Ski (producer)
Encyclopedia
David Willis, otherwise known as DJ Ski and Ski Beatz, is an American
record producer
mainly working in hip hop.
, the first group managed by future recording industry executive Damon Dash
. In the mid-90s, Ski was working on duo Camp Lo
's debut album Uptown Saturday Night
when Dash called him in to work on the debut album of his own artist, Jay-Z
. Jay's album, Reasonable Doubt, was released in 1996, marking Ski's first major production placement. Ski produced four tracks off the album, including the singles "Dead Presidents" and "Feelin' It
".
After the critical success of Reasonable Doubt, Ski formed Roc-A-Blok Productions in affiliation with Jay and Dame's label, Roc-A-Fella Records
, working with Camp Lo and Sporty Thievz
. The producer crafted most of Camp Lo's debut, which dropped in 1997, and produced the Fat Joe
single "John Blaze"; Ski continued to work with Jay-Z, on his second album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
as well as non-solo albums and compilation projects, until 1998, when Jay released his third project Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
without beats from any of his former producers except for DJ Premier
.
Though Roc-A-Blok Productions had since folded, Ski stayed somewhat active in music. Relocating to his home state of North Carolina
for a break from New York City
's fast-paced lifestyle, he continued producing for artists such as Nature
, members of the New Jersey
crew The Outsidaz, Lil' Kim
, Foxy Brown, Ras Kass
and Proof
. The producer has continued to produce for Camp Lo, providing most of the production for their second album Let's Do it Again, as well as their third album, Black Hollywood.
Recently, Ski linked back up with Dame Dash, joining the entrepreneur's DD172 collective, subsequently nicknamed the 24-Hour Karate School. Since the foundation of the studio enclave, Ski has worked with Mos Def
, Jay Electronica
, Jean Grae
and others; on April 30, 2010, he announced that he will be producing upcoming albums for Jean Grae, Joell Ortiz
, Ras Kass and others, and will be producing all but three songs on the rapper Curren$y's 3rd album Pilot Talk ; these artists are also all featured on the producer's upcoming solo debut, entitled 24 Hour Karate School in honor of the collective.
Studio albums
Collaboration albums
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
mainly working in hip hop.
Biography
Discovered by DJ Clark Kent, Ski was originally known as "MC Will-Ski". In the 1990s, he was a member of the group Original FlavorOriginal Flavor
Original Flavor was a hip hop group from the mid 90's. The group originally consisted of Ski and Suave Lover. They released two albums This Is How It Is and Beyond Flavor although for Beyond Flavor Suave Lover was replaced by T-Strong and DJ Chubby Chub. They had a hit with the song "Can I Get...
, the first group managed by future recording industry executive Damon Dash
Damon Dash
__NOINDEX__...
. In the mid-90s, Ski was working on duo Camp Lo
Camp Lo
Camp Lo is an American hip hop duo, formed in 1995, which hails from The Bronx, New York. The duo consists of rappers Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suede , both of Muslim upbringing.-Career:...
's debut album Uptown Saturday Night
Uptown Saturday Night (album)
-Album:-Singles:-Personnel:*art direction – Carla Leighton*artwork – Dr. Revolt*assistant engineering – Dejuana Perignon, Dexter Thibou, Max Vargas*bass – Joe Quinde*design – Carla Leighton*engineering – Guido, Joe Quinde...
when Dash called him in to work on the debut album of his own artist, Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
. Jay's album, Reasonable Doubt, was released in 1996, marking Ski's first major production placement. Ski produced four tracks off the album, including the singles "Dead Presidents" and "Feelin' It
Feelin' It
"Feelin' It" is the fourth and final single from rapper Jay-Z's debut album Reasonable Doubt. The song features a chorus sung by Mecca and a beat produced by Ski. The song's beat contains a sample from "Pastures" by jazz musician Ahmad Jamal. The track was originally meant to be a Camp Lo song, but...
".
After the critical success of Reasonable Doubt, Ski formed Roc-A-Blok Productions in affiliation with Jay and Dame's label, Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records
Roc-A-Fella Records is a record label founded by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, Damon "Dame" Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Island Def Jam Motown Music Group.-Formation and Early Years:...
, working with Camp Lo and Sporty Thievz
Sporty Thievz
Sporty Thievz was a Yonkers, New York hip-hop group, originally a trio, composed of King Kirk , Big Dubez and Marlon Bryant Brando...
. The producer crafted most of Camp Lo's debut, which dropped in 1997, and produced the Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
single "John Blaze"; Ski continued to work with Jay-Z, on his second album In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 is the second studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released November 4, 1997 on Roc-A-Fella Records. Despite mixed criticism towards its more mainstream-oriented sound and lyrical substance, the album debuted at number 3 on the U.S...
as well as non-solo albums and compilation projects, until 1998, when Jay released his third project Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life is the third studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released on September 29, 1998, on Roc-A-Fella Records in the United States. The album propelled Jay-Z into superstar status and cemented him as a household name in the post Biggie/Tupac era of hip hop. This album also...
without beats from any of his former producers except for DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
.
Though Roc-A-Blok Productions had since folded, Ski stayed somewhat active in music. Relocating to his home state of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
for a break from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's fast-paced lifestyle, he continued producing for artists such as Nature
Nature (rapper)
Jermain Baxter , better known as Nature, is an American rapper, best known for his association with fellow Queensbridge-born rapper Nas.-Career:...
, members of the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
crew The Outsidaz, Lil' Kim
Lil' Kim
Kimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
, Foxy Brown, Ras Kass
Ras Kass
John Austin IV, better known by his stage name Ras Kass, is an American rapper. He is also a part of hip hop supergroup The HRSMN along with Canibus, Killah Priest, and Kurupt...
and Proof
Proof (rapper)
DeShaun Dupree Holton better known as Proof his stage name, was an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. During his career, he was a member of the groups Goon Squad, 5 Elementz, Promatic, and most notably D12...
. The producer has continued to produce for Camp Lo, providing most of the production for their second album Let's Do it Again, as well as their third album, Black Hollywood.
Recently, Ski linked back up with Dame Dash, joining the entrepreneur's DD172 collective, subsequently nicknamed the 24-Hour Karate School. Since the foundation of the studio enclave, Ski has worked with Mos Def
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...
, Jay Electronica
Jay Electronica
Timothy Elpadaro Thedford , better known by his stage name Jay Electronica, is an American hip hop recording artist and record producer...
, Jean Grae
Jean Grae
Jean Grae , born November 26, 1976 is an American hip hop artist who hails from South Africa. She rose to prominence in the underground hip-hop scene in New York City, and has since built an international fanbase.- Early life :...
and others; on April 30, 2010, he announced that he will be producing upcoming albums for Jean Grae, Joell Ortiz
Joell Ortiz
Joell Ortiz is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York, and a member of the group Slaughterhouse.-Biography:Joell Ortiz was born to Puerto Rican parents. Ortiz grew up in the Cooper Park Houses in the East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York formerly signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath...
, Ras Kass and others, and will be producing all but three songs on the rapper Curren$y's 3rd album Pilot Talk ; these artists are also all featured on the producer's upcoming solo debut, entitled 24 Hour Karate School in honor of the collective.
Discography
Ski Beatz production discographySki Beatz production discography
- Bizzie Boyz - Droppin' It :*01. For Those Who Slept*02. Pump Up The House*03. Too Deep For The Mortal Mind*04. Droppin It*05. Closa*06. Hold The Lafta*07. Say When*08. If You Don't Want Me*09. I Think I'm In Love*10. Use Your Imagination...
Studio albums
- 24 Hour Karate School24 Hour Karate School24 Hour Karate School is the debut album by hip hop record producer, Ski Beatz. Originally, the album was set for a March 30, 2010 but was pushed back due to sample clearance issues. The project was then given a September 7, 2010 release date, however, was not released until September 21...
(2010) - 24 Hour Karate School Pt. 2 (2011)
Collaboration albums
- Embedded (with LocksmithLocksmith (rapper)Locksmith is a rapper of Iranian- and African-American descents from Richmond, California. He is one half of the underground duo The Frontline.-Biography:...
) (TBA)