Patrick Douthit (born January 15, 1975 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina),
better known as 9th Wonder is a hip hop producer, DJ, lecturer
and rapper from Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A. He began his career
as the main producer for the hip hop group Little Brother, and
has also worked with Mary J. Blige, Jean Grae, Lil
Wayne, Wale,
Jay-Z, MURS, Drake, Buckshot, Destiny's
Child, Obie Trice, Erykah
Badu, Ludacris, David
Banner, and Dumpology. As of 2010, 9th Wonder
raps under the name of 9thmatic.
9th Wonder has a smooth and soulful production style that relies
on samples from artists such as Al Green and Curtis Mayfield.
He attributes the bass lines that he uses in production to DJ Premier,
Pete Rock and J Dilla, while he claims to have learned "Aahs" from
RZA.
9th Wonder's first significant career breakthrough came in 2003
when, as an up-and-coming producer, he released a unofficial remix
album of Nas' 2002 album God's Son entitled God's Stepson.[5] Released
through internet outlets, the album garnered a lot of attention and
acclaim.[5] The producer has said that he was not thinking in terms
of using it to generate a buzz or promote his skills and that at
that point: "I never thought any of this of me as a producer
was going to happen."[5] The album has since been credited as
starting the now regular trend for unofficial 'home-made' remixes
of whole albums.[5]
9th Wonder began his career as the main producer for the hip hop
group Little Brother. As part of Little Brother he gained widespread
recognition and critical acclaim for his production on their debut
2003 release, The Listening. One suitably impressed individual was
Jay-Z's studio engineer Young Guru, who contacted the young producer
on behalf of his employer. The eventual meeting led to 9th Wonder
producing "Threat" for Jay-Z's 2003 "The Black Album".[5]
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.[5]
9th Wonder left Little Brother in 2007.[6][7]
[edit] Recent & Current Projects
On October 29, 2007, 9th Wonder also made a rare public appearance
on BET's Rap City, alongside collaborator Talib Kweli. Madlib, Jean
Grae and Erykah Badu appeared as well. In 2010, he appeared on BET's
106 & Park countdown with David Banner.
In January 2009, 9th Wonder announced plans to start two independent
record labels, JAMLA & The Academy, under his imprint It's A
Wonderful World Music Group (IWWMG). JAMLA consists of Skyzoo, GQ,
Rapsody, Tyler Woods & Big Remo. The Academy consists of Thee
Tom Hardy, Actual Proof, TP, & The Away Team (Khrysis & Sean
Boog). HaLo & Heather Victoria were announced as the newest members
of IWWMG in October 2010.
In July 2010, 9th Wonder officially debuted his production team
for It's A Wonderful World Music Group. "The Soul Council" consists
of Khrysis, E. Jones, Fatin "10" Horton, Ka$h Don't Make
Beats, AMP & 9th himself.
9th Wonder, E. Jones, and rapper J. Cole served as the lead producers
of the soundtrack to the EA Sports video game NBA Elite 11. 9th and
J. also appear as "secret characters" in NBA Jam with a
team name of "Cole & Wonder."
9th Wonder debuted his rapping alter-ego, 9thmatic, in late 2009.
9thmatic appeared on songs with Khrysis & Sean Boog (The Away
Team), Big Remo, MURS & Thee Tom Hardy.
Wonder worked with Mississippi rapper David Banner on a collaborative
album entitled Death of a Pop Star which was released on December
21, 2010.
9th Wonder is working with film director Kenneth Price on a documentary
set to be released in early 2011 titled "The Wonder Year."
In August 2010, hip-hop star Drake exchanged tweets with 9th Wonder
on Twitter, expressing his desire to work with him again (the 1st
time being the production of "Think Good Thoughts" featuring
Phonte and Elzhi for his 2007 mixtape "Comeback Season").
It was confirmed in October 2010 that 9th will be producing for Drake
on his sophomore album Take Care, the follow-up to the successful
Thank Me Later, due out in 2011.[8]
[edit] Hip-hop Professor
2007 saw a sideline move into music academia for 9th Wonder when,
along with Christopher "Play" Martin from hip-hop group
Kid-n-Play, he 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.[9]
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.[10] 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."[5]
[edit] P'Tones Records
9th Wonder and Black Jeruz are the spokespeople for the Durham-P'Tones
Records Studio which is partnered with North Carolina Central University.
The new location for the P'Tones studio is currently being decided.
9th Wonder still resides in North Carolina. He has announced his
dedication to the community in Durham, NC by joining P'Tones Records,
whose Mission Statement statement is "to create constructive
opportunities for inner city youth through no-cost neighborhood music
programs." The organization's goal is to give students the opportunity
to run a record label, creating music and merchandise while learning
about the music industry. Former Professor Kawachi Clemons and founder
(of P'Tones) Oren Rosenbaum opened the NCCU-P'Tones studio. The program
is set to begin February 2010. Dr. Smith has replaced Dr. Clemons
as the point man from NCCU. As of August 1, P'Tones is fundraising
through the Pepsi Refresh Project.[11]
[edit] Discography
Main article: 9th Wonder production discography
[edit] Solo Albums
* 2005: Dream Merchant Vol. 1
* 2007: The Dream Merchant Vol. 2: The Preview EP
* 2007: Dream Merchant Vol. 2
* TBA: The Wonder Years
[edit] Collaboration Albums
* 2003: The Listening (with Little Brother)
* 2003: Shake N Beats (Instrumental LP) (with Spectac)
* 2003: Legsclusives (with L.E.G.A.C.Y.)
* 2004: Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition (with MURS)
* 2005: The Minstrel Show (with Little Brother)
* 2005: Chemistry (with Buckshot)
* 2005: Spirit of '94: Version 9.0 (with Kaze)
* 2005: 9th Gate (with Access Immortal)
* 2006: Murray's Revenge[12] (with MURS)
* 2006: Cloud 9: The Three Day High (with Skyzoo)
* 2007: Class is in Session (with Pete Rock)
* 2008: The Formula (with Buckshot)
* 2008: Jeanius (with Jean Grae)
* 2008: Sweet Lord (with MURS)
* 2008: The Corner of Spec & 9th (with Spectac)
* 2010: Fornever (with MURS)
* 2010: Death of a Pop Star (with David Banner)
* TBA: The Solution (with Buckshot)
[edit] Collaboration Mixtapes
* 2006: Battle of the Beats Round 1-2 (with The Alchemist & DJ
E.Nyce)
* 2007: 9th Year Freshman (with Chops)
* 2007: The Graduate (with Kanye West, Mick Boogie & Terry Urban)
* 2008: The W.ide W.Orld of W.Rap (with E.Ness)
* 2008: Album Mixtape Volume One (with Cans)
* 2008: 9 Wonders (NYOIL verses 9th Wonder) (with NYOIL)
* 2009: The R&B Sensation Mixtape (with Tyler Woods)
* 2009: Back to the Feature (with Wale & LRG[disambiguation needed])
* 2009: The Hardy Boy Mystery Mixtape: Curse of Thee Green Faceded (with Thee
Tom Hardy & Don Cannon)
* 2010: To Hanses Mall (with Akello Light)
* 2010: Album Mixtape Part 2 (with Cans)
* 2010: The (Free)EP (with Actual Proof)
[edit] Compilation & Remix Albums
* 2003: 9th invented the Remix
* 2003: God's Stepson - Nas (remix of Nas's album God's Son)
* 2004: Black is Back - Jay-Z (Remix of Jay-Z's The Black Album)
* 2005: The Remix EP (Remixed Songs of Smif-N-Wessun)
* 2009: Wonder Years - 9th Wonder Golden Years Remix LP
* 2010: 9th invented the Remix...Again
* 2010: Loose Joints
* 2010: Food for Thought
* 2010: 9th's Opus: It's a Wonderful World Music Group Vol.1
[edit] Production
* 1997: "Night Riders" (remix ft. Aaliyah) - Boot Camp
Clik
* 2002: Paper Gods - Cesar Comanche (produced 10 of 17 songs)
* 2003: "Make Your Move" - Hieroglyphics Full Circle
* 2003: "Threat" - Jay-Z ( The Black Album)
* 2004: Sleepers - Rapper Big Pooh (produced 6 of 14 songs)
* 2004: "Supa Love", "Don't Rush Me" - Jean Grae ( This
Week)
* 2004: "Good Ol' Love" - Masta Ace (A Long Hot Summer)
* 2004: "Illuminate Part 1" (ft. Vursatyl) - Lightheaded (Never Square)
* 2004: "I See Now" - Consequence (Take 'Em to the Cleaners)
* 2004: " Girl", "Is She The Reason", "Free", "Game
Over" - Destiny's Child (Destiny Fulfilled)
* 2004: "Church" - De La Soul featuring Spike Lee (The Grind Date)
* 2005: The Ripple Effect - Splash (produced 7 of 14 songs)
* 2005: Squirrel In The Aces - Cesar Comanche (produced 5 of 17 songs)
* 2005: "Carolina Agents" - Little Brother NBA 2K6: The Tracks
* 2005: Project Mayhem - L.E.G.A.C.Y. (produced 11 of 19 songs)
* 2005: "Good Woman Down" - Mary J. Blige (The Breakthrough)
* 2005: "Heartburn" - Sean Price (Monkey Barz)
* 2005: Wooden Nickels 1998–1999 Revisited - Cesar Comanche (produced
9 of 16 songs)
* 2005: "Smoke the Pain Away", "Alright" - Memphis Bleek
( 534)
* 2005: "Sugar" (ft. Mother Nature) & "Rain Sleet Hail Snow" -
Beyond
* 2005: "Hey Young World Pt. 2" (ft. Phonte & Mystic) - Dave
Ghetto (Love Life?)
* 2006: "Dreams" - Saigon (The Return Of The Yardfather)
* 2006: Separate But Equal - DJ Drama & Little Brother (produced 5 of 22
songs)
* 2006: "Live from Amsterdam" - Memphis Bleek
* 2006: Where's Calvin - Binky Fingers (produced 9 of 15 songs)
* 2006: Floe Almighty - Edgar Allen Floe (produced 5 of 12 songs)
* 2006: "Special" - Strange Fruit Project (The Healing)
* 2006: "Here We Come", "Take a Look (In the Mirror)", "So
Focused" - Boot Camp Clik (The Last Stand)
* 2006: "One Night Stand" - Lloyd Banks ( Rotten Apple)
* 2006: "Instigator" - M.O.P. (Ghetto Warfare)
* 2007: "Brooklyn In My Mind" - "Crooklyn Dodgers" Single
* 2007: "Nowhere No More" - Eternia (The Setup)
* 2007: "P-Body", "Violent", "You Already Know", "Let
It Be Known" - Sean Price (Jesus Price Supastar)
* 2007: "Median's Relief" - Median (produced 4 of 16 songs)
* 2007: "First They Love You" - Bishop Lamont featuring Prime and
Indef (N*gger Noise)
* 2007: "I Just Want the Money" (ft. Bokey) - Bishop Lamont (The
Pope Mobile)
* 2007: "I Need More" - Boot Camp Clik (Casualties of War)
* 2007: "Breakin' My Heart" - Little Brother featuring Lil Wayne
(Getback)
* 2007: "Think Good Thoughts" - Drake (ft Phonte and Elzhi) (Comeback
Season/"This Is Me")
* 2008: "Cold Success" - Jay Z & Coldplay ("Viva La Hova")
* 2008: "Honey" - Erykah Badu (New Amerykah)
* 2008: "Be prepared" - Akrobatik feat. Little Brother ( Absolute
Value)
* 2008: "Here We Go" - DJ K.O. feat. East & Silent Knight (Picture
This[disambiguation needed])
* 2008: "There You Go", "Water feat. Edgar Allen Floe & Lazurus" -
Kooley High ("The Summer Sessions EP")
* 2008: "Do the Right Thang" - Ludacris feat. Common & Spike
Lee (Theater of the Mind)
* 2008: "What Is", "So Far", "Shine" - Edgar
Allen Floe (The Streetwise LP)
* 2008: "Left 4 Dead" - EPMD feat. Skyzoo (We Mean Business)
* 2008: "I'm Innocent", "Love and Appreciate II", "Breakthrough" -
MURS (Murs for President)
* 2008: "On The Low" - Royce Da 5'9" The Album
* 2009: featured on The Boondocks soundtrack [13]
* 2009: "Meet Me In The Zone" - MoeRoc (Not The Average Joe (Street
Album)/Presidential MC (forthcoming Album))
* 2009: Die In Your Lap - Cesar Comanche (produced 5 of 15 songs)
* 2009: "Rear View Mirror" - Rapper Big Pooh (The Delightful Bars)
* 2009: "Wonder Why" (feat. Wale, Big Sean & Mike Posner), "Sum
Ish For Dave" (feat. Haysoos) - Kenn Starr (It's Still Real (mixtape))
* 2009: In The W.ide W.orld Of W.rap - E.Ness (produced 9 of 12 songs)
* 2009: "Do Remember", "We Are", "We Belong" -
Skyzoo (The Power Of Words)
* 2009: The Salvation - Skyzoo (produced 5 of 16 songs)
* 2009: "Past Present Future" (feat. Melanie Fiona & Naledge)
- KRS-One And Buckshot ("Survival Skills - Collaboration Album")
* 2009: "S.P.I.T." - David Banner & GQ (EA Sport NBA Live Mixtape)
* 2010: "Slow Down"- David Banner (Death Of Pop Star)
* 2010: "20 Feet Tall"- Erykah Badu (New Amerykah Part Two (Return
of the Ankh))
* 2010: "X And Bill"- Sadat X-(Brand Nubian) Ft Ill Bill-(La Coka
Nostra/Non Phixion) ("Wild Cowboys II")
* 2010: "Shinin" - Laws (4:57 PM)
* 2010: "Every" - Rapsody
* 2010: "Move On Em" (feat. Marvwon & Gotta Be Karim) - Vandalyzm
("Megatron Major Redux" mixtape)
* 2010: "Beast" - Wale
* 2010: "Actual Proof" - (The Free EP)
* 2010: "Entrapment" - Big Remo (produced 4 out of 16)
* 2010: "The Way We Feel" -Christopher Williams (Previously Unreleased)
* 2010: "Return Of The B-Girl" - RapSody (produced 14 out of 20)
* 2010: "Light Beers Ahead Of You" - Sean Boog (produced 5 out of
22)
* 2011: "Heat Writer 2" - HaLo (produced 4 out of 14)