DNA Beats Brightens Philly Radio with DJ Diamond Kuts “Salt Peppa Ketchup Hot Sauce” a Hit for Philly Hip Hop Upcoming work with Bow Wow, Rocko, Flo-Rida and More!
Philadelphia, PA — Hip Hop fans have continually watched their beloved underground producers develop into platinum-selling superstars, all the while hoping that the talent and foundation of the beatsmiths will maintain the same integrity. Unfortunately, far too many producers who grew from classic boom-bap to create mega hits do not stay in touch with the very sounds that made them fan favorites.
As the buzz for their DJ Diamond Kuts single “Salt Peppa Ketchup Hot Sauce” featuring Casino, Pumpkin and D-Wizz gains popularity, the duo of DNA Beats is determined to stick to their roots in more ways than one.
Philadelphia producers Ridd and Dnali came together years ago to form DNA Beats, and had the opportunity early on to work with people they admired like the legendary production team Gamble & Huff and Will Hunt of The Delphonics. In the past two years alone, DNA has produced for budding Philly stars with national buzz like Bump J, Peedi Peedi and Gillie Da Kid.
In 2008, they created magic with Power 99 DJ Diamond Kuts on her song “Salt Peppa Ketchup Hot Sauce,” which became an instant local hit. “We’re trying to take some of the late ‘80s stuff back,” Ridd says of the track. “Our whole vision was imagining if Roxanne Shante came out with a record right now. We’re not making it more club-friendly, we’re just providing all of the elements that have worked.”
With a video on the horizon, the work with DJ Diamond Kuts has definitely given DNA Beats a leg up in their mission to bring forth a new-age sound for the region. They are developing futuristic sounds for artists like Casino (songwriter and featured vocalist on “Salt Peppa Ketchup Hot Sauce”), PFL (Playas 4 Life), Hip-Pop group DaCav5, Hip Hop artists Young Tre and Five Mics and more. Additionally, they have tracks recorded with several major label artists including Bow Wow, Lil Mama, Rocko, Flo-Rida, Tiffany Evans and more.
DNA Beats is actively working with Status Management to refresh Philly’s style for the world, and add their own flair to artists’ work in other regions. “We definitely want to make an impact in the industry,” explains Dnali. “We’re not trying to be the one-hit wonders – we strive to make sure we’re on top of our game. We definitely feel we’re in a position to make an impact just off of basic elements of our sound.”
For more information on DNA Beats and to hear their current hit, go to _new">www.tygereye.net/dnabeats and www.myspace.com/dnabeats
ABOUT DNA BEATS
In the world of Hip Hop production, there is a vast sound experience that ranges from mashing up samples to pounding out original synthetic drum patterns. The producers who stand out are rarely those who rely on sampling alone – this is the day of the true artist.
Ridd and Dnali, collectively known as DNA Beats, are bringing their style of natural percussion and DJ-inspired rhythms to the forefront as they build a brilliant new soundscape for Philadelphia’s urban music scene. They have a current Mid-Atlantic hit with DJ Diamond Kuts’ “Salt Peppa Ketchup Hot Sauce” featuring Casino and Pumpkin, and a flurry of work this year with the likes of Bump J, Gillie Da Kid, Young Tre, Peedi Peedi, Five Mics and more.
Ridd and Dnali met as students in Voorhees, New Jersey’s Eastern High School. Dnali was honing his skills as a drummer in the music department, while Ridd was spending his nights DJing local parties. They had both tried producing songs individually, but it wasn’t until they met that everything made sense.
Eventually they became DNA (Digital and Analog), and had a memorable moment when they linked with Will Hart of the Delphonics to create a song. Ridd initially captured the idea for the track when AllHipHop.com CEO Grouchy Greg played him the Delphonics classic “Seventeen in Love.” Inspired, DNA made a Hip Hop sampled track, and by chance Will Hart came through Philadelphia and was able to lay original vocals on the song for them.
“Working with Will Hart was a big achievement for us, because we grew up on that,” explains Dnali. “As far as sampling, The Delphonics got some classics. The opportunity in itself to work with him on the same song, and for him to hear what we did and be thoroughly impressed was a great experience.”
DNA Beats got their first nationwide placement with Rocafella Records artist Peedi Crakk (now known as Peedi Peedi). In 2006, they worked with Peedi on his DJ Whoo Kid-hosted mixtape, Crakk Files, blessing him with the standout single “Knock Em Out the Box.” DNA Beats began working with a flurry of budding artists from Philadelphia including singer Jai-Sun, The Corner Boys and rapper/songwriter Casino.
One of their key successes has been developing the sound for Young Tre, who recently linked with Def Jam. They produced several original tracks for him on 2007’s Days of My Life mixtape with Remy Ma’s DJ BedTyme and 2008’s Shoe Box Money hosted by The Aphilliates’ DJ Infamous. As the Young Tre project has taken off, their work with Casino developed into a new song with Philly’s Power 99 on-air personality and BET Rap City regular DJ Diamond Kuts. Written by Casino and produced by DNA Beats, “Salt Peppa Ketchup Hot Sauce” quickly caught on with radio in the Mid-Atlantic region, and has been lighting up dance floors throughout the Summer of ’08.
In 2008 alone, DNA Beats has offered up two other singles with Young Tre’s “Private Room” and Bump J’s “Pretty Girls in the VIP.” The latter spawned a sought-after remix featuring Peedi Peedi and Gillie Da Kid. They also continued their mixtape success with original tracks for Five Mics on The Million Dollar Dream, hosted by The Aphilliates’ Don Cannon.
As students of the legendary production team Gamble & Huff, Dnali and Ridd plan to take the Philadelphia movement to new heights as they marry their technical foundation with their vision for the next generation. “When we make a track, we focus on a lot of things that other producers don’t,” explains Dnali. “Our main thing is our cadence on our drums, the way we actually set them up. We start out every track with our drums before we lay any instruments. Sometimes we’ll just have a whole track that’s just basically sound effects and drums – the drums gotta hit.”
“We’re trying to take some of the late ‘80s stuff back,” Ridd adds. “Our whole vision with ‘Salt Peppa Ketchup Hot Sauce’ was imagining if Roxanne Shante came out with a record right now. That’s what we’re trying to help bring back a little bit. We’re not making it more club-friendly, we’re just providing all of the elements that have worked.”
“It’s a basic simple formula,” Dnali agrees. “It’s funny how our name DNA kind of ties in with everything that we do. Look at the genetics of the way hit songs were put together from a formula that’s always going to work.”
In addition to their work with local artists, major labels have also been seeking the DNA sound. The team has done some recent work with Cherri Hyll at Interscope, a group signed to producer RedOne who created four of Akon’s Number One singles. DNA also has some developing placements with Dave Lighty’s new artists at Jive, and recently produced songs for upcoming projects with Flo-Rida, Lil Mama, Bow Wow, Rocko, Tiffany Evans, Brisco and more.
“We definitely want to make an impact in the industry,” explains Dnali. “We’re not trying to be the one-hit wonders – we strive to make sure we’re on top of our game. We definitely feel we’re in a position to make an impact just off of basic elements of our sound.”
DNA Beats knows that the business side of their work needs to be handled as effectively as the creative side, so they teamed with Status Management to take things to the next level. Their relationship with the Status team goes back a few years, as they were actually friends with CEO Kyle Piasecki before they did business together. “Our whole dream is, of course, to be big time celebrities,” says Dnali, “but we want that friendship first. Working with Kyle is great, because he’s energetic and hard-working and we’re the exact same way about our music. That’s why we’ve complemented each other so well.”
With such an outstanding line-up of songs in 2008, there is still a lot more to come for DNA Beats. While they consistently push creative boundaries in the market, their work ethic stays ahead of the curve as well. “Our plate is full right now, everyday it’s something new,” asserts Dnali. “It’s exciting, but at the same time it’s a grind.”
DNA Beats Discography
Singles
2008 – “Salt, Peppa, Ketchup and Hot Sauce” – DJ Diamond Kuts f/ Pumpkin & Casino
2008 – “Photogenic” – PFL (Playas 4 Life)
2008 – “Private Room” – Young Tre
2008 – “Pretty Girls in the VIP (remix)” – Bump J, Peedi Peedi, Gillie Da Kid
2008 – “Pretty Girls in the VIP” – Bump J
Contributions to Albums and Mixtapes
2008 – Young Tre – “Catch Me in the Hood” “This Is Why I Hustle” “Shoe Box Money” “Poppin Bands” “Chillin’ in the VIP” – DJ Infamous Shoe Box Money mixtape
2008 – Five Mics – “Fresh From the Dealer” “Lick It” “Off The Chain” – DJ Don Cannon Million Dollar Dream mixtape
2007 – Young Tre – “Every Day” “Hustling Soldiers” “Getting Money” f/ Brisco “City on Fire” “So Tired” “Not The Marriott” “We Sip” – DJ BedTyme Days of My Life mixtape
2006 – Peedi Peedi – “Knockem Out the Box” – DJ Whoo Kid Crack Files mixtape
Unreleased Projects ‘08-‘09
Bow Wow – untitled songs for upcoming album (Sony)
Brisco – “Static” “Laughing at Him” for Street Medicine album (Poe Boy/Atlantic)
Casino – “Haters Blockers” “Gangsta Don’t Dance” “Wap Wap” for House Always Wins album
Cherri Hyll – “Rockit Girl” “Too Hot 4 TV” for upcoming album (Interscope)
DaCav5 – “You Baby” for Guilty Pleasure album
DJ Diamond Kuts – “Salt Peppa Ketchup Hot Sauce” “Fresh” for Her-story in the Making album
Flo-Rida – untitled songs for upcoming album (Atlantic)
Gillie Da Kid – “Say Yeah” “Back of Mind” for upcoming album (Koch)
Lil Mama – untitled songs for upcoming album (Jive)
PFL (Playas 4 Life) – “A** and Ti**ies” “Photogenic” for upcoming album
Rocko – untitled songs for upcoming album (Island/Def Jam)
Tiffany Evans – untitled songs for upcoming album (Columbia)
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