DJ Dahi explained

Dahi
Birth Name:Dacoury Dahi Natche
Alias:DJ Dahi
Birth Date:1983 3, mf=yes[1]
Origin:Inglewood, California, U.S.
Years Active:2011–present

Dacoury Dahi Natche (born March 10, 1983), known professionally as DJ Dahi or simply Dahi, is an American record producer, songwriter, disc jockey and singer from Inglewood, California. Working primarily in hip hop and R&B music, he has been credited on commercially successful singles including "Money Trees" by Kendrick Lamar, "Worst Behavior" by Drake, and "I Don't Fuck with You" by Big Sean—the latter rose to number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.[2] He made his vocal debut on Lamar's 2018 single "Loyalty", which he also produced.[3]

Dahi won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2020 for his work on "A Lot" by 21 Savage. He has also been nominated for four Grammy Awards in the Album of the Year and Best Rap Album categories, and once for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical.[4] Aside from his solo production career, Natche is also a member of production team D.R.U.G.$.[5]

Musical career

Dahi learned disc jockeying while he was attending the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he majored in Film and American studies.[6] After returning to Los Angeles in 2007, he started collaborating with local rappers such as Pac Div, TiRon, and Fashawn.[7] Dahi also collaborated with Dom Kennedy and ScHoolboy Q before he achieved his first commercial success in 2012 with "Money Trees" from Kendrick Lamar's platinum album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.[8] [9] The album received several nominations including one for Grammy Album of the Year and Rap Album of the Year in 2014, while "Money Trees" was named by Complex as the ninth best instrumental of the previous five years.[10]

In 2013, Dahi produced "Worst Behavior" by Drake that charted at number 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100 after its release in 2014.[11] [12] The following year, he co-produced the Big Sean single I Don't Fuck with You, which reached the top of the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hiphop songs chart[13] and received 8× Platinum certification from RIAA.[14] Dahi was also credited as a songwriter and producer for five tracks in Madonna's 2015 album Rebel Heart. The same year Dahi co-produced three tracks on the album album by Dr. Dre.

In 2016, Dahi co-produced "U with Me?" for the album Views by Drake, which earned him his second Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. He also put forward a tentative release date for his own solo album titled The Good Seed, but the album did not materialize in 2016.

Dahi collaborated a second time with Kendrick Lamar in 2017 and produced five tracks in the album DAMN that included "Loyalty" featuring Rihanna and "XXX" featuring U2.[15] The album received several critical accolades including a Pulitzer Prize for Music and the Best Rap Album at the 2018 Grammy Awards. In 2020, the album was ranked 175th on Rolling Stones updated list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.[16]

In 2018, Dahi produced two songs in 21 Savage's studio album I Am Greater than I Was. One of the songs, "a lot", earned him the 2020 Grammy Award for Rap Song of the Year.

In 2019, Dahi collaborated with indie pop band Vampire Weekend for their album Father of the Bride and co-produced the single "Big Blue", which charted number 33 in US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard).[17] He also co-produced the 2020 Childish Gambino album 3.15.20 that included "Time" featuring Ariana Grande and "Psilocybae (Millennial Love)" featuring 21 Savage, Ink and Kadhja Bonet among seven other tracks co-produced by him.[18] In 2021, he produced "Gravity", a single by Brent Faiyaz and himself featuring Tyler, the Creator, which reached a peak position on 71 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and was certified Platinum by RIAA.[14]

Dahi teamed up with Kendrick Lamar again in 2022 and co-produced five tracks for Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. The album received nomination for Album of the Year and won in the Best Rap Album category in the 2023 Grammy Awards. Dahi also received a Producer of the Year nomination for his work in Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Gemini Rights (Steve Lacy album) and RAMONA PARK BROKE MY HEART (Vince Staples album).

In 2023, Dahi appeared in the documentary film Anthem directed by Peter Nicks, which followed Dahi and composer Kris Bowers on a musical road trip across the United States in a bid to reimagine the national anthem.[19] The film premiered at Tribeca Festival in June 2023 and was acquired by Onyx Collective for Hulu.[20]

Dahi has a publishing contract with Sony Music Publishing[21] and is a SESAC member.[22]

Awards and nominations

List of selected accolades, showing award category and year presented on
AwardYearRecipient(s)CategoryResult
American Music Awards2013Good Kid, M.A.A.D CityFavorite Rap/Hip Hop Album[23]
2017DamnFavorite Rap/Hip Hop Album[24]
2022Mr. Morale & the Big SteppersFavorite Hip Hop Album[25]
BET Awards2018DamnAlbum of the Year
2023Mr. Morale & the Big SteppersAlbum of the Year[26]
BET Hip Hop Awards2017DamnHip Hop Album of the Year
2013Good Kid, M.A.A.D CityHip Hop Album of the Year
2022Mr. Morale & the Big SteppersHip Hop Album of the Year
Billboard Music Awards2013Good Kid, M.A.A.D CityTop Rap Album[27]
2017ViewsTop Billboard 200 Album
Top Rap Album
2018DamnTop Billboard 200 Album[28]
Top Selling Album
Top Rap Album
Grammy Awards2014Good Kid, M.A.A.D CityAlbum of the Year[29]
2017ViewsAlbum of the Year
2018DamnAlbum of the Year[30]
2020"A Lot" (21 Savage featuring J. Cole)Best Rap Song[31]
2023Mr. Morale & the Big SteppersAlbum of the Year[32]
"Buttons" (Steve Lacy), "Count Me Out" (Kendrick Lamar), "Die Hard" (Kendrick Lamar), "DJ Quik" (Vince Staples), "Father Time" (Kendrick Lamar featuring Sampha), "Give You the World" (Steve Lacy), "Mercury" (Steve Lacy), "Mirror" (Kendrick Lamar), "Rich Spirit" (Kendrick Lamar)Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
HipHopDX Awards2013Good Kid, M.A.A.D CityAlbum of the Year[33]
Readers' Choice Album of the Year
2017DamnRap Album of the Year
iHeartRadio Music Awards2017ViewsHip Hop Album of the Year
2018DamnHip Hop Album of the Year[34]
NAACP Image Awards2018DamnOutstanding Album[35]
2023Mr. Morale & the Big SteppersOutstanding Album[36]
People's Choice Awards2022Mr. Morale & the Big SteppersThe Album of 2022[37]
Pulitzer Prize2018DamnPulitzer Prize for Music[38]
Soul Train Music Awards2013Good Kid, M.A.A.D CityAlbum of the Year[39]
XXL Awards2013Good Kid, M.A.A.D CityAlbum of the Year[40]

Production discography

Singles produced

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
USUS
R&B
AUSCANUK
[41]
UK
R&B
"My Type of Party"[42]
(Dom Kennedy)
2012Yellow Album
"Worst Behavior"
(Drake)
201489 26 Nothing Was the Same
"I Don't Fuck with You"
(Big Sean featuring E-40)
11 1 50 35 90 10 Dark Sky Paradise
"Cadillactica"
(Big K.R.I.T.)
Cadillactica
"Hell of a Night"
(Schoolboy Q)
46 Oxymoron
"Stand For"
(Ty Dolla Sign)
"Drug Dealers Anonymous"
(Pusha T featuring JAY Z)
2016King Push
"Trainwreck"
2017The Altar
"Self Care"
201833 18 83 38 61
  • RIAA: 5× Platinum
Swimming
"Big Blue"
2019Father of the Bride
"Gravity"[43]
202171
[44]
60 Wasteland
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Other songs

Rob Rush – Childhood Hero (2006)
Jern Eye – Vision (2009)
Ayomari – The PB & J Solution (2010)
TiRon – MSTRD (2010)
Pac DivDon't Mention It (2010)
Iggy AzaleaIgnorant Art (2011)
Pac Div – Mania (2011)
Pac Div – The Div (2011)
TiRon & Ayomari – A Sucker For Pumps (2011)
Dom KennedyYellow Album (2012)
FashawnChampagne & Styrofoam Cups (2012)
Freddie GibbsBaby Face Killa (2012)
GrandeMarshall – 800
Kendrick LamarGood Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012)
Mac MillerDog Pound (2012)
Pac Div – GMB (2012)
Schoolboy QHabits & Contradictions (2012)
SkemeAlive And Living (2012)
Smoke DZAK.O.N.Y. (2012)
Various artists – The Cafeteria Line Presents: HNGRY (2012)
Casey VeggiesLife Changes (2013)
KRNDN – Everything's Nothing (2013)
Kris Kasanova – 24K (2013)
Nacho PicassoHigh & Mighty (2013)
Nipsey HussleCrenshaw (2013)
Rich KiddIn My Opinion (2013)
SpenzoIn Spenzo We Trust (2013)
Travis ScottOwl Pharaoh (2013)
Vic MensaINNANETAPE (2013)
Schoolboy QOxymoron (2014)
Lily AllenSheezus (2014)
Deluxe Edition Bonus Disc
Smoke DZADream.ZONE.Achieve (2014)
SZAZ (2014)
Ab-SoulThese Days... (2014)
Travis ScottDays Before Rodeo (2014)
Mick JenkinsThe Water[s] (2014)
TinasheAquarius (2014)
LogicUnder Pressure (2014)
Big K.R.I.T.Cadillactica (2014)
MaejorSpirit (2014)

Ab-soulThese Days... (2014)

Jazmine SullivanReality Show (2015)
Lupe FiascoTetsuo & Youth (2015)
Kid InkFull Speed (2015)
Big SeanDark Sky Paradise (2015)
Madonna – Rebel Heart (2015)
TinasheAmethyst (2015)
WaleThe Album About Nothing (2015)
Dom KennedyBy Dom Kennedy (2015)
Vince StaplesSummertime '06 (2015)
Dr. Dre – Compton (2015)
Rico LoveTurn the Lights On (2015)
Travis ScottRodeo (2015)
Mac Miller (2015)
KelelaHallucinogen (2015)
Joe BuddenAll Love Lost (2015)
LogicThe Incredible True Story (2015)

Alex Wiley – *one singular Flame Emoji EP* (2015)

Raleigh RitchieYou're a Man Now, Boy (2016)
Snoh AalegraDon't Explain (2016)
DrakeViews (2016)
Pusha TDrug Dealers Anonymous(2016)
Lion BabeSun Joint
Denzel CurryImperial (Re-Release) (2016)
Jesse Boykins IIIbartholomew (2016)
Schoolboy QBlank Face LP (2016)
Vince StaplesPrima Donna (2016)

06. "Prima Donna" (featuring ASAP Rocky)

Mac MillerThe Divine Feminine (2016)05. "Cinderella" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) (produced with Aja Grant)
BanksThe Altar (2016)
Lance Skiiiwalker – Introverted Intuition (2016)
KehlaniTable (2016)

Tory Lanez - I told you (2016)

Kendrick LamarDamn (2017)
Big BoiBoomiverse (2017)
Vic MensaThe Autobiography (2017)
SZAInsecure (Music from the HBO Original Series), Season 2 (2017) (2017)
LecraeAll Things Work Together (2017)
Big SeanI Decided (2017)
Various artists – Black Panther (2018)
Vince StaplesGet the Fuck off My Dick (2018)
Kali UchisIsolation (2018)
Pac Div – 1st Baptist (2018)
Lykke LiSo Sad So Sexy (2018)
KyleLight of Mine (Deluxe) (2018)
Lupe FiascoDrogas Wave (2018)
Denzel CurryTa13oo (2018)
Mac MillerSwimming (2018)
21 SavageI Am Greater than I Was (2018)
Vampire WeekendFather of the Bride (2019)
KhalidFree Spirit (2019)
SafeStay (2019)
ScHoolboy QCrasH Talk (2019)
Baby KeemDie for My Bitch (2019)
Nas – The Lost Tapes 2 (2019)
Jidenna85 to Africa (2019)
Post MaloneHollywood's Bleeding (2019)
MahaliaLove and Compromise (2019)
EarthgangMirrorland (2019) *08. "Avenue" (produced with Ron Gilmore)
Mike PosnerKeep Going (2019)
Wynne – If I May.. (2019)
Childish Gambino3.15.20 (2020)
WetCome to You (2019)
WaleThe Imperfect Storm (2020)

Slim ThugThug Life (2020)

J. Warner – Figure 8 (2020)

Big SeanDetroit 2 (2020)
Omar ApolloApolonio (2020)
Jack HarlowThats What They All Say (2020)
Sam DewMoonlit Fools (2020)
J. ColeThe Off-Season (2021)
Don ToliverLife of a Don (2021)
IDKUSee4Yourself (2021)
Baby KeemThe Melodic Blue (2021)
Mac MillerFaces (Re-release edition) (2021)
Maxo KreamWeight of the World (2021)

YebbaDawn (2021)

Eli Derby – Left on Read (2022)

KoffeeGifted (2022)
Vince StaplesRamona Park Broke My Heart (2022)
Tanna Leonne – Sleepy Soldier (2022)
Kendrick LamarMr. Morale and the Big Steppers (2022)
Brent FaiyazWasteland (2022)
Steve LacyGemini Rights (2022)
AG Club – Imposter Syndrome (2022)
Freddie GibbsSoul Sold Separately (2022)
Nick HakimCometa (2022)
SminoLuv 4 Rent (2022)
SZASOS (2022)
Ab-SoulHerbert (2022)
Don ToliverLove Sick (2023)
Baby Rose - Through and Through (2023)
Jack Harlow - Jackman (2023)
Q - Soul,PRESENT (2023)
Maeta - When I Hear Your Name (2023)

Eem Triplin - Still Pretty (2023)

Fujii KazeWorkin' Hard (2023)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: iStandard Selects The XXL 2014 Freshmen Producers – XXL. May 14, 2014 . September 30, 2016.
  2. Web site: Interview: Producers Scoop Deville, DJ Dahi, And THC Have Started Working On Kendrick Lamar's Next Album. January 31, 2014. September 30, 2016.
  3. Web site: The Story Behind the Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna Collaboration "LOYALTY." .
  4. Web site: DJ Dahi at Grammy Awards . 2023-08-06 . www.grammy.com.
  5. Web site: 25 New Producers To Watch Out ForD.R.U.G.S.. Complex Networks. September 30, 2016.
  6. Web site: Beat Construction: DJ Dahi .
  7. Web site: Wete . Brad . DJ Dahi: Making The Move From Bass Line To Top Billing . NPR Music.
  8. Web site: 9. DJ Dahi — The 10 Best Rap Producers Right Now . Complex . September 25, 2013 . February 11, 2014.
  9. Web site: Turnerpublished . Danny . 2022-11-22 . Who are the five nominees for Producer of the Year at the 2023 Grammy Awards? . 2023-08-06 . MusicRadar . en.
  10. Web site: September 3, 2013 . 9. Kendrick Lamar f/ Jay Rock "Money Trees" (2012) — The 25 Best Rap Beats of The Last 5 Years . February 11, 2014 . Complex.
  11. Web site: Drake Changes Up His 'Rap Flow' On NWTS's 'Worst Behaviour' – Music, Celebrity, Artist News . https://web.archive.org/web/20130925055333/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1714247/drake-nothing-was-the-same-worst-behaviour.jhtml . dead . September 25, 2013 . MTV.com . September 18, 2013 . February 11, 2014.
  12. Web site: Beat Construction: DJ Dahi. September 30, 2016.
  13. Big Sean Biography, Music & News . 2023-08-06 . Billboard . en-US.
  14. Web site: Gold & Platinum . 2023-08-06 . RIAA . en-US.
  15. Josephs . Brian . 2017-04-24 . Producer DJ Dahi Talks the 5 Songs He Made For Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' . 2023-08-06 . Billboard . en-US.
  16. 2020-09-22 . The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time . 2023-08-06 . Rolling Stone . en-US.
  17. Vampire Weekend Biography, Music & News . 2023-08-06 . Billboard . en-US.
  18. Web site: 2020-04-08 . How One Producer Helped Donald Glover Make His Most Dynamic Album Yet . 2023-08-06 . GQ . en-US.
  19. News: Lawrence . Andrew . 2023-06-30 . Is it time for America to adopt a new national anthem? . en-GB . The Guardian . 2023-08-04 . 0261-3077.
  20. Web site: Dalton2023-01-21T23:59:00+00:00 . Ben . Disney label Onyx Collective buys Questlove's Sly Stone documentary, Ryan Coogler-produced 'Anthem' for Hulu . 2023-08-04 . Screen . en.
  21. Web site: Facts . Radio . 2023-02-07 . Sony Music Publishing Songwriters Win Top Awards At 65th Annual GRAMMYs (PICS) - Radio Facts . 2023-08-06 . en-US.
  22. Web site: 2020-01-27 . SESAC Celebrates 2020 Grammy Winners . 2023-08-06 . Music Connection Magazine . en-US.
  23. Web site: October 10, 2013 . American Music Award Nominations: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Lead With Six . October 10, 2013 . . Prometheus Global Media.
  24. October 12, 2017 . Here Is the Full List of 2017 AMAs Nominations . Billboard . October 12, 2017.
  25. Web site: Moreau . Jordan . October 13, 2022 . American Music Awards Nominations: Bad Bunny Leads With Eight Nods, Followed by Beyoncé, Drake and Taylor Swift . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014041707/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/american-music-awards-nominations-bad-bunny-1235402085/ . October 14, 2022 . October 14, 2022 . Variety.
  26. Web site: Garcia . Thania . June 8, 2023 . 2023 BET Awards: Drake and Glorilla Lead Nominations, Followed by 21 Savage and Lizzo . June 8, 2023 . Variety.
  27. Web site: May 19, 2013 . Billboard Music Awards 2013: The Complete Winners List . https://web.archive.org/web/20140715173505/http://www.mtv.com/news/1707641/billboard-music-awards-winners-list/ . dead . July 15, 2014 . October 8, 2015 . MTV News Staff . MTV.
  28. May 20, 2018 . Here Are All the Winners From the 2018 Billboard Music Awards . Billboard . May 20, 2018.
  29. Billboard Staff . December 6, 2013 . Grammy Awards 2014: Full Nominations List . Billboard . . June 28, 2015.
  30. News: November 28, 2017 . Grammy Nominations 2018: Complete List . Variety . December 23, 2017.
  31. Web site: Variety Staff . November 20, 2019 . 2020 Grammys Nominations: Complete List . November 22, 2019 . Variety.
  32. Blistein . Jon . November 15, 2022 . Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and Adele Top 2023 Grammy Nominees . Rolling Stone . en-US . November 15, 2022.
  33. 2013 HipHopDX Year End Awards . HipHopDX . June 16, 2019.
  34. 972955327783108609. iHeartRadio.
    1. HipHopAlbumOfTheYear #HipHopArtistOfTheYear Be Humble. #iHeartAwards2018 @kendricklamar
    . iHeartRadio. March 11, 2018.
  35. Web site: November 20, 2017 . NAACP Image Awards Nominees . November 20, 2017 . Deadline.
  36. Grein . Paul . January 12, 2023 . Beyoncé & Kendrick Lamar Lead Music Nominations for 2023 NAACP Image Awards . live . . en-US . https://web.archive.org/web/20230112233036/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-naacp-image-awards-nominations-list-music-focus-beyonce-kendrick-lamar-1235197799/ . January 12, 2023 . January 13, 2023.
  37. Web site: 2022-11-11 . Everything to Know About the 2022 People's Choice Awards . 2022-12-04 . NBC Insider Official Site . en-US.
  38. News: April 16, 2018 . 2018 Pulitzer Prize Winners: Full List . . April 16, 2018.
  39. Web site: 2013 Soul Train Music Awards Nominees . October 17, 2015 . BET.
  40. 13 February 2013 . First Annual XXL Awards Winners . XXL . 10 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130318151703/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2013/02/xxl-awards-winners/ . 18 March 2013.
  41. "Gravity": Web site: Brent Faiyaz/DJ Dahi/Tyler. Official Charts Company. February 6, 2021.
  42. Web site: My Type of Party – Single by DOM KENNEDY on Apple Music. iTunes. May 24, 2012 . September 30, 2016.
  43. Web site: New Music: Brent Faiyaz Ft. DJ Dahi, Tyler, The Creator "Gravity". Rap Radar. Duong. Paul. January 28, 2020. January 28, 2021.
  44. billboardcharts. 1358877610500108303. @brentfaiyaz & @DjDahi's "Gravity," featuring @tylerthecreator, debuts at No. 71 on this week's #Hot100.... February 8, 2021. February 9, 2021.