Salaam Remi
Career Highlights
- Producer and keyboard player known for his reggae-tinged approach to the studio.
- First appeared on record as the keyboardist for Kurtis Blow's 1986 release Kingdom Blow.
- Began mixing records in the late 80’s and, in 1992, he produced the reggae group Zhigge.
- Has been associated with several successful releases including Ini Kamoze's “Here Comes the Hotstepper,” the Fugees’ multi-platinum “Score” LP and Toni Braxton's “You're Making me High.”
- Most recently served as the Executive Producer of Nas’ double LP, “Street’s Disciple,” which critics are calling “the best studio album since the Queens-bred MC’s 1994 classic debut, ‘Illmatic.’”
Career Overview
Salaam Remi is a producer and keyboard player known for his reggae-tinged approach to the studio. Surrounded by an entire family of musicians, Remi could play the drums by age 3, years later was a record-carrier for legendary DJ Chuck Chillout and Funkmaster Flex, and as an adult dropped out of college to pursue his career in the music industry. Remi first appeared on record as the keyboardist for Kurtis Blow's 1986 release Kingdom Blow and started mixing records in the late 1980s. One of his first productions was in 1992 for the reggae group Zhigge. Since then Remi has worked with notable artists such as Nas, The Fugees, Toni Braxton and UK sensation Ms. Dynamite.
He has also contributed to Jurassic 5’s 2006 LP and Amy Winehouse’s platinum debut along with her third album released in 2009. Remi’s talent for producing music of different genres is reflected in his work with movie soundtracks also. He has worked on the soundtracks for films such as Office Space, Zoolander, The Departed, Blood Diamond and Sex and the City along with the score for the Mike Tyson documentary Tyson. His active projects in 2008 and 2009 include working with clients such as Jazmine Sullivan, Nas, Free, Nick Harrison, Lemar, Noel Gourdin, Julian Perretta, Leona Lewis, Corrine Bailey Rae, and Craig David, as well as many film and TV projects.
Chucky Thompson
Career Highlights
- Producer and multi-instrumentalist responsible for some of hip-hop and R&B’s biggest hits.
- Began his musical career as a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-recognized go-go band, Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers
- Later personally recruited by Sean “P. Diddy” Combs as the first Bad Boy Entertainment “Hit Man” producer.
- While at Bad Boy, produced the late Notorious B.I.G’s classic, multi-platinum singles “One More Chance” and “Big Poppa.”
- Has also worked with Jennifer Lopez, Faith Evans, TLC, Busta Rhymes, Ma$e, and Ice Cube, among others.
Career Overview
Legendary hip-hop and R&B producer Chucky Thompson is known as the “classic” producer. He is respected as an industry leader, participating in the innovation of hip-hop and R&B; many of today's producers have taken his sound and expanded on his vision. Thompson began his career as a member of the go-go band Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, which were recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Later, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs sought him out and Thompson became member of Bad Boy Entertainment's "Hitmen" team of in-house producers during the 1990s.
While with Bad Boy Entertainment Thompson worked with artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., Mase, Jennifer Lopez, and TLC. He was responsible for album productions for such projects as Mary J. Blige's "My Life" and Faith Evans' debut "Faith". When Thompson stepped out on his own he worked with artist such as Kelly Price and Nas and Disturbing tha Peace’s latest artist Shareefa. Most recently Thompson worked with DC native Raheem DeVaughn to create the #1 R&B hit “Woman.”
Our Interview
Salaam Remi and Chucky Thompson sat down with ThinkTalk host Janell Snowden to answer University of Maryland students’ questions. Remi and Thompson addressed issues such as working with certain artists and songs, specifically working with Nas and topping his current albums.
