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DJ Eddie F | |
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Ferrell in 2011 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Edward Ferrell |
Born | Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. | March 25, 1968
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Years active | 1986–present |
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Formerly of | Heavy D & The Boyz |
Edward Ferrell is an American record producer, DJ, songwriter, and record executive. With business partner Heavy D, he formed the new jack swing group Heavy D and the Boyz in 1985, for which he served as the de facto producer and DJ.[1] The group signed with the New York City-based record label Uptown Records and released seven studio albums to commercial success. He served as Vice President of A&R for LaFace Records from to 1993 to 1995, as well as for Motown from 1995 to 1997, and Executive Consultant for Def Jam Recordings from 2005 to 2007. In 1989, he founded the record label Untouchables Entertainment, through which he discovered and signed R&B singer Donell Jones.[2]
Eddie F was also responsible for helping his childhood friend Al B. Sure! get signed to a recording deal by playing his demo for Andre Harrell, who then took the demo to Quincy Jones and Benny Medina, who ultimately signed him to a deal at Uptown/Warner Bros Records.
In his solo career, Ferrell has produced for artists including Mary J. Blige, Erick Sermon, Guy, LL Cool J, Angie Stone, and Al B Sure! throughout the mid-1990s. Ferrell has served as the primary and executive producer for Donell Jones' first four studio albums, as well as his 1999 single "U Know What's Up", which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. A key figure in hip hop and R&B sampling, Ferrell is credited with creating the first "Featured artist remix", whereby a track was reworked with both a new instrumental and verse by a hip hop artist. The first project which did so was the 1990 remix of Johnny Gill's "Rub U The Right Way" remix, featuring C.L. Smooth.