Spyder-D
Encyclopedia
Duane Hughes, better known by his stage name Spyder D, is a former professional old-school rapper
and producer from New York City
.
, was released on his own Newtroit Records in 1980, making him the first rapper to make an independent release. Another notable release was "I Can't Wait (To Rock The Mike)", released in 1986 as single, a version of the Nu Shooz
hit "I Can't Wait
". Other Spyder D releases include "Buckwheat's Rap" (released by Profile in 1985), and the house party hit "Smerphie's Dance", now an often-sampled cult classic.
As an artist and producer Spyder shared the 80s musical spotlight with fellow Hollis natives Run-DMC, LL Cool J
, Davy D, Hurricane, Orange Krush and Alyson Williams. Childhood schoolmate Russell Simmons
later became his manager and mentor in 1983. Spyder produced several more classics for artists such as Infinity Machine's DJ Divine, Sparky D, Roxanne Shante', as well as a string of independent record label hits for Profile Records, Select Records, Spring Records and a joint label venture with Next Plateau (launching Fly Spy Records). He also managed Power Play Studios in Queens, NY, from various stints from 1983 to 1998. He moved to Los Angeles
for a brief stint between 1989 and 1992, where he worked with KDAY-AM's Greg Mack and Curtis Harmon.
Spyder co-engineered and recorded his first full album, Gangsta Wages, with multi-platinum "remixologist" Greg Royal, which was released through his own Hype-Hop label. The imprint was distributed through Macola Records who, at the time also had 2 Live Crew
, and Dr. Dre
’s World Class Wrecking Crew. Spyder also worked in the studio with Malcolm McClaren on writing lyrics for Sparky D for McClaren's Hip-Hop/Opera fusion.
, Run-DMC, Grandmaster Flash
), Herbie Azor and Salt-n-Pepa
, as well as bringing in new superstar producers like P Diddy Hit Squad producer Ron (Amen Ra) Lawrence.
In 1997, Spyder moved on to become manager and engineer for Gospel Jazz musician Mel Holder at Toy Factory, another Queens, NY based recording studio. At Toy Factory he engineered for such clients as Mic Murphy of The System, and Pharaoh Monch of Organized Konfusion, as well as on Mel Holder’s stirring saxophone rendition of R. Kelly
’s "I Believe I Can Fly".
In 1999, Spyder moved to Atlanta, and began freelance engineering at Dallas Austin’s DARP Studios, and Bobby Brown
’s Boss Recording, bringing with him some of his New York and northeast clientele, including Jam-Master Jay
protégé Derrick Stanfield-Kivoi.
In 2005, Spyder became the owner of an American Basketball Association
franchise, the Charlotte Krunk (named after a type of hip hop music). Glenn Toby
, founder of The Book Bank Foundation and former rap rival from Queens, New York (known then in the rap world as "Sweety G"), utilizing his knowledge gained as a sports agent, teamed up with Spyder D to help build the franchise. The franchise moved to Atlanta and joined the Continental Basketball Association
under new majority owner Freedom Williams
, the former lead voice for multi-platinum
dance-hop group C+C Music Factory
, where Spyder signed Grayson Boucher, of And 1 fame, and recruited Kenny Anderson
as head coach.
Currently, Spyder is working on his autobiography and working out of his home recording studio on his final rap album, entitled Legendary, in honor of the people he has worked with over the span of his career.
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
and producer from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
1980s
Big Apple Rappin, perhaps Spyder's most famous album from the post-disco eraPost-disco
Post-disco refers to a historically significant period in popular music history beginning with the commercial death of disco music in the late 1970s and ending with the mainstream appearance of house music in late 1980s.The stripped-down musical trends followed from the DJ- and producer-driven,...
, was released on his own Newtroit Records in 1980, making him the first rapper to make an independent release. Another notable release was "I Can't Wait (To Rock The Mike)", released in 1986 as single, a version of the Nu Shooz
Nu Shooz
Nu Shooz is an American Freestyle-R&B-Dance group fronted by husband-and-wife team of John Smith and Valerie Day, based in Portland, Oregon. The Shooz released four albums in the U.S...
hit "I Can't Wait
I Can't Wait (Nu Shooz song)
"I Can't Wait" is the title of a song recorded by American group Nu Shooz from the album Poolside. The song was originally recorded the previous year and became a popular radio track in and around the band's hometown of Portland, Oregon...
". Other Spyder D releases include "Buckwheat's Rap" (released by Profile in 1985), and the house party hit "Smerphie's Dance", now an often-sampled cult classic.
As an artist and producer Spyder shared the 80s musical spotlight with fellow Hollis natives Run-DMC, LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, Davy D, Hurricane, Orange Krush and Alyson Williams. Childhood schoolmate Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons
-External links:** * * * * * * from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum* *...
later became his manager and mentor in 1983. Spyder produced several more classics for artists such as Infinity Machine's DJ Divine, Sparky D, Roxanne Shante', as well as a string of independent record label hits for Profile Records, Select Records, Spring Records and a joint label venture with Next Plateau (launching Fly Spy Records). He also managed Power Play Studios in Queens, NY, from various stints from 1983 to 1998. He moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
for a brief stint between 1989 and 1992, where he worked with KDAY-AM's Greg Mack and Curtis Harmon.
Spyder co-engineered and recorded his first full album, Gangsta Wages, with multi-platinum "remixologist" Greg Royal, which was released through his own Hype-Hop label. The imprint was distributed through Macola Records who, at the time also had 2 Live Crew
2 Live Crew
2 Live Crew was a hip hop group from Miami, Florida. They caused considerable controversy with the sexual themes in their work, particularly on their 1989 album As Nasty As They Wanna Be.- Early career :...
, and Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
’s World Class Wrecking Crew. Spyder also worked in the studio with Malcolm McClaren on writing lyrics for Sparky D for McClaren's Hip-Hop/Opera fusion.
1990s
In 1996, after once again taking over the reins as Power Play Studios full time manager, Spyder began a dual role as both engineer and manager for the renowned studio. He quickly learned the state of the art SSL G Series recording and mixing console from some crib notes given to him by chief engineer Dino. He brought back in to the studio clients like DJ Run of Run-DMC, producer Larry Smith (WhodiniWhodini
Whodini is a hip hop group that was formed in 1981. The Brooklyn, New York-based trio consisted of vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins; co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy ; and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee.-Early years:Whodini was among the first hip-hop groups to...
, Run-DMC, Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash
Joseph Saddler better known as King Grandmaster Flash, is an American hip hop musician and DJ; one of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing....
), Herbie Azor and Salt-n-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
, as well as bringing in new superstar producers like P Diddy Hit Squad producer Ron (Amen Ra) Lawrence.
In 1997, Spyder moved on to become manager and engineer for Gospel Jazz musician Mel Holder at Toy Factory, another Queens, NY based recording studio. At Toy Factory he engineered for such clients as Mic Murphy of The System, and Pharaoh Monch of Organized Konfusion, as well as on Mel Holder’s stirring saxophone rendition of R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
’s "I Believe I Can Fly".
In 1999, Spyder moved to Atlanta, and began freelance engineering at Dallas Austin’s DARP Studios, and Bobby Brown
Bobby Brown
Robert Barisford "Bobby" Brown is an American R&B singer-songwriter, occasional rapper, and dancer. After success in pop group New Edition, Brown began his solo career in 1987 and had a string of Top 10 Billboard hits, culminating in a Grammy Award. He was a pioneer of New Jack Swing music, a...
’s Boss Recording, bringing with him some of his New York and northeast clientele, including Jam-Master Jay
Jam-Master Jay
Jason William Mizell , better known by his stage name Jam Master Jay, was an American musician and rapper. He was the DJ of the influential hip hop group Run-D.M.C. and helped define the sound of the band, the style of the black hats and Adidas shoes that came to be the band's trademark. During the...
protégé Derrick Stanfield-Kivoi.
2000s
He released a full-length album in 2000 entitled True Dat, which didn't earn the acclaim of his early work.In 2005, Spyder became the owner of an American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
franchise, the Charlotte Krunk (named after a type of hip hop music). Glenn Toby
Glenn Toby
Glenn Toby , was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Queens County. He has had a wide and varied career expanding from music producer, entertainment, and sports marketing agent for the nation’s top athletes, to working in the business world. He is known as an Entrepreneur, Philanthropist,...
, founder of The Book Bank Foundation and former rap rival from Queens, New York (known then in the rap world as "Sweety G"), utilizing his knowledge gained as a sports agent, teamed up with Spyder D to help build the franchise. The franchise moved to Atlanta and joined the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
under new majority owner Freedom Williams
Freedom Williams
Frederick Brandon Williams , better known by his stage name Freedom Williams is an American hip hop and dance music performer, who gained fame as the lead vocalist on C+C Music Factory's biggest hits.-Career:...
, the former lead voice for multi-platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
dance-hop group C+C Music Factory
C+C Music Factory
C+C Music Factory is a dance-pop and hip hop group formed in 1989 by David Cole and Robert Clivillés which stopped recording 1996, following Cole's death...
, where Spyder signed Grayson Boucher, of And 1 fame, and recruited Kenny Anderson
Kenny Anderson
Kenneth "Kenny" Anderson is a retired American basketball player. After a college career at Georgia Institute of Technology, he played point guard professionally from 1991 to 2006, mostly in the National Basketball Association....
as head coach.
Currently, Spyder is working on his autobiography and working out of his home recording studio on his final rap album, entitled Legendary, in honor of the people he has worked with over the span of his career.
Musical style
Spyder D's brand of music was characterized by a laid back attitude, humor, and skills on the microphone. In his live instrumental backing tracks he combined elements of jazz and funk.See also
- Big Apple Rappin': The Early Days of Hip-Hop Culture in New York City 1979-1982Big Apple Rappin': The Early Days of Hip-Hop Culture in New York City 1979-1982Big Apple Rappin': The Early Days of Hip-Hop Culture in New York City 1979-1982 is a compilation released on Soul Jazz Records. As the title suggests, it contains songs by various artists from the early days of New York hip hop.- Track listing :...