Producer Disco D Commits Suicide

David Shayman, aka up-and-coming hip hop producer, remixer, Ghettotech proliferator (and rumored coiner of the genre's name) Disco D, committed suicide earlier today at age 27, according to MTV.com. Shayman was best known for "Ski Mask Way", his collaboration with 50 Cent on 2005's The Massacre, though he also produced tracks by Trick Daddy, AZ, Lil' Scrappy, and Nina Sky.

Shayman was born in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan when he was six years old. His proximity to Detroit and the rave scene there inspired the Disco D moniker in November of 1996. After signing his first record contract at 17, Shayman formed his own label, GTI Recordings, just two years later. In addition to graduating with honors from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business (after which he moved to New York City), Shayman was responsible for official remixes of Pharrell, Crime Mob, and Shiny Toy Guns. His other remixees include Usher, Christina Milian, B.G., 8Ball & MJG, Da Brat, and Lords of Acid.

His website boasts that Shayman ran companies with functions that ranged from artist development/A&R to the "import/export of unique products from Brazil," but Shayman's most recent endeavor focused on Brazilian music. He founded the Gringo Louco label and signed BRAZA, whose "Son Do BRAZA" single he produced.

Shayman's own releases include 2001's Straight Out Tha Trunk and 2003's A Night at the Booty Bar (on Tommy Boy). In the bio on his website, he describes his music modus operandi as follows: "Before Disco D was even born, I was a fan of all types of different stuff, from the Beatles and Donna Summer to Charlie Parker and John Coltrane to N.W.A and 2 Live Crew to Pantera, Primus, and GWAR. I didn't have any sort of preconceptions about genres, I just was into what impacted me emotionally."

Though no specific information surrounding Shayman's suicide is available, according to MTV he was bipolar and suffered from depression.

Disco D R.I.P.

Stream: Disco D: Various Tracks

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