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Ski Beatz | |
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| Also known as |
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| Born | David Anthony Willis[1] |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Formerly of | Original Flavor |
David Anthony Willis, known professionally asSki Beatz, is an Americanrecord producer fromGreensboro, North Carolina, mainly working in hip hop.
Discovered byDJ Clark Kent,[2] Ski was originally known as "MC Will-Ski" in the late 1980s. He began his recording career in one ofNorth Carolina's first hip hop groupsThe Bizzie Boyz, alongside Mixmasta "D" (Dana Owens, also from NC),Fanatic, and dancers Move & Groove. In the early 1990s, Ski moved toNew York City and was a member of the groupOriginal Flavor, the first group managed by future recording industry executiveDamon Dash.[3] In the mid-90s, Ski was working on duoCamp Lo's debut albumUptown Saturday Night when Dash called him in to work on the debut album of his own artist,Jay-Z. Jay-Z's album,Reasonable Doubt, was released in 1996, marking Ski's first major production placement. Ski produced four tracks off the album, including the singles "Dead Presidents" and "Feelin' It".
After the critical success ofReasonable Doubt, Ski formed Roc-A-Blok Productions in affiliation with Jay and Dame's label,Roc-A-Fella Records, working with Camp Lo andSporty Thievz. The producer crafted most of Camp Lo's debut, which dropped in 1997, and produced theFat Joe single "John Blaze"; Ski continued to work with Jay-Z, on his second albumIn My Lifetime, Vol. 1 as well as non-solo albums and compilation projects, until 1998, when Jay released his third projectVol. 2... Hard Knock Life without beats from any of his former producers except forDJ Premier.
Though Roc-A-Blok Productions had since folded, Ski remained somewhat active in music. Relocating to his home state ofNorth Carolina for a break fromNew York City's fast-paced lifestyle, he continued producing for artists such asNature, members of theNew Jersey crew The Outsidaz,Lil' Kim,Foxy Brown,Ras Kass andProof. The producer has also continued to produce for Camp Lo, providing most of the production for their second albumLet's Do it Again, as well as their third album,Black Hollywood.
In 2010, Ski linked back up with Dame Dash, joining the entrepreneur'sDD172 collective, subsequently nicknamed the 24-Hour Karate School. Since the foundation of the studio enclave, Ski has worked withMos Def,Jay Electronica,Jean Grae and others. On April 30, 2010, he announced that he would produce upcoming albums for Jean Grae,Joell Ortiz, andRas Kass, as well as all but three songs onCurren$y's third albumPilot Talk. All of these artists were also later featured on the producer's solo debut, titled24 Hour Karate School in honor of the collective.[3]
On July 14, 2012, Ski announced he had secured his own label deal, named "The Fresh Air Fund Music Group".
Studio albums
Collaboration albums
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