[Productions] Danjahandz

Over the last ten years, Timbaland, Missy Elliott and the Neptunes have proven that, musically, Virginia Beach is not a place to be messed with. Timbaland’s latest production protégé, Danjahandz, is making sure this reputation is upheld. Just at the age of 24, the Virginia Beach native is quickly making a name for himself as a producer whose versatile sound will be heard on some of the most anticipated albums of the upcoming year.

“I always considered myself somewhat of a problem when I would play musical instruments,” says Nate Hills, recalling how he came up with his alias. “I was born with music in my blood,” Danjahandz adds, describing his natural inclination as a child to everything involving music. “I remember when I was five, I would pick up spoons and pans in the kitchen and bang on them like they were drums.” At the age of 12, Danjahandz became a skilled piano player and perfected those skills as a member of his church’s band...

Danjahandz’ first official “big break” came through a childhood friend of Timbaland, Larry Live, who introduced the aspiring producer to the already established hitmaker. “The first thing that drew me to him wasn’t even his music,” says manager Larry Live. “It was the fact that he said Timbaland was his idol and anybody that idolizes your best friend, you take notice of that. I knew he had talent because he’s one of the few producers I know besides Tim who can produce inside the headphones. I convinced Timbaland that he would be a great fit for his production team and it just felt right.” Even to this day, Danjahandz still finds it hard to put into words how he felt after he met Timbaland. “I was sitting in front of the dude that influenced me the most and he told me how hot I was,” he says in disbelief. “He told me he wanted me on his team. To me, he’s as big as Quincy Jones and I didn’t know how to accept it.”

Due to Danjahandz’s prior contractual obligations, however, he was unable to join Timbaland’s team, but luckily fate was on Danjahandz’ side. Two years later, Live reestablished contact with Danjahandz and helped secure a production partnership with Timbaland. “What drew me to Nate was that he reminded me of myself when I first started. I think he’ll be incredible. More incredible than I am,” says Timbaland without any hesitation.

In 2003, Danjahandz began working with Timbaland on hip-hop artist John Doe. Although an album was never released, he later went on to produce several tracks for Japanese recording artist Hikado Utada on the album Exodus, which went on to sell over 4 million records worldwide. Although this was quite remarkable for a novice producer, Danjahandz says he still doesn’t know what it’s like to have a “hit record.” Recording almost daily at Hit Factory Studios Criteria in Miami, Danjahandz has almost lost touch with the outside world. “A lot of records that I’ve worked on have sold one or two million plus, but because I’m in the studio so much, I don’t know what the word in the street is anymore, but I’m glad they have sold that much.”

This year alone, Danjahandz has shared co-production credits with Timbaland on tracks such as Lloyd Bank’s single “I’m So Fly,” Black Eyed Peas’ “My Style,” J-Lo’s “He’ll Be Back” and The Game’s current single “Put You On The Game.” If it’s not already evident, Danjahandz is anything but one-dimensional with his sound. “I feel like you have to change because the rate at which people start to hate you nowadays, it’s all because of people doing the same thing; not being able to morph or recreate something new.” What makes Danjahandz such a threat is that while some producers can only sell records by keeping the same generic formula, Danjahandz challenges himself with each artist he works with to create a brand new sound. “I try something new every time I throw on my headphones. You have to be very, very versatile because there are a lot of producers that are the hottest thing today, but you won’t hear from them tomorrow.”

In the recent months, Danjahandz has already logged studio time with Diddy, N’Sync’s JC Chasez, Ricky Martin, The Pussycat Dolls and Capitol Record’s R&B artist C.J. If that’s not enough, Danjahandz is currently in the studio working with Timbaland’s newly signed artist Nelly Furtado and is expected to produce the highly anticipated first single from Keri Hilson — the debut artist from Timbaland’s new imprint via Interscope Records. “I’m crazily excited about Keri Hilson because we have a crazy chemistry. We clicked and made great records together.”

Danjahandz’ work with Hilson will find him stepping out on his own for the first time, something he looks forward to in the future. As Danjahandz’ production credits continue to expand, Danjahandz is hoping to lend his gift to help establish new artists. “I have plans to break a lot of records and to surpass the greatest producers like Timbaland, Dre and Pharrell. They were able to make their own mark and I want to do the same.”

Tenido a écrit:"put you on the game" j'ai toujours cru que c'etait de timbo, on maurait menti?

A Lil Zeker a écrit:"All Good Things" c'est pas le mec de Coldplay, Chris Martin, qui a fait la prod ?

Hiruma a écrit:

A Lil Zeker a écrit:"All Good Things" c'est pas le mec de Coldplay, Chris Martin, qui a fait la prod ?

Apparement non: http://www.discogs.com/release/725489

"All Good Things (Come to an End)" is a pop song written by Nelly Furtado, Timbaland, Nate "Danja" Hills and Chris Martin for Furtado's third album Loose (2006). It was co-produced by Timbaland and Danja and released as the album's third European single in November 2006 (see 2006 in music). It was released as the fourth single in the U.S.[1]