Upcoming Producer Disco D Commits Suicide, Friends React
Upcoming producer David "Disco D" Shayman committed suicide today (Jan. 23) sources told AllHipHop.com.
The producer, who hailed from Ann Arbor MI, came to prominence as a DJ on the Detroit/Ann Arbor Hip-Hop/club scene.
Disco D was behind a number of Hip-Hop hits, including 50 Cent's "The Ski Mask Way" Nina Sky's "Turnin' Me On" and Kevin Federline's single "Papazao."
Additionally, he created music for commercials (Best Buy, Sprite) and awards shows (VH1's Hip Hop Honors, Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards).
He had recently launched a Brazilian urban label called Gringo Louco which counted rap group Braza as artists on the label.
"We were good friends," DJ Vlad told AllHipHop.com. "I lived with him in Brazil for a couple weeks. We both had a love for that place. I just talked to him a couple days ago. It tore me up when I heard he died."
DJ Vlad's sentiments were echoed by a number of DJ's, producers artists and journalists that knew the producer, who was just 27-years-old.
Houston, TX rapper Chamillionaire revealed that Disco D had just landed a track on his upcoming album Ultimate Victory as well.
"I saw that he sent a website message a couple days ago to me and I replied before I left for the studio," Chamillionaire told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "I got back late and saw that he was excited about the news that one of his tracks was making it on Ultimate Victory, considering the fact that he didn't make it on my first album. I told him that Lil Wayne was putting his verse on the song and sent him my number so that he could contact me directly if he needed to. We were in the process of negotiation with his management and lawyers but a situation as tragic as this makes me not even want to think about discussing any music or contracts. I send my condolences to his family and loved ones. I hope he rests in heavenly peace."
Journalist and Queens Reigns Supreme author Ethan Brown knew Disco D since the mid-1990's, when he was just a teen, at the beginning of his career
"He was a turntable prodigy and an up-and-coming producer in Detroit's 'ghetto-tech' scene," Brown told AllHipHop.com. "I was stunned by his talent and wrote a long piece about him--and the ghetto tech scene--for Details Magazine in 1998. I had huge hopes for Disco D and he fulfilled them in every way when he moved to New York and went on to produce tracks like 50 Cent's 'Ski Mask Way.' I'm stunned and incredibly saddened by the loss of a great friend--and an incredible producer who had such a promising future ahead of him."
West coast veteran DJ Warrior had also spoken to Disco D just prior to his death.
"I got a lot memories with that dude." DJ Warrior told AllHipHop.com. "He is the most genuine person I have met in this crazy music industry, he was going through a lot financial problems. A lot of people owed him money, and never paid him. We just talked about all these problems he was having. I was working helping him move which was planned for this spring. I guess once finances started hitting from every angle, it was really bothering him."
DJ Warrior revealed that the producer was also distraught over breaking up with his fiancee.
"I clearly remember telling him, 'Dogs, we go through things in life, just pray to God and things will get better, and you are gonna be in L.A. and we will get things going.' In New York City, he really didn't have many close friends that he trusted. God bless his soul, and condolences to his family. This is someone that I have the utmost respect for, he is one of my best friends and we had big plans we were working on, but we will miss him, I never thought I would lose another real friend I had in this business this soon. I am shocked."
Disco D. had recently been diagnosed as bi-polar and he was also suffering from depression.
According to statistics, those who suffer from the illness are 20 times more likely to commit suicide than then general population.
"I can't believe this has happened to such a high-energy forward moving person," DJ Strong added. "He had so much to look to in the future and I met him through his business and friendship with Warrior. I can remember him drinking tea all night when we all went to a white party in Hollywood. That's the kind of dude he is, just a simple and real human being. Disco D we will miss you. I hope this is a hoax."
According to family members, services for Disco D will be held later this week in Ann Arbor, MI.
To post your respects, visit http://www.myspace.com/gringolouco.
The producer, who hailed from Ann Arbor MI, came to prominence as a DJ on the Detroit/Ann Arbor Hip-Hop/club scene.
Disco D was behind a number of Hip-Hop hits, including 50 Cent's "The Ski Mask Way" Nina Sky's "Turnin' Me On" and Kevin Federline's single "Papazao."
Additionally, he created music for commercials (Best Buy, Sprite) and awards shows (VH1's Hip Hop Honors, Nickelodeon's Kids Choice Awards).
He had recently launched a Brazilian urban label called Gringo Louco which counted rap group Braza as artists on the label.
"We were good friends," DJ Vlad told AllHipHop.com. "I lived with him in Brazil for a couple weeks. We both had a love for that place. I just talked to him a couple days ago. It tore me up when I heard he died."
DJ Vlad's sentiments were echoed by a number of DJ's, producers artists and journalists that knew the producer, who was just 27-years-old.
Houston, TX rapper Chamillionaire revealed that Disco D had just landed a track on his upcoming album Ultimate Victory as well.
"I saw that he sent a website message a couple days ago to me and I replied before I left for the studio," Chamillionaire told AllHipHop.com in a statement. "I got back late and saw that he was excited about the news that one of his tracks was making it on Ultimate Victory, considering the fact that he didn't make it on my first album. I told him that Lil Wayne was putting his verse on the song and sent him my number so that he could contact me directly if he needed to. We were in the process of negotiation with his management and lawyers but a situation as tragic as this makes me not even want to think about discussing any music or contracts. I send my condolences to his family and loved ones. I hope he rests in heavenly peace."
Journalist and Queens Reigns Supreme author Ethan Brown knew Disco D since the mid-1990's, when he was just a teen, at the beginning of his career
"He was a turntable prodigy and an up-and-coming producer in Detroit's 'ghetto-tech' scene," Brown told AllHipHop.com. "I was stunned by his talent and wrote a long piece about him--and the ghetto tech scene--for Details Magazine in 1998. I had huge hopes for Disco D and he fulfilled them in every way when he moved to New York and went on to produce tracks like 50 Cent's 'Ski Mask Way.' I'm stunned and incredibly saddened by the loss of a great friend--and an incredible producer who had such a promising future ahead of him."
West coast veteran DJ Warrior had also spoken to Disco D just prior to his death.
"I got a lot memories with that dude." DJ Warrior told AllHipHop.com. "He is the most genuine person I have met in this crazy music industry, he was going through a lot financial problems. A lot of people owed him money, and never paid him. We just talked about all these problems he was having. I was working helping him move which was planned for this spring. I guess once finances started hitting from every angle, it was really bothering him."
DJ Warrior revealed that the producer was also distraught over breaking up with his fiancee.
"I clearly remember telling him, 'Dogs, we go through things in life, just pray to God and things will get better, and you are gonna be in L.A. and we will get things going.' In New York City, he really didn't have many close friends that he trusted. God bless his soul, and condolences to his family. This is someone that I have the utmost respect for, he is one of my best friends and we had big plans we were working on, but we will miss him, I never thought I would lose another real friend I had in this business this soon. I am shocked."
Disco D. had recently been diagnosed as bi-polar and he was also suffering from depression.
According to statistics, those who suffer from the illness are 20 times more likely to commit suicide than then general population.
"I can't believe this has happened to such a high-energy forward moving person," DJ Strong added. "He had so much to look to in the future and I met him through his business and friendship with Warrior. I can remember him drinking tea all night when we all went to a white party in Hollywood. That's the kind of dude he is, just a simple and real human being. Disco D we will miss you. I hope this is a hoax."
According to family members, services for Disco D will be held later this week in Ann Arbor, MI.
To post your respects, visit http://www.myspace.com/gringolouco.
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