The Clutch is an American collective of songwriters responsible for a series of hit songs, including: Mary J Blige's "Take Me As I Am", Omarion's "Ice Box", Tiffany Evans' "Promise Ring", and Ciara's "Like A Boy".
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, The Clutch consists of Candice "Gg" Nelson, Ezekiel "(E)Zeke" Lewis, Patrick "J. Que" Smith, Balewa Muhammad and Keri Hilson. Any combination of two or more of the five writers on a song is considered a track "written by The Clutch" as they rarely work as a complete fivesome. Currently the only released songs written by all members together are Bayje's "Jealous Of Your Whip", Keke Palmer's "Game Song" and Jennifer Lopez' "Wrong When You're Gone".
The Clutch promotes new record producers, including: Calvo Da Gr8 ("Like a Boy", "Shawty Got It"), Big D. ("Wrong When You're Gone"), Hit-Boy ("Forever", "Hey Young Girl"), and former O-Town member Dan Miller. The Clutch has also written songs for some of the most successful producers in R&B including Danja, Bryan-Michael Cox, Lil' Jon, The Underdogs, Bloodshy & Avant, Tricky Stewart, Soulshock & Karlin and Rich Harrison. The group also work frequently with Timbaland as a producer and as an artist, having penned his hit international single "The Way I Are" as well as the track featuring member Keri Hilson. Hilson is also signed as an artist to his Mosley Music Group record label.