Nokio the N-Tity

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Nokio the N-Tity (born Tamir Ruffin on January 21, 1979 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an African-American record producer, songwriter, singer, and rapper. He is best known as the founder of the successful R&B group Dru Hill, serving as in-house producer and songwriter for the act. His bandmates are James "Woody" Green, Larry "Jazz" Anthony, Mark "Sisqó" Andrews, and the recently-added Rufus "Scola" Waller. The stage name "Nokio" is an acronym for "Nasty On Key In Octave".

In addition to serving as the guiding hand of the group he founded, Nokio has also served as producer for DMX ("What These Bitches Want", 1999) and Capone-N-Noreaga ("Y'all Don't Wanna", 2000). He was an A&R director for the Def Soul label, and helped to discover and develop acts such as the teenage R&B/pop group 3rd Storee. Nokio currently works for Atlantic Records as an A&R for R&B singer Trey Songz.

[edit] Personal

Nokio has a son, Jordan, by an ex-girlfriend. He is married to radio personality Angie Martinez, with whom he has a second son, Niko Ruffin. Jordan was featured in the Dru Hill music video "I Love You".