Mathematics (producer)

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Mathematics, also known as Allah Mathematics, is a hip hop producer and DJ for the Wu-Tang Clan. He is known for his distinctly traditional Wu-Tang sound (in contrast to main Clan producer RZA's constant experimentation and evolution). As well as producing many tracks for the Wu-Tang Clan and for its solo and affiliate projects, Math has released two solo albums.

1 Life
2 Enter the Wu-Tang
3 Production
4 Discography
- 4.1 Albums
- 4.2 Selected Production Credits

[edit] Life

Born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York City, Mathematics was introduced to hip hop by his brother who would bring home recordings of the genre's pioneers like Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Treacherous Three and Cold Crush Brothers. He began his career in 1987 DJing block parties and park jams in Baisley Projects, going by the name Supreme Cut Master. In 1988 he got his big break by becoming the full-time DJ for experienced rapper Victor C, doing countless shows in clubs and colleges throughout New York City.

[edit] Enter the Wu-Tang

1990 proved to be a major turning point in Mathematics' career as he linked up with GZA/Genius; he was soon to become one of the Wu-Tang Clan's founding members, but at the time GZA was struggling to build a career on the label Cold Chillin'. This partnership would earn Mathematics a spot on his first official tour, The Cold Chillin Blizzard Tour (which featured popular acts such as Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo and Marley Marl, among others).

GZA left Cold Chillin after his debut album Words from the Genius did not achieve the sales target that was anticipated. He and Mathematics took to the road yet again, but this time with the help of GZA's cousins, RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard. These three were soon to become the three founding members of Wu-Tang Clan, but were then known as All In Together Now. The group soon dissolved however and the trio set their minds on creating the Wu group. During the group's inception, Mathematics used his experience as a graffiti artist to design a logo for the up and coming crew, as well as various other logos and designs the Wu-Tang's artists would use.

[edit] Production

Mathematics' first real exposure to the nuts and bolts of production came late one night when he attended a session where he witnessed RZA construct a beat from nothing (the track would eventually develop into "Ice Cream" from Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx). RZA inspired Math to follow his lead, and the Wu leader gave him advice and tuition on the nuances of hip hop production over the coming months and years. In 1996, Mathematics dove head first into production, at home, in between heavily scheduled tour dates and rigorous road travelling.

His first track, "Fast Life" featuring Ghostface Killah & football star Andre Rison, made it on to the NFL Jams compilation. Though this track faded into obscurity somewhat, it would lead to several more collaborations between Mathematics and Ghostface; Math also began to produce for many other Wu-Tang members and affiliates, including several tracks on GZA's sophomore album Beneath The Surface as well as Method Man's Tical 2000: Judgement Day, Inspectah Deck's Uncontrolled Substance and Method Man & Redman's Blackout!. Eventually he was to produce for the Clan as a group, with "Do You Really (Thang, Thang)." This was the only track on their 2001 album The W not to be produced by RZA, and then on 2002's Iron Flag he contributed "Rules".

In 2003, Math made the jump into the TV world, as he produced the main theme and all original music for the short lived show "Wanda At Large," which starred Wanda Sykes and aired on the Fox Network. During this time and in between continuous touring, Math would start work on his first solo full length project Love, Hell Or Right. Completely mixed, arranged and produced by Mathematics himself, Love Hell or Right was ultimately released in fall of 2003 on his own Quewisha Records label in conjunction with High Times Records, and it went on to scan 30,000 units.

As well as featuring rappers from Math's home borough of Queens, Eyes-Low and Buddah Bless, Love Hell Or Right featured appearances from all the Wu-Tang Clan members except GZA and the then-incarcerated Ol' Dirty Bastard. Mathematics soon signed to the popular independent hip hop label Nature Sounds (home to Wu-Tang colleague Masta Killa as well as MF Doom) and released his sophomore album The Problem in 2005. This time, the entire Wu-Tang Clan appeared, including a posthumous appearance from Ol' Dirty Bastard. As well as working on his solo albums, Mathematics has continued to contribute beats to many Wu-Tang releases, including the debut albums from Masta Killa and Streetlife.