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The Gene Brown Beatdown
Rashad Smith
Ski Beatz
Bangladesh
DJ Toomp
Dame Grease
Six Figga Digga
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Rashad Smith
At the age of 19, he provided beats to Main Source, Eric B. & Rakim and A Tribe Called Quest. He proceeded further into the music business by working directly with Andre Harrell at the newly minted Uptown Records. While at Uptown, Rashad met session keyboardist Avon Marshell with whom he formed Tumblin Dice. The duo went on to produce for Uptown’s biggest artist’s, including Mary J. Blige and Jodeci’s early albums. Tumblin Dice would go on to become resident producers for the recently formed Bad Boy Records, after Sean “Puffy” Combs requested Rashad join his production team The Hitmen. During this time, Rashad produced chart topping hits. Rashad continued his chart topping success after composing Busta Rhymes first hit single, “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check”. Rashad has composed tracks for Aaliyah, Fat Joe, MC Lyte, Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Das EFX, Slick Rick, En Vogue, 50 Cent, Erykah Badu, Nicki Minaj, and DJ Khaled and others.
He is the cousin of producer and Main Source member K-Cut.
Ski Beatz
Ski Beatz (born David Willis), also known as DJ Ski and originally MC Will-Ski, is a hip-hop producer and former member of 1990s rap group Original Flavor. His connection to Damon Dash (who managed Original Flavor) bore fruit when Dash hired him in to work on the debut album of his own artist, Jay-Z, whose Reasonable Doubt album was released in 1996, marking Ski Beatz’s first major production, including the album’s first major single “Dead Presidents.” The lead single, along with Ski Beatz’s production on “Feelin’ It” and “Politics as Usual,” featured similar jazzy (“Feelin’ It” used an Ahmad Jamal sample) and old-soul (“Politics” featured a recognizable Stylistics sample) vibes that characterized much of Ski Beatz’s mid- to late-’90s work. After the critical success of Reasonable Doubt, Ski Beatz formed Roc-A-Blok Productions in affiliation with Jay-Z and Dash’s label, Roc-A-Fella Records, working with Camp Lo and Sporty Thievz. He crafted most of Camp Lo’s debut album, Uptown Saturday Night, which dropped in 1997 and featured the hit single “Luchini aka This Is It.” The song, looking to build on Camp Lo’s ’70s-style gimmick, featured blaxpoloitation-esque horns thanks to the sampled intro of “Adventures in the Land of Music” by Dynasty. It became one of the most instantly recognizable and celebrated beats from that era. Meanwhile, Ski Beatz continued to work with Jay-Z on his sophomore album, In My Lifetime, producing stand-out singles “Who You Wit II” and “Streets Is Watching.” Roc-A-Blok Productions folded soon thereafter, but Ski Beatz stayed active in music, producing for artists such as Nature, members of the New Jersey crew the Outsidaz, Lil’ Kim, Foxy Brown, Ras Kass, and Proof. He also continued to produce the bulk of Camp Lo’s subsequent albums Let’s Do It Again and Black Hollywood. After several years apart, Ski Beatz rejuvenated his creative relationship with Dash, joining his DD172 collective, subsequently nicknamed “the 24-Hour Karate School”. Since the foundation of the studio enclave, Ski Beatz has worked with Mos Def, Jay-Z, Electronica, Jean Grae, and others. He also began a fruitful creative collaboration with New Orleans rapper Curren$y, producing all but three songs on his Pilot Talk. Ski Beatz made his solo debut in 2010 with 24 Hour Karate School. The self-produced album featured verses from Curren$y, Jim Jones, Ras Kaas, Jay Electronica, the Cool Kids, and others.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is an American record producer, songwriter, and rapper. He is best known for his production work with Ludacris, Lil Wayne (“A Milli”, “Six Foot Seven Foot”), Beyoncé (“Video Phone” & “Diva”), Mario (“Break Up”), and Rihanna (“Cockiness (Love It)”). A two-time Grammy nominee, Crawford has also worked with Usher, Nicki Minaj, Brandy, and Ciara, among others.
DJ Toomp
Aldrin Davis (born August 2, 1969), professionally known as DJ Toomp, is an American record producer, songwriter, and DJ. Davis received his start in 1985, with Atlanta MC Raheem the Dream, producing Raheem’s self-titled record when he was only 16 years old. In the late 1980s, he was MC Shy-D’s DJ and toured with him and the 2 Live Crew, as they performed at various venues across the country with other hip hop acts such as N.W.A. and Ice-T. After MC Shy-D left Luke Records, Toomp went on to DJ for JT Money and the Poison Clan.
In the early 1990s, when the 2 Live Crew broke up Davis teamed up with former group member Mark Ross (Brother Marquis), to form the duo 2 Nasty. In 1993, 2 Nazty and released the album Indecent Exposure. When discussing the album, Ross explained his intention to showcase diversity while staying true to the style that had made him famous. Greg Baker of Miami New Times praised the album, acknowledging that while some of the content might be offensive, he appreciated its diversity. About the production and rap, Baker commented, “clever story lines and double-dope rhyme schemes are laid over skirt-flipping, ass-bumping beats as strong as any on the hip-hop market today.”
In 2006, Davis partnered with hip hop veteran Bernard Parks, Jr., to launch NZone Entertainment, their very own record label.
Davis began to gain greater recognition by working with southern rapper T.I., who also hails from Atlanta, Georgia. They first worked together on T.I.’s 2001 debut I’m Serious, since then the two built a friendship and a work relationship, with him becoming T.I.’s main producer. Davis was heavily involved in T.I.’s first four albums; together they brought trap music into the mainstream. Davis then received critical acclaim in 2006, for producing T.I.’s hit single “What You Know”, which peaked at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, The song earned both Davis and T.I. their first Grammy Award.
In 2007, Davis was recruited by American rapper and fellow record producer Kanye West, to contribute production on his third album Graduation. Davis, alongside West, co-produced the singles “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” and “Good Life”, as well as the album’s outro “Big Brother”, an ode to West’s brotherly friendship with fellow American rapper Jay-Z.
Dame Grease
Damon J. Blackman (born August 9, 1974), better known by his stage name Dame Grease or simply Grease, is an American record producer from New York City. In 1996, he gained recognition in the hip hop industry through his production work with Bad Boy and The LOX, while also establishing the sound of DMX and Ruff Ryders.
Six Figga Digga
Darrell “Digga” Branch, also known as Six Figga Digga, is the producer behind such acclaimed songs such as “Many Men” by 50 Cent, “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop” by Young Gunz, “Dopeman” by Jay-Z, “Open Off My Love” by Jennifer Lopez, and more. Digga began his musical journey studying hip-hop music at the age of seven. For years he worked on his skills at DJing, rapping and beat making. While continuing to refine his chops as a beat maker/musician, Digga studied music and business at the University of New Haven and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music.
He served as the producer for the ‘90s Harlem rap group Children of the Corn, which included Big L, Cam’ron and Ma$e.
Skyzoo
Growing up just a block away from The Notorious B.I.G., watching him go from local corner boy to rap superstar, Skyzoo couldn’t help but aspire to be a legend. The Brooklyn, NY native saw life in all of its “heaven and hell” juxtaposition, being from the infamous home of both Jay-Z and “Do The Right Thing”. He started rapping at age nine, writing about what he witnessed on his daily routines as a child. Those years of observation and living have turned into first person narratives that have labeled Skyzoo as a “new legend” and have led to his albums being critically acclaimed by fans and critics alike.
His storytelling has been commended by all walks of literary life, from hip hop royalty to university professors and everyone in between. His relatability and marketability have all lead to memorable placements in both the hearts of listeners and the eyes of corporate America. From HBO and NBA 2K to ESPN and Buffalo Wild Wings, Sky has lucratively brought corporate America along for the Brooklyn ride.
Outside of his own music, he’s lent his pen to other literary areas, including screenplay writing for television and film projects, and ghostwriting for various multi platinum/Grammy winning/Billboard topping artists, which he’s become very well known for quietly doing. In regards to his own music, he’s collaborated with a plethora of artists and producers, including the likes of Jill Scott, Just Blaze, Dr. Dre, Bilal, Tyrese, Wale, The Lox, Black Thought, Pete Rock, Illmind, John Legend, Raheem Devaughn, Talib Kweli, and Spike Lee, just to name a few. Sky is also a dedicated active touring artist, having headlines tours in the U.S and overseas for a decade and counting. Whether 2,000 people in a hip hop venue in Berlin, or 30,000 people at a festival in South Africa, Sky’s yearly touring runs are all of the above and everything in between.
His most recent album, “All The Brilliant Things”, has literally been heralded a modern day masterpiece by critics, media, and fans alike. The album shows Sky at his most unapologetically aware; zeroing in on gentrification and cultural appropriation, using his native Brooklyn NY as the backdrop. Filled with live horns, pianists and string sections, along with the depth story telling that he’s made his calling card, the album is another chapter in the book of Skyzoo’s legacy, and according to the people at large, his most profound chapter yet.
What stands out most in regards to all of Skyzoo’s accomplishments is how they’ve all come to fruition on account of his own work and will. The embodiment of a DIY attitude, he’s achieved his success in the form of truly being an independent artist, thus molding him into so much more. Skyzoo has become known as being the ultimate emcee, one able to make classic music with a lasting impact. Listeners can identify with his story and see the many sides of themselves in him. No matter the mood, season, or circumstance, Skyzoo offers music to live to, and live by. The beauty in it all, is as his slogan says; “Lyrics Will Never Be The Same”.
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Mickey Factz
4-Ize
Tony Hayes III p.k.a; 4-IZE
Well recognized for his animated character & incredible rhyme flow, 4-IZE stands out from the plethora of rap artists. Through his marketing & promotional campaigns he’s branded himself as one of the most entertaining hip-hop artists in Atlanta. With most notoriety coming from being featured on two 3x platinum Ludacris albums, 4-IZE bridges the gap between the mainstream & the underground artists everywhere. Not only an emcee but a writer, director, producer, A&R, promoter, actor and personality.
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Hosted by Fort Knox
Host, Actor, and Hip Hop Personality
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