Hip Hop Producer Ayatollah
Born and raised in Queens, NY, Hip Hop Producer Ayatollah first received mainstream recognition after producing rapper Mos Def’s hit “Ms Fat Booty” the first single off Mos Def’s Black On Both Sides album, for which he received his first Certified Gold Plaque. Following up that hit, Ayatollah earned his second Certified Gold Plaque as the mind responsible for the production on Styles P’s hit “The Life” featuring Organized Konfusion legend Pharoahe Monch, released on Rawkus Records compilation album Soundbombing III.
A favored producer of many Queensbridge, NY MC’s, in particular and after working with respected Queensbridge Hip Hop artist Cormega on “Raps A Hustle”, off of Cormega’s debut LP “The Realness”, both have spoken of collaborating exclusively on an album, an eagerly awaited project which continues to tantalize both fans of Cormega and Ayatollah. But Ayatollah has been busy giving listeners sonic journeys into his musical landscape by releasing 10 instrumental albums over the past 8 years:
So Many Reasons to Rhyme (2003)
Personal Legend Vol. I (Fat Beats, 2003)
Listen (Soundchron Records, 2006)
Now Playing (Nature Sounds, 2006)
Louder (Nature Sounds, 2008)
Drum Machine (Nature Sounds, 2008)
The Quixotic (Nature Sounds, 2010)
The Quixotic Remix EP (Nature Sounds, 2010)
Cocoon (Nature Sounds, 2010)
Live from the MPC60 (Nature Sounds, 2010)
A lifelong Hip Hop lover, Ayatollah began his career as a DJ, rocking parties, making mixtapes, and practicing turntablism, competing in the 1991 DMC World DJ Championships before becoming Tragedy Khadafi’s Performance DJ. Following a natural progression into beatmaking, his discography (see attached) reads like a who’s who of true, gritty, lyrical Hip Hop, having worked with some of the art form’s best lyricists, from Rakim (“Cold Feeling”) to Sadat X (“Throw the Ball”) to Ghostface Killah (“WTC”
featuring Cappadonna).
Ayatollah’s production and unique style and skill can be appreciated whether an artist is gracing the track or whether it’s an instrumental that sets the vibe, both will be on display in various projects slated for 2011 and beyond. Whispers and buzzing of a completed super group collaboration between Ayatollah and WuTang affiliates Hell Razah and Shabbazz The Disciple called T.H.U.G. Angelz as well as a creative spin on the instrumental album concept will only continue to surprise and tantalize his wide and diverse fan base.
Contact Info: (p) 347.***.****. (e) tollahmania@gmail.com. blog: cult status.
website: www.reverbnation.com/tollahmusic