Henry Russell Walter (born April 23, 1986), known professionally as Cirkut, is a Canadian record producer and songwriter. He has co-produced and co-written for Rihanna, Ava Max, Pitbull, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd, Britney Spears, Jessie J, Kesha, Shakira, Nicki Minaj, and B.o.B, and songs he has written and produced include the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles “Part of Me”, “Roar” and “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry, and “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus. His production credits on The Weeknd’s album Starboy won him the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album.

Life and career

Walter was raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia and moved to Toronto in 2004. He co-produced the Britney Spears song “Mmm Papi” which appeared on her 2008 album Circus. He sent it as an instrumental track to Kobalt Music Group via their attorney Chris Taylor, where songwriter Nicole Morier began using it to write with Britney Spears.

Walter opened Dream House Studios in Toronto. He then relocated to Los Angeles, California. He co-produced “Part of Me”, the title song to Katy Perry’s 2012 concert film Katy Perry: Part of Me. Walter was also responsible for producing and co-writing The Weeknd’s track “High for This”. In 2016, he co-produced and co-wrote 9 songs on The Weeknd’s album Starboy.

Awards and nominations

• Grammy Awards
  • 2014: Song of the Year – “Roar” – Katy Perry (Nominated)
  • 2015: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance – “Dark Horse” – Katy Perry ft. Juicy J (Nominated)
  • 2018: Urban Contemporary Album – “Starboy” – The Weeknd (Won)
• Juno Awards
  • 2014: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year (Won)
  • 2015: Songwriter of the Year (Nominated)