DJ Yella

Real Name: Antoine Carraby
D.O.B.: December 11, 1967 Compton L.A., California

DJ Yella is known for his notable contributions to the west coast gangsta rap scene. As an integral member of the super group, N.W.A. he was a secondary producer to Dr. Dre on all their record-breaking albums.

From Compton, California he got his first break alongside Dre and Cli-En-Tel producing such tracks circulated on the L.A. underground scene, ‘Surgery’ and ‘Juice’ performing in a local club in Compton, Eve After Dark owned by Alonzo Williams. Together the three hired DJ’s formed the group, World Class Wreckin’ Cru from 1983-’88 producing some very solid and very popular electro-funk music as the scene dictated at the time. The Crew became quaintly successful in Los Angeles, hitting the pop charts with a smooth love jam named "Turn Off the Lights" during 1988. It was at this height, Dre and Yella were co-producing a track, "Boyz N The Hood" written by local rapper/writer, Ice Cube who was introduced to them by street hustler, Eazy-E trying to set up a more established rap act.

Despite the growing respect for the WCW Crew, Yella went with Dre and turned their concentration on the new venture of Eazy’s Ruthless Records project with Ice Cube. By 1989 WCW Crew had metamorphosed into the hardcore Compton gangsta rap pioneers, N.W.A. Yella continued his production skills alongside Dre for the entirety of the N.W.A. and Eazy-E discography becoming a solid campaigner for the tumultuous Ruthless Records.

After the N.W.A. chapter, Yella stuck by Eazy’s side and produced projects for Ruthless’ new line up of artists. He produced tracks for Bone Thugs n Harmony’s, ‘Creepin’ On Ah Come Up’ EP. Later he showed respect to his late collegue, Eazy-E after he passed, dedicating his debut solo album, ‘One Mo Nigga to Go’. Without the guidance of Eazy, Yella disappeared from the radar of rap music. Surfacing years later as a director of pornographic movies, returning to music only once more alongside friend, MC Ren from N.W.A. reuniting for a song called ‘Bangin’ on the soundtrack to one of his sex movies.

This change of career seems to influence Yella’s future more than a return to the gangsta rap scene that once made him so famous globally. He will remain a founding member of gangsta Rap, The Punk scene to rock music.

Discography:

• 1996 One Mo Nigga Ta Go (Chart positions: #82) RIAA certification: Gold