Stockton rap producers going for gold records
Ian Hill
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, Sep 28, 2006
Stockton resident Dejon Underdue.
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Credit: CRAIG SANDERS/The Record
Two Stockton producers have gone gold for their work with Ice Cube.
Teak and Dee Underdue, who work as Hallway Productionz, are eligible to receive gold records for producing two songs on the rap legend's latest album, "Laugh Now, Cry Later." The Recording Industry Association of America issues gold records for albums that have sold at least 500,000 copies.
"Man, that's going right on the wall," said Dee Underdue, 25. "We worked for years just trying to aim for that."
"It's up there with winning a Grammy," said brother Teak, 26. "It's an award for achievement."
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The Underdues produced the songs "Child Support" and "The Game Lord" for Cube, born O'Shea Jackson. It is the first gold record for the siblings, although they previously have come close for their work with the Bay Area group Blackalicious.
Dee Underdue said he and Teak learned "Laugh Now, Cry Later" had gone gold from Billboard magazine. They were surprised that the album had sold so quickly as it was released in June without major-label support.
The gold record likely will elevate the Underdues' industry profile, said Keith Hatschek, director of University of the Pacific's music management program.
"People pay a lot more attention, give a lot more respect, if your creating beats for an album going gold," he said. "Your phone's going to be ringing a lot more.
Stockton resident Teak Underdue.
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Credit: CRAIG SANDERS/The Record
"(The certification) is a great, healthy sign for what's going on musically around here," Hatschek added. "There is a bubbling up of some pretty talented folks in the county."
The gold certification comes during a banner year for Stockton's urban music. Singer Bear recently reached the Billboard charts; rapper Playgyrl Slim has performed at talent showcases across the country; and rappers Mackalot, Sosa, Chepo and urban musician Radio have opened for such stars as Too Short and Paul Wall.
"Laugh Now, Cry Later" was not the first time the Underdues have worked with Cube. They also produced the track "Anybody Seen the PoPo's?!" on the soundtrack to the 2005 movie "XXX: State of the Union," which stars the former N.W.A. member. Another track they produced for Cube was released overseas this year.
The siblings connected with Cube through fellow Franklin High School alumnus David "Dizmix" Lopez, who lives in Southern California and has produced a song for the group Westside Connection, which includes Cube. For more about Hallway Productionz, check out www.myspace.com/hallwayproductionz.
Ian Hill
Record Staff Writer
Published Thursday, Sep 28, 2006
Stockton resident Dejon Underdue.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit: CRAIG SANDERS/The Record
Two Stockton producers have gone gold for their work with Ice Cube.
Teak and Dee Underdue, who work as Hallway Productionz, are eligible to receive gold records for producing two songs on the rap legend's latest album, "Laugh Now, Cry Later." The Recording Industry Association of America issues gold records for albums that have sold at least 500,000 copies.
"Man, that's going right on the wall," said Dee Underdue, 25. "We worked for years just trying to aim for that."
"It's up there with winning a Grammy," said brother Teak, 26. "It's an award for achievement."
::: Advertisement :::
The Underdues produced the songs "Child Support" and "The Game Lord" for Cube, born O'Shea Jackson. It is the first gold record for the siblings, although they previously have come close for their work with the Bay Area group Blackalicious.
Dee Underdue said he and Teak learned "Laugh Now, Cry Later" had gone gold from Billboard magazine. They were surprised that the album had sold so quickly as it was released in June without major-label support.
The gold record likely will elevate the Underdues' industry profile, said Keith Hatschek, director of University of the Pacific's music management program.
"People pay a lot more attention, give a lot more respect, if your creating beats for an album going gold," he said. "Your phone's going to be ringing a lot more.
Stockton resident Teak Underdue.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit: CRAIG SANDERS/The Record
"(The certification) is a great, healthy sign for what's going on musically around here," Hatschek added. "There is a bubbling up of some pretty talented folks in the county."
The gold certification comes during a banner year for Stockton's urban music. Singer Bear recently reached the Billboard charts; rapper Playgyrl Slim has performed at talent showcases across the country; and rappers Mackalot, Sosa, Chepo and urban musician Radio have opened for such stars as Too Short and Paul Wall.
"Laugh Now, Cry Later" was not the first time the Underdues have worked with Cube. They also produced the track "Anybody Seen the PoPo's?!" on the soundtrack to the 2005 movie "XXX: State of the Union," which stars the former N.W.A. member. Another track they produced for Cube was released overseas this year.
The siblings connected with Cube through fellow Franklin High School alumnus David "Dizmix" Lopez, who lives in Southern California and has produced a song for the group Westside Connection, which includes Cube. For more about Hallway Productionz, check out www.myspace.com/hallwayproductionz.
