20 August 2006
D-Dot Wyse and Haph
Sitting where the Ranjahz sit, you have to be one of the best. Currently being produced by D-dot (an original hitmaker who rocked Bad Boy's Line-up from 1996-1998, producing over 7 hit albums: Biggie, Jay-Z, Kanye he's made hits of them all).
Recently we had a chance to speak with the dynamic duo (the Ranjahz and D-Dot at the lavish Chun King Studios in Manhattan.
Sidebar: On our way into the studio we give an extremely loud greeting,
"what up bruh, where you been!" to Lionel Richie as he exits the studio. He looks at the Strive crew with one of those looks "who are you guys?" And we give him that confident look right back "no worries Lionel you will know us one day!"
We start the conversation with Wais (the lyricist) and D.Dot (the producer). Haph (the trained musician partner, playing 9 instruments) is trailing behind to the studio.
STRIVE: Why are you Strivers?
Wais: Its an ongoing struggle. Just to make it into the studio day there were a lot of obstacles I had to overcome...oh I am on my grind.
D.Dot: I am at the club and my song comes on in the midst of the hottest records out and people are still banging to it. I have produced: Biggie, Tupac, M&M, 50 Cent, Diddy, Mase, Jay-Z Tracy Lee, The Mad Rapper. Mary J., Whitney Houston, Snoop Dog and many more. I feel good when the crowd reacts to the song like its a new hit, but I still will not stop.
-Bad Boy 96-98 I was with them for one and a half years and made 7 hit albums. I was vice-president.
Life after Death, No Way Out, Mase First Album, the Lox, Money Power Respect, 112, Faiths 2nd album, Black Rob’s first album. As an employee I produced those.
-Then I produced on my own. I produced "Where I am from" with JayZ.
-I completed a record called "How to Rob" with 50 Cent.
My claim to fame is getting with artists before they become big.
STRIVE: How does it all come to you. The beats, The concepts?
D.Dot: I work with the what the artist brings me. My job is to help them through. Not to stress them but to be unbiased and point out what does not work. I occasionally say to the Ranjahz, “Did you know you cursed here and you didn’t have to say that here? That was a little too controversial... let's try a differnet way of saying what you just said.”
STRIVE: Have you ever been inspired by everyday things and write them directly into your raps?
Wais: First of all I don't write, music and words comes to me naturally. I have seen a guy push a cart and that becomes ingrained in my head and its automatically put in the song.
Haph Steps in. (the sound room goes crazy... the circle of energy is completed)
We start photography and turn up the volume on their latest single in the background.
STRIVE: Where there ever any artists that you were surprised by:
D.Dot: Kanye!!!… I managed him as a producer only. I heard him rhyme so I took him to labels and know one would sign him. I even put him on my mad-rapper album. He gave me a shout out on his album because I believed in him. I introduced him to Jay-Z, who then gave him a chance to rhyme.
STRIVE: What are two-three steps you would take to become a succceful rapper?
Wais: i would first connect with D.Dot. Then I would challenge the best rap group out there. Lastly, I would go back and talk to Ddot
D-dot man I got the chance to work with these guys and I am lke lets
STRIVE: How did the Ranjahz and D.Dot come to work together?
D.Dot:They are the veterans that never put out an album. My job is to say here they are. And with the talent they have that's not hard. I am a throwback A&R. I was trained by Gamble and Huff (philla international). They develop and create a relationship with the artist. Most artist don’t get that. They are forced to put out an album that’s not as good as it should be. Quality is the key. Folks start to make music for their homeys
In that situation the smack and the hug theory comes into play. You gotta praise ‘em but then scold 'em and ask them why.
STRIVE: As a rapper, what's the best procedure for success?
Haph: I would put out a mix cd. And keep it going. That is doing the best you can with what you have.
STRIVE: Rough times...Have you had them?
Haph: We have had them. But we have something to prove. Otherwise we would have stopped by now.
D.Dot: its about maintenance. I remember having one of the hottest records on the radio but not having enough to get in the club. Now I have a condo in Brooklyn. But I have experienced loosing my whole bank account to someone suing me. You never know what’s going happen to force you to “step back” and downgrade your lifestyle.
Wais: the fact that D.Dot is here. Without me having a grammy or any other awards says a lot. I may have a long way to go, but I feel successful right now.
STRIVE: Whats your motivation:
D.Dot: I made my first record in 1990 and I am still here (2 kings and a Cipher). In 2005 Craig Mack (one of Bad Boy Records first artist) said to me. "Yo there are rappers that aren’t here anymore." And that is the truth.
I don’t want to be on hip hop honors right now that means its over for me. And I guess I will be one of those rappers who is not here.
STRIVE: Outside of rap who do you listen to?
Haph: 3 Doors Down. Keith Urban, Cindi Lauper and Ghostface.
Wais: Ras Kass and the Ranjahz
D.Dot: I listen to everything (I have over 15,000 records). Just sampled a beat from Englebert Humperdink. My wife is Led Zeppelin all the way.
STRIVE: How do you know what the youth will like?
D.Dot:Its almost impossible to know what these kids are gonna like. And music is the best thermostat to gauge what’s going to happen. The people right now want that simple stuff. There used to be a way to make an album and not kill ten people. Even though we had gangster rap in NYC its
Haph: The cats that listen to hip-hop today are early 20 somethings. Their intro to hip hop was Biggie and violence.
I play 9 instruments. The package is we look like, talk, walk like but we don’t speak like them. “the spook who sat by the door” our colors will stand out.
STRIVE: How did you come up with the name The Ranjahz?
Wais: We put Jah in the name (Ranjahz) because we wanted to keep in mind that God is in the middle of everything we do.
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NEW YORK, NY-Two of Brooklyn’s finest natives and long time friends Haph and Wais (pronounced wise), the dynamic duo simply known as THE RANJANZ, are back with the hotness. Haph, a self taught guitarist, producer and engineer and Wais, the prolific wordsmith’s long journey through Hip Hop has landed them back in the studio. Their relentless approach is not only to turn a page in Hip Hop history, but to write a page of their own.
Their journey began several years ago as members of Team Roc. In 1998 they guest appeared on Jay Z’s ‘Hard Knock Life Vol 2’. In 2000 they signed a deal with The Carter Faculty DEF JAM label. Due to mismanagement the label collapsed leaving Haph and Wais without a label home. “It’s a part of the process,” says Wais, when talking about the perils of the music industry. Everyone has these stories to tell. It just makes us stronger. And it makes us work that much harder.”
THE RANJAHZ vowed to take charge of their destiny. They set up their own studio and got on their mix tape grind. They have collaborated with various artists such as Petey Pablo, Raekwon, Cee-lo Green (Gnarls Barkley) and DJ Premiere just to name a few.
In late 2005 they returned to the studio to complete some unfinished business. THE RANJAHZ has presently recorded over fifty (50) new songs. Their new project, Executive Produced by Bad Boy’s super producer Derrick ‘D. Dot’ Anguliette, is sure to be full of hits. D. Dot is responsible for a number of Bad Boy’s hits such as Notorious B.I.G’s ‘Hypnotize’, P.Diddy’s ‘All about the Benjamins’, Mase’ ‘Been Around the World’, Carl Thomas’ ‘Emotional’ and 50 Cents’ ‘How to Rob’ just for starters.
On this very personal project they will reveal the reason they chose to leave the ROCAFELLA camp. They have collaborations with Infamous/G-Unit Records artist 40 Gloc, Raekwon, Anthony Hamilton and Petey Pablo.
THE RANJAHZ is Hip Hop’s best kept secret. Their First single ‘So Emotional’ is just a taste of what they have in stored for Hip Hop music lovers. The second single ‘Like Dat’ featuring Infamous/G-Unit Records artist 40 Gloc was produced by Haph. “I want people to have fun with some tracks, learn something on others,” says Haph. “I want them to feel where we’re coming from. I want them to understand that we feel where they’re coming from. When they’re done listening, I want them to press rewind.”
With a stunning debut that captures everything they set out to do, THE RANJAHZ will get exactly what they want.
For more on THE RANJAHZ log onto their official MYSPACE Page: www.myspace.com/THERANJAHZ. Mix tape ‘Operation Awareness’ coming soon!
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Deric "D-Dot" is a rapper, record producer, CEO and entrepreneur. A three-time Grammy Nominee and NARAS Award winner, Angelettie made a significant mark as a hip-hop music producer and label owner in the early 90's. Angelettie was the captain of Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment's producing team: The Infamous Hitmen. It was there that he created and performed as the character - The Madd Rapper. As a producer, Angelettie was responsible for hits such as The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize," as well as a variety of songs for Bad Boy-affiliated artists. Angelettie is married to Lisa Angelettie of GirlShrink and is the father of four daughters.
article written by: Nook
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