:Dot da Genius
{{Short description|American record producer and audio engineer}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Dot da Genius
| birth_name = Oladipo Omishore
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|7|17}}
| birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S.
| occupation = {{hlist|Record producer|audio engineer |disc jockey}}
| years_active = 2001–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Jhené Aiko|2014|2017|reason=divorced}}
| origin = Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|alternative rock}}
| label = {{hlist|Wicked Awesome|GOOD|Universal Republic|HeadBanga}}
| current_member_of = WZRD
}}
Oladipo Omishore (born July 17, 1986), known professionally as Dot da Genius, is an American record producer and audio engineer. He first gained recognition for his production on Kid Cudi's 2008 single "Day 'n' Nite"; the two would later form the rock band WZRD in 2010.{{Cite web|url=http://www.breweryrecording.com/engineers/dot/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513092024/http://www.breweryrecording.com/engineers/dot/|url-status=dead|title=Dot Da Genius, producer/owner, Brewery recording Studio.|archive-date=May 13, 2012|access-date=December 22, 2021}}
In entrepreneurial pursuits, Omishore has launched the multi-media company HeadBanga Muzik Group. Outside of his work with Cudi, he has worked with prominent music industry artists, including Nas, Kanye West, Eminem, Denzel Curry, Lil Nas X, JID, 6LACK, and Jhené Aiko, among others.{{Cite magazine |last=Tingen |first=Paul |date=October 2009 |title=Secrets Of The Mix Engineers: Dot Da Genius |url=http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct09/articles/it_1009.htm |url-status=live |magazine=Sound on Sound |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601230403/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct09/articles/it_1009.htm |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012}}
Life and career
=1986–2005: Early life=
Omishore is from the Brooklyn borough of New York City. He is of Nigerian heritage, of the Yoruba tribe.{{cite news |author=Bodunrin |first=Sola |date=March 17, 2016 |title=American singer Jhene Aiko is married to Yoruba man |work=Naij |publisher= |url=https://www.naij.com/767914-amazing-popular-american-singer-speaks-yoruba.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401152935/https://www.naij.com/767914-amazing-popular-american-singer-speaks-yoruba.html |archive-date=April 1, 2016}}{{Cite news |author=Atisele |first=Kenneth |date=March 17, 2016 |title=While We Weren't Looking, Jhene Aiko Got Married To A Yoruba/American Producer |work=Nigerian Entertainment Today |publisher= |url=https://thenet.ng/while-we-werent-looking-jhene-aiko-got-married-to-a-yorubaamerican-producer/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319025319/http://thenet.ng/2016/03/while-we-werent-looking-jhene-aiko-got-married-to-a-yorubaamerican-producer/ |archive-date=March 19, 2016}} His parents always encouraged his interest in music, and at the age of seven, his father sent him to the Brooklyn Music School for piano lessons, where he studied with Tom Coote. Omishore preferred playing the guitar, but learning how to play a keyboard instrument was very beneficial later in life when he started producing. He attended Polytechnic Institute of New York University in New York, where he studied electrical engineering, was a member of the university basketball team, and graduated in 2008.{{cite web |last1=Witte |first1=Rae |title=Meet Dot Da Genius, the man behind Kid Cudi's sound and co-producer of Kids See Ghosts |url=https://www.factmag.com/2018/06/16/dot-da-genius-interview-kid-cudi-kanye-west/ |website=factmag.com |date=June 16, 2018 |publisher=Fact |access-date=6 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616172247/https://www.factmag.com/2018/06/16/dot-da-genius-interview-kid-cudi-kanye-west/ |archive-date= 16 June 2018}}
=2006–2009: Career beginnings and producing for Kid Cudi=
Omishore began his career in sound-mixing in 2003 at New York University by using Image-Line's FL Studio program. In 2004, Omishore created a studio in his basement with equipment bought by his parents and would later call it "Head Banga Muzik Studios."{{Cite web |title=About |url=http://headbangamuzik.com/about/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224063906/http://headbangamuzik.com/about/ |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012 |website=Head Banga Muzik}} After gaining attention for his production, he decided to change locations to the Brewery Recording Studio. In May 2009, Omishore partnered up with Andrew Krivonos, owner of Brewery Recording Studio, and helped move the studio to North Brooklyn in a new facility.{{Cite web |title=Studio |url=http://breweryrecording.com/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002023410/http://www.breweryrecording.com/studio/ |archive-date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=December 22, 2021 |website=Brewery Recording Studio}}
Omishore and Kid Cudi met in 2006, and they lived together for two years. Both artists found a genuine liking for one another, and chose to work with each other on several music productions. "Day N' Nite" turned out to be the biggest hit production that both of them worked on together, with Omishore providing the beats and Cudi rapping and singing over the music. He produced the song in Head Banga Muzik Studios, and used several different methods of mixing and synthesizing the beats on this track. The song took a total of two days to complete, from the instrumental being made to the track's final arrangements. No edits were made after that two-day process ended. It was finished in 2007 and became popular two years later, in 2009.
"Day N' Nite" reached the top three in the United States and the United Kingdom. It was released under the labels GOOD Music, Fool's Gold Records, Universal Motown Records, and Data Records. It is featured on the album Man on the Moon: The End of Day.
=2010–2018: WZRD=
{{Main|WZRD (band)|WZRD (album)}}
WZRD is Omishore and Kid Cudi's collaboration alternative rock band. Kid Cudi focuses on the vocals, while Omishore is responsible for the production.{{Cite magazine |last=Fairfax |first=Jesse |date=February 28, 2012 |title=WZRD (Kid Cudi x Dot Da Genius) |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1843/title.wzrd-kid-cudi-x-dot-da-genius-wzrd |url-status=live |magazine=HipHopDX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120902084457/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/album-reviews/id.1843/title.wzrd-kid-cudi-x-dot-da-genius-wzrd |archive-date=September 2, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012}} Their self-titled album was later released in February 2012. Together, they produced a self-made album titled WZRD. Much of their inspiration behind the album came from their love for Nirvana, The Pixies, and Pink Floyd. They recorded much of the album in either their tour bus while they were on the road, or Cudi's basement studio in Hollywood Hills.{{Cite magazine |last=La Puma |first=Joe |date=February 27, 2012 |title=WZRD: Band Of Brothers (2012 Online Cover Story) |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/wzrd-kid-cudi-dot-da-genius-online-cover-story |url-status=live |magazine=Complex |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625090157/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/wzrd-kid-cudi-dot-da-genius-online-cover-story |archive-date=June 25, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012}} This album contained absolutely no profanity, including the "n word" that many rappers loosely use.{{Cite web |last=Weintraub |first=Jason |date=November 20, 2011 |title=Kid Cudi's New Album Will Contain No Curse Words, No N-Words |url=http://hiphopwired.com/2011/11/20/kid-cudis-new-album-contains-no-curse-words-and-no-n-words/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122054633/http://hiphopwired.com/2011/11/20/kid-cudis-new-album-contains-no-curse-words-and-no-n-words/ |archive-date=January 22, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012 |website=Hip-Hop Wired}} The album was first released on February 28, 2012. It reportedly sold 70,499 copies in its opening week.{{Cite magazine |last=Moore |first=Jacob |date=March 6, 2012 |title=Kid Cudi & Dot Da Genius' "WZRD" Sells Over 70K In Week One |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/03/kid-cudi-dot-da-genius-wzrd-sells-over-70k-in-week-one |url-status=live |magazine=Complex |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418175655/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/03/kid-cudi-dot-da-genius-wzrd-sells-over-70k-in-week-one |archive-date=April 18, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012}} Although Cudi finds the marketing and promotion of the album weak by Universal Music Group, it landed the number three spot on the album sales chart.{{Cite web |last=Beadon |first=Leigh |date=March 8, 2012 |title=KiD CuDi's WZRD Debuts At No. 3 Despite Being Swept Under The Rug By Universal |url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120307/16295418031/kid-cudis-wzrd-debuts-no-3-despite-being-swept-under-rug-universal.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518211744/http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120307/16295418031/kid-cudis-wzrd-debuts-no-3-despite-being-swept-under-rug-universal.shtml |archive-date=May 18, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012 |website=Techdirt}} Universal Music Group also allegedly under-shipped copies of the album.{{Cite magazine |last=Jacobs |first=Allen |date=March 7, 2012 |title=Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 3/4/2012 |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.18926/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-3-4-2012 |url-status=dead |magazine=HipHopDX |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614200123/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.18926/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-3-4-2012 |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012}} While "Rocket" was released prior to the release of WZRD, it was not featured on the album.{{Cite web |title=DatNewCudi.com: Dot Da Genius Interview Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEIDlgceNpk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220151818/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEIDlgceNpk |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 22, 2021 |via=YouTube}}
=2018–present: Solo debut album=
In 2018, Omishore and Woodro Skillson announced the signing of James Japan to their label, HeadBanga Muzik Group.{{Cite web |last=Espinoza |first=Joshua |date=March 2, 2018 |title=HeadBanga Muzik Signee James Japan Shares "Real" |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/03/james-japan-real |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303033559/https://www.complex.com/music/2018/03/james-japan-real |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |access-date=December 22, 2021 |website=Complex}}
In 2019, Omishore co-produced the hit single Panini by Lil Nas X along with producer duo Take A Daytrip.{{cite web | url=https://genius.com/Lil-nas-x-panini-lyrics | title=Lil Nas X – Panini }} The single peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 2020, Omishore scored his first number-one hit single on the Billboard Hot 100, when "The Scotts," a collaborative effort between Cudi and his protege Travis Scott, debuted at the top spot in the US chart.
On June 24, 2022, Omishore released "Talk About Me", the lead single from his upcoming solo debut album. The song features vocals from American rappers Kid Cudi, Denzel Curry, and JID. In July 2022, Complex interviewed Omishore on his upcoming debut album.{{cite web |last=Blanchet |first=Brenton |date=July 6, 2022 |title=Dot da Genius is Stepping into the Spotlight |url=https://www.complex.com/music/dot-da-genius-interview-talk-about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712120225/https://www.complex.com/music/dot-da-genius-interview-talk-about |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=Complex}}
Artistry
=Musical style=
Omishore is a self-taught music producer and engineer.
=Influences=
Among Omishore’s favorite albums of all time are Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, Dr. Dre's The Chronic, Outkast's ATLiens, and Coldplay's Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends.{{Cite magazine |last=Ahmed |first=Insanul |date=March 4, 2012 |title=Dusty Grooves: Dot Da Genius' 25 Favorite Albums |url=http://www.complex.com/music/2012/03/soundtrack-to-my-life-dot-da-genius-25-favorite-albums |url-status=live |magazine=Complex |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623161349/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/03/soundtrack-to-my-life-dot-da-genius-25-favorite-albums |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012}}
Personal life
Omishore has one daughter, from a previous relationship.{{Cite magazine |last=Ahmed |first=Insanul |date=February 29, 2012 |title=Dot Da Genius Tells All: The Stories Behind his Classic Records |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/dot-da-genius-tells-all-the-stories-behind-his-classic-records |url-status=live |magazine=Complex |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811084848/http://www.complex.com/music/2012/02/dot-da-genius-tells-all-the-stories-behind-his-classic-records/ |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |access-date=September 7, 2012}} In September 2014, American singer-songwriter Jhené Aiko, revealed she and Omishore were in a relationship. The two revealed their marriage in March 2016.{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Jessie |date=March 16, 2016 |title=Dot Da Genius Confirms His Marriage to Jhené Aiko in a Passionate Instagram Message |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2016/03/dot-da-genius-reveals-marriage-to-jhene-aiko |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508083842/https://www.complex.com/music/2016/03/dot-da-genius-reveals-marriage-to-jhene-aiko |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Complex |language=}} On August 9, 2016, Jhené Aiko filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.{{Cite web |last=Nessif |first=Bruna |date=August 11, 2016 |title=Jhene Aiko Files for Divorce from Dot da Genius |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/787136/jhene-aiko-files-for-divorce-from-dot-da-genius |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812005841/http://www.eonline.com/news/787136/jhene-aiko-files-for-divorce-from-dot-da-genius |archive-date=August 12, 2016 |access-date=August 12, 2016 |website=E! News}} The divorce was finalized in October 2017.{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Chantilly |date=October 3, 2017 |title=Jhene Aiko's Divorce With Dot Da Genius Finalized |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jhene-aikos-divorce-with-dot-da-genius-finalized-news.37981.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306114737/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/jhene-aikos-divorce-with-dot-da-genius-finalized-news.37981.html |archive-date=March 6, 2021 |access-date=December 22, 2021 |website=HotNewHipHop}}{{Cite web |last=Eustice |first=Kyle |date=October 3, 2017 |title=Jhené Aiko's Divorce From Dot Da Genius Is Official |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.44810/title.jhene-aikos-divorce-from-dot-da-genius-is-official |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813234849/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.44810/title.jhene-aikos-divorce-from-dot-da-genius-is-official |archive-date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=HipHopDX |language=}}
Discography
{{see also|WZRD discography}}
=Soundtrack albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of soundtracks, with selected information ! scope="col" style="width:12em;" | Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" | Album details |
| scope="row" | Entergalactic (Original Score) {{small|(with Plain Pat)}} |
|
|---|
=Singles=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row"| "Fettuccine"{{cite web | url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/11/dot-da-genius-fettuccine-debut-single | title=Dot da Genius Whips up Some "Fettuccine" on Debut Single as Solo Artist | website=Complex Networks }} (featuring Tunji Ige, Fat Tony and Price) | 2018 |rowspan="1" {{n/a|non-album single}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| "Talk About Me"{{cite web | url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/kid-cudi-announces-denzel-curry-jid-collaboration-talk-about-me-news.153942.html?_amp | title=Kid Cudi Announces Denzel Curry, JID Collaboration, "Talk About Me" | website=HNHH | date=June 22, 2022 }} (with Kid Cudi, Denzel Curry and JID) |rowspan="1"| 2022 |rowspan="1" {{TBA}} |
=Guest appearances=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Other artist(s) ! scope="col" | Album |
| scope="row"| "Burrow"
| rowspan="10"| 2022 |
|---|
Production discography
{{Main|Dot da Genius production discography}}
Awards and nominations
=BET Hip Hop Awards=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!Nominated work !Award !Result |
|---|
| rowspan="5"|2009[http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/09/17/bet-award-nominations/ Leah Greenblatt, "BET Hip Hop Award nominations announced; will top nominee Kanye show?"] MusicMix.
|BET Hip Hop Award for Track of the Year |{{nom}} |
| Day 'n' Nite
|BET Hip Hop Award for Best Hip Hop Video |{{nom}} |
=Black Reel Television Awards=
=Grammy Awards=
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Nominated Work !Award !Result |
| rowspan="2" |2010{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards|title=Awards Nominations & Winners|date=April 30, 2017|website=Grammy.com|access-date=December 22, 2021}}
|"Day 'n' Nite" |Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance |{{nom}} |
| "Day 'n' Nite"
|Grammy Award for Best Rap Song |{{nom}} |
| 2019
|“Panini” |{{nom}} |
=MTV Video Music Awards=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!Nominated work !Award !Result |
|---|
| rowspan="1"|2009{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716032752/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 16, 2009|title=2009 Video Music Awards|website=Mtv.com|access-date=December 22, 2021}}
|"Day 'n' Nite" |MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist |{{nom}} |
= mtvU Woodie Awards =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Nominated Work !Award !Result |
| 2009{{Cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/woodieawards/2009/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008001615/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/woodieawards/2009/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2009|title=2009 Woodie Awards|website=Mtv.com|access-date=December 22, 2021}}
| "Day 'n' Nite | Best Video Woodie | {{nom}} |
Filmography
- A Man Named Scott (2021) - Himself
- 1992 (2024) - Himself - Executive producer
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0001041311|label=Dot Da Genius}}
- {{Discogs artist | artist=Dot Da Genius | name=Dot Da Genius}}
- [https://myspace.com/DotDaGenius Dot da Genius] on Myspace
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dot Da Genius}}
Category:21st-century American musicians
Category:American hip-hop record producers
Category:American rock musicians
Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians
Category:Musicians from Brooklyn
Category:Polytechnic Institute of New York University alumni
Category:American people of Yoruba descent
Category:American people of Nigerian descent
Category:21st-century Nigerian musicians
Category:American male pianists
Category:21st-century American keyboardists
Category:21st-century American pianists
Category:Record producers from New York (state)
Category:21st-century American male musicians
Category:DJs from New York City