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So he hired Slaiby as his manager, then forged ahead writing for a growing network of superstars like John Legend and Gwen Stefani — and getting Grammy attention for his work with some of R&B’s coolest acts. Late last year, he earned a best R&B song nod for co-writing Skip Marley and H.E.R.’s chart-topping “Slow Down,” and he also contributed to Chloe x Halle’s Ungodly Hour, which is up for best progressive R&B album. A self-proclaimed “blue-collar songwriter,” Atweh sees the recognition as a helpful reintroduction: “With the Grammys, it’s like, ‘Does anybody new want to talk to me? Has there been anyone who has been hesitant to take a song who might not be hesitant now?’ ” His chill studio presence — Atweh likens his role to “songwriter and party host” and is fond of preg...

There were times I wondered, “Is this a little too crazy?” I was trying to see what I could get away with. And they were more than able to do it and to add their own thing to it. I’d say to them, “If you want to try this any way you want to do it, go ahead! I’m curious to see what shape it can take.” They’re incredibly intuitive, so in sync with each other. It was very motivating. I was reading recently about Gershwin and his hangup about not necessarily being the most advanced in terms of music theory and education, which is something I definitely relate to. I’m not at conservatory level. The fact that this nomination is within the compositional, classical world — it takes on a different connotation in my mind. It feels like doors opening, whether that’s for me personally or for other peo...