Mathematics (producer)

Mathematics, formerly Allah Mathematics, is a hip hop producer and DJ with 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.

Related Topics:
Hip hop - Wu-Tang Clan - RZA

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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, and in 1988 got his big break by becoming the full time DJ for experienced rapper Victor C, and did countless shows in clubs and colleges throughout New York City.

Related Topics:
Jamaica - Queens - New York City - Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - Cold Crush Brothers

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1990 proved to be a major turning point in Mathematics' career as he linked up with GZA/Genius, who was soon to become one of the Wu-Tang Clan's founding members but who was at the time struggling to build a career on the legendary hip hop label Cold Chillin. This partnership would earn Mathematics a spot on his first official tour; The Cold Chillin Blizzard Tour (which featured legends such as Biz Markie, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo, Kid Capri, Master Ace & Grand Daddy I.U.).

Related Topics:
GZA/Genius - Biz Markie - Big Daddy Kane - Kool G. Rap - Kid Capri - Master Ace

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

GZA left Cold Chillin after his debut album Words From The Genius flopped, and 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-Tang Clan. During the group's inception, Mathematics used his experience as a grafitti artist to design a logo for the up and coming crew. The resulting design is now instantly recognized world wide. (he also went on to design GZA's logo, as well as fonts and layouts for the classic Liquid Swords LP).

Related Topics:
All In Together Now - Grafitti - Liquid Swords

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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 the classic "Ice Cream" from Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx). RZA inspired Math to follow his lead, and the Wu leader gave him invaluable 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 rigurous 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 somewhat faded into obscurity (it remains one of the least heard Wu-Tang songs) it would lead to more collaborations between Math and Ghostface, including tracks now classics such as "Cobra Clutch", "Mighty Healthy" and "Wu Banga 101". 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 , Inspectah Deck's Uncontrolled Substance and Method Man & Redman's Blackout!. Eventually he was to produce for the Clan as a group, "Do You Really (Thang, Thang)" being the only track on their 2001 album The W not to be produced by RZA (with Math becoming only the fourth person to contribute beats to a Clan group album at that point) and then on 2002's Iron Flag he contributed "Rules".

Related Topics:
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - Ghostface Killah - Football - Andre Rison - NFL - Beneath The Surface - Method Man - Inspectah Deck - Uncontrolled Substance - Redman - Blackout! - The W - Iron Flag

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1996, 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 some young talent 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.

Related Topics:
Wanda Sykes - Fox Network - Love, Hell Or Right - Ol' Dirty Bastard - Masta Killa - MF Doom - The Problem - Streetlife

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mathematics is also planning to release his own DVD, "Beat Kings", a documentary on hip hop productions featuring interviews with Kanye West, Just Blaze, Alchemist, Havoc, RZA, and more.

Related Topics:
Kanye West - Just Blaze - Alchemist - Havoc

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~