Ayatollah (producer)
Encyclopedia
Lamont Dorrell, better known as Ayatollah is a Hip-Hop producer from Queens, New York who has produced for predominantly New York-based rappers including Mos Def
, R.A. The Rugged Man
, Tragedy Khadafi
, Wordsworth
, Vast Aire
, Afu-Ra
, Guru
, M.O.P.
, Inspectah Deck
, Cormega
, Ghostface Killah
as well as many others. R.A. the Rugged Man had said in an interview that he was the first person to ever buy a beat from Ayatollah. Broadly speaking Ayatollah's production encompasses a soulful, authentic east coast hip-hop sound which has brought him steady success and acclaim since the late 1990s.
's hit Ms. Fat Booty
, the first single off his Black on Both Sides
album; whilst subsequently receiving a gold plaque for probably his most well-known track to date, Styles P
's hit "The Life" featuring Organized Konfusion
legend Pharoahe Monch
, which appeared on the Rawkus Records
compilation Soundbombing III.
Ayatollah is a favoured producer of many Queensbridge MCs in particular, and after working with Cormega
on Rap's a Hustle on his debut The Realness
, the latter spoke of working on a subsequent album produced solely by Ayatollah, an eagerly awaited project which has since failed to transpire.
He has released nine instrumental albums, 2003's unofficial debut So Many Reasons to Rhyme and since then in 2006, Listen, on Nomadic Wax
, Now Playing on Nature Sounds
, and The Quixotic. He has also worked with hip hop legend Rakim on an unreleased song from The Wash
soundtrack entitled A Cold Feeling.
His production has also featured on a flurry of a releases over the first half of this decade and he has since collaborated with Brooklyn
newcomer Okai on the album Dekonstruktion of the Mind, a well-received 2006 debut entirely produced by Ayatollah. He recently became the producer for the group T.H.U.G. Angelz, with Wu-Tang Clan affiliates Hell Razah
and Shabazz the Disciple
.
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, R.A. The Rugged Man
R.A. The Rugged Man
R. A. Thorburn, better known as R.A. the Rugged Man, is an emcee from Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.-Career:At 18, R.A. signed with Jive Records and then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI. His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording...
, Tragedy Khadafi
Tragedy Khadafi
Percy Chapman IV, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, which has spawned other hip hop artists such as Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga,...
, Wordsworth
Wordsworth (rapper)
Wordsworth is an underground hip hop MC from Brooklyn, best known for his freestyle rap.Wordsworth grew up in Brooklyn. A graduate of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury, Wordsworth recorded with his partner Punchline on A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement and on Mos Def...
, Vast Aire
Vast Aire
Vast Aire is a rapper from New York City. He is one half of the New York hip hop duo Cannibal Ox, which consists of him and fellow rapper Vordul Mega. He is also a member of the rap group Atoms Family...
, Afu-Ra
Afu-Ra
Aaron Phillip better known by his stage names, Afu-Ra & Afu is a New York-based American underground rapper. Afu, born Aaron Phillip, is a devout student of the Martial arts, as well as Chess...
, Guru
Guru (rapper)
Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts...
, M.O.P.
M.O.P.
M.O.P., short for Mash Out Posse, is an American hip hop duo. The duo, composed of Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, is known for the aggressive delivery typically employed by both emcees. Although they maintain a strong underground following, they are mainly known for the song "Ante Up," released on...
, Inspectah Deck
Inspectah Deck
Jason Hunter, better known by his stage name Inspectah Deck, is an American rapper, producer, and member of the Wu-Tang Clan...
, Cormega
Cormega
Cory Mckay , better known as Cormega, is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life.- Early life :...
, Ghostface Killah
Ghostface Killah
Dennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success...
as well as many others. R.A. the Rugged Man had said in an interview that he was the first person to ever buy a beat from Ayatollah. Broadly speaking Ayatollah's production encompasses a soulful, authentic east coast hip-hop sound which has brought him steady success and acclaim since the late 1990s.
Biography
Ayatollah first received main-stream recognition after producing Rawkus rapper Mos DefMos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
's hit Ms. Fat Booty
Ms. Fat Booty
"Ms. Fat Booty" is the first single from Mos Def's 1999 album, Black On Both Sides. It is produced by Ayotollah. The song and its chorus are both driven by multiple samples of Aretha Franklin's "One Step Ahead," a rare Columbia single released in 1965....
, the first single off his Black on Both Sides
Black on Both Sides
Black on Both Sides is the debut solo album of American rapper Mos Def, released October 12, 1999 on Rawkus Records. Prior to the album's recording, Mos Def had collaborated with rapper Talib Kweli for the duo's studio album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star , which raised high expectations for...
album; whilst subsequently receiving a gold plaque for probably his most well-known track to date, Styles P
Styles P
David Styles better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. He is prominently known as a member of Hip Hop group The LOX and is also a part of the Ruff Ryders hip-hop group, and in addition has released multiple albums and mixtapes as a solo...
's hit "The Life" featuring Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion is an alternative hip hop duo from Queens, New York. Though not commercially popular, the duo was one of the most respected and acclaimed underground hip hop acts of the 1990s, largely due to the groundbreaking lyrics of Pharoahe Monch and Prince Poetry.-Recording career:Group...
legend Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch is an American hip hop artist. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.-Biography:...
, which appeared on the Rawkus Records
Rawkus Records
Rawkus Records is an American hip-hop record label known for jump-starting the careers of both Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Rawkus started in 1996 with initial releases ranging from hip-hop to drum and bass...
compilation Soundbombing III.
Ayatollah is a favoured producer of many Queensbridge MCs in particular, and after working with Cormega
Cormega
Cory Mckay , better known as Cormega, is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life.- Early life :...
on Rap's a Hustle on his debut The Realness
The Realness
The Realness is the debut studio album by Queensbridge rapper Cormega.Cormega rose to fame in the mid-90s as an original member of The Firm crew, along with Nas, AZ and Foxy Brown, appearing on the song "Affirmative Action" from the Nas album It Was Written. After being booted from the group,...
, the latter spoke of working on a subsequent album produced solely by Ayatollah, an eagerly awaited project which has since failed to transpire.
He has released nine instrumental albums, 2003's unofficial debut So Many Reasons to Rhyme and since then in 2006, Listen, on Nomadic Wax
Nomadic Wax
Nomadic Wax is a fair-trade international music, film, and events production company with a social and global focus. It specializes in hip-hop and underground music...
, Now Playing on Nature Sounds
Nature Sounds
Nature Sounds is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music.-Discography:*Ayatollah - Fingertips *Ayatollah - Live From The MPC 60 *Ayatollah - Cocoon...
, and The Quixotic. He has also worked with hip hop legend Rakim on an unreleased song from The Wash
The Wash (film)
The Wash is a hip hop-styled film written and directed by DJ Pooh and starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and DJ Pooh, with appearances by Eminem and Ludacris. The film was released on November 16, 2001.-Plot:...
soundtrack entitled A Cold Feeling.
His production has also featured on a flurry of a releases over the first half of this decade and he has since collaborated with Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
newcomer Okai on the album Dekonstruktion of the Mind, a well-received 2006 debut entirely produced by Ayatollah. He recently became the producer for the group T.H.U.G. Angelz, with Wu-Tang Clan affiliates Hell Razah
Hell Razah
Hell Razah is an American rapper, best known as a member of Sunz of Man, an early affiliate of the Wu-Tang Clan...
and Shabazz the Disciple
Shabazz the Disciple
Shabazz the Disciple or Scientific Shabazz, is a rapper from the Red Hook Houses of Red Hook, Brooklyn. He is an original member of the Sunz of Man and Da Last Future.- Biography :...
.
Albums
- So Many Reasons to Rhyme (2003)
- Personal Legend Vol.1 (2003)
- Listen (2006)
- Now Playing (2006) Nature SoundsNature SoundsNature Sounds is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music.-Discography:*Ayatollah - Fingertips *Ayatollah - Live From The MPC 60 *Ayatollah - Cocoon...
- Louder (2008)
- Drum Machine (2008) Nature SoundsNature SoundsNature Sounds is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music.-Discography:*Ayatollah - Fingertips *Ayatollah - Live From The MPC 60 *Ayatollah - Cocoon...
- The Quixotic Remix EP (2010)
- The Quixotic (2010) Nature SoundsNature SoundsNature Sounds is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music.-Discography:*Ayatollah - Fingertips *Ayatollah - Live From The MPC 60 *Ayatollah - Cocoon...
- Cocoon (2010) Nature SoundsNature SoundsNature Sounds is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music.-Discography:*Ayatollah - Fingertips *Ayatollah - Live From The MPC 60 *Ayatollah - Cocoon...
- Live From The MPC 60 (2010) Nature SoundsNature SoundsNature Sounds is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music.-Discography:*Ayatollah - Fingertips *Ayatollah - Live From The MPC 60 *Ayatollah - Cocoon...
- Fingertips (2011) Nature SoundsNature SoundsNature Sounds is a record label based in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in hip hop and reggae music.-Discography:*Ayatollah - Fingertips *Ayatollah - Live From The MPC 60 *Ayatollah - Cocoon...
Production
- Satchel Page "Young Patriarch" (Entire Album) (2010)
- CormegaCormegaCory Mckay , better known as Cormega, is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life.- Early life :...
"Rapture" (2009) - Traum "Hip Hop Feat. Big NoydBig NoydTaJuan Perry, better known as Big Noyd, is an American emcee from the Queensbridge projects in the New York City borough of Queens. He is closely affiliated with Mobb Deep, and he is featured on all of their albums...
" (Mad Dreamz, 2009) - Traum "Blast Off Feat. Lil' Fame of M.O.P.M.O.P.M.O.P., short for Mash Out Posse, is an American hip hop duo. The duo, composed of Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, is known for the aggressive delivery typically employed by both emcees. Although they maintain a strong underground following, they are mainly known for the song "Ante Up," released on...
and CormegaCormegaCory Mckay , better known as Cormega, is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life.- Early life :...
" (Mad Dreamz, 2009) - Sean PriceSean PriceSean Price is an American rapper and member of the hip hop supergroups Boot Camp Clik and Random Axe. He came to fame as one-half of the duo Heltah Skeltah, performing under the name Ruckus, or in short Ruck, along with partner Rock. He also is featured in the video game NBA 2K11 as a playable...
"Crazy" (2007) - Saul Abraham - Love's Gonna Flow (2007)
- eMCEMC (hip hop group)eMC is a hip hop crew composed of rappers Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline and Stricklin.- Biography :Though not officially formed as a group until 2005, the crew came together in 2001 while touring together on Masta Ace's Disposable Arts tour...
"Four Brothers" (2007) - Okai Dekonstruktion of the Mind (Entire Album) (2006)
- Tragedy KhadafiTragedy KhadafiPercy Chapman IV, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, which has spawned other hip hop artists such as Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga,...
"No Equivalent" (Thug MatrixThug MatrixThug Matrix is the fifth album by hip-hop artist Tragedy Khadafi....
, 2005) - Sean PriceSean PriceSean Price is an American rapper and member of the hip hop supergroups Boot Camp Clik and Random Axe. He came to fame as one-half of the duo Heltah Skeltah, performing under the name Ruckus, or in short Ruck, along with partner Rock. He also is featured in the video game NBA 2K11 as a playable...
"Spliff N Wessun" (Monkey BarzMonkey BarzMonkey Barz is the solo debut by underground Rap artist Sean Price, formerly known as Ruck of Heltah Skeltah. The album was the first release from Duck Down Records 2005 "Triple Threat Campaign", followed by Buckshot & 9th Wonder's Chemistry, and Smif-N-Wessun's Smif 'N' Wessun: Reloaded...
, 2005) - SaigonSaigon (rapper)Brian Daniel Carenard, better known by his stage name Saigon, is an American rapper and occasional actor.Saigon is currently signed to Suburban Noize Records and Just Blaze's Fort Knocks Entertainment record label. After years of delay due to former record label interference, his album The Greatest...
"Do You Know" (Do You Know EP, 2005) - R.A. The Rugged ManR.A. The Rugged ManR. A. Thorburn, better known as R.A. the Rugged Man, is an emcee from Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.-Career:At 18, R.A. signed with Jive Records and then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI. His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording...
"Chains", "Make Luv Outro" (Die Rugged Man Die, 2004) - WordsworthWordsworth (rapper)Wordsworth is an underground hip hop MC from Brooklyn, best known for his freestyle rap.Wordsworth grew up in Brooklyn. A graduate of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury, Wordsworth recorded with his partner Punchline on A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement and on Mos Def...
"Right Now", "Evol" (Mirror MusicMirror MusicMirror Music by Wordsworth is an underground hip-hop album released by Halftooth Records in 2004. It is Wordsworth's highly anticipated debut after his album Punch N' Words with Punchline and many songs with Masta Ace, Black Star and others. It features production from Da Beatminerz, Ayatollah,...
, 2004) - CormegaCormegaCory Mckay , better known as Cormega, is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life.- Early life :...
"Bring it Back" (Legal HustleLegal HustleLegal Hustle is the third studio album by Queensbridge rapper Cormega. It was released to a mixed critical reception and was not much of a commercial success. It reached #8 on the Top Independent Albums chart, but none of the album's singles charted...
, 2004) - Vast AireVast AireVast Aire is a rapper from New York City. He is one half of the New York hip hop duo Cannibal Ox, which consists of him and fellow rapper Vordul Mega. He is also a member of the rap group Atoms Family...
"Elixir" (Look Mom...No Hands, 2004) - The Last EmperorLast Emperor (rapper)The Last Emperor is the recording name of Jamal Gray, Philadelphia-born hip-hop artist. Gray took his stage name from the Bernardo Bertolucci film epic of the same name...
"Karma", "Tiger Trail" (Music, Magic, Myth, 2003) - Inspectah DeckInspectah DeckJason Hunter, better known by his stage name Inspectah Deck, is an American rapper, producer, and member of the Wu-Tang Clan...
"The Movement", "Who Got It", "Shorty Right There", "Vendetta", "That Nigga" (The Movement, 2003) - Afu-RaAfu-RaAaron Phillip better known by his stage names, Afu-Ra & Afu is a New York-based American underground rapper. Afu, born Aaron Phillip, is a devout student of the Martial arts, as well as Chess...
"Think Before You..." (Life Force RadioLife Force RadioLife Force Radio is the second album from hip hop artist Afu-Ra. The album features production from DJ Premier, Easy Mo Bee and Ayatollah amongst many younger producers. It contains guest appearances from Big Daddy Kane, Gang Starr, M.O.P...
, 2002) - R.A. The Rugged ManR.A. The Rugged ManR. A. Thorburn, better known as R.A. the Rugged Man, is an emcee from Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.-Career:At 18, R.A. signed with Jive Records and then in the mid-1990s signed with Priority Records/EMI. His contract was later absorbed by Capitol Records but he began recording...
"You Don't Wanna Fuck Wit" (2002) - Royce Da 5'9" "Life" (Rock City (Version 2.0)Rock City (Version 2.0)Rock City is the official debut album by rapper Royce da 5'9", released in 2002. It is titled Rock City 2.0, after his original Rock City album was turned down by another record label.-Album chart positions:-Singles chart positions:...
, 2002) - Styles PStyles PDavid Styles better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. He is prominently known as a member of Hip Hop group The LOX and is also a part of the Ruff Ryders hip-hop group, and in addition has released multiple albums and mixtapes as a solo...
& Pharoahe MonchPharoahe MonchPharoahe Monch is an American hip hop artist. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.-Biography:...
"My Life" (Soundbombing III, 2002) - Talib KweliTalib KweliTalib Kweli Greene , better known as Talib Kweli, is an American hip-hop artist and poet from Brooklyn, New York. His first name in Arabic means "student" or "seeker" ; his in Swahili means "true"...
"Joy", "The Proud" (QualityQuality (album)Quality is rapper Talib Kweli's first solo album. It was released on November 19, 2002 under Rawkus Records. It received wide critical acclaim and had some commercial appeal from the song "Get By" produced by Kanye West...
, 2002) - ScrewballScrewball (group)Screwball is a New York City hip hop group, with members Hostyle, KL, Blaq Poet, & Solo. Their debut Y2K The Album was released in 2000 on Tommy Boy Records. The album yielded two singles; "H-O-S-T-Y-L-E" and the surprising and virtually unbroadcastable "F.A.Y.B.A.N."...
4 tracks (LoyaltyLoyalty (Screwball album)Loyalty is the second album from the Queensbridge hip-hop group, Screwball. It is produced mainly by Ayatollah & Godfather Don.-Track listing:-Samples:*"Gorillas"**"When There's a Will, There's a Way" by The Crusaders*"Torture"...
, 2001) - CormegaCormegaCory Mckay , better known as Cormega, is an American emcee best known for his vivid and poignant narratives about inner-city life.- Early life :...
"Rap's a Hustle" (The RealnessThe RealnessThe Realness is the debut studio album by Queensbridge rapper Cormega.Cormega rose to fame in the mid-90s as an original member of The Firm crew, along with Nas, AZ and Foxy Brown, appearing on the song "Affirmative Action" from the Nas album It Was Written. After being booted from the group,...
, 2001) - Ghostface KillahGhostface KillahDennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and prominent member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success...
"WTC Pt. 2" - GuruGuru (rapper)Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts...
"Cry" (Baldhead Slick & Da ClickBaldhead Slick & Da ClickBaldhead Slick & da Click, the 2001 release from American rapper Guru is his first solo recording outside his Jazzmatazz series of albums.-Track listing:#"Where's Our Money?!" – 3:23#"Back 2 Back" – 2:59...
, 2001) - Tragedy KhadafiTragedy KhadafiPercy Chapman IV, known by his stage name Tragedy Khadafi, and formerly known as Intelligent Hoodlum, is an American rapper and producer who hails from the Queensbridge housing projects in Queens, New York, which has spawned other hip hop artists such as Nas, Cormega, Mobb Deep, Capone-N-Noreaga,...
"Lift Ya Glass" (Against All OddsAgainst All Odds (Tragedy Khadafi album)Against All Odds is the third solo studio album by hip-hop artist Tragedy Khadafi. The album was releasd in 2001 after much delay, and included his 2000 single "Bing Monsters". The album reached #9 in the Billboard Top Heatseekers Album Chart....
, 2001) - Masta AceMasta AceDuval Clear , known better by his stage name Masta Ace, is a rapper from Brownsville, Brooklyn. He appeared on the classic 1988 Juice Crew posse cut "The Symphony"...
"Hold U" (Disposable ArtsDisposable ArtsDisposable Arts is the fourth album and the second solo album by American emcee Masta Ace, his first album since 1995's Sittin' On Chrome. The concept follows a young Brooklyn man's release from prison, his return home, and his life at "The Institute of Disposable Arts", a school in which Ace...
, 2001) - Mos DefMos DefDante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
"Ms. Fat Booty 2" (Lyricist Lounge 2Lyricist Lounge 2Lyricist Lounge 2 is the second installment in Rawkus Records Lyricist Lounge album series. The release was one of Rawkus' most commercially successful releases, featuring the hit crossover singles, "Oh No" and "Get Up", the former charting on the Billboard Hot 100...
, 2000) - Cella DwellasCella DwellasCella Dwellas are an underground hip hop duo from Flatbush, Brooklyn, consisting of emcees UG and Phantasm. The group is largely known for their dark beats and excellent lyricism...
"Game of Death" (The Last Shall Be First, 2000) - Mos DefMos DefDante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
"Ms. Fat Booty", "Know That" (Black on Both SidesBlack on Both SidesBlack on Both Sides is the debut solo album of American rapper Mos Def, released October 12, 1999 on Rawkus Records. Prior to the album's recording, Mos Def had collaborated with rapper Talib Kweli for the duo's studio album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star , which raised high expectations for...
, 1999) - Ilacoin, Labba, Black RobBlack RobBlack Rob is a rapper who was formerly signed to Bad Boy Records.-Music career:Black Rob began associating with the label as early as 1996, appearing on the Bad Boy remix to 112's "Come See Me"...
"By a Stranger" (2000)