On January 15, 1975, one of Hip-Hop’s most critically acclaimed producers was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 9th Wonder, born Patrick Denard Douthit, was introduced to Hip-Hop back in 1982 and since then has not stopped influencing music with his soulful style of production.
9th Wonder gained his first musical training through music theory classes in middle and high school. He went on to go to North Carolina Central University, where he decided to pursue his career in music. In 1998, he formed his first collective with Phonte Coleman and rapper Big Pooh. The trio took on the name Little Brother and went on to release the critically acclaimed album The Listening which received four out of five mics from The Source. In 2003, 9th Wonder got his first major label placement on Jay-Z’s The Black Album with the murderous track Threat. Since working with Jay-Z, his portfolio has grown to consist of artists such as Jean Grae, Wale, Drake, Chris Brown, Destiny’s Child, J. Cole, Kendrick LAmar, Erykah Badu, Mac Miller, and David Banner. 9th has won a Grammy with Mary J. Blige, produced three full albums for rapper Murs and has even made an album with actor Idris Elba.
9th Wonder’s influence also spans outside of music. In the early 2000s, 9th Wonder was chosen by Aaron McGruder to score music for the famous and critically acclaimed series The Boondocks. He has been endorsed by M-Audio Electronics, FL Studio, LRG Clothing Company, and Creative Recreation Shoe Company. He is the president, founder, and CEO of It’s a Wonderful World Music Group which caters to the oldheads of Hip Hop and also hosts TRUE SCHOOL RADIO, which is a radio station (104.5 FM) in Fayetteville, N.C. that plays the first 24 years of Hip Hop and 80’s R&B.
9th Wonder’s place in Hip Hop is one that is important in the hearts and minds of not only fans, but artists alike. His legacy is one that he has ensure will live on through many geneartyions due to the years of hard work he has put in. Take some time out of your day today to listen to some of the timeless records that the 9th Wonder of the World had a hand in producing.
