DJ Yella
Encyclopedia
DJ Yella is the stage name
of Antoine Carraby (born December 11, 1967), a DJ, drummer
, music producer, film director
and pornographer from Compton, California
. He was a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru
along with Dr. Dre
. He later became a founding member of the pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A (composed of Yella, Dr. Dre
, Ice Cube
, MC Ren
, and Eazy-E
). Along with Dre, he produced Eazy-E's debut album Eazy-Duz-It
and all three N.W.A albums, translating into millions of sales. He co-produced the platinum-selling debut albums of J.J. Fad and Michel'le
with Dre and contributed to The D.O.C.
's 1989 album No One Can Do It Better
(also produced by Dre). Jerry Heller
witnessed Dre and Yella's work together and wrote in 2006 of an almost eerie understanding between the pair, as they crafted high quality beats and productions with almost no words or full sentences needing to be spoken.
's album Are U Xperienced?
(1991), two tracks from Eazy-E's It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
(1993), the gold-selling hit single Foe tha Love of $
from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
's Creepin on ah Come Up
E.P., Menajahtwa's album Cha-licious
, and tracks from H.W.A.
's Az Much Ass Azz U Want
E.P. (all three from 1994), and oversaw Eazy's final album in 1995 after his sudden AIDS-related death.
' on Street Life Records, featuring members of the Ruthless 'family tree' like Kokane
, B.G. Knocc Out
, & Dresta
, rhyming over his productions. After this record he retired from music to embark on a long and successful career directing porn films. Yella has credited himself with "producing over 150 adult films".
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
of Antoine Carraby (born December 11, 1967), a DJ, drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, music producer, film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and pornographer from Compton, California
Compton, California
Compton is a city in southern Los Angeles County, California, United States, southeast of downtown Los Angeles. The city of Compton is one of the oldest cities in the county and on May 11, 1888, was the eighth city to incorporate. The city is considered part of the South side by residents of Los...
. He was a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru
World Class Wreckin' Cru
The World Class Wreckin' Cru was an electro group, best known for its contributions to early rap and its association with future-N.W.A member, hip-hop mogul, and renowned producer Dr. Dre.-Early Career:...
along with Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
. He later became a founding member of the pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A (composed of Yella, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
, MC Ren
MC Ren
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
, and Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
). Along with Dre, he produced Eazy-E's debut album Eazy-Duz-It
Eazy-Duz-It
Eazy-Duz-It is the debut album of rapper Eazy-E, released on September 16, 1988, through both Ruthless and Priority Records. The production by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella was deemed dense and funky by critic Jason Birchmeier. The pieces were written primarily by MC Ren, Ice Cube, and The D.O.C.. The...
and all three N.W.A albums, translating into millions of sales. He co-produced the platinum-selling debut albums of J.J. Fad and Michel'le
Michel'le
Michel'le Toussant better known as Michel'le, is an American R&B singer-songwriter known for her squeaky, child-like speaking voice, which is a startling contrast to her strong vocals.-Career:...
with Dre and contributed to The D.O.C.
The D.O.C.
Tracy Lynn Curry , primarily known by his stage name The D.O.C., is an American rapper from Dallas, Texas. In addition to a solo career, he was a member of the hip hop group Fila Fresh Crew, and a creative force behind the gangsta rap group N.W.A, where he co-wrote many of their releases. He has...
's 1989 album No One Can Do It Better
No One Can Do It Better
No One Can Do It Better is The D.O.C.'s debut album, released on June 16, 1989. It reached number-one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for two weeks, while peaking in the Top 20 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was certified gold by the RIAA three months after it was released, and platinum...
(also produced by Dre). Jerry Heller
Jerry Heller
Jerry Heller is best known for managing West Coast rap group N.W.A. and rapper Eazy-E. He is co-founder and CEO of Ruthless Records. Heller managed War, Average White Band, Marvin Gaye, Michel'le, A.L.T...
witnessed Dre and Yella's work together and wrote in 2006 of an almost eerie understanding between the pair, as they crafted high quality beats and productions with almost no words or full sentences needing to be spoken.
Post N.W.A
Yella remained close to Eazy and stayed on production duties at Ruthless Records after the acrimonious break up of N.W.A. He produced J.J. Fad's second album Not Just a Fad (1990), Yomo & MaulkieYomo & Maulkie
Yomo & Maulkie were a hardcore hip hop duo that was associated with the members of N.W.A.., although the duo was not a gangsta group. Instead, its lyrics hewed more toward Public Enemy's political style. Both Yomo and Maulkie came from Los Angeles, where the duo signed with Ruthless Records, the...
's album Are U Xperienced?
Are U Xperienced?
Are U Xperienced? is the debut album by hip hop duo Yomo & Maulkie, named after the Jimi Hendrix album Are You Experienced. It was released on September 17, 1991, by Ruthless Records and was produced by DJ Yella and Eazy-E. Though the album was met with some positive reviews, the album was a...
(1991), two tracks from Eazy-E's It's On (
It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
It's On 187um Killa is an EP by rapper Eazy-E released in 1993. Eazy-E's 2nd EP is a response to Dr. Dre's The Chronic. The album was certified 5x Platinum in late 1994 by the RIAA. It's Eazy's most successful album, peaking on #5 on Billboard 200 and #1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums...
(1993), the gold-selling hit single Foe tha Love of $
Foe tha Love of $
"Foe tha Love of $" is the second single by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, featuring Eazy-E, from their debut album, Creepin on ah Come Up. The song was produced by DJ Yella and executive produced by Eazy-E. "Foe tha Love of $" was a huge success for the group, making it to #41 on the Billboard Hot 100, #37...
from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is an American Hip-Hop/R'n'B band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 1991. It originally consisted of rappers Layzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, Bizzy Bone, Krayzie Bone, and Wish Bone. Rapper Eazy-E of the group N.W.A signed Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Ruthless Records in 1994, when Bone...
's Creepin on ah Come Up
Creepin on ah Come Up
Creepin on ah Come Up is an EP by rap group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. The album was released on June 21, 1994 on Ruthless Records. In 1998 the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums .-History:...
E.P., Menajahtwa's album Cha-licious
Cha-licious
Cha-licious is the debut album by female rap duo, Menajahtwa. The album was released on August 23, 1994 for Ruthless Records/Relativity Records and was produced by DJ Yella, DJ U-Neek, Rhythum D and Eazy-E. The album failed to reach any Billboard charts. Two singles were released; "La La La" and...
, and tracks from H.W.A.
H.W.A.
H.W.A., or Hoes With Attitudes, was an American all female hip hop trio, composed of Jazz, Diva and Baby Girl. Active between 1989 and 1994, they were signed to Ruthless Records.-History:...
's Az Much Ass Azz U Want
Az Much Ass Azz U Want
Az Much Ass Azz U Want is an EP and second album overall by female rap group, H.W.A. The album was released in 1994 for Ruthless Records and was produced by DJ Yella, Rhythum D, Cold 187um and Eazy-E. The EP was both a critical and commercial failure, only making it to #71 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop...
E.P. (all three from 1994), and oversaw Eazy's final album in 1995 after his sudden AIDS-related death.
Post Ruthless
Yella released his 1996 debut solo album 'One Mo Nigga ta GoOne Mo Nigga Ta Go
One Mo Nigga ta Go is a 1996 album by former N.W.A producer DJ Yella. It is a tribute dedicated to the late Eazy-E, a long-time friend and fellow N.W.A member, who died of AIDS on March 26, 1995, exactly one year before the album was released. The album cover shows close-up of Eazy-E's face and...
' on Street Life Records, featuring members of the Ruthless 'family tree' like Kokane
Kokane
Kokane, also known as Jerry B. Long, Jr. , is a rapper from Pomona, California best known for his co-appearances on Dr. Dre's album 2001 and the work on G-funk album Funk Upon A Rhyme and his backup work with Snoop Dogg in Tha Last Meal album, who signed him to Dogghouse Records, bringing a renewed...
, B.G. Knocc Out
B.G. Knocc Out
Al Hasan Naqiyy , better known by his stage name B.G. Knocc Out, is an American rapper known for collaborating with Eazy-E on the 1993 single "Real Muthaphuckkin G's". He is also the younger brother of rapper Dresta, who also collaborated in the song.- Early life and music career :Arlandis Hinton...
, & Dresta
Dresta
Andre DeSean Wicker , better known by his stage name Dresta, is an American rapper known for collaborating with Eazy-E on the 1993 single "Real Muthaphuckkin G's". He is also the older brother of rapper B.G. Knocc Out, who also collaborated in the song.- Early life :Andre DeSean Wicker was born and...
, rhyming over his productions. After this record he retired from music to embark on a long and successful career directing porn films. Yella has credited himself with "producing over 150 adult films".
Discography
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| One Mo Nigga ta Go One Mo Nigga Ta Go One Mo Nigga ta Go is a 1996 album by former N.W.A producer DJ Yella. It is a tribute dedicated to the late Eazy-E, a long-time friend and fellow N.W.A member, who died of AIDS on March 26, 1995, exactly one year before the album was released. The album cover shows close-up of Eazy-E's face and...
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