RJD2
Hip Hop Producer
Real name : Ramble John Krohn
Hometown : Eugene, Oregon
Definitive Jux Records

RJD2 is a hip hop music producer born in Eugene, Oregon, but raised in Columbus, Ohio. He is part of the Definitive Jux label and has produced tracks for many of its artists, as well as having a solo career. Along with the rapper Blueprint he is one half of the group Soul Position. They have released one EP and one album.

RJD2 Biography :
Contrary to popular belief, heroes sometimes lurk behind the curtains, actively choosing to elude visibility. Make no mistake, though-if the mystery man behind the boards is the man behind a classic beat, you’ll soon know his name. In the late 90’s, producers crept from the shadows to seize the spotlight of mainstream hip-hop, as well as the pop charts. In the last few years, one man shows such as Moby, DJ Shadow and Timbaland have proved what underground hip-hop fans have known since Marley Marl’s heyday-a talented producer can shine solo. Enter RJD2.

From 1998 to 1999, he saw success blossom as DJ/producer for the Columbus-based group the Megahertz, with two twelve-inch singles on Bobbito Garcia’s legendary NY label, Fondle ’em records. This explosive entrance to the underground hip-hop scene gave way to shows from Europe to Japan, not to mention garnering mention in Vibe magazine’s "History of Hip-Hop" historical volume. Opening doors outside of the east coast, the MHz went on to appear on the Bay Area’s ABB records compilation, Always Bigger and Better, Volume 1. Their contribution (entitled "This Year") was voted best track on the ABB website, while competing against major label heavyweights such as Dilated Peoples and Defari.

In 2000, the praise only continued for RJD2, producing Copywrite’s debut single "Holier Than Thou" on Rawkus Records. The work certainly didn’t stop there ; spring of 2001 was RJD2’s formal introduction to hip-hop as a solo artist on Def Jux Presents, a compilation showcasing the roster of his record label, Definitive Jux Records. Having to hold his own next to NYC underground legends such as Company Flow, Cannibal Ox, and Aesop Rock, RJD2 did no less. That summer he followed up this string of releases with his own twelve inch entitled "June", which featured fellow MHz member Copywrite laying down two incredible book-end verses. Melding the hip-hop tradition of raw, gritty samples with a more classical approach to song structure, he has concocted a style of production that pleases the most discerning hip-hop scholar without compromising that old dance floor aesthetic.

2002 saw RJD2 release the critcally acclaimed debut "Dead Ringer", which not only solidified his spot as one of the underground’s top producers, but also caught the ears of Grammy-man ?uestlove of The Roots who called the album one of his favorite of the year. Not to mention even landing the track "Ghost Writer" in a Saturn ad, with juggling solo ventures, producing rappers, and DeeJaying, the man is certainly in the hot seat at the moment. It has been said by many legendary producers that the ultimate goal is to move a crowd-not just to dance, but sometimes also to feel and think. In this vein, RJD2 is only continuing a time-honored tradition. more infos, see RJD2 official site here

RJD2 discography :

Albums :
In Rare Form Unreleased Instrumentals (2005)
Constant Elevation (2005)
Since We Last Spoke (2004)
Loose Ends (2003)
Deadringer (2002)
Your Face Or Your Kneecaps (2001)

EP :
The Horror (2003)

12" Singles :

1. RJD2 - "June" - 12-Inch Single - Definitive Jux - DJX08
2. RJD2 - "Here’s What’s Left" - 12-Inch Single - BPM /Altered Vibes - AV005/BPM003
3. RJD2 - "The Horror" / "Smoke & Mirrors" - 12-Inch Single - DJX46
4. RJD2 - "Let The Good Times Roll" - 12-Inch Single - DJX34
5. RJD2 - "Let The Good Times Roll" - White Label Promo 12-Inch Single - Definitive Jux - DJX12

7" Singles :

1. RJD2 - "Rain" / "Find You Out" - 7-Inch Single - Bustown Pride - HHS-003
2. Soul Position / RJD2 - "2045" - 7-Inch Single - HipHopSite Recordings - HHS-0011
3 . Viktor Vaughn / RJD2 - "Saliva" - 7-Inch Single - HipHopSite Recordings - HHS-0013
3 . RJD2 - "Ghostwriter Remix / Sell The World " - 7-Inch Single - Definitive Jux - DJX ??

Side Projects :

1. Soul Position (RJD2 & Blueprint) - "Unlimited" EP/CD - Rhymesayers - RS0025
2. Soul Position (RJD2 & Blueprint) - "8 Million Stories" LP/CD - Rhymesayers
3. Soul Position (RJD2 & Blueprint) - "8 Million Stories" Instrumentals LP/CD - Rhymesayers

Mix Tapes :

1. RJD2 - "Your Face Or Your Kneecaps" - Bustown Pride
2. RJD2 - "Deadsampler" - Definitive Jux
3. "Say Word : Constant Elevation Mix" - Astralwerks
4. Def Jux Presents 2 Sampler - Definitive Jux
5. Rjd2 - "Constant Elevation" - Bonus Disc
6. Rjd2 - "Odds and Ends" - Tour Disk


 ::RJD2 BEATS :

12"/CD Singles :

1. Travis Blaque - "The Bachelors (Remix)" - 12-Inch Single - BPM / Altered Vibes - AV004/BPM002
2. Aesop Rock - "Kill ’Em All Remix" - 12-Inch Single - Definitive Jux - DJX11
3. Cannibal Ox - "The F-Word Remix" - 12-Inch Single/CD Single - Definitive Jux - DJX15
4. Copywrite - "Holier Than Thou" - 12-Inch Single - Eastern Conference Records - RWK-218
5. MHZ - "Rocket Science" - 12-Inch Single - Fondle Em Records
6. Diverse - "Certified" - 12-Inch Single - Chocolate - CHL031
7. Diverse, Mos Def, Prefuse 73 - "Whylin’ Out Remix" - 12-Inch Single - Chocolate - CHL30
8. Souls Of Mischief - "Spark" / "Spark Remix" - 12-Inch/CD Single - Chocolate - CHL033
9. Vast Aire - "Tippin’ Dominoes Remix" - 12-Inch Single - Embedded - BED005
10. Nightmares Of Wax - "70’s 80’s Remix" - 12-Inch Single - Warp - WAP160
11. PolyphonicSpree- "Soldier Girl Remix Inst." - 12-Inch Single -679/Good - 679L015T2
12. El-P - "Lazerfaces Warning Remix" - 12-Inch Single - Definitive Jux - DJX41
13. Cunninglynguists - "Seasons" (feat. Masta Ace) - 12-Inch Single - Freshchest Records
14. J-Walk - "Another Lover Remix" - 12-Inch Single - East West
15. Copywrite - "Won’t Stop" - 12-Inch Single - Eastern Conference
16. Weathermen - "5 Left In The Clip Remix" - 12-Inch Single - Eastern Conference
17. Tame-One - "Here We Go Again" - 7-Inch Single - Eastern Conference
18. Weathermen - "5 Left in the Clip (RJD2 Remix)" - Eastern Conference/ Fat Beats
19. Massive Attack - "Butterfly Caught" - 12 Inch Single - Virgin
20. Aceyalone - "Lost Your Mind" - 12 Inch Single - Project Blowed / Decon
21. Souls Of Mischief - "Spark Remix" - 12-Inch - Chocolate
22. Diverse - "Explosive" - 12-Inch Single - V2
23. Elbow - "Fugitive Motel" - 12 Inch Single - Project Blowed / Decon
24. Aceyalone - "Moonlit Skies" - 12 Inch Single - Project Blowed / Decon

LP/CD Production :

1. Cage "Among The Sleep" (from Cage’s "Movies For The Blind" LP/CD)
2. Copywrite - "Fuck Soundcheck" (from Copywrite’s "The High Exhaulted" LP/CD)
3. Copywrite - "Enterlude" (from Copywrite’s "The High Exhaulted" LP/CD)
4. Copywrite - "Nobody" (from Copywrite’s "The High Exhaulted" LP/CD)
5. Copywrite - "Seven Light Years" (from Copywrite’s "The High Exhaulted" LP/CD)
6. Murs - "Sore Losers" (from Murs’ "End Of The Beginning" LP/CD)
7. Tame-One "Up To No Good Again" (from Tame-One "When Rappers Attack" LP/CD)
8. RJD2 - "Silver Fox" (from Definitive Jux Presents CD & MHZ "Table Scraps" CD)
9. RJD2 - "True Confessions" (from Urban Renewal Program LP/CD)
10. RJD2 - "I Really Like Your Def Jux Baby Tee" (from Definitive Jux 2 LP/CD)
11. RJD2 - "Black" (from Bomb Hip-Hop 4th Anniversary 4CD)
12. Aceyalone - "Lost Your Mind" ( from Aceyalone "Love and Hate" LP/CD)
13. Aceyalone - "Moonlight Skies" ( from Aceyalone "Love and Hate" LP/CD)
14. Aceyalone - "Takeoff" ( from Aceyalone "Love and Hate" LP/CD)
15. Weathermen - " Five Left In The Clip" ( from Weathermen "The Conspiracy Mix Tape" LP/CD)
16. Cage "Weather People" (from Cage’s "Weatherproof" LP/CD)
17. Babbletron - "The Clock Song" (from Babbletron’s "Mechanical Royalty" CD)
18. Diverse - "Certified" (from Diverse’s "One AM" LP/CD)
19. Diverse - "Explosive" (from Diverse’s "One AM" LP/CD)
20 . Diverse - "Uprock" (from Diverse’s "One AM" LP/CD)
21 . Diverse - "Big Game" (from Diverse’s "One AM" LP/CD)
22 . Diverse - "Under the Hammer" (from Diverse’s "One AM" LP/CD)