9th Wonder

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9th Wonder
9thWonderAtPaidDues-2008-resized.jpg
9th Wonder in 2008
Background information
Birth namePatrick Denard Douthit
Also known as9thmatic
Born (1975-01-15) January 15, 1975 (age 49)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupations
  • DJ
  • record producer
  • record executive
  • rapper
Instruments
Years active1991–present
Labels

Patrick Denard Douthit [2] (born January 15, 1975), [3] better known as 9th Wonder, is an American record producer, record executive, and DJ from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who is also teaching faculty at North Carolina Central University and Duke University, where he collaborates with Professor Mark Anthony Neal. [4]

Contents

He began his career as the main producer for the group Little Brother in Durham, North Carolina, and has also worked with Jay-Z, Destiny's Child, Jean Grae, Wale, Murs, Buckshot, Erykah Badu, David Banner, Rapsody, and Talib Kweli. As of 2010, 9th Wonder raps under the name of 9thmatic. [5] 9th Wonder's production often builds on samples from artists such as Al Green and Curtis Mayfield. [6]

Music career

9th Wonder's first significant career breakthrough came in 2003 when, as an up-and-coming producer, he released an unofficial remix album of Nas' 2002 album God's Son entitled God's Stepson . [7] Released through internet outlets, the album garnered significant attention and acclaim. [7] The producer has said that he was not thinking in terms of using it to generate a buzz or promote his skills at that point: "I never thought any of this of me as a producer was going to happen." [7] The album has since been credited as starting the now regular trend for unofficial 'home-made' remixes of whole albums. [7]

9th Wonder began his career as the main producer for the group Little Brother. As part of Little Brother he gained recognition and critical acclaim for his production on their debut 2003 release, The Listening . Jay-Z's studio engineer Young Guru was impressed with his work, and contacted 9th Wonder, which led to 9th Wonder producing "Threat" for Jay-Z's 2003 The Black Album . [7] The cut proved to be a mainstream breakthrough for 9th Wonder, most immediately in the major production role he secured on Destiny's Child's 2004 Destiny Fulfilled album that Jay-Z was instrumental in helping bring about. [7] On the album, 9th Wonder produced the tracks "Girl" and "Is She the Reason", plus the bonus track "Game Over".

9th Wonder left Little Brother in 2007. [8] [9]

Recent and current projects

In August 2010, Drake exchanged tweets with 9th Wonder on Twitter, expressing his desire to work with him again (the first time being the production of "Think Good Thoughts" featuring Phonte and Elzhi for his 2007 mixtape Comeback Season ). It was revealed in October 2010 that 9th Wonder would be producing for Drake on his second album, Take Care , which was released on November 15, 2011. [10] However, a month prior to the release, 9th Wonder said in an interview that he would not appear on Take Care due to A&R issues. [11]

Singer Chris Brown recorded a series of rap freestyles over 9th Wonder beats. The first was released on July 18, 2011, on YouTube under the title "Real Hip Hop #3". This was followed a day later by "Real Hip Hop #4" featuring Kevin McCall. These tracks were included in Brown's rap mixtape Boy in Detention, released on August 5, 2011. [12]

On June 25, 2020, 9th Wonder, Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington, and Robert Glasper announced the formation of a supergroup, Dinner Party. They released a single, "Freeze Tag". Their debut album was released on July 10, 2020. [13]

Hip hop professor and academia

2007 saw a sideline move into music academia for 9th Wonder when he, along with Christopher "Play" Martin from hip hop group Kid-n-Play, was appointed Artist-In-Residence by the Chancellor of North Carolina Central University, and began instructing a hip hop history class in NCCU's Music Dept. [14]

His role as a music professor has proven an ongoing one as in January 2010 it was announced that 9th Wonder would co-teach a class titled "Sampling Soul" with Dr. Mark Anthony Neal at Duke University. [15] In an interview with HitQuarters, he explained the reason for the move into academia: "Educating the youth on where hip-hop comes from and the history of it, using the records we use, gives hip-hop a longer life. I decided to become an advocate of that." [7] 9th Wonder also recently took on a course titled "Intro to Hip Hop Production". [16]

In May 2021, Douthit joined the Faculty at Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University as a visiting professor. [17] His courses include the history of hip hop and The Making of an Album.

Discography

9th Wonder performing in 2008 9th Wonder at Paid Dues 2 (cropped).jpg
9th Wonder performing in 2008

Solo albums

Group albums

Collaborative albums

Collaborative mixtapes

Compilation and remix albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Brother (group)</span> American hip hop duo

Little Brother is an American hip hop duo from Durham, North Carolina, that consists of rappers Phonte and Big Pooh. DJ and producer 9th Wonder was an original member of the group but departed in 2007. The group has produced five acclaimed studio albums and six mixtapes. Little Brother is highly regarded among hip hop fans and critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phonte</span> American rapper, singer, and producer

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<i>Chemistry</i> (Buckshot and 9th Wonder album) 2005 studio album by Buckshot & 9th Wonder

Chemistry is the first collaborative studio album by American rapper Buckshot and record producer 9th Wonder. It was released on June 21, 2005 through Duck Down Music as a part of the label's "Triple Threat Campaign", preceded by Sean Price's Monkey Barz and followed by Tek & Steele's Smif 'n' Wessun: Reloaded. Recording sessions took place at Missie Ann Studios in Raleigh, North Carolina. Production was handled entirely by 9th Wonder, with Buckshot and Drew "Dru-Ha" Friedman serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Keisha Shontelle, Big Pooh, Joe Scudda, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Phonte, Sean Price and Starang Wondah. This album is paralleled by the Black Moon album Alter the Chemistry, which was basically a remix album produced by Da Beatminerz.

<i>Murrays Revenge</i> 2006 studio album by Murs & 9th Wonder

Murray's Revenge is the second collaboration album from California rapper Murs and North Carolina producer 9th Wonder.

<i>Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition</i> 2004 studio album by Murs and 9th Wonder

Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition is the first collaboration album from California rapper Murs and North Carolina producer 9th Wonder. It was released on Definitive Jux on March 23, 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Glasper</span> American jazz pianist, record producer, and songwriter

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<i>Getback</i> 2007 studio album by Little Brother

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Brother discography</span>

The following is the discography of American hip hop duo Little Brother.

<i>The Formula</i> (album) 2008 studio album by 9th Wonder & Buckshot

The Formula is the second collaborative studio album by American rapper Buckshot and record producer 9th Wonder. It was released on April 29, 2008 through Duck Down Music. Recording sessions took place at De Stu at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. Production was handled entirely by 9th Wonder, with Buckshot and Drew "Dru-Ha" Friedman serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Carlitta Durand, Arafat Yates, Big Chops, Keisha Shontelle, Swan, Talib Kweli, Tyler Woods and the Formula Crew. The album debuted at #137 on the Billboard 200 album chart, opening with 5,874 units sold.

The following songs were produced by 9th Wonder

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrace Martin</span> American musician

Terrace Jamahl Martin is an American musician, rapper, singer, and record producer. He is perhaps best known for producing records for several prominent artists in the music industry, including Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, the Game, Busta Rhymes, Stevie Wonder, Charlie Wilson, Raphael Saadiq and YG, among others. Martin is a multi-instrumentalist whose music production embodies funk, jazz, classical and soul. Martin released his sixth studio album, Velvet Portraits, on his label, Sounds of Crenshaw Records, through Ropeadope Records.

<i>Leftback</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Little Brother

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It's a Wonderful World Music Group is an independent record label, founded by hip hop producer 9th Wonder in 2008.

<i>The Wonder Years</i> (9th Wonder album) 2011 studio album by 9th Wonder

The Wonder Years is the fourth studio album by American record producer 9th Wonder. It was released on September 27, 2011 through his own label It's a Wonderful World Music Group. Recording sessions took place at Khrysis' Crib, at the Peanut Gallery in Raleigh, North Carolina, at Brightlady Studios, and at Record Plant in Los Angeles. Production was handled entirely by 9th Wonder himself, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Terrace Martin, Median, Phonte, Actual Proof, Big Remo, Bird & The Midnight Falcons, Blu, Erykah Badu, Fashawn, GQ, Halo, Heather Victoria, Holly Weerd, Kendrick Lamar, Khrysis, King Mez, Mac Miller, Marsha Ambrosius, Masta Killa, MeLa Machinko, Murs, Problem, Raekwon, Rapsody, Skyzoo, Talib Kweli, Tanya Morgan, Thee Tom Hardy and Warren G. The album peaked at number 76 on the Billboard 200 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rapsody</span> American rapper from North Carolina

Marlanna Evans, better known by her stage name Rapsody, is an American rapper. After signing with music producer 9th Wonder's music label It's a Wonderful World Music Group, she released a series of mixtapes and collaborated with Erykah Badu and Talib Kweli. Soon afterwards Rapsody released her debut album The Idea of Beautiful (2012). She would attain further prominence when she was featured on Kendrick Lamar's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly, on the track "Complexion ".

<i>The Solution</i> (Buckshot and 9th Wonder album) 2012 studio album by 9th Wonder & Buckshot

The Solution is the third collaborative studio album by American rapper Buckshot and record producer 9th Wonder. It was released on November 13, 2012 through Jamla Records/Duck Down Music. Production was entirely handled by 9th Wonder, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Dyme-A-Duzin and Rapsody. The album debuted at number 196 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 2,300 copies in the United States.

<i>The Idea of Beautiful</i> 2012 studio album by Rapsody

The Idea of Beautiful is the debut studio album by American rapper Rapsody. It was released on August 28, 2012, by independent record label It's a Wonderful World Music Group. The album was released after the critical acclaim of her mixtapes such as Return of the B-Girl (2010), Thank H.E.R. Now (2011) and For Everything (2011); as well as the release of her EP The Black Mamba (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamasi Washington</span> American saxophonist and bandleader

Kamasi Tii Washington is an American jazz saxophonist. He is a founding member of the jazz collective West Coast Get Down.

<i>Dinner Party</i> (EP) 2020 EP by Dinner Party (Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin and 9th Wonder)

Dinner Party is a self titled EP by American jazz supergroup Dinner Party. It was released on July 10, 2020, via Sounds Of Crenshaw and Empire. The group, consisting of musicians Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, and 9th Wonder recorded the project at Chalice Recording Studios in Los Angeles at the end of 2019. It features guest appearances from Chicago-based musician Phoelix. On April 14, 2023 a follow-up LP titled Enigmatic Society was made available to stream on all major platforms.

References

  1. ↑ "In the Studio: 9th Wonder". XLR8R. May 29, 2008. Archived from the original on July 1, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  2. ↑ "9th Wonder Bio". 9thwonder.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  3. ↑ Archived April 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "9th Wonder | Duke Forum for Scholars and Publics". Duke FSP. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  5. ↑ Tullis, Eric (January 7, 2010). "Fraggle Naggle: Meet 9thmatic, the rapper | Scan | Independent Weekly". Indyweek.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
  6. ↑ "An interview with 9th Wonder – producer 9th Wonder on working with Jay-Z and his group Little Brother". Remixmag.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Interview With 9th Wonder". HitQuarters. May 31, 2010. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Hip Hop News Audio, News, Videos, Albums, Ringtones, Lyrics, Urban Wear". HipHopGame.com. January 27, 2007. Archived from the original on April 2, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  9. ↑ Listen to More: Producer, Underground (October 10, 2007). "9th Wonder Interview". Djbooth.net. Archived from the original on June 13, 2010. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
  10. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (October 7, 2010). "Drake Shares Producers on Second Album, Still Uncertain of Title". Rap-Up Magazine. Archived from the original on October 10, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  11. ↑ Iraheta, Mark (October 12, 2011). "9th Wonder Will Not Appear on Drake's 'Take Care'". Complex Magazine. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  12. ↑ Markman, Rob (August 5, 2011). "Chris Brown Drops Rap Mixtape, Boy In Detention". MTV. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Hear The New Supergroup From Kamasi Washington, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, And 9th Wonder". Stereogum. June 25, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Online Campus Directory". Nccu.edu. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  15. ↑ "9th Wonder to Teach Course at Duke University | XXL". Xxlmag.com. January 7, 2010. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  16. ↑ "People | Trinity College of Arts & Sciences". Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  17. ↑ "9th Wonder Joins Faculty at Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at Long Island University". stupiddope.com. May 24, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  18. ↑ •J• (May 29, 2010). "DOWNLOAD: Akello Light – To Hanes Mall". Word Is Bond. Retrieved May 29, 2010.
  19. ↑ blakcitrus (January 21, 2012). "Akello Light-Hanes Mall 2: Silas Creek Parkway EP". Kickmag. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
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