Maybe you’ve heard of Patrick Douthit, also known in the Hip-Hop world as 9th Wonder. Maybe you’ve even met 9th Wonder, worked with 9th Wonder, or maybe you’re a long-time fan of 9th Wonder. If so, then you obviously know his catchphrase Oh the Pressure! whenever the heat is on again and it’s showtime.
Originally from North Carolina, 9th Wonder currently teaches a course called “Sampling Soul” at Duke University, which focuses specifically on music from the civil rights and black power movements. You might call him an enlightened social activist hip-hopper. He’s also one of those soulful cats who can come up with unique ways of intermingling his unique brand of music with a plethora of other genres. Also: He doesn’t consume beef or pork, but loves himself some turkey burgers.

On January 26th, Red Bull brought renowned hip hop producer 9th Wonder to Memphis to headline The Second Annual Plug in Memphis Music Expo at Minglewood Hall. The Plug In is designed to connect local musicians and music industry service providers together for one exciting and riveting event, and 9th Wonder’s participation in the Red Bull Experts Lounge provided upcoming artists and producers with one-on-one consultations and sage advice on how to navigate the music industry. Other professionals included were 8ball (8ball and MJG), Greg Lane of GMotion, the manager for India.Arie’s Reen Nalli, Marvin Stockwell, attorney Malcolm Futhey and Scott Bartlett of Saving Abel. Between all the talented industry pros in the room, artists were filled in on techniques and advice ranging from web design and publicity to artist management and internet radio.

Plug-In Memphis featured exhibit areas with booths representing all types of industry-related businesses — from merchandisers, entertainment lawyers, promoters and publicists to recording studios, engineers and retailers, as well as a songwriter’s showcase, and keynote addresses on crucial music industry topics.
9th Wonder began his career as the main producer of the group Little Brother and has gone on to work with such artists as Nas, Mary J. Blige, Jean Grae, Wale, Buckshot, Jay-Z, and Destiny’s Child. He soon found himself awakening artists to Memphis’ grass roots after spending the early part of his day at Stax Museum and Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios.

The Stax Museum of American Soul Music, aka Soulsville, prides itself on being the one and only Soul Museum in the world. Of course 9th was right at home and found himself totally emerged in the essence of the soul, especially when he had the chance to meet Al Bell, recording industry legend, Chairman of Stax Records and president of Motown Records. At Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studios’ “Home of Memphis’ Sound”, Boo Mitchell (grandson of the late great Willie Mitchell) gave 9th Wonder the tour of the historic studio where artists such as Al Green recorded many hits.  After spending the day with so many legends, 9th Wonder had a lot of praise to give:

“…they had the same dreams and aspirations, that I have now except they had them in the 60’s, an era where blacks weren’t suppose to have a dream… the biggest thing to me about the whole experience is that they know and understand what we are trying to do as hip-hop producers… It’s a humbling experience.  I had to tell them- man we suck! To hear all the stuff he (Al Bell) spoke about that it took for them to record a song… And the thing about it is, I don’t think people realize what is still standing here in Memphis.  The music that came out of Stax makes them the Bad Boy of their time.  It’s crazy… I urge every hip hop producer in this generation to visit either Stax or Hitsville (Motown) and if you don’t then you’re not hitting on nothing.  It’s nothing like seeing where it came from and the inspiration.”

Now that’s Pressure.

Words by Nyah Nile, Photos by Lee Taylor