DJ Eddie F | |
|---|---|
 Ferrell in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edward Ferrell |
| Born | March 25, 1968 Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop, R&B |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels | Uptown, LaFace, Motown, Untouchables |
Edward Ferrell is an American record producer, DJ, songwriter, and record executive. He initially gained recognition as a member of the group Heavy D and the Boyz, where the group released five studio albums for Uptown Records. By the mid-1900s, he produced for various artists including Mary J. Blige, Donell Jones, Erick Sermon, Guy, LL Cool J, Angie Stone, and Al B Sure!. Also during the 1990s, he held executive positions at Motown and LaFace Records, and prior, founded his own label, Untouchables Entertainment.[1]
A pioneer in the sampling in hip hop and R&B, Ferrell and his Untouchables team are also credited with creating the first "featured artist remix" whereby a track was musically reworked and replaced by an entirely new track (remixed) with an additional verse. The project that first did so was the 1990 remix of Johnny Gill's "Rub U The Right Way" remix featuring C.L. Smooth.
Early career
By the early 90s, Ferrell had discovered and executive produced gold certified projects for rap duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth and R&B trio Intro. In 1990, he composed the theme song music for the Fox television series In Living Color starring then up and coming comedians Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, Marlon Wayans and Jennifer Lopez.
Ferrell early professional career began as co-founder and partner of the rap group Heavy D & the Boyz. He is also known for his various work and projects serving as the founder and owner of Untouchables Entertainment Group, Untouchables Records, numerous major label clients and their artists
The Mount Vernon, New York native made his initial entry into production in the late 80s as co-writer of the first two debut singles from the Uptown Records, “Uptown Is Kicking It" and also on the gold certified Heavy D & the Boyz debut Living Large (1987) and its single, "Mr. Big Stuff". Ferrell produced each of the groups subsequent releases. In the late 80s and 90s, he was credited with his affiliation with much of the talent coming out of the Mt. Vernon area, including Al B. Sure!, Dave "Jam" Hall, Kenny Smoove, as well as Sean "Diddy" Combs, who lived with Ferrell in his home studio loft for a while during the early stages of his Uptown Records intern career.
In the late 80s, Ferrell created Untouchables Entertainment. By the mid-90s, he had also held the title of Vice President of A&R for LaFace Records to his repertoire, reporting to co-owner and founder, LA Reid and was responsible for assisting Reid in managing its talent roster including Usher, OutKast, TLC, Goodie Mob, Organized Noize, and Toni Braxton. He would also serve as A&R for the Grammy Award-winning album of The Tony Rich Project, Words.
In 1994, Ferrell released Eddie F. and the Untouchables: Let's Get It On album for Motown. Spotlighting the works of his Untouchables group, the compilation featured the only known in-studio collaboration of two then-upcoming hip-hop rappers at the time, Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G., on the title track "Let's Get It On" - which also featured Heavy D and Grand Puba. Also on Motown, he served as Executive Vice President of A&R - managing a superstar roster including Queen Latifah, Diana Ross, The Temptations, and Boyz II Men, as well as newcomers 98 Degrees, 702, Taral Hicks, and his personal signing of Mario Winans. During this time, he discovered a then-unknown Chicago singer named Donell Jones.
Ferrell quickly invested in Jones. He then secured a distribution outlet for Jones and further developed his relationship with LA Reid and LaFace Records spawning the hit single "U Know What's Up" featuring Left Eye of TLC, which was also produced by him.
Some of the notable albums and "Greatest Hits" projects he has served as A&R and/or executive produxer include Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Mecca and the Soul Brother, INTRO - Intro, Donell Jones - Where I Wanna Be & Story of My Heart, The Tony Rich Project - Words, Stevie Wonder - Song Review: A Greatest Hits Collection, and RUN DMC - RUN DMC.
Current projects
As of recent, Gentle (JeJe) is the newest release from veteran producer, executive, and talent finder, Eddie F via his new showcasing platform - "Eddie F Presents". This new fire tune is an AfroBeat selection with the sexy melody and mood that fits right along with today's top AfroBeat artists...
The “Eddie F Presents” showcasing platform promises to continually deliver new quality music from legendary classic artists as well as fresh and new young emerging talent.
Collaborating with industry veteran Andrew "Sugar Dice" Ramdhanny, Eddie F is also excited to unveil the establishment of a new label, Afro America Unlimited. This venture is a testament to Eddie F and Sugar Dice's commitment to fostering innovation within the AfroBeat genre. With decades of combined experience, the duo aims to provide a platform for emerging talents while also contributing to the continued growth of the genre.
Inspired by a diverse range of artists such as Bruno Mars, Rick Ross, Mariah Carey, Cardi B, Lil Baby, Migos, Teddy Riley, Mary J Blige, Jodeci, Diddy, Doja Cat, Marley Marl, Drake, and the incomparable Jackson family, Eddie F’s musical taste embodies a fusion of influences, resulting in a unique and captivating sound that appeals to audiences worldwide.
As he continues to discover and develop new talent as a producer/executive and also dubbed as “Uptown Records only official DJ”, he still follows his original passion of spinning and DJing for private and corporate events, always enjoying the spread of positive, uplifting, musical energy along with delivering the ever continuing soundtrack of our lives…
See also
- Category:Albums produced by Eddie F