Ramble Jon Krohn[3] (born May 27, 1976),[4] better known by his stage name RJD2, is an American musician and record producer based in Columbus, Ohio.[5] He is the owner of record label RJ's Electrical Connections.[6] He has been a member of groups such as Soul Position,[7] MHz Legacy,[8] and Icebird.[9] His stage name derives from the popular Star Wars droid R2-D2.[10]

RJD2
RJD2 performing at Moogfest in 2014
RJD2 performing at Moogfest in 2014
Background information
Birth nameRamble Jon Krohn
Also known as
  • RJ
  • The Insane Warrior
Born (1976-05-27) May 27, 1976 (age 47)
Eugene, Oregon, U.S.
OriginColumbus, Ohio, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Music producer
  • DJ
Years active1993–present
Labels
Websitewww.rjd2.net

Life and career

Born in Eugene, Oregon,[11] Krohn was raised in Columbus, Ohio.[12] He began making music in 1993.[13]

In 2002, RJD2 signed to El-P's record label Definitive Jux and released his debut solo studio album, Deadringer, to much acclaim.[14] RJD2 later collaborated with rapper Blueprint under the name Soul Position, releasing 8 Million Stories on Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2003.[15]

He released his second solo studio album, Since We Last Spoke, on Definitive Jux in 2004.[16] Soul Position's second album, Things Go Better with RJ and AL, was released in 2006 under Rhymesayers Entertainment.[17] 2006 also saw the release of Magnificent City, his collaborative album with rapper Aceyalone.[18] Magnificent City includes "A Beautiful Mine", which features in the title sequence of Mad Men.[19]

In 2007, RJD2 released the solo studio album, The Third Hand, on XL Recordings.[20] In 2010, he released his fourth solo studio album, The Colossus, on his own label RJ's Electrical Connections.[21] In 2011, he released the album, We Are the Doorways, under the pseudonym The Insane Warrior.[22]

RJD2 formed Icebird with Aaron Livingston, vocalist of a Philadelphia-based band called The Mean.[23] The duo's debut album, The Abandoned Lullaby, was released in 2011.[24] In 2013, RJD2 released his fifth solo studio album, More Is Than Isn't, on RJ's Electrical Connections.[25]

In 2015, RJD2 released a collaborative album with rapper STS, titled STS x RJD2.[26] His sixth solo studio album, Dame Fortune, was released in 2016.[27]

In 2020, he released his seventh solo studio album, The Fun Ones, on RJ's Electrical Connections.[28] It features guest appearances from Aceyalone, Homeboy Sandman, Jordan Brown, Khari Mateen, and STS.[29]

He released a course on sampling and arranging, RJD2: From Samples to Songs, with online music school Soundfly on July 27, 2021.[30]

Discography

RJD2 in 2007

Studio albums

Compilation albums

  • In Rare Form: Unreleased Instrumentals (2004)
  • The Third Hand Instrumentals (2007)
  • Inversions of the Colossus (2010)
  • In Rare Form, Vol. 2 (2018)

Mix albums

  • Your Face or Your Kneecaps (2001)
  • Loose Ends (2003)
  • Lobster and Scrimp (2003)
  • Constant Elevation (2005)

EPs

  • Pryor Convictions (2000) (with Poppa Hop, as The Dirty Birds)
  • The Horror (2003)
  • The Mashed Up Mixes (2004)
  • Tin Foil Hat (2009)
  • The Glow Remixes (2011)

Singles

  • "June" / "The Proxy" (2001)
  • "Rain" / "Find You Out" (2002)
  • "Here's What's Left" (2002)
  • "Let the Good Times Roll" (2002)
  • "The Horror" / "Final Frontier (Remix)" (2003)
  • "Sell the World" / "Ghostwriter (Remix)" (2003)
  • "1976" (2004)
  • "Through the Walls" (2004)
  • "Exotic Talk" (2004)
  • "Fire" (2005) (with Aceyalone)
  • "Superhero" (2006) (with Aceyalone)
  • "You Never Had It So Good" (2007)
  • "No Helmet Up Indianola" (2020)

Guest appearances

Productions

References

External links