Sharif "Reefa" Slater is a

music producer A record producer is a recording project's creative and technical leader, commanding studio time and coaching artists, and in popular genres typically creates the song's very sound and structure.Virgil Moorefield"Introduction" ''The Producer as ...

who has produced for notable artists. He was raised in

Brownsville, Brooklyn Brownsville is a residential neighborhood in eastern Brooklyn in New York City. The neighborhood is generally bordered by Crown Heights to the northwest; Bedford–Stuyvesant and Cypress Hills to the north; East New York to the east; Canarsie ...

,HipHopDX - Records with Nas, Puff Daddy
/ref> and currently heads a production company for emerging artists and producers.

Production work/involvement

Sharif "Reefa" Slater has produced for

Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September 27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. His career began in 1995, at the age of 12, when he was signed by rapper Birdman (rapper), ...

, Estelle, The Game,

Rick Ross William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), known professionally as Rick Ross, is an American rapper. Prior to releasing his debut single, "Hustlin'", in 2006, Ross was the subject of a bidding war, receiving offers from Sean Combs, D ...

Troy Ave Roland Collins (born November 23, 1985), better known by the stage name Troy Ave, is an American rapper from the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. His moniker derives from Troy Avenue, a street near his childhood home. In N ...

, Maino,Rap Radar - Reefa Track for Maino and Mack Wilds
/ref>

Fabolous John David Jackson (born November 18, 1977), better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition while still a senior in high school, when he performed live on American music executive ...

Ludacris Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, 1977), known professionally as Ludacris (, homophonous with 'ludicrous' in American English), is an American rapper, actor, record producer and record executive. Born in Champaign, Illinois, Ludac ...

Juelz Santana LaRon Louis James (born February 18, 1982), better known by his stage name Juelz Santana, is an American rapper and member of East Coast hip hop group The Diplomats, also known as Dipset. He is best known for his appearances on Cam'ron's 2002 si ...

French Montana Karim Kharbouch (Arabic: æɾiːm χɑɾbuːʃ born November 9, 1984), better known by his stage name French Montana, is a Moroccan-American rapper. Born and raised in Morocco, he emigrated to the United States with his family when he was 13. ...

Gucci Mane Radric Delantic Davis (born February 12, 1980), known professionally as Gucci Mane, is an American rapper and record executive. He helped pioneer the hip hop subgenre of trap music alongside fellow Atlanta-based rappers T.I. and Young Jeezy, ...

Omarion Omari Ishmael Grandberry (born November 12, 1984), better known by his stage name Omarion, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, actor and dancer. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the boy band B2K. The group achieved success in the e ...

Beanie Sigel Dwight Equan Grant (born March 6, 1974), better known by his stage name Beanie Sigel, is an American rapper from South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He first became known for his association with Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records, releasing his debut ...

Red Cafe Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a seconda ...

Super Junior Super Junior (; stylized in all caps), also known as SJ or SuJu, is a South Korean boy band formed by Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment in 2005. They are also dubbed by the media as the "King of Hallyu Wave" due to their prominent ...

and

The Notorious B.I.G. Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), better known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was an American rapper. Rooted in East Coast hip hop and particularly gangsta ...

One of his most successful singles to date has been "

It's Okay (One Blood) "It's Okay (One Blood)" is a song by American rapper and West Coast hip hop artist The Game featuring vocals from reggae singer Junior Reid, from his second studio album Doctor's Advocate. Released as the album's lead single on July 24, 2006, ...

" by The Game, and he has been a producer on the two Billboard #1 albums released by Miami Rapper, Rick Ross,SOHH - Record with Rick Ross
/ref> namely "God Forgives, I Don't", and "Mastermind.XXL Magazine - Mastermind Producers
/ref>"

Early career

Hailing from

, he became interested in music - one of his uncles lived on the same block as

Biggie Smalls Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), better known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was an American rapper. Rooted in East Coast hip hop and particularly gangsta ...

, and he saw first hand how producers like Diddy and The Trackmasters translated their studio skills into lucrative careers. He began discjockeying at local reggae parties, and moved on to producing rap instrumentals. His first beat placement was for rapper Shells – on a song that was included on the Coach Carter film soundtrack. Almost two years passed after he sold that track without anything really happening in his career. Things eventually got moving again through Puffy's Biggie Duets project. He produced the "Hustler's Story" song featuring Akon and Scarface, and Diddy immediately noticed he had a prize pupil on his hands. After that, the work started rolling in, and Reefa could finally start calling himself a bona fide producer. The real breakthrough in his career came via Dr. Dre's legendary West coast outfit. During a brief visit to LA, he happened to play the "One Blood" instrumental for Aftermath A&R, Angelo Sanders. Hours later, he got a call informing him he'd scored the first single to The Game's highly anticipated sophomore album.

Recent activity: late 2000s to present

Over the last five years, Reefa has clocked heavy studio time with the new titans on the hip hop scene - French Montana, Troy Ave, Chinx Drugz, Maino and the reigning hip hop heavyweight, Rick Ross. Recently, he produced three cuts of French Montana's 2013 ''Excuse My French'' album released via Puff Daddy's Bad Boy label. He also crafted critically lauded tracks for the last two Rick Ross albums, God Forgives I Don't (released in 2012) and Mastermind (released in early 2014). Both Rick Ross albums debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Charts. The track he produced for Rick Ross's 2012 album was a soulful, percussion-heavy banger called "Ice Cold" featuring R&B star

. His contribution to Ross's most recent LP was a gritty, hard-hitting NYC-style track called "What A Shame" featuring

. In 2014, Reefa enjoyed great success on the Billboard top 200 Chart. He notched production credits on two albums that debuted in the Billboard Top 10 in the same week. The first was the aforementioned Mastermind album by Rick Ross, and the second was the comeback album Braveheart from R&B princess Ashanti. Both albums were released on March 4, 2014. Still to come in 2014, Reefa co-produced with

Irv Gotti Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. (born June 26, 1970), professionally known as Irv Gotti, is an American DJ, music producer, record executive, and the CEO and co-founder of Murder Inc. Records. He is best known for producing multiple number-one rec ...

, Myles William and 12Keyz, a remake of the Notorious B.I.G. song "Mo Money Mo Problems" for "The Other Woman" soundtrack movie starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Upton and Nicki Minaj. The song features vocals by both Iggy Azalea and Keyshia Cole.The YBF Iggy Azalea - Keyshia Cole - Reefa
/ref> In addition to that, he also secured the impressive job of scoring all the music for the upcoming season of T.I.'s VH1 reality show T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle.AllHipHop.com - Producer Feature
/ref>"

Reefa Past Production Company: ATM (Addicted to Money)

Similar to prolific music production houses like Berry Gordy's Motown and Puff Daddy's hugely successful Hitmen, Reefa is looking to make a lasting impact with his company ATM. The production label was founded in 2005 by super-producer Sharif "Reefa" Slater. ATM currently houses upcoming hitmakers 12Keyz, Paul Ruess, TeddyDaDon and DiosMoreno. To date, the legion of exceptional musicians has created beats for artists like Estelle and Keyshia Cole. ATM also has a secret weapon under their wings – an amazing young vocalist named Jaymond Watkins. This budding star has already appeared on The Ellen De Generes show (at the age of just 11 years), and the YouTube video of that performance has garnered more than 4 million views Maddi Jane - The Ellen Show
/ref>". Her album, executive produced by ATM, will drop this May. In the coming years, ATM is looking to become a household name in the music industry.

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

The

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

s are awarded annually by the

National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The Recording Academy (formally the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; abbreviated NARAS) is an American Learned society, learned academy of musicians, producers, recording engineers, and other musical professionals. It is famous f ...

Production Discography

* Lola Brooke - “Gator Season” (2022) * Lola Brooke - “Here I Come” (2022) * Lola Brooke - “Back To Business” (2020) * Lola Brooke - “My Bop” (2020) * Lola Brooke - “Shittin Me” (2019) * Lola Brooke - “Options” (2019) * Lobby Boyz Ft

Benny the Butcher Jeremie Damon Pennick (born November 27, 1984), known professionally as Benny the Butcher or simply Benny, is an American rapper. He is part of the hip hop collective Griselda with frequent collaborators and first-cousins Westside Gunn and Conw ...

“Praying” (2022) *

Fivio Foreign Maxie Lee Ryles III (born March 29, 1990), known by his stage name Fivio Foreign, is an American rapper from New York. He rose to fame in 2019 with his single "Big Drip", which spawned a remix with rappers Lil Baby and Quavo. He is signed to fel ...

“Panicking” (2021) * Symba - “Reality Is” (2021) * Symba Ft

Moneybagg Yo DeMario DeWayne White Jr. (born September 22, 1991), known professionally as Moneybagg Yo, is an American rapper. He is signed to fellow Memphis rapper Yo Gotti's record label, Collective Music Group (CMG), in a joint venture deal with Interscope ...

O.T. Genasis Odis Oliver Flores (born June 18, 1987), better known by his stage name O.T. Genasis, is an American rapper, actor and singer. Early life Odis Oliver Flores was born on June 18, 1987, in Atlanta to Garifunas from Belize. He is a Garifuna Amer ...

Too $hort Todd Anthony Shaw (born April 28, 1966), better known by the stage name Too Short (stylized as Too $hort), is an American rapper and record producer. He became famous in the West Coast hip hop scene in the late 1980s, with lyrics often based on ...

x Justinlaboy - “Follow Me” (2021) * JustinLaboy "Respectfully" (2021) * Stunna Girl Ft

42 Dugg Dion Marquise Hayes (born November 25, 1995), known professionally as 42 Dugg, is an American rapper. He is jointly signed to rappers Lil Baby and Yo Gotti's respective labels 4 Pockets Full (4PF) and Collective Music Group (CMG), in conjunctio ...

"Ratch" (2021) * Stunna Girl "Rotation" (2020) * Stunna Girl "Like I Said Tho" (2021) * Stunna Girl "Still Smoke" (2021) * Stunna Girl "Cant Choose" (2021) * Stunna Girl "Stunna This Stunna That" (2021) *

- "Let It All Work Out" (2018) *

- "Murda" ft

Junior Reid Delroy "Junior" Reid (born 6 June 1963) is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall musician, best known for his featuring on the songs " One Blood", " It's Okay (One Blood)" and "This Is Why I'm Hot", as well as being the lead vocalist for Black Uhuru ...

Cory Gunz Peter Cory Pankey, Jr. (born June 22, 1987), better known by his stage name Cory Gunz, is an American rapper from The Bronx, New York City.Jessica Koslow, "Interview: Cory Gunz: Youngest In Charge," February 1, 2005, found aHipHopDx website Acc ...

x Capo (2021) * Estelle Ft Alicai Harley - "Slow Down" (2018) * Estelle Ft Hood Celebrity - "Karma" (2018) - co-produced by 12Keyz * Jay Watts - "Single Friends" (2017) - co-produced by 12Keyz * Lenny Grant AKA

Uncle Murda Leonard Grant (born July 25, 1980), better known by his stage name Uncle Murda, is an American rapper from East New York, Brooklyn. He is Afro Panamanian of his mother's side. He is currently signed to G-Unit Records. He is known for his annual ...

50 Cent Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and businessman. Born in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, Jackson began pursuing a musical career in 2000, when he produced ...

Jeremih Jeremy Phillip Felton (born July 17, 1987), known professionally as Jeremih ( ), is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. In 2009, he signed a record deal with Def Jam Recordings. Jeremih's commercial debut single, "Birthday Sex", ...

- "On & On" (2017) - co-produced by 12Keyz *

PnB Rock Rakim Hasheem Allen (December 9, 1991 – September 12, 2022), better known by his stage name PnB Rock, was an American rapper and singer. He gained a large following in 2016 with his song "Selfish", which peaked at number 51 on the US ''Billbo ...

Ty Dolla Sign Tyrone William Griffin Jr. (born April 13, 1982), known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign (stylized as Ty Dolla $ign or Ty$), is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. He first gained major recognition in 2010 for his feature on Ameri ...

- "Hanging Up My Jersey" (2017) - co-produced by 12Keyz *

- "Rap Up 2016" -co-produced by Teddy Da Don *

Young M.A Katorah Kasanova Marrero (born April 3, 1992), better known by her stage name Young M.A (acronym for Young Me. Always), is an American rapper. She first gained widespread recognition with the release of the quadruple-platinum hit single " Ooouuu ...

x Dios Moreno - "Thot" (2016) *

Alessia Cara Alessia Caracciolo (born July 11, 1996), known professionally as Alessia Cara (), is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Born in Mississauga, Ontario, to Italian Canadian parents, she began posting covers of songs on YouTube at age 13. After uploadi ...

- "I'm Yours" Original Version (2016) - co-produced by 12Keyz * Manolo Rose - "Wallahi" (2016) * Jay Watts - "Thats Not Me" (2016) - co-produced by 12Keyz x Myles William x

Adrian Melendez Adrian is a form of the Latin given name Adrianus or Hadrianus. Its ultimate origin is most likely via the former river Adria from the Venetic and Illyrian word ''adur'', meaning "sea" or "water". The Adria was until the 8th century BC the main ...

* Jay Watts - "IDGAF" (2016) - co-produced by 12Keyz x Paul Ruess *

- "Rap Up" (2015) * Jay Watts - "How You Feel" - co-produced by 12Keyz x Paul Ruess *

x Capo - "Murda" Free Weezy Album- (2015) co-produced by Myles William x 12Keyz *

Young Greatness Theodore Joseph Jones III (September 19, 1984 – October 29, 2018), better known by his stage name Young Greatness, was an American rapper. He was best known for his 2015 single " Moolah", which peaked at number 85 on the ''Billboard'' Ho ...

musician - "Real Is Back" - (2015) co-produced by Myles William x JayAreOnTheBeat * Estelle musician - "She Will Love" - (2015) * Estelle musician - "Not Sure" - (2015) co-produced by 12Keyz x Myles William * Estelle musician - "Conqueror" - (2015) co-produced by Johnny Black * Rayven Justice "Dont Trust Em" ft

Chinx Lionel Du Fon Pickens (December 4, 1983 – May 17, 2015), better known by his stage name Chinx (formerly Chinx Drugz), was an American rapper. He was a member of The Rockaway Riot Squad alongside fellow slain rapper Stack Bundles. Chinx later joi ...

- (2015) co-produced by 12Keyz * Rayven Justice "Nobody" - (2015) co-produced by Myles William * Maino X

Mack Wilds Tristan Paul Mack Wilds (born July 15, 1989) is an American actor, singer-songwriter, and record producer. He is known for his roles as Michael Lee on the HBO original drama series, ''The Wire'', and as Dixon Wilson on the CW teen drama series ...

- "All About You" (2014) co-produced by 12Keyz * Maino K.O.B King Of Brooklyn Album (2013) ("K.O.B (Rules To This Shit) * Maino K.O.B King Of Brooklyn Album (2013) "Plottin" * Maino K.O.B King Of Brooklyn Album (2013) "Bang" * Maino K.O.B King Of Brooklyn Album (2013) "Great" * Maino K.O.B King Of Brooklyn Album (2013) "Just Watch" * The Other Woman - ''Movie Soundtrack'' (2014) "I'm Coming Out" featuring

Keyshia Cole Keyshia Myeshia Cole Johnson; born October 15, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Cole began her career as a backing vocalist for MC Hammer. After signing with A&M Records ...

Iggy Azalea Amethyst Amelia Kelly (born 7 June 1990), known professionally as Iggy Azalea (), is an Australian rapper. At the age of 16, Azalea moved from Australia to the United States in order to pursue a career in music. Azalea earned public recognitio ...

- co-produced by

, Myles William and 12Keyz *

- ''

Mastermind Mastermind, Master Mind or The Mastermind may refer to: Fictional characters * Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde), a fictional supervillain in Marvel Comics, a title also held by his daughters: ** Martinique Jason, the first daughter and successor of th ...

'' (2014) (09. "What A Shame" featuring

- co produced by Stats) * Ashanti - ''Braveheart'' (2014) (02. "Nowhere" co-produced by 12Keyz, 03. "Runaway" co-produced by 12Keyz) *

- ''Excuse My French'' (2013) (01. "Once In A While" co-produced by 12Keyz, 12. "We Go Wherever We Want" co-produced by 12Keyz,

Vinylz Anderson Hernandez (born September 2, 1989),Rys, Dan (July 11, 2013)"‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ Behind The Scenes: Five Producers Who Helped Craft The Album". ''XXL (magazine), XXL''. Accessed on July 11, 2013. professionally known as Vinylz, ...

and Allen Ritter, 19. "If I Die" co-produced by 12Keyz) *

- ''New York City - The Album'' (2013) 17. "I'm Dat N#gga" co-produced by Myles William and Stats *

- ''Arm & Dangerous" - '' (2013) Co-produced by Myles William *

Ky-mani Marley Ky-Mani Marley (born 26 February 1976) is a Jamaican singer and musician. His name is of East African origin, and means "Adventurous Traveler". He is the only child of Bob Marley with Anita Belnavis, a Jamaican table tennis champion. In 2001 ...

- ''Love Over All" - '' (2015) *

Ja Rule Jeffrey Bruce Atkins (born February 29, 1976), better known by his stage name Ja Rule (), is an American rapper and actor. Born and raised in New York City, he debuted in 1999 with ''Venni Vetti Vecci'' and its lead single "Holla Holla". Durin ...

- ''Fresh Out Da Pen" - '' (2013) co-produced by Myles William, 12Keyz and

- ''Everything" - '' (2013) co-produced by Myles William and

- ''God Forgives, I Don't'' (2012) 12. "Ice Cold" featuring

Styles P David R. Styles (born November 28, 1974), better known by his stage name Styles P (also known mononymously as Styles), is an American rapper, best known as a member of hip hop group the Lox, alongside childhood friends Sheek Louch and Jadakiss. ...

- ''Master of Ceremonies'' (2011) 11. "Don't Turn Away" Featuring

Pharrell Pharrell Lanscilo Williams (; born April 5, 1973) is an American record producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter. Alongside close colleague Chad Hugo, he formed the hip hop and R&B production duo the Neptunes in the early 1990s, with whom he ...

- "Walkin" (2011) Fifth Studio Album *

- (2009) "Hottest in the Hood" *

- (2006) "Diddy Bop" *

- (2005) "Bling Blaouw" * Willy Northpole - "Tha Connect" (2009) * Willy Northpole - "The Story" (2009) * Willy Northpole - "Dear Lord" (2009) *

- ''From Nothin' to Something'' (2007) *

"Gangsta Don't Play" featuring

(2007) *

"I'm The Man" featuring

(2007) *

- ''Back To The Trap House'' (2007) 02. "16 Fever" *

- "Gutted" Featuring

Jay Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and founder of Manhattan-based conglomerate talent and entertainment agency Roc Nation. He is regarded as one of ...

(2007) *

- "Creep Low" (2007) *

- "The Bridge" Featuring Scarface x Raheem DeVaughn (2007) * The Game - ''Doctor's Advocate'' (2006) 03. "It's Okay (One Blood" featuring

- ''What the Game's Been Missing'' (2005) 18. "I Am Crack" *

- ''Duets: The Final Chapter'' (2005) 14. "Hustler's Story" featuring Scarface &

Akon Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (; born April 16, 1973), known mononymously as Akon, is a Senegalese-American singer, record producer, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of " Locked Up" (featuring Styles P) ...

Benzino Raymond Leon Scott (born July 18, 1965), better known by his stage name Ray Benzino, is an American urban contemporary, urban media proprietor, television personality, rapper, and record producer. He produced records (as part of the production t ...

2Pac Tupac Amaru Shakur ( ; born Lesane Parish Crooks, June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known as 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper. He is widely considered one of the most influential rappers of all time. Shakur is among the b ...

Freddie Foxxx James Campbell (born March 27, 1969), better known by his stage names Freddie Foxxx and Bumpy Knuckles, is an American rapper and music producer from Long Island, New York. Biography Foxxx got his start rapping in the early 1980s. In 1986, he ...

“Trying To Make It Through” (2005) Archnemsis * Capone - ''Pain, Time and Glory'' (2005) 14. "F*#k Yo Set" *

Coach Carter ''Coach Carter'' is a 2005 American biographical teen sports drama film starring Samuel L. Jackson and directed by Thomas Carter (no relation). The film is based on the true story of Richmond High School basketball coach Ken Carter (played by J ...

- ''Movie Soundtrack'' (2005) "Why I Love You" performed by Shells *

"Do the Damn Thing" featuring

Jeezy Jay Wayne Jenkins (born September 28, 1977), known by his stage name Jeezy (or Young Jeezy), is an American rapper. Signing to Def Jam Recordings in 2004, his major label debut, '' Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101'', was released the followin ...

(2004) *

"Holla at Somebody Real" featuring

Lil Mo Cynthia Karen Loving (born November 19, 1978), known professionally as Lil' Mo, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, television and radio personality. She is best known for her 2001 single " Superwoman Pt. II", featuring then-unknown rapper ...

(2004)

References

{{Reflist

Living people African-American record producers Record producers from New York (state) Hip hop record producers 1983 births People from Brownsville, Brooklyn 21st-century African-American people 20th-century African-American people