9th Wonder: One of Hip-Hops Best Underground Producers

You may be more familiar with 9th Wonder producing beats for his hip-hop group Little Brother. According to Hip Hop Galaxy, he met his band mates, Big Pooh Thomas Jones and Phonte Coleman, while attending North Carolina Central University. Although the group as a whole was good, I felt 9th Wonder shined a little brighter. They eventually signed with Atlantic and the group created three albums together, but while finishing the last album, it was announced that 9th Wonder had left Little Brother.

Artisan News Service reports that the group credits A&R issues with Atlantic for the split. Apart from his work with the group he's had an impressive career. He's collaborated with big time names like, Jay-Z, Murs (of the living legends), De La Soul, and most recently, talented female MC, Jean Grae, but aside from that his solo work is pretty phenomenal. Along with releasing three albums with Little Brother, 9th wonder has released nine collaboration albums and two of his very own solo albums, with his most recent being Dream Merchant 2, released on October 9th 2007. He is also well known for is unauthorized remix album of Nas' God's Son, cleverly, but modestly (in my opinion) named God's Stepson. The remix breathed new life into one of Nas' best albums and got the producer a lot of buzz. 9th Wonder is a very unique producer. His sound is of one that vitalizes hip-hop and R&B, and merges it as one with jazz, soul and blues.

He creates these brilliant hip-hop beats and mixes it beautifully together with samples from old time jazz artists such as, Etta James, Minnie Ripperton, and Doug Hammond. His keen sense and vast musical background allow him to stand in a musical genre of his own. His love and appreciation for music spill out of his every masterpiece, and his fans soak it up always thirsty wanting more. His music instills in fans not only a love for hip-hop but also a new found love for jazz, soul and blues. I find myself searching for the samples he has used in his beats, just to hear where it is coming from and to learn more about it. Who knew a single instrumental could do all of that?

While I am very impressed by the producer, there is one thing that I would like to see him do. I would like to see him grow as a producer, and expand his sound. 9th Wonder has potential. As I was researching for this article, I was pleased to learn that he is doing just that. According to Street Hop Magazine, he wants to give his fans a different sound. He says he will still stay true to soul but states that he wants to expand his sound. He has signed with a new major record label, Asylum records. Production for his new upcoming album has been put on hold but, he still continues to collaborate with many different artists. His new sound will consist of more R&B. He is expected to work with big R&B names, one being Teedra Moses. I even heard about him working with rap artist Ludacris. His work with Jean Grae, also gives us a different sound from 9th Wonder. I'm excited to see what the future will bring for 9th Wonder. He has been dominating underground hip-hop for the last five years, and I would not be shocked if his reign continues five years longer. 9th Wonder seems like an intelligent and well rounded individual. He loves music, and all he wants to do, is be part of a legacy. I am sure he will not have a problem with that. As a producer and an artist, 9th Wonder lives up to his alias, and makes the grade. A+

Sources:

Little Brother Bio, Little Brother, HipHop Galaxy.

Administrator, "9th Wonder Leaves Little Brother", Artisan News Service.

Street Hop Magazine, "9th Wonder to Release New Album "Wonder Years"