Diamond D is a grammy award winning hip hop producer and MC from The Bronx, New York City and one of the founding members of legendary NY crew D.I.T.C.[1] He started out as a DJ for Jazzy Jay back in the late 1980s and was at the same time perfecting his skills in beat making and turntablism, and together with rhyme partner Master Rob he was one half of the group Ultimate Force. The group got signed by Jazzy Jay to Strong City and Diamond and Rob started recording their debut album, I’m Not Playin’, in 1988 and released the 12″ single with the same title which spawned a buzz in the underground. The album was completed in 1990 but got caught up in label politics and was shelved until 2007 when it got released through Traffic Entertainment.
One of the last songs recorded for the album was a Diamond D solo song where he actually picked up the mic for the first time, the song was called “The Best Kept Secret”. As Ultimate Force dissolved, record executives got their eyes on the Bronx phenomenon which eventually resulted in the release of Diamond’s debut album Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop (released under the moniker Diamond & the Psychotic Neurotics) in 1992 and being signed to Violator management headed by Chris Lighty. The album is considered to be one of the finest D.I.T.C. solo LPs and features early appearances from Big L and Fat Joe.Fat Joe 1st LP, Represent, was mainly produced by Diamond D who is credited with discovering fat Joe.
Diamond’s second album, Hatred, Passions and Infidelity, was released in 1997 to mostly positive reviews. Following the release Diamond established his name as a sought-after producer after providing impressive beats to hip-hop legends like Busta Rhymes, Fugees, KRS-One, Queen Latifah, The Pharcyde and Brand Nubian amongst others.He is credited with being one of the 1st hiphop producers to work with artists on both coast. In 2003 he released the independent mixtape Grown Man Talk,and in 2005 he released the official mixtape/compilation The Diamond Mine as well as contributions to his D.I.T.C. cohorts’ projects including the crew’s self-titled 2000 debut album on Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Records.
In 2006 Diamond Co-produced with Dallas Austin “Day Dreaming” for Natalie Cole, which was nominated for a Grammy.
In 2008 Diamond signed with Babygrande Records. His fourth album, titled The Huge Hefner Chronicles, was released in October 2008 and unlike previous efforts the LP showed Diamond focusing more on his rhymes as production was handled by other respected underground beatmakers like Nottz, DJ Scratch, Ill Mind, Def Jef and Jesse West.
