Terrace Martin | |
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_IMGP9644.jpg) Martin performing in 2017 | |
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| Born | Terrace Jamahl Martin (1978-12-28)December 28, 1978 (age 46) Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
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| Years active | 2004–present |
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Terrace Jamahl Martin (born December 28, 1978) 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, includingKendrick Lamar,Snoop Dogg,the Game,Busta Rhymes,Stevie Wonder,Charlie Wilson,Raphael Saadiq andYG, among others. Martin is amulti-instrumentalist whose music production embodiesfunk,jazz,classical andsoul. Martin released his sixth studio album,Velvet Portraits, on his label, Sounds of Crenshaw Records, throughRopeadope Records.[1]
Martin's father, Ernest "Curly" Martin, was a jazz drummer andOmaha Black Music Hall of Fame member, and his mother is a singer. He grew up listening to a broad range of music, includingJohn Coltrane andParliament and began playing the piano at age six. At 13, producing his first tracks on hisCasio CZ-101 Keyboard and anE-mu SP-1200, Martin was encouraged to take up thesaxophone and learned to play it by himself before enrolling into Santa Monica High School, to sharpen his musical skills. He transferred toLocke High School, to study under Reggie Andrews, where he became first chair of the All-State Jazz Band. As a child prodigy, Martin gained the interest of talk show hostJay Leno, who presented him with a scholarship and later purchased his first professional horn.[2] After high school, Martin attendedCalArts but decided school wasn't for him, and began touring withPuff Daddy and the gospel choirGod's Property.
Martin is cousins withRonald Bruner, Jr. and his brotherStephen "Thundercat" Bruner, with whom he has collaborated since childhood.[3][4] Alongside the Bruner brothers, he was a founding member of theWest Coast Get Down jazz collective, who began playing together in high school.[5]
Martin was recognized by Hollywood and music industry elites and found favor in the jazz world, where he played as a member ofBilly Higgins' World Stage All-Stars. Martin's big break came when he produced a Power 106 radio drop with Snoop Dogg. He scored a minor hit with213's "Joysticc" and went on to become one of Snoop Dogg's sought after producers, placing credits onR&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece andEgo Trippin albums. In 2007, he signed a record deal withWarner Bros. Records by A&R executives Kenny "Tick" Salcido and Craig Aaronson.[6]
The Demo, Martin's 2010 debut album, features him as a rapper and producer. The album includes beats and guestverses from artists includingSnoop Dogg,Wiz Khalifa,Pete Rock,DJ Quik andKurupt.[7] On September 28, 2010, Terrace Martin and radio personalityDevi Dev released theextended play (EP)Here, My Dear. The first single from the EP is "Roll Up Another One", featuringWiz Khalifa andOverdoz. The EP featuresguest appearances fromSnoop Dogg,Charlie Wilson,Kurupt,Kendrick Lamar,U-n-i,James Fauntleroy II and pianist Kenneth Croutch.[8] The EP is inspired byMarvin Gaye's 1978album of the same name.[9] On December 21, 2010, Terrace Martin and Devi Dev launched their online music series #DeviTerraceTuesday. On February 22, 2011, they released their second project together,The SEX EP.
In 2013, Martin released3ChordFold, a fusion studio album project.[10] 3ChordFold was followed up with3ChordFold: Remixed in December 2013, and3ChordFold: Pulse in Spring 2014, which featured many live performances with guest appearances from Robert Glasper and Thundercat, among others. In 2015, Martin was heavily involved in the development of Kendrick Lamar's critically acclaimed album,To Pimp a Butterfly.[11][12] On April 1, 2016, Martin released his long-awaited, sixth studio album, Velvet Portraits on his Sound of Crenshaw label through Ropeadope.[13] His latest release features appearances from his To Pimp A Butterfly cohorts,Kamasi Washington,Lalah Hathaway,Robert Glasper andThundercat. Recorded in Los Angeles and Omaha, Nebraska, the highly anticipated Velvet Portraits also taps into his roots, featuring his father Curly Martin on drums and legendary soul group,The Emotions. Velvet Portraits was nominated in the "Best R&B Album" category of the 59th Grammy Awards.
In addition to releasing personal projects, Martin is currently producing albums forHerbie Hancock, YG,SZA and Fergie.[citation needed]
On June 25, 2020, Terrace Martin,Kamasi Washington,Robert Glasper, and9th Wonder announced the formation of a supergroup, Dinner Party. They released a single, "Freeze Tag". Their debut album was released on July 10, 2020.[14]
Martin's role models includeMiles Davis,Charlie Parker,Jackie McLean,John Coltrane,Herbie Hancock,Sonny Stitt,Grover Washington, Jr.,Dr. Dre,DJ Quik,Battlecat,DJ Premier,Pete Rock, and 1580 K-Day. Martin has said, "I started producing hip-hop tracks because it was the music of my time, but I never lost my love for jazz."[15]
