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| birth_name = Ramon Ibanga, Jr.
| birth_name = Ramon Ibanga, Jr.
| alias = The Filipino Pimp
| alias = The Filipino Pimp
| birth_date =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|8|28}}
| birth_place = [[New Jersey]], U.S.
| origin = [[Bloomfield, New Jersey]], U.S.
| origin = [[Bloomfield, New Jersey]], U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]|[[Trap music|trap]]|[[Pop music|pop]]|[[soul music|soul]]|[[K-Pop]]}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]|[[Trap music|trap]]|[[Pop music|pop]]|[[soul music|soul]]|[[K-Pop]]}}
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| years_active = 2003–present
| years_active = 2003–present
| label = {{hlist|Roseville Music|[[Nature Sounds]]|[[Duck Down Records|Duck Down]]|[[Barely Breaking Even|BBE]]}}
| label = {{hlist|Roseville Music|[[Nature Sounds]]|[[Duck Down Records|Duck Down]]|[[Barely Breaking Even|BBE]]}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Guapdad 4000]]||[[Hoodie Allen]]|[[Jared Evan]]|[[Joell Ortiz]]|[[Little Brother (band)|Little Brother]]|[[Skyzoo]]|[[Symbolyc One]]}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Guapdad 4000]]||[[Hoodie Allen]]|[[Jared Evan]]|[[Joell Ortiz]]|[[Little Brother (band)|Little Brother]]|[[Skyzoo]]|[[Symbolyc One]]|[[Ludacris]]|[[G-Unit]]|[[Drake (musician)|Drake]]|[[J. Cole]]|[[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]]|[[Boot Camp Click]]}}
| website = {{URL|www.illmindproducer.com}}
| website = {{URL|www.illmindproducer.com}}
}}
}}


'''Ramon Ibanga, Jr.''', professionally known as '''Illmind''' (often stylized as '''!llmind'''), is a [[Filipino American]] record producer, songwriter, and [[Teacher|educator]]. As of 2012, he lives in [[Brooklyn, New York]].<ref name="exbanging"/>
'''Ramon Ibanga, Jr.''' (born August 28, 1980), known professionally as '''Illmind''' (often stylized as '''!llmind'''), is a Filipino American record producer, songwriter, and [[Teacher|educator]]. As of 2012, he lives in [[Brooklyn, New York]].<ref name="exbanging"/>


Illmind has co-written and produced [[Hip hop music|hip hop]], [[Trap music|trap]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[soul music|soul]], and [[electronic music|electronic]] music for labels such as [[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]], [[Def Jam]], and [[Aftermath Records|Aftermath]], and has worked with artists such as [[Andy Mineo]], [[Kanye West]], [[Drake (rapper)|Drake]], [[J. Cole]], [[Dr. Dre]], [[Ludacris]], [[50 Cent]], [[Ariana Grande]], and others. His accomplishments in 2016 include production on the new ''[[Hamilton Mixtape]]'' and Disney's ''[[Moana (2016 film)|Moana]]'', both created by [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]]. Illmind has released several studio albums and had a number of songs and albums reach the music charts.<ref name="heatseakersone"/>
Illmind has co-written and produced [[Hip hop music|hip hop]], [[Trap music|trap]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[soul music|soul]], and [[electronic music|electronic]] music for labels such as [[Cash Money Records|Cash Money]], [[Def Jam]], and [[Aftermath Records|Aftermath]], and has worked with artists such as [[Nicki Minaj]], [[Andy Mineo]], [[Kanye West]], [[Drake (rapper)|Drake]], [[J. Cole]], [[Dr. Dre]], [[Ludacris]], [[50 Cent]], [[Ariana Grande]], and others. His accomplishments in 2016 include production on the new ''[[Hamilton Mixtape]]'' and Disney's ''[[Moana (2016 film)|Moana]]'', both created by [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]]. Illmind has released several studio albums and had a number of songs and albums reach the music charts.<ref name="heatseakersone"/>


His most recent album, ''Human'', is a collaboration with [[Joell Ortiz]], and was released on July 17, 2015.<ref name="blimmited"/> He established his own multi-genre music company '''Roseville Music Group''' in 2014.<ref name="cresovevillmsuicgroup"/>
His most recent album, ''Human'', is a collaboration with [[Joell Ortiz]], and was released on July 17, 2015.<ref name="blimmited"/> He established his own multi-genre music company '''Roseville Music Group''' in 2014.<ref name="cresovevillmsuicgroup"/>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Ramon Ibanga, Jr. was born on August 28<ref name="berman"/> in [[New Jersey]], where he was raised in the city of [[Newark, New Jersey]] before later moving with his family to [[Bloomfield, New Jersey]].<ref name="alexed"/> His family provided a strong musical background, as his father was a musician and his older brother Les-Paul was even named after the late [[Les Paul]].<ref name="audiblehypeoho"/>
Ramon Ibanga, Jr. was born on August 28, 1980<ref name="berman"/> in [[New Jersey]], where he was raised in the city of [[Newark, New Jersey]] before later moving with his family to [[Bloomfield, New Jersey]].<ref name="alexed"/> His family provided a strong musical background, as his father was a musician and his older brother Les-Paul was even named after the late [[Les Paul]].<ref name="audiblehypeoho"/>


Illmind started using his father's equipment to make beats around age 13, specifically learning [[MIDI]] and sequencing on a [[Roland_Corporation|Roland KR-500]] keyboard.<ref name="alexed"/> In his early teens he developed an interest in [[hip hop]],<ref name="illprefixmagazine"/> and started producing music in 1997.<ref name="couchsessionsinterview"/>
Illmind started using his father's equipment to make beats around age 13, specifically learning [[MIDI]] and sequencing on a [[Roland Corporation|Roland KR-500]] keyboard.<ref name="alexed"/> In his early teens he developed an interest in [[hip hop]],<ref name="illprefixmagazine"/> and started producing music in 1997.<ref name="couchsessionsinterview"/>


Around 1999, he began to take production more seriously and he started sampling, using both hip hop vinyl and obscure records such as his father's old [[jazz]] and [[soul music|soul]] albums from the [[Philippines]]. He began using the program [[Cubase]] and an Akai S20 sampler around age 17.<ref name="alexed"/><ref name="illprefixmagazine"/>
Around 1999, he began to take production more seriously and he started sampling, using both hip hop vinyl and obscure records such as his father's old [[jazz]] and [[soul music|soul]] albums from the [[Philippines]]. He began using the program [[Cubase]] and an Akai S20 sampler around age 17.<ref name="alexed"/><ref name="illprefixmagazine"/>
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In March 2004 Illmind's remix of the [[Jay-Z]]'s ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|Black Album]]'', called ''The Black and Tan Album,'' was released to a positive review in ''[[The New York Times]]'', who stated "Sparse is the aesthetic for !llmind's remixes, which set out to do more with less: techno boops, ticking drums, laid-back bass lines, three or four notes from a guitar or keyboard. Illmind's minimalism makes Jay-Z sound almost nonchalant."<ref name="nytllmind"/> [[Sha Money XL]], a G-Unit executive, served as Illmind's manager for several years.<ref name="alexed"/> During this time, Illmind went on to produce songs with [[Erykah Badu]], [[50 Cent]], [[Ludacris]], [[Lloyd Banks]], [[Prodigy (rapper)|Prodigy]], [[Kool G Rap]], [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]], [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]], [[LL Cool J]], [[El Da Sensei]], [[Diamond D]], [[KRS-One]], and others.<ref name="illprefixmagazine"/> He produced the 2008 [[Akrobatik]] hip hop album ''[[Absolute Value (album)|Absolute Value]]''.<ref name="akrobatikabsolutevalue"/>
In March 2004 Illmind's remix of the [[Jay-Z]]'s ''[[The Black Album (Jay-Z album)|Black Album]]'', called ''The Black and Tan Album,'' was released to a positive review in ''[[The New York Times]]'', who stated "Sparse is the aesthetic for !llmind's remixes, which set out to do more with less: techno boops, ticking drums, laid-back bass lines, three or four notes from a guitar or keyboard. Illmind's minimalism makes Jay-Z sound almost nonchalant."<ref name="nytllmind"/> [[Sha Money XL]], a G-Unit executive, served as Illmind's manager for several years.<ref name="alexed"/> During this time, Illmind went on to produce songs with [[Erykah Badu]], [[50 Cent]], [[Ludacris]], [[Lloyd Banks]], [[Prodigy (rapper)|Prodigy]], [[Kool G Rap]], [[Redman (rapper)|Redman]], [[Scarface (rapper)|Scarface]], [[LL Cool J]], [[El Da Sensei]], [[Diamond D]], [[KRS-One]], and others.<ref name="illprefixmagazine"/> He produced the 2008 [[Akrobatik]] hip hop album ''[[Absolute Value (album)|Absolute Value]]''.<ref name="akrobatikabsolutevalue"/>


In summer of 2012 Illmind's track "[[The Morning (song)|The Morning]]" was included on ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]'', a compilation album released on Kanye West's [[G.O.O.D. Music]] label. The song peaked at 19 on the US [[Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles|''Billboard'' Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles]] chart, and 49 on [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]].<ref name="US100"/>
In summer of 2012, Illmind's track "[[The Morning (GOOD Music song)|The Morning]]" was included on ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]'', a compilation album released on Kanye West's [[G.O.O.D. Music]] label. The song peaked at 19 on the US [[Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles|''Billboard'' Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles]] chart, and 49 on [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]].<ref name="US100"/>


The genesis of the track was 2007, when Illmind met Chicago-rapper [[Rhymefest]] and started sending him beats. "For a couple of years, I just kept sending him stuff whenever I had Kanye or him in mind. It must have been 100 beats. And then I get a phone call ... from Rhymefest ... asking for a session to a beat I made. Then he was like, 'I think Kanye wants to use this for a [[Pusha T]] song.' Then a few hours later, he's like 'We got [[Raekwon]] on this.' The first time I heard the complete album was when it leaked. And I heard it, and I lost it. I would say my life has definitely changed since that moment."<ref name="berman"/>
The genesis of the track was 2007, when Illmind met Chicago-rapper [[Rhymefest]] and started sending him beats. "For a couple of years, I just kept sending him stuff whenever I had Kanye or him in mind. It must have been 100 beats. And then I get a phone call ... from Rhymefest ... asking for a session to a beat I made. Then he was like, 'I think Kanye wants to use this for a [[Pusha T]] song.' Then a few hours later, he's like 'We got [[Raekwon]] on this.' The first time I heard the complete album was when it leaked. And I heard it, and I lost it. I would say my life has definitely changed since that moment."<ref name="berman"/>
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In 2008 he won the Philadelphia Red Bull Big Tune Beat Battle.<ref name="audiblehypeoho"/> Since 2012, he has shared the stage in beat showcases with artists such as Kanye West, [[Just Blaze]], [[Nottz]], and [[Don Cannon]].<ref name="exbanging"/> Illmind produced music for [[Hoodie Allen]]'s mixtape, ''Crew Cuts''. The single "Cake Boy" premiered on February 11, 2013 via [[YouTube]] with over 30,000 views in the first day.<ref name="youtubeillmindcake"/>
In 2008 he won the Philadelphia Red Bull Big Tune Beat Battle.<ref name="audiblehypeoho"/> Since 2012, he has shared the stage in beat showcases with artists such as Kanye West, [[Just Blaze]], [[Nottz]], and [[Don Cannon]].<ref name="exbanging"/> Illmind produced music for [[Hoodie Allen]]'s mixtape, ''Crew Cuts''. The single "Cake Boy" premiered on February 11, 2013 via [[YouTube]] with over 30,000 views in the first day.<ref name="youtubeillmindcake"/>


In 2015, Illmind helped Skyzoo on the album ''[[Music For My Friends]]'', producing five tracks.<ref name="duralgarret">{{cite news|title=Skyzoo "Music For My Friends" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist|first=Ural|last=Garrett|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.33627/title.skyzoo-music-for-my-friends-release-date-cover-art-tracklist|publisher=hiphopdx.com|date=April 28, 2015|access-date=2015-07-01}}</ref> and helping Skyzoo co-produce the track "Luxury".<ref name="anodfact">
In 2015, Illmind helped Skyzoo on the album ''[[Music for My Friends]]'', producing five tracks.<ref name="duralgarret">{{cite news|title=Skyzoo "Music For My Friends" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist|first=Ural|last=Garrett|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.33627/title.skyzoo-music-for-my-friends-release-date-cover-art-tracklist|publisher=hiphopdx.com|date=April 28, 2015|access-date=2015-07-01}}</ref> and helping Skyzoo co-produce the track "Luxury".<ref name="anodfact">{{cite news|title=Skyzoo Tries His Hand At Production On "Luxury"|first=JL|last=Barrow|url=http://www.nodfactor.com/2015/05/28/skyzoo-tries-his-hand-at-production-on-luxury|publisher=nodfactor.com|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=2015-07-01|archive-date=2015-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702075644/http://www.nodfactor.com/2015/05/28/skyzoo-tries-his-hand-at-production-on-luxury/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was executive producer for [[Andy Mineo]]'s album, ''[[Uncomfortable (album)|Uncomfortable]]'', which released on September 18.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Andy Mineo "Uncomfortable" Release Date, Cover Art, Tracklist & Album Stream|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.34695/title.andy-mineo-uncomfortable-release-date-cover-art|access-date=2015-09-25|last=HipHopDX|date=18 September 2015 }}</ref>
{{cite news|title=Skyzoo Tries His Hand At Production On "Luxury"|first=JL|last=Barrow|url=http://www.nodfactor.com/2015/05/28/skyzoo-tries-his-hand-at-production-on-luxury|publisher=nodfactor.com|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=2015-07-01}}</ref> He was executive producer for [[Andy Mineo]]'s album, ''[[Uncomfortable (album)|Uncomfortable]]'', which released on September 18.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Andy Mineo "Uncomfortable" Release Date, Cover Art, Tracklist & Album Stream|url=http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.34695/title.andy-mineo-uncomfortable-release-date-cover-art|access-date=2015-09-25|last=HipHopDX}}</ref>


Towards the end of 2016, Illmind produced the outro credits for Disney's ''Moana'', a track titled "You're Welcome", featuring both Lin-Manuel Miranda & Jordan Fisher.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/music-producer-illmind-turns-basement-beats-filipino-fire-n700926|title=Music producer Illmind turns basement beats into 'Filipino Fire'|work=NBC News|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Inside the Ill Mind of Producer Illmind, Who Makes Ill Beats with His Mind, Which Is Ill|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/78893y/inside-the-ill-mind-of-producer-illmind-who-makes-ill-beats-with-his-mind-which-is-ill|access-date=2021-02-05|website=www.vice.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bureau|first=Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News|date=2017-06-30|title=Meet Pinoy music producer behind ‘The Hamilton MixTape, ‘Moana’|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/06/30/17/meet-pinoy-music-producer-behind-the-hamilton-mixtape-moana|access-date=2021-02-05|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en}}</ref>
Towards the end of 2016, Illmind produced the outro credits for Disney's ''[[Moana (2016 film)|Moana]]'', a track titled "You're Welcome", featuring both [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]] and [[Jordan Fisher]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/music-producer-illmind-turns-basement-beats-filipino-fire-n700926|title=Music producer Illmind turns basement beats into 'Filipino Fire'|work=NBC News|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Inside the Ill Mind of Producer Illmind, Who Makes Ill Beats with His Mind, Which Is Ill|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/78893y/inside-the-ill-mind-of-producer-illmind-who-makes-ill-beats-with-his-mind-which-is-ill|access-date=2021-02-05|website=www.vice.com|date=19 January 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Bureau|first=Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News|date=2017-06-30|title=Meet Pinoy music producer behind 'The Hamilton MixTape,' 'Moana'|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/06/30/17/meet-pinoy-music-producer-behind-the-hamilton-mixtape-moana|access-date=2021-02-05|website=ABS-CBN News|language=en}}</ref>


Beyond his work on the Disney project the producer took an active role in working on "The Hamilton Mixtape", album released via Atlantic Records. In addition to his work on the project with artists such as Nas, Common, The Roots, Ingrid Michaelson, & others, Illmind has his own track, "Take A Break - Interlude," appear on the album <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7597469/producer-illmind-lin-manuel-miranda-hamilton-mixtape|title='Hamilton Mixtape' Producer !llmind Talks Teaming With Lin-Manuel Miranda & Hints at Unreleased Material|work=Billboard|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref>
Beyond his work on the Disney project the producer took an active role in working on ''[[The Hamilton Mixtape]]'', released via Atlantic Records. In addition to his work on the project with artists such as Nas, Common, The Roots, Ingrid Michaelson, and others, Illmind has his own track, "Take a Break Interlude", on the album.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7597469/producer-illmind-lin-manuel-miranda-hamilton-mixtape|title='Hamilton Mixtape' Producer !llmind Talks Teaming With Lin-Manuel Miranda & Hints at Unreleased Material|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref>


In 2017, Illmind worked with Future,<ref>{{Citation|title=Future – Zoom|url=https://genius.com/Future-zoom-lyrics|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> Khalid,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://rollingout.com/2017/05/22/singer-khalid-debuts-confidently-with-american-teen|title=Singer Khalid debuts confidently with 'American Teen'|date=2017-05-22|work=Rolling Out|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> Lil Uzi Vert,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/08/lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-2-production-credits|title=Here Are the Production Credits for Lil Uzi Vert's 'Luv Is Rage 2'|website=XXL Mag|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> Bryson Tiller,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/05/bryson-tiller-true-to-self-production-sample-credits|title=Here Are the Production and Sample Credits for Bryson Tiller's 'True to Self'|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> A Boogie wit da Hoodie,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/a-boogie-wit-da-hoodie-and-21-savage-are-undefeated-on-their-new-collaboration-new-song.1975845.html|title=A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie & 21 Savage Are "Undefeated" On Their New Collaboration|work=HotNewHipHop|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> Meek Mill,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/07/meek-mill-wins-and-losses-production-credits|title=Production Credits for Meek Mill's 'Wins & Losses' Album|website=XXL Mag|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> and others on their respective major label releases.
In 2017, Illmind worked with Future,<ref>{{Citation|title=Future – Zoom|url=https://genius.com/Future-zoom-lyrics|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> Khalid,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://rollingout.com/2017/05/22/singer-khalid-debuts-confidently-with-american-teen|title=Singer Khalid debuts confidently with 'American Teen'|date=2017-05-22|work=Rolling Out|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> Lil Uzi Vert,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/08/lil-uzi-vert-luv-is-rage-2-production-credits|title=Here Are the Production Credits for Lil Uzi Vert's 'Luv Is Rage 2'|website=XXL Mag|date=25 August 2017 |access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> Bryson Tiller,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2017/05/bryson-tiller-true-to-self-production-sample-credits|title=Here Are the Production and Sample Credits for Bryson Tiller's 'True to Self'|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> A Boogie wit da Hoodie,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/a-boogie-wit-da-hoodie-and-21-savage-are-undefeated-on-their-new-collaboration-new-song.1975845.html|title=A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie & 21 Savage Are "Undefeated" On Their New Collaboration|work=HotNewHipHop|access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> Meek Mill,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/07/meek-mill-wins-and-losses-production-credits|title=Production Credits for Meek Mill's 'Wins & Losses' Album|website=XXL Mag|date=21 July 2017 |access-date=2017-11-12}}</ref> and others on their respective major label releases.


In 2018, Illmind worked with Beyonce and Jay Z on the album ‘Everything Is Love’, to co-produce the song ‘Heard About US’ with Boi-1da, and also produced ‘Bigger Than You’ with 2 Chainz.<ref>{{Cite web|title=!llmind on How He Landed on Beyoncé and JAY-Z's New Album 'Everything Is Love'|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/06/illmind-interview-on-beyonce-jay-z-everything-is-love|access-date=2021-02-05|website=Complex|language=en}}</ref>
In 2018, Illmind worked with Beyonce and Jay-Z on the album ''[[Everything Is Love]]'', to co-produce the song "Heard About Us" with Boi-1da, and also produced "Bigger Than You" with 2 Chainz.<ref>{{Cite web|title=!llmind on How He Landed on Beyoncé and JAY-Z's New Album 'Everything Is Love'|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/06/illmind-interview-on-beyonce-jay-z-everything-is-love|access-date=2021-02-05|website=Complex|language=en}}</ref>


===Studio albums===
===Studio albums===
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In May 2010, lyricist and rapper Skyzoo had announced that he and Illmind were collaborating on an album called ''[[Live from the Tape Deck]]''.<ref name="kickmag"/> Recording sessions took place at Big China Studios in [[Brooklyn, New York]] in 2010.<ref name="cduniversetapedeck"/> The entire album was produced, [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] and [[Arrangement|arranged]] by Illmind, and was [[Master recording|mastered]] by Ricardo Gutierrez.!<ref name="AM"/>
In May 2010, lyricist and rapper Skyzoo had announced that he and Illmind were collaborating on an album called ''[[Live from the Tape Deck]]''.<ref name="kickmag"/> Recording sessions took place at Big China Studios in [[Brooklyn, New York]] in 2010.<ref name="cduniversetapedeck"/> The entire album was produced, [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] and [[Arrangement|arranged]] by Illmind, and was [[Master recording|mastered]] by Ricardo Gutierrez.!<ref name="AM"/>


''Live from the Tape Deck'' debuted at #3 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Top Heatseekers|Top Heatseekers Albums]].<ref name="heatseakersone"/> The album entered the [[Top Rap Albums]], peaking at #16,<ref name="toprap"/> as well as entering at #30 on the [[Top Independent Albums]]<ref name="topindep"/> and #33 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]].<ref name="tophiphop"/> The album was met with positive reviews from [[Music criticism|music critics]]. ''[[SPIN (magazine)|SPIN]]'''s Mosi Reeves gave the album a seven out of ten, saying: "On this duo's debut full-length, Skyzoo was nicely complemented by !llmind's production, which ranges from the [[J Dilla|Dilla]]-like soul loop of "#Allaboutthat" to the fuzzy '70s-cop-show funk of 'The Now or Never.' ''Live from the Tape Deck'' is full of stolid striver anthems...but the album's meat-and-potatoes consistency remains bracing throughout."<ref name="Spin"/>
''Live from the Tape Deck'' debuted at #3 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Top Heatseekers|Top Heatseekers Albums]].<ref name="heatseakersone"/> The album entered the [[Top Rap Albums]], peaking at #16,<ref name="toprap"/> as well as entering at #30 on the [[Top Independent Albums]]<ref name="topindep"/> and #33 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]].<ref name="tophiphop"/> The album was met with positive reviews from [[Music criticism|music critics]]. ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'''s Mosi Reeves gave the album a seven out of ten, saying: "On this duo's debut full-length, Skyzoo was nicely complemented by !llmind's production, which ranges from the [[J Dilla|Dilla]]-like soul loop of "#Allaboutthat" to the fuzzy '70s-cop-show funk of 'The Now or Never.' ''Live from the Tape Deck'' is full of stolid striver anthems...but the album's meat-and-potatoes consistency remains bracing throughout."<ref name="Spin"/>


''Beh!nd The Curta!n'', Illmind's first official instrumental album, came out on April 19, 2011 through Brooklyn-based [[Nature Sounds Records]].<ref name="alexed"/> He followed this up with the second instrumental album ''#BoomTrap EP'', an eight-track EP released in January of 2014.<ref name="boomtraplistenep"/> He shortly after released the drum kit ''#BoomTrap “The Drums”'', which includes extracts from the EP. Only 200 copies of the kit were offered.<ref name="bbtech"/> His most recent album, ''[[Human (Illmind album)|Human]]'', is a collaboration with [[Joell Ortiz]], and will be released on July 17, 2015.<ref name="blimmited"/>
''Beh!nd the Curta!n'', Illmind's first official instrumental album, came out on April 19, 2011 through Brooklyn-based [[Nature Sounds Records]].<ref name="alexed"/> He followed this up with the second instrumental album ''#BoomTrap EP'', an eight-track EP released in January of 2014.<ref name="boomtraplistenep"/> He shortly after released the drum kit ''#BoomTrap "The Drums"'', which includes extracts from the EP. Only 200 copies of the kit were offered.<ref name="bbtech"/> His most recent album, ''[[Human (Illmind album)|Human]]'', is a collaboration with [[Joell Ortiz]], and will be released on July 17, 2015.<ref name="blimmited"/>


==Business and teaching==
==Business and teaching==
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! scope="col" colspan="4"| <small>Peak chart positions</small>
! scope="col" colspan="4"| <small>Peak chart positions</small>
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| <small>[[Billboard 200|US]]</small>
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]]
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| <small>[[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|R&B]]</small>
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US<br />R&B/HH]]
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| <small>[[Top Rap Albums|Rap]]</small>
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| [[Top Rap Albums|US<br />Rap]]
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| <small>[[Independent Albums|Ind]]</small>
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| [[Independent Albums|US<br />Ind]]
|-
|-
|2005
|2005
! {{nobold|''The Art of OneMind''<br><small>(with [[Symbolyc One]])</small>}}
! scope="row"| ''The Art of OneMind''<br><small>(with [[Symbolyc One]])</small>
|
|
* Released: 2005
* Released: 2005
* Label: [[Barely Breaking Even]]
* Label: [[Barely Breaking Even]]
*Format: [[Music download|Digital download]]
* Format: [[Music download|Digital download]]
| — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || —
|-
|-
|2009
|2009
! {{nobold|''The Official !llmind<br>Remix Album''}}
! scope="row"| ''The Official !llmind<br>Remix Album''
|
|
* Released: 2009
* Released: 2009
* Label: [[myx]]<ref name="twodopbotz"/>
* Label: [[myx]]<ref name="twodopbotz"/>
*Format: Digital download
* Format: Digital download
| — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || —
|-
|-


|2010
|2010
! {{nobold|''[[Live from the Tape Deck]]''<br><small>(with [[Skyzoo]])</small>}}
! scope="row"| ''[[Live from the Tape Deck]]''<br><small>(with [[Skyzoo]])</small>
|
|
* Released: Oct 5, 2010
* Released: October 5, 2010
* Label: [[Duck Down Records]]
* Label: [[Duck Down Records|Duck Down]]
*Format: Digital download
* Format: Digital download
| 3<ref name="heatseakersone"/> || 33<ref name="tophiphop"/> || 16<ref name="toprap"/> || 30<ref name="topindep"/>
| 3<ref name="heatseakersone"/> || 33<ref name="tophiphop"/> || 16<ref name="toprap"/> || 30<ref name="topindep"/>
|-
|-

|2011
|2011
! {{nobold|''Behind The Curtain'' }}
! scope="row"| ''Behind the Curtain''
|
|
* Released: April 19, 2011
* Released: April 19, 2011
* Label: [[Nature Sounds Records|Nature Sounds]]
* Label: [[Nature Sounds Records|Nature Sounds]]
*Format: Digital download
* Format: Digital download
| — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || —
|-
|-

|2014
|2014
! {{nobold|''#BoomTrap EP''}}
! scope="row"| ''#BoomTrap EP''
|
|
* Released: Jan 2014<ref name="boomtraplistenep"/>
* Released: January 2014<ref name="boomtraplistenep"/>
* Label: [[Roseville Music Group]]
* Label: Roseville Music Group
*Format: Digital download
* Format: Digital download
| — || — || — || —
| — || — || — || —
|-
|-
|2015
|2015
! {{nobold|''[[Human (Illmind album)|Human]]''<br><small>(with [[Joell Ortiz]])</small>}}
! scope="row"| ''Human''<br><small>(with [[Joell Ortiz]])</small>
|
|
* Released: July 17, 2015
* Released: July 17, 2015
* Label: [[Roseville Music Group]]<ref name="blimmited"/>
* Label: Roseville Music Group<ref name="blimmited"/>
*Format: Digital download
* Format: Digital download
| {{NA|}} || {{NA|}} || {{NA|}} || {{NA|}}
| {{NA|}} || {{NA|}} || {{NA|}} || {{NA|}}
|-
|-
|2021
! scope="row"| ''[[1176 (album)|1176]]''<br><small>(with [[Guapdad 4000]])</small>
|
* Released: March 19, 2021
* Label: Paradise Rising, [[88rising]]
* Format: Digital download, [[Streaming media|streaming]]
| — || — || — || —
|}
|}


Line 171: Line 176:
! scope="col" colspan="2"| <small>Chart peaks</small>
! scope="col" colspan="2"| <small>Chart peaks</small>
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%;"| <small>[[Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles|Hot100]]</small>
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%;"| [[Bubbling Under Hot 100|US<br />Bub.]]
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%;"| <small>[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]]</small>
! scope="col" style="font-size:90%;"| [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br />R&B/HH]]
|-
|-
|2012
|2012
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"| "[[The Morning (song)|The Morning]]"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;"| "[[The Morning (GOOD Music song)|The Morning]]"
|
|
*Album title: ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]''
*Album title: ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]''
* Label: [[Def Jam]], [[GOOD Music]]
* Label: [[Def Jam]], [[GOOD Music]]
| 19<ref name="US100"/> || 49<ref name="US100"/>
| 19<ref name="US100"/> || 49<ref name="US100"/>
|-

|}
|}


Line 191: Line 194:
! scope="col" colspan="4"| <small>Chart peaks</small>
! scope="col" colspan="4"| <small>Chart peaks</small>
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| <small>[[Billboard 200|US]]</small>
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard 200|US]]
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| <small>[[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|R&B]]</small>
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US<br />R&B/HH]]
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| <small>[[Top Rap Albums|Rap]]</small>
! scope="col" style="width:2em;font-size:90%;"| [[Top Rap Albums|US<br />Rap]]
! style="width:30px;"| <small>[[Independent Albums|Ind]]</small>
! style="width:30px;"| [[Independent Albums|US<br />Ind]]
|-
|-
|2006
|2006
Line 244: Line 247:
* Label: [[Def Jam]]
* Label: [[Def Jam]]
|3 ||2 || 2 || —
|3 ||2 || 2 || —
|-
|}
|}


Line 302: Line 304:
*2011: ''[[For the Record (Torae album)|For the Record]]'' by [[Torae]] – <small>track "What It Sound Like"</small>
*2011: ''[[For the Record (Torae album)|For the Record]]'' by [[Torae]] – <small>track "What It Sound Like"</small>
*2012: ''[[The Lost Tape]]'' by [[50 Cent]] – <small>2 tracks</small>
*2012: ''[[The Lost Tape]]'' by [[50 Cent]] – <small>2 tracks</small>
*2012: ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]'' by [[G.O.O.D. Music]] – <small>track "[[The Morning (song)|The Morning]]"</small>
*2012: ''[[Cruel Summer (GOOD Music album)|Cruel Summer]]'' by [[G.O.O.D. Music]] – <small>track "[[The Morning (GOOD Music song)|The Morning]]"</small>
*2012: ''[[A Dream Deferred (album)|A Dream Deferred]]'' by [[Skyzoo]] – <small>4 tracks</small>
*2012: ''[[A Dream Deferred (album)|A Dream Deferred]]'' by [[Skyzoo]] – <small>4 tracks</small>
*2014: ''[[2014 Forest Hills Drive]]'' by [[J. Cole]] – <small>track "Love Yourz"</small>
*2014: ''[[2014 Forest Hills Drive]]'' by [[J. Cole]] – <small>track "Love Yourz"</small>
Line 333: Line 335:
<ref name="cduniversetapedeck">{{cite web|title=Illmind/Skyzoo – Live from the Tape Deck|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8297875|publisher=[[CD Universe]]|access-date=November 4, 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="cduniversetapedeck">{{cite web|title=Illmind/Skyzoo – Live from the Tape Deck|url=http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8297875|publisher=[[CD Universe]]|access-date=November 4, 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="kickmag">{{cite web|title=Skyzoo & Ill Mind [sic] Prep New Album, ‘Live From The Tape Deck’|url=http://www.kickmag.net/2010/05/27/skyzoo-x-ill-mind-prep-new-album-live-from-the-tape-deck/|publisher=Kickmag|access-date=November 4, 2013|author=Blakcitrus|date=May 27, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="kickmag">{{cite web|title=Skyzoo & Ill Mind [sic] Prep New Album, 'Live From The Tape Deck'|url=http://www.kickmag.net/2010/05/27/skyzoo-x-ill-mind-prep-new-album-live-from-the-tape-deck/|publisher=Kickmag|access-date=November 4, 2013|author=Blakcitrus|date=May 27, 2010}}</ref>


<ref name="SI">{{cite web|url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2010/05/27/skyzoo-illmind-to-release-album|title=Skyzoo & Illmind to Release Collab Album|publisher=2dopeboyz.com|date=2010-05-27|access-date=2012-08-20}}</ref>
<ref name="SI">{{cite web|url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2010/05/27/skyzoo-illmind-to-release-album|title=Skyzoo & Illmind to Release Collab Album|publisher=2dopeboyz.com|date=2010-05-27|access-date=2012-08-20}}</ref>
Line 346: Line 348:
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


<ref name="lfttd">{{cite web|url=http://www.kevinnottingham.com/2010/08/17/skyzoo-llmind-live-from-the-tape-deck-artwork-tracklist|title=Skyzoo & !llmind: Live From The Tape Deck [Artwork + Tracklist]|publisher=KevinNottingham.com|date=2010-08-17|access-date=2012-08-20}}</ref>
<ref name="lfttd">{{cite web|url=http://www.kevinnottingham.com/2010/08/17/skyzoo-llmind-live-from-the-tape-deck-artwork-tracklist|title=Skyzoo & !llmind: Live From The Tape Deck [Artwork + Tracklist]|publisher=KevinNottingham.com|date=2010-08-17|access-date=2012-08-20|archive-date=2011-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119235805/http://kevinnottingham.com/2010/08/17/skyzoo-llmind-live-from-the-tape-deck-artwork-tracklist/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Discography===
===Discography===
<ref name="chartsemertius">
<ref name="chartsemertius">
[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1426768|pure_url=yes}} Billboard Albums: ''Emeritus'']. Allmusic.com; retrieved 2010-01-30.</ref>
[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1426768|pure_url=yes}} Billboard Albums: ''Emeritus'']. Allmusic.com; retrieved 2010-01-30.</ref>


<ref name="allmusic1">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p50051/charts-awards|title=2Pac|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2012-03-03}}</ref>
<ref name="allmusic1">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p50051/charts-awards|title=2Pac|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2012-03-03}}</ref>


<ref name="US100">{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kanye west|chart=Hot 100}}|title=Billboard|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=August 30, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="US100">{{cite web|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=kanye west|chart=Hot 100}}|title=Billboard|publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|access-date=August 30, 2012}}</ref>


<ref name="gotty">{{cite web|author=Gotty™|url=http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2009/07/illmind-presents-blaps-rhymes-life-vol-3|title=Illmind Presents Blaps, Rhymes & Life Vol. 3 &#124; The Smoking Section|publisher=Smokingsection.uproxx.com|date=2009-07-01|access-date=2012-02-24}}</ref>
<ref name="gotty">{{cite web|author=Gotty™|url=http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2009/07/illmind-presents-blaps-rhymes-life-vol-3|title=Illmind Presents Blaps, Rhymes & Life Vol. 3 &#124; The Smoking Section|publisher=Smokingsection.uproxx.com|date=2009-07-01|access-date=2012-02-24}}</ref>
Line 360: Line 362:
<ref name="twodopbotz">{{cite web|url=http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/07/29/illmind-x-fortilive-x-slum-village/|title=Illmind x Fortilive x Slum Village &#124; 2dopeboyz|publisher=2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com|date=2009-07-29|access-date=2012-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016143051/http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/07/29/illmind-x-fortilive-x-slum-village/|archive-date=2009-10-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="twodopbotz">{{cite web|url=http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/07/29/illmind-x-fortilive-x-slum-village/|title=Illmind x Fortilive x Slum Village &#124; 2dopeboyz|publisher=2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com|date=2009-07-29|access-date=2012-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016143051/http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/07/29/illmind-x-fortilive-x-slum-village/|archive-date=2009-10-16|url-status=dead}}</ref>


<ref name="blimmited">{{cite news|title=Joell Ortiz & !llmind Announce Joint Album "Human"|first=Kevin|last=Goddard|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/undefined/joell-ortiz-and-llmind-announce-joint-album-human-news.15857.html|publisher=hotnewhiphop.com|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=2015-07-01}}</ref>
<ref name="blimmited">{{cite news|title=Joell Ortiz & !llmind Announce Joint Album "Human"|first=Kevin|last=Goddard|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/undefined/joell-ortiz-and-llmind-announce-joint-album-human-news.15857.html|publisher=hotnewhiphop.com|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=2015-07-01|archive-date=2015-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702080411/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/undefined/joell-ortiz-and-llmind-announce-joint-album-human-news.15857.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>


<ref name="illmindvolumefour">{{cite web|url=http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/12/15/llmind-x-dub-md-blaps-rhymes-life-vol-4-mixtape|title=!llmind x Dub MD – Blaps, Rhymes & Life Vol. 4 (Mixtape)|publisher=2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com|date=2009-12-15|access-date=2012-02-24|archive-date=2010-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219162654/http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/12/15/llmind-x-dub-md-blaps-rhymes-life-vol-4-mixtape/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="illmindvolumefour">
{{cite web|url=http://2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com/2009/12/15/llmind-x-dub-md-blaps-rhymes-life-vol-4-mixtape|title=!llmind x Dub MD – Blaps, Rhymes & Life Vol. 4 (Mixtape)|publisher=2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com|date=2009-12-15|access-date=2012-02-24}}</ref>


<ref name="blapvolumefive">{{cite web|url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/03/02/llmind-blaps-rhymes-life-v-5-mixtape|title=Blaps, Rhymes & Life|publisher=2dopeboyz|date=2011-03-02|access-date=2018-05-21}}</ref>
<ref name="blapvolumefive">{{cite web|url=http://www.2dopeboyz.com/2011/03/02/llmind-blaps-rhymes-life-v-5-mixtape|title=Blaps, Rhymes & Life|publisher=2dopeboyz|date=2011-03-02|access-date=2018-05-21}}</ref>
Line 475: Line 476:
| access-date = 2014-03-01
| access-date = 2014-03-01
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
<ref name="bbtech">
<ref name="bbtech">{{cite news
|title = Illmind – #BoomTrap "The Drums"
{{cite news
|first = Corry
| title = Illmind – #BoomTrap "The Drums"
| first = Corry
|last = Banks
|url = http://bboytechreport.com/2014/01/18/illmind-boomtrap-the-drums/
| last = Banks
|newspaper = BBoy Tech Report
| url = http://bboytechreport.com/2014/01/18/illmind-boomtrap-the-drums/
|date = January 18, 2014
| newspaper =BBoy Tech Report
| date = January 18, 2014
|access-date = 2014-03-01
| access-date = 2014-03-01
|archive-date = 2014-03-12
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140312022327/http://bboytechreport.com/2014/01/18/illmind-boomtrap-the-drums/
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Line 497: Line 500:
<ref name="alexed">
<ref name="alexed">
{{cite news
{{cite news
| title = NYC Hip-Hop’s Next Wave: Illmind On Career, Community & New Collaborations
| title = NYC Hip-Hop's Next Wave: Illmind On Career, Community & New Collaborations
| first = Alex
| first = Alex
| last = Edelstein
| last = Edelstein
Line 510: Line 513:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Illmind}}
{{Commons category|Illmind}}
*[http://www.illmind.biz/ !llmind.biz]
*[http://www.illmind.biz/ !llmind.biz] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201131851/http://www.illmind.biz/ |date=2009-02-01 }}
*[http://www.blapkits.com/ !llmind Blap-Kits]
*[http://www.blapkits.com/ !llmind Blap-Kits]
*[https://twitter.com/illmindproducer !llmind] on [[Twitter]] (Official)
*[https://twitter.com/illmindproducer !llmind] on [[Twitter]] (Official)
Line 516: Line 519:
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:New York University faculty]]
[[Category:New York University faculty]]
Line 524: Line 526:
[[Category:American musicians of Filipino descent]]
[[Category:American musicians of Filipino descent]]
[[Category:Record producers from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Record producers from New Jersey]]
[[Category:American Twitch (service) streamers]]
[[Category:1980 births]]

Latest revision as of 21:20, 18 June 2024

Illmind
Ibanga in 2012
Ibanga in 2012
Background information
Birth nameRamon Ibanga, Jr.
Also known asThe Filipino Pimp
Born (1980-08-28) August 28, 1980 (age 44)
New Jersey, U.S.
OriginBloomfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • educator
Instruments
Years active2003–present
Labels
Websitewww.illmindproducer.com

Ramon Ibanga, Jr. (born August 28, 1980), known professionally as Illmind (often stylized as !llmind), is a Filipino American record producer, songwriter, and educator. As of 2012, he lives in Brooklyn, New York.[1]

Illmind has co-written and produced hip hop, trap, pop, soul, and electronic music for labels such as Cash Money, Def Jam, and Aftermath, and has worked with artists such as Nicki Minaj, Andy Mineo, Kanye West, Drake, J. Cole, Dr. Dre, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Ariana Grande, and others. His accomplishments in 2016 include production on the new Hamilton Mixtape and Disney's Moana, both created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Illmind has released several studio albums and had a number of songs and albums reach the music charts.[2]

His most recent album, Human, is a collaboration with Joell Ortiz, and was released on July 17, 2015.[3] He established his own multi-genre music company Roseville Music Group in 2014.[4]

Early life

[edit]

Ramon Ibanga, Jr. was born on August 28, 1980[5] in New Jersey, where he was raised in the city of Newark, New Jersey before later moving with his family to Bloomfield, New Jersey.[6] His family provided a strong musical background, as his father was a musician and his older brother Les-Paul was even named after the late Les Paul.[7]

Illmind started using his father's equipment to make beats around age 13, specifically learning MIDI and sequencing on a Roland KR-500 keyboard.[6] In his early teens he developed an interest in hip hop,[8] and started producing music in 1997.[9]

Around 1999, he began to take production more seriously and he started sampling, using both hip hop vinyl and obscure records such as his father's old jazz and soul albums from the Philippines. He began using the program Cubase and an Akai S20 sampler around age 17.[6][8]

Music career

[edit]

Production

[edit]

After learning sampling, Illmind began making his own beats and sounds,[9] and in 1999 began uploading his music to online forums such as undergroundhiphop.com. Around 2001 he started participating in the Beat Society producer showcases in Philadelphia.[7]

Illmind started his production career working with groups like Little Brother and Boot Camp Clik;[6] he met Boot Camp Clik after being introduced through Khrysis, and he started working with Little Brother after being introduced to their music around 2000. His first official collaborative release with the latter was Nobody Like Me.[8]

In March 2004 Illmind's remix of the Jay-Z's Black Album, called The Black and Tan Album, was released to a positive review in The New York Times, who stated "Sparse is the aesthetic for !llmind's remixes, which set out to do more with less: techno boops, ticking drums, laid-back bass lines, three or four notes from a guitar or keyboard. Illmind's minimalism makes Jay-Z sound almost nonchalant."[10] Sha Money XL, a G-Unit executive, served as Illmind's manager for several years.[6] During this time, Illmind went on to produce songs with Erykah Badu, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Lloyd Banks, Prodigy, Kool G Rap, Redman, Scarface, LL Cool J, El Da Sensei, Diamond D, KRS-One, and others.[8] He produced the 2008 Akrobatik hip hop album Absolute Value.[11]

In summer of 2012, Illmind's track "The Morning" was included on Cruel Summer, a compilation album released on Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label. The song peaked at 19 on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, and 49 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[12]

The genesis of the track was 2007, when Illmind met Chicago-rapper Rhymefest and started sending him beats. "For a couple of years, I just kept sending him stuff whenever I had Kanye or him in mind. It must have been 100 beats. And then I get a phone call ... from Rhymefest ... asking for a session to a beat I made. Then he was like, 'I think Kanye wants to use this for a Pusha T song.' Then a few hours later, he's like 'We got Raekwon on this.' The first time I heard the complete album was when it leaked. And I heard it, and I lost it. I would say my life has definitely changed since that moment."[5]

In 2008 he won the Philadelphia Red Bull Big Tune Beat Battle.[7] Since 2012, he has shared the stage in beat showcases with artists such as Kanye West, Just Blaze, Nottz, and Don Cannon.[1] Illmind produced music for Hoodie Allen's mixtape, Crew Cuts. The single "Cake Boy" premiered on February 11, 2013 via YouTube with over 30,000 views in the first day.[13]

In 2015, Illmind helped Skyzoo on the album Music for My Friends, producing five tracks.[14] and helping Skyzoo co-produce the track "Luxury".[15] He was executive producer for Andy Mineo's album, Uncomfortable, which released on September 18.[16]

Towards the end of 2016, Illmind produced the outro credits for Disney's Moana, a track titled "You're Welcome", featuring both Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jordan Fisher.[17][18][19]

Beyond his work on the Disney project the producer took an active role in working on The Hamilton Mixtape, released via Atlantic Records. In addition to his work on the project with artists such as Nas, Common, The Roots, Ingrid Michaelson, and others, Illmind has his own track, "Take a Break – Interlude", on the album.[20]

In 2017, Illmind worked with Future,[21] Khalid,[22] Lil Uzi Vert,[23] Bryson Tiller,[24] A Boogie wit da Hoodie,[25] Meek Mill,[26] and others on their respective major label releases.

In 2018, Illmind worked with Beyonce and Jay-Z on the album Everything Is Love, to co-produce the song "Heard About Us" with Boi-1da, and also produced "Bigger Than You" with 2 Chainz.[27]

Studio albums

[edit]

In 2005, he produced and released an entire album on the label BBE with fellow producer Symbolyc One called The Art Of Onemind, which featured artists such as Ghostface Killah.[7] He released The Official !llmind Remix Album in 2009 on myx,[28] and a 2010 LP with lyricist Skyzoo called Live From The Tape Deck on Duck Down Records.[29]

"I wanted to keep the soundscape warm and 'analog' sounding [for Live from the Tape Deck], just like how 2-inch tapes used to sound. Most of the keyboard and synth sounds I used were from analog synths made in the late 80's. Combined this with using my ASR-10, I was able to capture that feeling, but with a slightly updated feel."
— !llmind in 2010[30]

In May 2010, lyricist and rapper Skyzoo had announced that he and Illmind were collaborating on an album called Live from the Tape Deck.[31] Recording sessions took place at Big China Studios in Brooklyn, New York in 2010.[32] The entire album was produced, mixed and arranged by Illmind, and was mastered by Ricardo Gutierrez.![33]

Live from the Tape Deck debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums.[2] The album entered the Top Rap Albums, peaking at #16,[34] as well as entering at #30 on the Top Independent Albums[35] and #33 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[36] The album was met with positive reviews from music critics. Spin's Mosi Reeves gave the album a seven out of ten, saying: "On this duo's debut full-length, Skyzoo was nicely complemented by !llmind's production, which ranges from the Dilla-like soul loop of "#Allaboutthat" to the fuzzy '70s-cop-show funk of 'The Now or Never.' Live from the Tape Deck is full of stolid striver anthems...but the album's meat-and-potatoes consistency remains bracing throughout."[37]

Beh!nd the Curta!n, Illmind's first official instrumental album, came out on April 19, 2011 through Brooklyn-based Nature Sounds Records.[6] He followed this up with the second instrumental album #BoomTrap EP, an eight-track EP released in January of 2014.[38] He shortly after released the drum kit #BoomTrap "The Drums", which includes extracts from the EP. Only 200 copies of the kit were offered.[39] His most recent album, Human, is a collaboration with Joell Ortiz, and will be released on July 17, 2015.[3]

Business and teaching

[edit]

!llmind has been featured in magazines and online publications such as Scratch Magazine (Top 20 Best Producers), Hip Hop Weekly, Mass Appeal, The Source, XXL, Hiphopgame.com, and Hiphopdx.com. In the summer of 2012 !llmind started offering consulting services as a member the online service Blazetrak,[1] and he later formed an independent online consultation service.[9]

As of July 2012, Illmind was a senior contributor at BeatTips.com.[1] He taught music production at the non-profit organization Harlem Children’s Zone from 2007–09,[6] and he was later hired by the Clive Davis Department Of Recorded Music at NYU as a Technical Music Instructor for a program called "Future Music Moguls."[1]

He has received a great deal of recognition for his continued contributions to the producer community at large as an educator, business man and innovator in the space. Beyond launching the premier drum kit business within the music world, he has launched a "Pass The Aux", workshop series, and is committed to daily one on one interaction with the upcoming producer community.[40][41]

Style and equipment

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"I can’t define my sound. What I can say is that it’s honest, musical, and inspired/channeled from a “feeling”. I was always fascinated by music, feeling, and vision, all in one. When I’m creating music, I’m actually envisioning things as I’m going along, like places or people."
— !llmind[6]

Illmind has called himself a fan of producers such as J Dilla and Pete Rock,[1] but writes and produces a variety of genres. About his style, he has stated "I just try to create the music I like, period. I've got a pretty diverse taste in music, so I’m managing to not get bored, which is awesome. There's a lot of talent out there, and I think that’s what continues to drive me as well."![9]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Titel Album details Peak chart positions
US US
R&B/HH
US
Rap
US
Ind
2005 The Art of OneMind
(with Symbolyc One)
2009 The Official !llmind
Remix Album
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: myx[28]
  • Format: Digital download
2010 Live from the Tape Deck
(with Skyzoo)
  • Released: October 5, 2010
  • Label: Duck Down
  • Format: Digital download
3[2] 33[36] 16[34] 30[35]
2011 Behind the Curtain
  • Released: April 19, 2011
  • Label: Nature Sounds
  • Format: Digital download
2014 #BoomTrap EP
  • Released: January 2014[38]
  • Label: Roseville Music Group
  • Format: Digital download
2015 Human
(with Joell Ortiz)
  • Released: July 17, 2015
  • Label: Roseville Music Group[3]
  • Format: Digital download
2021 1176
(with Guapdad 4000)
  • Released: March 19, 2021
  • Label: Paradise Rising, 88rising
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Mixtapes

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  • 2008: Blaps, Rhymes & Life
  • 2009: Blaps, Rhymes & Life, Vol II
  • 2009: Blaps, Rhymes & Life, Vol III[42]
  • 2009: Blaps, Rhymes & Life, Vol IV[43]
  • 2011: Blaps, Rhymes & Life, Vol V[44]

Selected production credits

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Peak chart positions

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Singles produced by !llmind, with selected singles chart positions
Year Song title Song details Chart peaks
US
Bub.
US
R&B/HH
2012 "The Morning" 19[12] 49[12]
Albums with tracks produced by !llmind, with selected album chart positions
Year Album title Album/song details Chart peaks
US US
R&B/HH
US
Rap
US
Ind
2006 The Last Stand
(by Boot Camp Clik)
48 20
2007 Nu-Mixx Klazzics Vol. 2
(by 2Pac)
  • Tracks: "What'z Ya Phone # [Nu Mixx]"
  • Label: Tha Row/Koch
45[45] 8[45] 2[45]
2008 Emeritus
(by Scarface)
  • Tracks: "It's Not A Game," "Who Are They"
  • Label: Rap-a-Lot
24[46] 4[46]
2014 2014 Forest Hills Drive
(by J. Cole)
1 1 1
2015 If You're Reading This It's Too Late
(by Drake)
1 1 1
The Beast Is G-Unit
(by G-Unit)
27 3 3 2
Ludaversal
(by Ludacris)
  • Tracks: "Lyrical Healing," "Charge It to the Rap Game"
  • Label: Def Jam
3 2 2

Timeline

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The following is an incomplete list of albums and singles produced by Illmind/!llmind.

See also

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Further reading

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Brady, Travis (July 17, 2012). "Exclusive Interview – Bangin Beats With Illmind". The Drum Broker. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  2. ^ a b c "Skyzoo – Chart history | Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Goddard, Kevin (June 9, 2015). "Joell Ortiz & !llmind Announce Joint Album "Human"". hotnewhiphop.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-02. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  4. ^ "About". Roseville Music Group. 2015. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  5. ^ a b Berman, Taylor (September 26, 2012). "Breakout Producer !llmind Talks G.O.O.D. Music & K-Pop". Fuse TV. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Edelstein, Alex (October 12, 2010). "NYC Hip-Hop's Next Wave: Illmind On Career, Community & New Collaborations". Sonic Scoop. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  7. ^ a b c d Boland, Justin (January 16, 2011). "!llmind: Building a Business off Beats". Audible Hype. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  8. ^ a b c d Martinez, Rafael (May 2, 2007). "'The drums definitely got to bang'". Prefix Magazine. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  9. ^ a b c d Indiana, Phil (January 2013). "Interview: Illmind". The Couch Sessions. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  10. ^ Pareles, Jon (March 7, 2004). "MUSIC: PLAYLIST; Silver, Brown, Gray: Jay-Z Every Which Way". New York Times. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  11. ^ Johnsen, Will (February 19, 2008). "Akrobatik delivers the "Absolute Value" of Hip Hop". Seattle PI. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  12. ^ a b c "Billboard". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  13. ^ "Hoodie Allen – "Cake Boy" (Official Video)". Hoodie Allen, LLC. February 11, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  14. ^ a b Garrett, Ural (April 28, 2015). "Skyzoo "Music For My Friends" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  15. ^ Barrow, JL (May 28, 2015). "Skyzoo Tries His Hand At Production On "Luxury"". nodfactor.com. Archived from the original on 2015-07-02. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  16. ^ HipHopDX (18 September 2015). "Andy Mineo "Uncomfortable" Release Date, Cover Art, Tracklist & Album Stream". Retrieved 2015-09-25.
  17. ^ "Music producer Illmind turns basement beats into 'Filipino Fire'". NBC News. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  18. ^ "Inside the Ill Mind of Producer Illmind, Who Makes Ill Beats with His Mind, Which Is Ill". www.vice.com. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  19. ^ Bureau, Don Tagala, ABS-CBN North America News (2017-06-30). "Meet Pinoy music producer behind 'The Hamilton MixTape,' 'Moana'". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2021-02-05. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "'Hamilton Mixtape' Producer !llmind Talks Teaming With Lin-Manuel Miranda & Hints at Unreleased Material". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  21. ^ Future – Zoom, retrieved 2017-11-12
  22. ^ "Singer Khalid debuts confidently with 'American Teen'". Rolling Out. 2017-05-22. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  23. ^ "Here Are the Production Credits for Lil Uzi Vert's 'Luv Is Rage 2'". XXL Mag. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  24. ^ "Here Are the Production and Sample Credits for Bryson Tiller's 'True to Self'". Complex. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  25. ^ "A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie & 21 Savage Are "Undefeated" On Their New Collaboration". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  26. ^ "Production Credits for Meek Mill's 'Wins & Losses' Album". XXL Mag. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  27. ^ "!llmind on How He Landed on Beyoncé and JAY-Z's New Album 'Everything Is Love'". Complex. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  28. ^ a b "Illmind x Fortilive x Slum Village | 2dopeboyz". 2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com. 2009-07-29. Archived from the original on 2009-10-16. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
  29. ^ "Skyzoo & Illmind to Release Collab Album". 2dopeboyz.com. 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  30. ^ "Skyzoo & !llmind: Live From The Tape Deck [Artwork + Tracklist]". KevinNottingham.com. 2010-08-17. Archived from the original on 2011-11-19. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  31. ^ Blakcitrus (May 27, 2010). "Skyzoo & Ill Mind [sic] Prep New Album, 'Live From The Tape Deck'". Kickmag. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  32. ^ "Illmind/Skyzoo – Live from the Tape Deck". CD Universe. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  33. ^ "Live from the Tape Deck – Illmind, Skyzoo". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Credits. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  34. ^ a b "Chart history | Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  35. ^ a b "Skyzoo – Chart history | Top Independent Albums Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  36. ^ a b "Skyzoo – Chart history | Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2013.
  37. ^ Reeves, Mosi (2010-11-03). "Skyzoo & Illmind, 'Live From the Tape Deck' (Duck Down)". SPIN. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
  38. ^ a b Thomas, Chris (January 8, 2014). "Illmind – #BoomTrap EP [LISTEN]". HipHopWired. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  39. ^ Banks, Corry (January 18, 2014). "Illmind – #BoomTrap "The Drums"". BBoy Tech Report. Archived from the original on 2014-03-12. Retrieved 2014-03-01.
  40. ^ "Episode 794: How To Make It In The Music Business". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  41. ^ Setaro, Shawn. "Hip-Hop Producer !llmind Makes Businesses As Well As Beats". Forbes. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  42. ^ Gotty™ (2009-07-01). "Illmind Presents Blaps, Rhymes & Life Vol. 3 | The Smoking Section". Smokingsection.uproxx.com. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
  43. ^ "!llmind x Dub MD – Blaps, Rhymes & Life Vol. 4 (Mixtape)". 2dopeboyz.okayplayer.com. 2009-12-15. Archived from the original on 2010-02-19. Retrieved 2012-02-24.
  44. ^ "Blaps, Rhymes & Life". 2dopeboyz. 2011-03-02. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
  45. ^ a b c "2Pac". AllMusic. Retrieved 2012-03-03.
  46. ^ a b Billboard Albums: Emeritus. Allmusic.com; retrieved 2010-01-30.
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