Multi-platinum producers Jazze Pha & Drumma Boy team-up with BET Networks and Def Jam recording artist Vawn for the ultimate reality TV series “Welcome to Dreamland” airing Tuesday, June 2nd at 10pm when the two beat makers will compete to see who can develop the most successful musical act as the show follows aspiring Atlanta talent through an intense development process with producers, songwriters, stylists, designers and photographers in their quest for musical stardom.
“In life we dream and ‘Welcome to Dreamland’ shows that if you can dream it you can achieve it. Working to get that next hit single is a tiresome process but it’s exciting. We took a bus and found 13 of the best female talent in Atlanta. We’re training them for the real world. At first we didn’t realize this meant more than music dreams coming true. We made day-to-day dreams come true. There were people living in their cars and because of this show they got an opportunity to shine and an actual attempt at living their dreams.” Def Jam Recording Artist & Executive Producer Vawn
Drumma Boy and Jazze Pha have more in common then just being born to prestigious musical families in Memphis, Tennessee. They are arguably two of Atlanta’s biggest hit music producers. While Jazze Pha is famed for discovering R&B powerhouse Ciara, Drumma Boy’s gift for crafting hard hitting 808 bass lines has helped propel many a lyricist to the pinnacle of the Billboard Charts. Both men have created musical masterpieces for some of the South East regions largest Hip Hop acts including Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Ludacris, Souljah Boy, Young Jeezy, T.I., Rick Ross, Bow Wow, Cee-Lo Green, Trina, Outkast and Lil Jon.
On Tuesday, June 2nd at 10pm the two multi-platinum beat makers will team up on the American Idol-esque show “Welcome to Dreamland” airing on BET Networks. Waiting somewhere out there for a chance to become the next “superstar entertainer” is an undiscovered talent with the stamina, stage presence and the style of today’s chart topping artists. Thousands of aspiring stars battling for a spot in the music industry everyday. If that person doesn’t get heard and seen by the right people their chance might remain just a dream. Jazze Pha explains, “The reason I got involved in this television show is to really show people how something is made from almost nothing. Not so much for the competition but to show the work in progress. This is a great stage to show people how to do it. It illustrates that the music game isn’t all glitz and glamour but it’s hard work.”
The series is the brainchild of Def Jam Recording Artist Vawn who serves as Host and Executive-Producer of the show. The colliding teams headed by Drumma Boy and Jazze Pha will compete to see who can develop the best act as the show follows new artists through an intense development process with producers, songwriters, stylists, designers and photographers in their quest for musical stardom.
“We were able to pick our own teams of a photographer, choreographer, stylist and writer and we have to build the best artist or R&B act. This is us taking some of the best talent in Atlanta, polishing it and turning it into something great,” says Drumma Boy.
Created for the Element Skateboards film, This Is My Element, the T.I.M.E. Soundtrack is the first of its kind: an original, artist-composed score crafted to the beat of polyurethane pounding pavement. Here, Anticon’s veteran producer and beatsmith Odd Nosdam conceives an album where each song is tailored to fit the style and cadence of the Element rider it accompanies. And on its own, quite simply, this album is a banger.
From its opening moments, the T.I.M.E. Soundtrack menaces thump-driven destruction. “T.I.M.E. In” sports an ominous SP1200-crunched beat that stomps into the fore like Godzilla into Nagasaki, while Nosdam’s trademark pops and quirks flit overhead. The Chad Muska-inspired “Trunk Bomb” aggressively boom-baps its way to rhythmic bliss via chopped breaks and arpeggiated synth, while “Fly Mode” (co-produced by Jel and fashioned after the fluid stylings of Brent Atchley) is a loping, folksy instrumental that blows through like a summer breeze. Throughout the T.I.M.E. Soundtrack, Nosdam’s approach is decidedly upbeat, mobile and spontaneous; it’s the glue that cements the guitar-driven rollick of “We Bad Apples” to the funky minimalism of “Zone Coaster” to the sweet toughness of “Ethereal Slap,” seamless despite their fundamental differences in style.
Elsewhere Nosdam proves his hand at big and grimey (“Cop Crush” for Bam Margera), melodic and gorgeous (“Root Bark,” for Mike Barker, also co-produced by Jel), and heaving and stoney (“One For Dallas,” for Levi Brown). “Top Rank” leaks in like steam over lo-bit guitars and a warm dubby bounce designed for child prodigy Nyjah Huston, then morphs into a slow-pulsing, textured epic just as apt for rolling-by board or by car-through any concrete jungle. But it’s second-to-last track “Wig Smasher,” conceived for Tony Tave, that sends the T.I.M.E. Soundtrack soaring to the stratosphere. The slow burn of steady organ builds and builds from a bedrock of record static, ambient fuzz, skittering drums and 808 bass, culminating in a five-alarm blaze of beat-driven sound collage. It’s an anthemic near-end to a larger-than-life song cycle.
ODD NOSDAM
Jan 15 Berkeley, CA Missouri (DJ Set) Jan 28 San Francisco, CA Rickshaw Stop (DJ Set) Feb 05 San Francisco, CA Holy Thursday live set @ Underground SF
Odd Nosdam Odd Nosdam T.I.M.E. Soundtrack (Anticon) Street date: March 10, 2009 01) ZONE COASTER 02) T.I.M.E. IN 03) COP CRUSH 04) WE BAD APPLES 05) TRUNK BOMB 06) TOP RANK 07) FLY MODE 08) ETHEREAL SLAP 09) ROOT BARK 10) ONE FOR DALLAS 11) ROOT LOOP 12) WIG SMASHER 13) T.I.M.E. OUT
Hmmm, do we detect a legitimate scene brewing from downunder? What the heck is Australia playing at? Bombarding the universe with one amazing act after another and offering a full spectrum of musical goodness for us all to enjoy. It’s unnecessary to provide a list of all the talent currently hailing from this fine and vast country (if we have to, then shame on you!) as they should of course, already be under your radar by now.
However, there is one band that you really should take note of, and that’s the punked-out attention-deficit-approved ghetto-electro sounds of none other than the Brother and Sister collective, known as Bumblebeez, hailing from the small town of Braidwood and about to venture to the United States this fall!
First stop, NYC this Sept when they are set to join fellow aussies, Midnight Juggernauts and New Yorks’ own Grandmaster Flash on Sept 13th at Le Poisson Rouge in Manhattan. The band will then be returning for a mini tour with the sassy Ms. Ladyhawke this October (dates and flyers to post are below).
The make up of the “beez” has been constantly evolving, but the core of the band has always remained the brother and sister duo of Christopher and Pia Colonna AKA ViLa AKA Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill, which is also the name of the bands astoundingly unique debut. The result, a mysterious and marvelous attempt at cramming a lifetime of dreams and influences into 40 minutes of tape. A kaleidoscopic trip of A.D.D. jams taking in sounds from 1920 to 2020, if you will. The Bumblebeez have crafted a record of pure energy and bass that is exciting, exhilarant and sometimes, just downright insane.
The record recalls bits and pieces of Rodriguez, The Beatles, Dizzee Rascal, Lee Scratch Perry, Prince, NWA, Roxanne Shante, Neneh Cherry, The Kinks, Liars, Little Richard, Malcolm McLaren, Daft Punk, The Modern Lovers and Public Enemy but manages to safely land in some faraway space none of those have ever been before.
When the red hot former single ‘Dr Love’ caught the ears of specialists, mainstream media and music fans alike, the masses quickly realized they were onto something special with this new brandished Australian duo Bumblebeez, who have quickly become the band to watch from here on out and are destined to continue gathering fans far from home.
Produced by self confessed ‘ADD’ producer, Chris Colonna and one half of Simian Mobile Disco, James Ford. The tracks began as a coleslaw of instruments, samples and rough jams, MPC monster beats and mysterious raps collected over the last few years, all thrown together in a Braidwood (Aus.) bedroom.
Once a collection of songs was established Mr. Ford [Klaxons, Arctic Monkeys, Mystery Jets] was sent down to the country town for a pint, to feed the cows, disappear every few days and beat the songs into the shape of an earth shaking album. The results see the album trawling through varying beats and obvious nods to the Bumblebeez musical influences through out.
The record was mixed by Zdar in Paris to give it a little Eurocrunk in the trunk and here we are, with a record that’s a dizzying trip through popular music from yesterday to tomorrow, from Braidwood to Botswana to Bombay to Brooklyn, with bits and pieces of doo wop, garage, punk rock, hip hop, reggae, RnB, grime and acid all seeping into the mix. It’s a furiously manic mix, one which is all held together by the Bumblebeez’ raw and ridiculously energetic aesthetic.
It’s exactly this clever and subtle morphing between obscure styles and a multitude of genres on this 16 track album that assures us that Bumblebeez will blaze a path of their own in this world with this debut album and slew of live shows, coming this September and October in the USofA
PRINCE UMBERTO & THE SISTER OF ILL /// TRACK BY TRACK
INTRO A cavalcade of sounds introduces the helter skelter skitter of the record.
BLACK DIRT A paranoid calling to arms, with a wall of howls and unstoppable drum loop, a primal scream of an opening track proper.
CLUBB CLUBB After the introduction of the best rapper alive ViLa, Clubb Clubb erupts with skittering 808 kick drums, enormous sirens and old hip hop stabs, with ViLa spitting lava front and centre.
RADIO FABULOUS A loose limbed percussive radio request show call out leading into Dr Love…..
DR LOVE A beat driven oracle to some sort of warped love practitioner, first single Dr Love is a bouncey trip through bumping hip hop drums, stiff bass, a rolling piano hook and off the wall stereo sound effects that sounds like eating a rainbow and farting out gold.
COMIN FA YA A ferocious MC No Lay gets nasty over an even nastier raw shit beat threatening to steal your money and waste your time.
FREAK YA LONELINESS Introduced by a yokel and a gunshot, Freak Ya Loneliness takes the record to a Braidwood barnyard, a stomping country rock romp complete with tripped out peyote breakdown.
ZULU A warped big beat Afro-reggae bounce with dual vocals from Chris and ViLa that descends into feverish jungle jam.
IN YOUR BRAINS A mellow lick of a reggae interlude to give the listener a second to breathe before….
CRAZY TONGUE Pure coca cola garage punk, drums like pistons and an unforgettable la la la la doo wop breakdown, Crazy Tongue is Bumblebeez at their loosest.
MY GIRL What goes up supposedly must come down, and My Girl is an introspective, haunting midnight love story that builds into a sweeping Air does Revolutiuon 9 psycheout moment enough to make a grown man cry.
SPACESHIPS Spaceships strips all the noise and spark right back to the song, and it’s undoubtably a highlight. A simple old style R&B joint with ViLa sing-speaking a story of an old hat hocker.
THE GAME Robot hip hop breaks for kids with Nintendo on the brain.
RIO A stone cold electronic pop classic, a South American coconut juice banger, Rio is all heavy 4/4 and cowbells and ViLa singing a song about going down to Rio to meet her girl Cleo, with the most catchy refrain this side of the Macarena. BANG! GO GO GO!
PUMP UP THE BASS The last song proper on the album, Pump Up The Bass threatens to blow up your speakers on the way out the door, an absolutely ferocious grimy hip hop track with bass as heavy as anvils and verses from Chris, ViLa and No Lay, Pump Up The Bass perfectly exemplifies Bumblebeez in 2007.
OUTRO Trash talking, Blade Runner synth sounds and the bell tolls as Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill comes to a close.
ATL beat maker Drumma Boy nominated for “Producer of the Year” at Ozone Awards 2008 alongside nominees Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, T.I, Plies, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Jeezy, Soulja Boy & Andre 3000 as the classically trained musical prodigy holds chart topping singles “Put On” for Jeezy & Kanye West, “What’s Up” for T.I., “Tomorrow” for Rocko and upcoming tracks for Ludacris, Akon, Monica, Nelly, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Raheem Devaughn, Goapele, Dionne Farris, Keri Hilson and more
***
Atlanta based producer Drumma Boy merges his unique musical influences ranging from German composer Beethoven to Academy Award winning Three 6 Mafia, combining classical chords with urban street sounds to create an ingenuity worthy enough of receiving a nomination for “Producer of the Year” at the upcoming Ozone Awards 2008. The ceremony will take place on August 11th at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston Texas and will be hosted by comedian DeRay Davis best known from MTV’s Wild n’ Out. Other nominees include an array of the South Eastern region’s hottest talent Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, T.I., Young Jeezy, Andre 3000, Soulja Boy, UGK, Bun B., T-Pain, DJ Khaled, Usher, Scarface, Plies, Gorilla Zoe, Trick Daddy, David Banner, Three 6 Mafia and Jermaine Dupri as well as multi-platinum artists Kanye West, Ne-Yo, Keyshia Cole, Chris Brown, Lupe Fiasco, Akon, Snoop Dogg and The Game.
The Memphis born Christopher Gholson who goes by the pseudonym Drumma Boy has been the beat maker and production catalyst behind tracks for many of the upcoming Ozone nominees including T.I., Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Yo Gotti, Plies, Gorilla Zoe, Kanye West, David Banner, DJ Drama, Gucci Mane and Trey Songz. In the September 2007 issue of Ozone Magazine editors stated, “You can call 2007 a breakout year for producer Drumma Boy. Now that he tastes the sweet victory of mainstream success, this hit-maker from Memphis finds himself one of the game’s most sought after producers.”
The 24-year old rhythm architect and founder of Drum Squad Productions had a destiny solidified as a young child with a mother who was a well known opera singer and a father who was a professional clarinetist and music professor at the University of Memphis, the first African-American man to hold the 1st chair position in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. “My dad taught me everything I know about traditional music and had me playing the clarinet at age 5 but it was my mom that introduced me to Curtis Mayfield and 70’s oldie, so my style now is a reflection of all of that, classical, soul and street music.”
Given his moniker by a close friend for his unique drum patterns he followed in the footsteps of Memphis native Jazze Pha (Ciara, Nelly, Ludacris) and relocated to Atlanta in 2004. Now the highly sought after producer skillfully adds crispy, hard-hitting 808 bass lines with gentle touches of rhythmic change and chord progression to each beat he crafts and gives them to some of today’s hottest artists. He composes thick and textured sounds that take some producers years to perfect. It takes a special kind of artist to rock with him, which explains his impressive roster of hip hop acts that include Young Jeezy, T.I., Kanye West, Nelly, Ludacris, Scarface, Yo Gotti, Eightball & MJG, Young Joc, Slim Thug, Rick Ross, E-40, Rocko, Paul Wall and Lil’ Jon. Drumma Boy is fresh, as in innovative and expressive but more importantly, he’s admirably great at pushing boundaries; taking the art form into new realms of abstraction.
Currently labeled as one of the “hottest new producers” in the August 2008 issue of Vibe Magazine, Drumma Boy is enjoying credit for new singles including Jeezy’s “Put On” f/ Kanye West which has proven to be one of the summer’s hottest anthems while other recent tracks include “Juice Box” from Gorilla Zoe (Atlantic Records), “Tomorrow” from Rocko (So So Def/Island Records) and “Here I Am” from Rick Ross f/ Nelly (Def Jam Records). This Fall 2008 Drumma will be known as the man responsible for several songs off T.I.’s highly anticipated Paper Trail (Grand Hustle/Atlantic) including the single “What’s Up What’s Happening” as well as three additional tracks from Def Jam and multi-platinum recording artist Jeezy’s The Recession. With a gift to manufacture inimitable sounds the young virtuoso has been recruited into the studio this month with a wide range of artists including Monica, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Mary J. Blige, Akon, Raheem Devaughn, Goapele, Slim Thug, Rick Ross, Rich Boy, Keri Hilson, Plies, Goapele, Dionne Farris and Jagged Edge.
His musicianship is incredible, having the ability to pour passion and conviction into whatever he does. His combination of multi-talent is one of many factors that separate him from the mainstream. His soul is soaked in the eccentricity of vintage Rhythm and Blues and P-Funk. He plays with this dichotomy of yesteryear classics and current trends to concoct sophisticated arrangements that fuse the arrogance of hip-hop with the slickness of R&B. The talented musician has not only fostered relationships with top notch artists such as Outkast, Trick Daddy, Cash Money, Pastor Troy and Killer Mike, but he also understands the importance of connecting with equally gifted writers, instrumentalists and producers like Johnta Austin and Jazze Pha.
Drumma Boy is famous for making diverse beats that range from rap, rock, classical and pop to soulful R&B ballads and gospel-inspired jams. He is as authentic as a creative artist can be, reading music with an educated ear while possessing the ability to instantly recognize the correct key. In addition to a learned knowledge, there is that burning desire he inherently possesses to win and maintain respect.
“Drumma Boy has a signature sound that can make an average artist sound great…truly he has grown into a “real producer” while some just “make beats” he has taken his sounds from the Hood 2 the Executive Suites and that’s the Bizniss” Jazze Pha
“Drumma Boy is up next!” T.I.
“Drumma Boy is the correct spelling for producer” Young Joc
“Because producers like Drumma Boy are making some serious noise. The album’s first single, “Put On,” Featuring Kanye West produced by Drumma Boy – a throbbing, chest-pounding anthem – does what Jeezy’s best songs always do; It furthers his legend with it’s might.” Vibe Magazine
“It’s clear Drumma has risen quickly to distinguish himself among the upper echelon of hip hop producers. His distinction lays with his classically trained ear along with his signature drum rolls and staggering 808’s.” The Source Magazine
“Despite the instrument reference in his name, Drumma Boy actually played the clarinet coming up. Classically trained by his father, the Memphis native upgraded from a woodwind to a Roland XP-50 at the age of 14. Drumma is making even more noise and looking forward to adding his Midas touch to upcoming projects from Jeezy and T.I. Watch him do his thang.” XXL Magazine
“When you hear one of Drumma Boy’s beats, you don’t just listen. You feel the 808 street bass, symphonic influences, horns and stirring string section. Hard knocking tracks like Young Jeezy’s “I Am the Realist” and “Standing Ovation” and Gangsta Boo’s stammering “Stacks on Deck’ and “Queen of the South” are prime examples of Drumma Boy’s limitless musical originality. Drumma’s present and future are as bright as the sun.” Grip Magazine
“With a penchant for chest-beating percussion and attitude-drenched synths, Drumma and his Drum Squad production unit have built a hefty catalog, including Scarface’s “Recognize,” Boyz N Da Hood’s “Trap Niggaz,” Paul Wall’s “Gimmie Dat,” and most recently, Plies & T-Pain’s “Shawty.” But it was really his work on Jeezy’s first album, “Thug Motivation 101”, that got the industry’s attention.” Scratch Magazine
“Atlanta producer Drumma Boy got his start as a producer and beat writer in his early teens. His mother and father both worked in music and gave him a solid grounding in the fundamentals. A few years go he made the move from Memphis to Atlanta where he began to network with the likes of Outkast and Trick Daddy.” Music Connection Magazine
“”Put On” is the first single from the forthcoming Jeezy album, and it’s a Jeezy track through and through up until the end with epically gothic Drumma Boy synth-twinkles.” Village Voice
“Drumma Boy is an exceptional young talent. Rarely is one able to identify producers who are not only able to create a unique sound with Hip Hop, but R&B as well. Drumma represents the grind. He represents the now. He represents…the future!” Johnta Austin
“Drumma Boy has his ear to the street because his sound is just that!! A very versatile producer and business man, he is hip hop’s “go to” man for a gritty visualistic sound. A producer can only dream of a resume like his.” DJ Drama
“Drumma Boy is one of the most driven producers out of Atlanta, with uniquely different beats.” LeToya Luckett
‘…And Then Tomorrow Came’ is the highly anticipated 3rd full length album from acclaimed Melbourne hip hop duo Muph & Plutonic.
Through the release of two landmark albums, ‘Hunger Pains’ and ‘Silence The Sirens’, along with relentless touring throughout Australia, the duo have risen to stand at the absolute pinnacle of this swiftly evolving industry. ‘…And Then Tomorrow Came’ cements this position with a maturity previously unheard on any Australian hip hop release.
Already vaunted as “the Aussie Hip-Hop king of down-tempo, head-nodding rhythm” (JMag), Plutonic Lab’s first class production on this album soars to impressive new heights. Live instrumentation radiates warmth throughout the album by way of an all-star three piece horn section, Plutonic himself on bass, keys and drums plus the addition of critically renowned DJ Bonez to the group compliments the organic sound. As testament to this versatility, guest vocalists include Australian rock icon Pete Lawler, jazz legend Paul Williamson and soul songstress Jess Harlen.
Muph’s deeply conscious approach to song-writing draws inspiration from the struggles and releases, the ebbs and flows of everyday life. He delivers his lyrics with a relaxed flow and natural tone, at once a friend in conversation and an artist in full flight. His lyrical content on ‘…And Then Tomorrow Came’ is insightful, often humorous, observational and introspective, laying bare the bones of his experiences in love and pain, substance abuse and redemption.
The album’s first single, ‘Size Of The Soul’, sees Muph’s vocals bursting with wit atop head-nodding drums, and a groove-laden bottom end. ‘Size of the Soul’ is an addictive song that has been received by both Australian radio and music lovers with open arms. The forthcoming second single, ‘Beautiful Ugly’, evokes an energetic 1960’s go-go feel, complete with lo-fi organs and 3 piece horn section. Dealing with issues of escapism through alcohol and drugs, the almost ironic juxtaposition of lyrical content to up-tempo feel is captured beautifully by Jess Harlen’s vocal hook.
Muph raps about the danger of an over-inflated ego on ‘Balloon Heads’, a dubbed out reggae track that features the smooth vocals of Kye imploring us to “pop these balloons one by one,” while ‘Yesterday’s Basement’ is a beautifully delicate, attention grabbing song about secrets and trust. Plutonic’s production on this track is astonishing, coupling Chris Toronyi’s heart-rending finger-style guitar with stiff, organic drums.
‘Filthy Rich’ is a laidback, jazz-infused joint that suitably features smooth vocals from Paul Williamson, accompanied by blues-laden piano samples and climactic horn swells. The title track, ‘And Then Tomorrow Came’, features Pete Lawler accompanied by licks of blues harp and is followed by its partner track, ‘Today’. A posse track with guest verses from L.A’s Eligh and The Grouch of Living Legends fame along with Australian stalwarts Raph Boogie and The Tongue, all five rappers lend their unique style to each verse over a slamming Plutonic Lab beat littered with horn stabs and glitchy-808 undertones.
‘Wrong’ is the story of a tug-of-war of the heart, set over a fierce straight-eighths drum groove and carefully modulating chord sequence, with DJ Bonez lending his inimitable skills to each chorus. ‘Don’t Worry About Nothin’, the final track of the album, highlights Jess Harlen’s sultry vocals alongside Muph’s critical honesty over a beat that conjures gospel images with Sly Stone tendencies.
A video to the second single ‘Beautiful Ugly’ is set to hit screens in the near future.
Muph & Plutonic will take ‘…And Then Tomorrow Came’ on a 30 date nationwide tour throughout August, September and October 2008.
ATL beat maker Drumma Boy skillfully adds hard-hitting 808 bass lines explaining his impressive roster of South Eastern hip hop acts Jeezy, T.I. Young Joc, Rick Ross, Paul Wall, Plies, Rocko & Lil’ Jon as well as current hit singles “Put On” for Jeezy & Kanye West and beats for T.I.’s highly anticipated Paper Trail as the classically trained musical prodigy also spends studio time with Akon, Monica, Nelly, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Mary J. Blige, Raheem Devaughn, Dionne Farris, Keri Hilson and more
***
Talent can be defined in a myriad of ways. It can be an innate gift or a learned proficiency but occasionally, it’s a potent mixture of both, which happens to be the case with Christopher Gholson, the southern-reared producer and visionary who goes by the pseudonym Drumma Boy. Born and bred in Memphis, Tennessee, Drumma Boy’s destiny was solidified as a young child with a father who was a professional clarinetist, music professor at the University of Memphis and the first African-American man to hold the 1st chair position in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. “My dad taught me everything I know about traditional music and had me playing the clarinet at age 5 but it was my mom that introduced me to Curtis Mayfield and 70’s oldie, so my style now is a reflection of all of that, classical, soul and street music.”
By college Drumma Boy had solidified a name for himself and was quickly becoming the most sought-after beat banger in Tennessee. Following in the footsteps of Memphis native and super-producer Jazze Pha (Ciara, Nelly, Ludacris, T.I), Drumma Boy relocated to Atlanta a few years ago after having worked with every major name and independent artist in his hometown. Now the 24 year-old musical prodigy skillfully adds crispy, hard-hitting 808 bass lines with gentle touches of rhythmic change and chord progression to each beat he passionately crafts. He composes thick and textured sounds that take some producers years to perfect. It takes a special kind of artist to rock with him, which explains his impressive roster of hip hop acts that include Young Jeezy, T.I., Kanye West, Nelly, Scarface, Yo Gotti, Eightball & MJG, Young Joc, Slim Thug, Rick Ross, E-40, Rocko, Paul Wall and Lil’ Jon. Drumma Boy is fresh, as in innovative and expressive but more importantly, he’s admirably great at pushing boundaries; taking the art form into new realms of abstraction.
His musicianship is incredible, having the ability to pour passion and conviction into whatever he does. His combination of multi-talent is one of many factors that separate him from the mainstream. His soul is soaked in the eccentricity of vintage Rhythm and Blues and P-Funk. He plays with this dichotomy of yesteryear classics and current trends to concoct sophisticated arrangements that fuse the arrogance of hip-hop with the slickness of R&B. The talented musician has not only fostered relationships with top notch artists such as Outkast, Trick Daddy, Cash Money, Pastor Troy and Killer Mike, but he also understands the importance of connecting with equally gifted writers, instrumentalists and producers like Johnta Austin and Jazze Pha. In 2003, Drumma Boy founded Drum Squad, an umbrella company that encompasses Drum Squad Records & Productions. This businessman on the rise is serious about his craft and professional alliances, forming a powerful movement that is sure to force other producers to step up their game.
The highly sought after rhythm architect is currently enjoying credit for new singles by Young Jeezy’s “Put On” featuring Kanye West which has proven to be one of the summer’s hottest anthems while other recent tracks include “Juice Box” from Gorilla Zoe (Atlantic Records), “Tomorrow” from Rocko (So So Def/Island Records) and “Here I Am” from Rick Ross f/ Nelly (Def Jam Records). This Fall 2008 Drumma will be known as the man responsible for several songs off T.I.’s highly anticipated Paper Trail (Grand Hustle/Atlantic) as well as tracks from Def Jam and multi-platinum recording artist Young Jeezy’s forthcoming album. With a gift to manufacture inimitable sounds the young virtuoso has been recruited into the studio this month with a wide range of artists including Monica, Brandy, Keyshia Cole, Mary J. Blige, Akon, Raheem Devaughn, Slim Thug, Rick Ross, Rich Boy, Keri Hilson, Plies, Dionne Farris and Jagged Edge.
Drumma Boy is famous for making diverse beats that range from rap, rock, classical and pop to soulful R&B ballads and gospel-inspired jams. He is as authentic as a creative artist can be, reading music with an educated ear while possessing the ability to instantly recognize the correct key. In addition to a learned knowledge, there is that burning desire he inherently possesses to win and maintain respect.
“Drumma Boy has a signature sound that can make an average artist sound great…truly he has grown into a “real producer” while some just “make beats” he has taken his sounds from the Hood 2 the Executive Suites and that’s the Bizniss” Jazze Pha
“Drumma Boy is up next!” T.I.
“Drumma Boy is the correct spelling for producer” Young Joc
“It’s clear Drumma has risen quickly to distinguish himself among the upper echelon of hip hop producers. His distinction lays with his classically trained ear along with his signature drum rolls and staggering 808’s.” The Source Magazine
“When you hear one of Drumma Boy’s beats, you don’t just listen. You feel the 808 street bass, symphonic influences, horns and stirring string section. Hard knocking tracks like Young Jeezy’s “I Am the Realist” and “Standing Ovation” and Gangsta Boo’s stammering “Stacks on Deck’ and “Queen of the South” are prime examples of Drumma Boy’s limitless musical originality. Drumma’s present and future are as bright as the sun.” Grip Magazine
“With a penchant for chest-beating percussion and attitude-drenched synths, Drumma and his Drum Squad production unit have built a hefty catalog, including Scarface’s “Recognize,” Boyz N Da Hood’s “Trap Niggaz,” Paul Wall’s “Gimmie Dat,” and most recently, Plies & T-Pain’s “Shawty.” But it was really his work on Jeezy’s first album, “Thug Motivation 101”, that got the industry’s attention.” Scratch Magazine
“Atlanta producer Drumma Boy got his start as a producer and beat writer in his early teens. His mother and father both worked in music and gave him a solid grounding in the fundamentals. A few years go he made the move from Memphis to Atlanta where he began to network with the likes of Outkast and Trick Daddy.” Music Connection Magazine
“”Put On” is the first single from the forthcoming Jeezy album, and it’s a Jeezy track through and through up until the end with epically gothic Drumma Boy synth-twinkles.” Village Voice
“Drumma Boy is an exceptional young talent. Rarely is one able to identify producers who are not only able to create a unique sound with Hip Hop, but R&B as well. Drumma represents the grind. He represents the now. He represents…the future!” Johnta Austin
“Drumma Boy has his ear to the street because his sound is just that!! A very versatile producer and business man, he is hip hop’s “go to” man for a gritty visualistic sound. A producer can only dream of a resume like his.” DJ Drama
“Drumma Boy is one of the most driven producers out of Atlanta, with uniquely different beats.” LeToya Luckett