Wikipedia

Alex Kresovich

Alex Kresovich (also known as AK) (born August 28, 1986) is an American record producer and songwriter from Ithaca, New York.[1][2] His work includes co-producing the RIAA Gold-certified single "King of the Clouds" on Panic! at the Disco's 2018 album, Pray for the Wicked. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200,[3] is certified Double Platinum by the RIAA, and won the Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Album.[4]

Alex Kresovich
Born (1986-08-28) August 28, 1986 (age 39)
Harlingen, Texas, U.S.
Alma materCornell University (BS)
University of Georgia (MA)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (PhD)
Occupations
  • Music producer
  • songwriter
  • Research scientist
Years active2009–present

Kresovich earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied the influence of popular music referencing mental health topics on the mental health attitudes and behaviors of U.S. youth.[5][6][7] His research, published in JAMA Pediatrics,[8] found a significant increase in the prevalence of mental health themes in popular rap music over the last two decades. In 2025, he published findings in JAMA revealing that the majority of high-engagement social media posts promoting prescription drugs lacked proper sponsorship disclosures, highlighting significant gaps in federal regulatory oversight.[9] His work has received media coverage in The New York Times[10][11] and U.S. News & World Report,[12] and he appeared as a mental health and music lyrics expert in the critically acclaimed[13] 2025 documentary STANS.[14]

Music career

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Kresovich was mentored by GRAMMY winner Ken Lewis and has collaborated with a diverse range of artists and songwriters. His production and songwriting credits include work with Panic! at the Disco, CeeLo Green, X Ambassadors, Niykee Heaton, MAX, Hoodie Allen, and King Los. He has also worked alongside prominent songwriters like Emily Warren, Ingrid Andress, Michael Pollack, Jesse Saint John, and Kevin Hissink.

In 2011, Kresovich won the 2K Sports/Duck Down Music NBA 2K12 Soundtrack Contest.[15]

In 2020, Kresovich produced and co-wrote "How Could You Not Know" by Jocelyn Alice which appeared on Season 2 of the NBC television show, Songland.[16] The final version of the song was co-written and produced with Shane McAnally, Ryan Tedder, and Ester Dean.[17][18]

Research Career

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In 2022, Kresovich joined NORC at the University of Chicago as a Research Scientist. There, he leads behavioral health research projects as a member of the Social Data Collaboratory in the Public Health Department.[19]

In 2025, Kresovich published a study in JAMA investigating the prevalence of undisclosed prescription drug promotion on social media platforms. The study, which analyzed high-engagement posts regarding GLP-1 agonists (such as Ozempic) and ADHD stimulants, found that over 80% of such content contained potential undisclosed influencer marketing.[20]

Business Ventures

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In addition to his music and academic work, Kresovich serves as Partner and Chief Strategy Officer for The Cut Buddy, a personal grooming company that appeared on the ABC television show Shark Tank in November 2017.[21]

Awards and honors

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Year Award Work Result
2019 Billboard Music Award Top Rock Album Pray for the Wicked Won

Education

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Kresovich attended Cornell University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in communication with Cum Laude honors. He earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree from the University of Georgia and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[22][7]

Selected academic publications

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  • Kresovich, A.; Tran, H.; Shi, H.; Hayashi, K.; Dibble, M.R.; Martinez, L.; Emery, S.L. (2025). "High-Engagement Social Media Posts Related to Prescription Drug Promotion for 3 Major Drug Classes". JAMA. Published online November 13, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.19754. (Editor's Choice)
  • Kresovich, A.; Borowiecki, M.; Emery, S.L.; Lamuda, P.A.; Taylor, B.G.; Schneider, J.A.; Pollack, H.A. (2025). "High stakes: Associations between substance use and gambling behaviors by race in the United States". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 268 112581. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112581. PMC 11849052. PMID 39919502.
  • Kresovich, A.; Balawajder, E.F.; Pyatt, T.; Lamuda, P.A.; Taylor, B.G.; Walters, S.; Pollack, H.A.; Schneider, J.A. (2025). "Exploring the roots of stigma: A qualitative investigation of the American public's attitudes toward individuals with opioid use disorder". Health Communication: 1–14. doi:10.1080/10410236.2025.2540953. PMID 40790831.
  • Kresovich, A.; Borowiecki, M.; Lamuda, P.A.; Taylor, B.G.; Emery, S.L.; Schneider, J.A.; Pollack, H.A. (2024). "Passive exposure to opioid crisis information and public attitudes: effects on local policy support, discrimination, and stigma in a United States national survey". Preventive Medicine. 191 108212. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108212. PMC 11761358. PMID 39706487.
  • Golan, O.; Kresovich, A.; Drymon, C.; Ducharme, L.; Flanagan Balawajder, E.; Borowiecki, M.; Lamuda, P.; Taylor, B.; Pollack, H.; Schneider, J. (2024). "Public perceptions of opioid misuse recovery and related resources in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults". Addiction. 120 (2): 253–265. doi:10.1111/add.16692. PMC 11710964. PMID 39428591.
  • Kresovich, A.; Reffner Collins, M.K.; Riffe, D.; Dillman Carpentier, F.R. (2021). "Mental health discourse in popular rap music: A longitudinal content analysis". JAMA Pediatrics. 175 (3): 286–292. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.5155. PMC 7921905. PMID 33284350.

Selected production discography

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Panic! at the Disco – Pray for the Wicked

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Cee Lo Green – Heart Blanche

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  • "Thorns"

Hoodie Allen – People Keep Talking

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  • "Against Me" (featuring MAX)

Niykee Heaton – Promotional Singles

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  • "Cold War" (Promotional Single)
  • "Kill 'Em All" (Promotional Single)
  • "Remember It All"

Chris Webby – Chemically Imbalanced

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  • "Nice 2 Be Back"
  • "Blue Skies" (featuring Anna Yvette) (Promotional Single)

Jocelyn Alice – Songland Season 2

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Snow Tha Product – The Rest Comes Later

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  • "Bad Bitches" (Single)

NBA 2K12 – NBA 2K12 Official Soundtrack

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  • Alex K., D.J.I.G. - Now's My Time (2K Original)

References

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  1. ↑ "Alex Kresovich - Music Producer & Composer". Alex Kresovich - Music Producer & Composer. Archived from the original on 2023-04-09. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  2. ↑ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Archived from the original on 2018-02-12. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  3. ↑ "Panic! at the Disco's 'Pray for the Wicked' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2019-11-30. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  4. ↑ "2019 Billboard Music Awards Winners: The Complete List". Billboard. May 1, 2019.
  5. ↑ "Haven't you people ever heard of the UNC Ph.D. candidate who produced a Panic! song?". The Daily Tar Heel. 31 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  6. ↑ "Alex Kresovich | Endeavors". Archived from the original on 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  7. 1 2 "SethNoar on Twitter: If you know @AlexKresovich you know he puts 110% into everything. His dissertation defense was no exception. Congratulations Dr. Kresovich!!". Archived from the original on 2022-04-29. Retrieved 2020-04-09.
  8. ↑ Kresovich, Alex; Reffner Collins, Meredith K.; Riffe, Daniel; Carpentier, Francesca R. Dillman (2020). "A Content Analysis of Mental Health Discourse in Popular Rap Music". JAMA Pediatrics. 175 (3): 286–292. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.5155. PMC 7921905. PMID 33284350.
  9. ↑ https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2841349
  10. ↑ Grose, Jessica (May 5, 2021). "When Grown-Ups Have Imaginary Friends". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  11. ↑ Barry, Ellen (2024-02-04). "How Psychiatry Broke the Top 40". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  12. ↑ Mozes, Alex. "Rap Music Is Putting Mental Health in the Spotlight". US News. Archived from the original on 2021-09-08. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
  13. ↑ "Stans (2025)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  14. ↑ "STANS IN THEATRES WORLDWIDE 8/7". Eminem.com. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  15. ↑ "2K Sports and Duck Down Music Announce Winners of NBA® 2K12 MC/Producer Contest". Urbanmag-online.com. 31 May 2011. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  16. ↑ "Jocelyn Alice Performs "How Could You Not Know?" (Original Song Performance) - Songland 2020 - YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  17. ↑ "ACE Repository - HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW?". Archived from the original on 2019-03-30. Retrieved 2021-11-19.
  18. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Jocelyn Alice- How Could You Not Know- Official Video. YouTube.
  19. ↑ "Alex Kresovich | NORC at the University of Chicago".
  20. ↑ https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2841349
  21. ↑ "Facebook Campaign Spotlights Black Businesses for Holiday Shopping". Spectrumlocalnews.com. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  22. ↑ "Ph.D. Program: Students | UNC School of Media and Journalism". Archived from the original on 2019-05-22. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
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