultural expression across 575 students in 3 schools. Mentorship is a core component, with Transcenders' founders—Brian Lapin, Terence Yoshiaki, and Mike Fratantuno—directly guiding participants to bridge educational experiences with professional opportunities in film and television scoring. This integration supports the company's evolution toward broader social impact by empowering the next generation of creators from diverse backgrounds.

Philanthropic efforts

In 2021, Transcenders launched the TRN Community as its philanthropic division, focusing on fostering diversity in music genres and cultures while drawing from the collective's roots to support global creative initiatives. This arm emphasizes advocacy for underrepresented voices in music production and broader access to artistic resources in underserved communities. Through strategic partnerships, such as with the Bloom Arts Foundation, Transcenders contributes professional production expertise and resources to enhance and programs for in economically disadvantaged areas, including international sites in , , and . These efforts promote social themes of cultural understanding, empathy, and inclusive creativity, distinct from structured training by prioritizing funding and collaborative advocacy. The initiatives have supported programs, through partnerships such as with the Bloom Arts Foundation, reaching over 20,000 students across 45 schools in County and abroad, funding instruments, classes, and workshops to inspire future generations. By 2025, Transcenders' involvement has amplified these outcomes, including presentations at global symposia like the Creative Arts Educators’ event at Berklee (October 19–26, 2025).

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