Drumma Boy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Drumma Boy |
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Gholson at the 2011 BET Awards in Los Angeles
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher James Gholson |
| Also known as | D-Boy Fresh |
| Born | August 11, 1983 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | Drum Squad Productions |
Christopher James Gholson (born August 11, 1983), known by his stage name Drumma Boy, is an American record producer and rapper. A record producer helps artists create their music, from composing the beat to recording the final song.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Drumma Boy was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Music was a big part of his family. His mother was an accountant and a part-time opera singer. His father was a talented clarinetist and music professor at the University of Memphis. He was the first African-American to be the main clarinet player in the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
With so much music around him, Drumma Boy started playing instruments at a very young age. He had a recorder at age three and a clarinet at five. His dad taught him classical music, while his mom introduced him to artists like Curtis Mayfield. He also began taking piano lessons when he was six years old.
In school, his favorite subject was math. For an extra credit project in 9th grade, he made a song about the quadratic formula and got the best grade in his class. He started creating hip hop beats at age 12 and sold his first one to a local rapper named Tela. By the time he was 14, he had already produced a whole album.
From College to a Full-Time Career
After high school, Drumma Boy went to the University of Memphis to study the music business. His parents wanted him to get a college degree. However, he spent most of his time making beats in his room. He sold his music to local rappers like Gangsta Boo and even traveled to Texas to work with famous artists like Scarface and Bun B.
His music became so popular that he was earning a lot of money. He realized he didn't need to stay in college to be successful. His father challenged him to earn $100,000 in one year to prove he could support himself. Drumma Boy earned the money in just 10 months.
Even though he left college, he and his father later created the James and Christopher Gholson Scholarship Fund. This scholarship helps music students at the University of Memphis, showing his family's belief in education.
Rise to Fame
Becoming a Top Producer
In 2004, Drumma Boy moved to Atlanta to focus on his career. He started his own company called Drum Squad. This company includes a record label and a production company for music and films.
By 2008, he was one of the most popular producers in hip hop. Vibe magazine named him one of the top five producers making a big impact. The New York Times also praised his unique sound, which mixed the musical styles of Memphis and Atlanta. He became well-known for producing songs for artists like Gucci Mane.
Working in TV and Film
Drumma Boy has also appeared on television. He was in the BET reality show Welcome to Dreamland and made an appearance on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. He has also created music for TV shows and movies. He worked on the hit show Empire and composed music for films like Blood First and Holla 2.
Music Style and Influences
Drumma Boy uses many tools to create his beats, including drum machines, keyboards, and computer software like Pro Tools and Logic Pro. He is known for his unique ad-libs, like a voice saying "Yeah Boy" at the start of his tracks.
His musical style is a mix of many different genres. He is inspired by classical composers like Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as well as hip hop legends like Dr. Dre and Three 6 Mafia. He is famous for blending classical music with the sounds of trap, a style of hip hop that started in Atlanta.
Awards and Recognition
Drumma Boy's work has earned him many awards and nominations. He won "Best Indie Producer of the Year" three years in a row at the Southern Entertainment Awards (2009, 2010, 2011).
He was also nominated for "Producer of the Year" at the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards. His production work was part of two projects nominated for Grammy Awards in 2009: T.I.'s album Paper Trail and the song "Put On" by Young Jeezy and Kanye West. He also worked on Usher's album Raymond v. Raymond, which won two Grammy Awards in 2011.
Other Projects
Besides music, Drumma Boy is also an entrepreneur. He opened "G Factory," a large creative studio in Memphis. This space is for artists, filmmakers, and other creative people to work on their projects.
He also started a film company called Drum Squad Films. The company has released independent films that he has helped score. He is also involved in charity work, helping organizations that support the homeless in Atlanta.
Discography
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Studio albums
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Collaborative albums
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Extended plays
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Mixtapes
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Hosted mixtapes
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Filmography
| Film | |||
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| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2013 | Buck Mentality | Himself | Video Documentary |
Production credits
