D'Extra Wiley

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D'Extra Wiley

Background information
Origin U.S.
Genre(s) Rhythm and Blues, Soul, hip-hop, pop,Gospel
Occupation(s) producer, musician, screenplay writer
Instrument(s) Drums, Vocal, Keyboards, sax, Percussion
Years active 1993-present
Label(s) MCA Records, Gasoline Alley
Associated acts II D Extreme, Mirror
Website http://www.myspace.com/dxtra

D'Extra Wiley is a producer, artist and screenplay writer, best known for being a founder and member of the 90's new jack R&B group II D Extreme.

Born D'Extra LaMont Wiley, D'Extra started playing the drums at the age of 4 years old in church. It is to be noted that he is a distant relative of actor/comedian Bill Cosby. The early years in Washington D.C. included working with artist like Tonya Blount and hanging in the studio with the Night Flight studios crew, which included Me'shell Ndege'ocello, R&B Star Stacey Lattisaw, Ginuwine and good friends Shai. He formed a gospel group with his cousins and brothers called "Totally Committed." The Philly/D.C. based group included Joel Ruffin on bass and keyboardist Tim Carmon. He also performed vocals and percussion in a group called Maniquin which included R&B artist Kenny Lattimore, Stan Jones, David News, del Romeo and Steve, which was signed by Epic records. He was a drummer in the group Masqerade, which included twins Art & Scott Powell, Sharif Walters and Keith Martin, the latter signed to Ruffhouse /Columbia Records.

After a hunger and thirst to let his music be heard on a grand, worldwide platform, he hooked up with his Washington D.C. homies and compadres Randy Gill (Johnny Gill's brother), DaWoud Said, and Jermaine Mickey. They became, less Dawoud Said, II D Extreme and known for the hit song "Cry No More" The origin of their record deal was no secret. After being invited to Washington D.C.'s local radio station WPGC for an interview on Michele Wright's morning show, "What's the 411" with guest host The Diva." after explaining in the interview that they were a part of Jodeci's DeVante Swing's circle, the boys sung acapella live on the air, the request lines immediately began to light up. After that interview and before the station leaving D'Extra approached mid day super jock Paco Lopez and impressed upon him to give their demo a listen which he carried in his pocket at all times. " You must always be prepared to size any moment of opportunity" is his mantra. The song was already cued at "Cry No More". After calling in Jay Stevens the Program director to listen, the song was added that day and quickly became #1 in the MD/ D.C./VA Metro area. The rest as they say is history. They have appeared on BET, MTV, Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall, Late Night Show and various tour dates in the USA and countries abroad like Europe: France, Amsterdam, Mexico, Rotterdam, and The Turks and Caicos British Isles. They performed for the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Pageant in 1996 in Hawaii.

He has worked with legendary greats like Teddy Pendergrass, El Debarge to contemporary artists e.g. K-Ci & JoJo, Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman, 3rd Storee, now Chapter 4's K-Young and new comers Metro City now signed to A&M/ Interscope records through Keyshia Cole. He produced songs with songwriters such as Ebony Burke, Sunshine Anderson, Brandy, Destiny's Child, Tyrese, and, Virtue. He founded the R&B group Mirror, which some members were signed to Jamie Foxx's production company. The group recorded a tribute for the Roger Troutman compilation album featuring Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Tha Alcoholics, as well as CD appearances for Aaron Sky and Rapper Dirty Rat. He has also won a ASCAP songwriter's award in 1994 for the song Cry No More, which his managers at the time Derek Martin and the late Charlie Minor received on his behalf, due to the fact that D'Extra was on tour.

All songs recorded by II D Extreme were written and produced and executive produced by D'Extra Wiley with the exception of the cover tunes "Up on the Roof" and the remake of the Gap Band's "Outstanding" and " To Love Someone" from the first album and "Shoulders" on the second album which he co-wrote with groupmate, Randy Gill. He also wrote and produced with super producer Rodney Jerkins and Gina Thompson. He said out of all his experiences, the greatest ones have been the time spent learning and absorbing in the studio with Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones.

Their self-titled debut LP was released in 1993.The album contained their biggest hit (the stunning, RIAA gold-certified ballad, "Cry No More") (#6 R&B). Their second LP From I Extreme II Another followed three years later.

1996 If I Knew Then (What I Know Now) Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks # 52

1994 Let Me Love You Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks # 70

1993 Cry No More Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks # 6, # 1 R&R charts

1993 Cry No More The Billboard Hot 100 #48

1993 Up On The Roof Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks # 33

After the dissapation of their Label, Gasoline Alley / MCA Records, D'Extra went on to Produce a theme song for the sitcom "The Hughleys." He worked on the K-Ci & JoJo album It's Real. He also produced Queen Latifah's Flava Unit R&B trio F.A.T.E. on the Flave Unit/Warner brother's label. After a being signed by Agency West as an actor, D'Extra went out to act in the off-Broadway David Talberts play A Fool And his Money also featuring Beverly Todd (Lean On Me), David Peaston, Glenn Jones, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, David Hollister, Lashaun Pace Rhodes, Shuckey Duckey. He landed small roles such as a drummer in the band of Callie (The Young and the Restless) and various sitcoms. While a member of NARAS urban committee (Grammies), He helped drafted and implemented the Grammy's "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" category. He is currently producing a gospel project with his siblings entitled "The Wileys." While producing music for Marvin Gaye III, son of the legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye, Jr; He has written the authorized movie screenplay " What's Going On?: The Marvin Gaye Story. He spend his time working on music, consulting for independent radio promotions, and writing screenplays.

Contents

[edit] Personal

He briefly dated actress Michelle Thomas (The Young and the Restless, Family Matters), who passed away in 1998, as well as the daughters of legendary super stars James Brown and Rick James; Yamma Brown and Tye James.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • 1993: "Tanya blount, Natural thing"
  • 1993: II D Extreme
  • 1994: "Blankman soudtrack"
  • 1994: "Boney James, Creep"
  • 1995: "Jesse Powell"
  • 1996: From I Extreme II Another
  • 1997: "Check The Vibe"
  • 1997: "Teddy Pendergrass, You & I"
  • 1999: "K-Ci & JoJo, It's Real"
  • 2000: "Aaron Sky"
  • 2001: "F.A.T.E."
  • 2002: "Tribute to Roger Troutman, Still More Bounce"
  • 2005: "Dirty Rat"

[edit] T.V.

  • 1999: "Theme song-The Hughleys"
  • 2006: "BackstagePass Show"

[edit] Singles

  • 1993: "Up On The Roof"
  • 1993: "Cry No More"
  • 1994: "Let Me Love You"
  • 1996: "If I Knew Then (What I Know Now)"
  • 1997: "You Got Me Goin"
  • 2000: "why Am I holding On"
  • 2002: "Slow And Easy"