View source for RJD2

{{Short description|American musician and hip hop producer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = RJD2
| image = RJD2 at Moogfest 2014 (cropped).jpg
| caption = RJD2 performing at [[Moogfest]] in 2014
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = Ramble Jon Krohn
| alias = {{hlist|RJ|The Insane Warrior}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|05|27}}
| birth_place = [[Eugene, Oregon]], U.S.
| death_date = 
| death_place = 
| origin = [[Columbus, Ohio]], U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|[[hip hop music|Hip hop]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/15/arts/hip-hop-review-dissolving-the-border-between-cd-and-live.html|title=Hip-Hop Review; Dissolving the Border Between CD and Live|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Kelefa|last=Sanneh|date=May 15, 2004}}</ref>|[[indie rock]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portland.thephoenix.com/music/60982-rjd2/|title=Experiment illness – RJD2 at Paradise Rock Club, May 3, 2008|work=[[The Portland Phoenix]]|first=Chris|last=Faraone|date=May 6, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033917/http://portland.thephoenix.com/music/60982-rjd2/|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref>}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Music producer|DJ}}
| years_active = 1993–present
| label = {{hlist|[[Definitive Jux]]|[[XL Recordings]]|RJ's Electrical Connections}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|The Dirty Birds|Icebird|[[MHz Legacy]]|[[Soul Position]]|[[Aceyalone]]|STS}}
| website = {{URL|www.rjd2.net}}
}}
'''Ramble Jon Krohn'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703414504575001131979351648|title=Beyond the 'Mad Men' Sound – The theme song's creator releases a genre-bending album|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|first=John|last=Jurgensen|date=January 15, 2010}}</ref> (born May 27, 1976),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rjd2-mn0000389486/biography|title=Rjd2 – Biography|work=[[AllMusic]]|first=Charles|last=Spano|access-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref> better known by his stage name '''RJD2''', is an American musician and record producer based in [[Columbus, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7325272/rjd2-mad-men-licensing-new-business-dance|title=RJD2 Explains Losing and Winning With 'Mad Men,' the Licensing Inspiration of His New Record|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|first=Andy|last=Gensler|date=April 7, 2016|access-date=April 9, 2016}}</ref> He is the owner of record label RJ's Electrical Connections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2011/01/rjd2-drops-free-remix-ep-announces-insane-warrior-album-and-more/|title=RJD2 drops free remix EP, announces Insane Warrior album and more|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|first=Chris|last=Coplan|date=January 4, 2011}}</ref> He has been a member of groups such as [[Soul Position]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7368-unlimited-ep/|title=Soul Position: Unlimited EP|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|first=Sam|last=Chennault|date=October 23, 2002}}</ref> [[MHz Legacy]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alarm-magazine.com/2013/resurrecting-a-mhz-legacy-rjd2-and-tage-future-chase-inspiration-in-out-of-room/|title=Resurrecting a MHz Legacy: RJD2 and Tage Future chase inspiration in "Out of Room"|work=Alarm|first=Lincoln|last=Eddy|date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> and Icebird.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2011/08/rjd2-and-aaron-livingston-form-icebird-ready-debut-album/|title=RJD2 and Aaron Livingston form Icebird, ready debut album|work=[[Consequence of Sound]]|first=Chris|last=Coplan|date=August 1, 2011}}</ref> His stage name derives from the popular ''[[Star Wars]]'' droid [[R2-D2]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2011/10/rjd2-modular-synthesizers/|title=Building a Modular Synth With RJD2|first=Angela|last=Watercutter|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|date=October 10, 2011|access-date=March 23, 2018}}</ref>

==Life and career==
Born in [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]], Oregon,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eugeneweekly.com/blog/dub-ball-recap-medium-troy-devin-dude-rjd2-and-more|title=Dub Ball Recap: Medium Troy, Devin the Dude, RJD2 and more|work=[[Eugene Weekly]]|first=Alex|last=Notman|date=May 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129100621/http://www.eugeneweekly.com/blog/dub-ball-recap-medium-troy-devin-dude-rjd2-and-more|archive-date=November 29, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Krohn was raised in [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], Ohio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbusmonthly.com/content/stories/2014/05/editors-picks-the-best-of-the-city-this-month.html|title=Editors' Picks the Best of the City this Month|work=[[Columbus Monthly]]|first=Anthony|last=Dominic|date=May 2014}}</ref> He began making music in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyork.com/articles/travel/daily-5-creed-bratton-at-webster-hall-la-soiree-burlesque-in-union-square-more-61755/|title=Daily 5: Creed Bratton at Webster Hall, La Soiree Burlesque in Union Square, More|work=Newyork.com|first=Jamie|last=Peck|date=February 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129175714/http://www.newyork.com/articles/travel/daily-5-creed-bratton-at-webster-hall-la-soiree-burlesque-in-union-square-more-61755/|archive-date=November 29, 2014}}</ref>

In 2002, RJD2 signed to [[El-P]]'s record label [[Definitive Jux]] and released his debut solo studio album, ''[[Deadringer (album)|Deadringer]]'', to much acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://potholesinmyblog.com/our-12-favorite-definitive-jux-albums/4/|title=Our 12 Favorite Definitive Jux Albums (4/5)|work=Potholes in My Blog|first=David|last=Reyneke|date=April 23, 2013|access-date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=November 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129024708/http://potholesinmyblog.com/our-12-favorite-definitive-jux-albums/4/|url-status=dead}}</ref> RJD2 later collaborated with rapper [[Blueprint (rapper)|Blueprint]] under the name [[Soul Position]], releasing ''[[8 Million Stories (album)|8 Million Stories]]'' on [[Rhymesayers Entertainment]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/8-million-stories-11716|title=8 Million Stories|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|first=Nathan|last=Rabin|date=November 11, 2003}}</ref>

He released his second solo studio album, ''[[Since We Last Spoke]]'', on Definitive Jux in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/rjd2-sincewelast/|title=Rjd2: Since We Last Spoke|work=[[PopMatters]]|first=Dave|last=Heaton|date=May 25, 2004}}</ref> Soul Position's second album, ''[[Things Go Better with RJ and AL]]'', was released in 2006 under Rhymesayers Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7370-things-go-better-with-rj-and-al/|title=Soul Position: Things Go Better With RJ and Al|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|first=Tom|last=Breihan|date=April 3, 2006}}</ref> 2006 also saw the release of ''[[Magnificent City]]'', his collaborative album with rapper [[Aceyalone]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/article/untangling-the-threads-of-the-imad-men-itheme-95468|title=Untangling the threads of the Mad Men theme|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|first=Erik|last=Adams|date=March 27, 2013}}</ref> ''Magnificent City'' includes "A Beautiful Mine", which features in the title sequence of ''[[Mad Men]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1665788/beck-turned-down-multiple-offers-to-write-the-mad-men-theme/news/|title=Beck Turned Down Multiple Offers To Write The Mad Men Theme|work=[[Stereogum]]|first=Chris|last=DeVille|date=February 19, 2014}}</ref>

In 2007, RJD2 released the solo studio album, ''[[The Third Hand]]'', on [[XL Recordings]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/rjd2-third-hand-xl/|title=RJD2, 'The Third Hand' (XL)|work=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|first=Keith|last=Harris|date=March 15, 2007}}</ref> In 2010, he released his fourth solo studio album, ''[[The Colossus (album)|The Colossus]]'', on his own label RJ's Electrical Connections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13801-the-colossus/|title=RJD2: The Colossus|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|first=Patrick|last=Sisson|date=January 18, 2010}}</ref> In 2011, he released the album, ''We Are the Doorways'', under the pseudonym The Insane Warrior.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/137480-the-insane-warrior-we-are-the-doorways/|title=The Insane Warrior: We Are the Doorways|work=[[PopMatters]]|first=Mike|last=Schiller|date=February 28, 2011}}</ref>

RJD2 formed Icebird with [[Aaron Livingston]], vocalist of a Philadelphia-based band called The Mean.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypaper.net/RJD2/Icebird/|title=RJD2/Icebird|work=[[Philadelphia City Paper]]|first=A.D.|last=Amorosi|date=December 26, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003094933/http://citypaper.net/RJD2/Icebird/|archive-date=October 3, 2015}}</ref> The duo's debut album, ''The Abandoned Lullaby'', was released in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/151553-traveling-at-different-speeds-an-interview-with-icebirds-rjd2/|title=Traveling at Different Speeds: An Interview with Icebird's RJD2|work=[[PopMatters]]|first=Kevin|last=Curtin|date=January 17, 2012}}</ref> In 2013, RJD2 released his fifth solo studio album, ''[[More Is Than Isn't]]'', on RJ's Electrical Connections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://potholesinmyblog.com/album-reviews-rjd2-more-is-than-isnt/|title=RJD2 – More Is Than Isn't|work=Potholes in My Blog|first=Francisco|last=McCurry|date=November 21, 2013}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2015, RJD2 released a collaborative album with rapper STS, titled ''STS x RJD2''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/rjd2-plots-new-album-with-philly-rapper-sts-20150408|title=RJD2 Plots 'Soulful' New Album With Philly Rapper STS|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Jason|last=Newman|date=April 8, 2015|access-date=April 2, 2016}}</ref> His sixth solo studio album, ''[[Dame Fortune (album)|Dame Fortune]]'', was released in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tinymixtapes.com/news/rjd2-announces-dame-fortune-shares-track|title=RJD2 announces Dame Fortune, shares track|work=[[Tiny Mix Tapes]]|first=Taylor|last=Peters|date=January 6, 2016|access-date=April 2, 2016}}</ref>

In 2020, he released his seventh solo studio album, ''[[The Fun Ones]]'', on RJ's Electrical Connections.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/rjd2-announces-new-album-the-fun-ones-shares-song-listen/|title=RJD2 Announces New Album The Fun Ones, Shares Song|work=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|first=Evan|last=Minsker|date=February 19, 2020}}</ref> It features guest appearances from [[Aceyalone]], [[Homeboy Sandman]], Jordan Brown, Khari Mateen, and STS.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/rjd2-new-song-pull-up-on-love-album-the-fun-ones-954767/|title=RJD2 Returns With the Funk on New Song 'Pull Up on Love'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Jon|last=Blistein|date=February 19, 2020}}</ref>

He released a course on sampling and arranging, ''RJD2: From Samples to Songs,'' with online music school [[Soundfly]] on July 27, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rabinowitz|first=Chloe|title=Hip-Hop Innovator RJD2 And Online Music School Soundfly Team Up To Release New Music Course|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Hip-Hop-Innovator-RJD2-And-Online-Music-School-Soundfly-Team-Up-To-Release-New-Music-Course-20210727|access-date=2021-07-27|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{See also|MHz Legacy#Discography|l1=MHz Legacy discography|Soul Position#Discography|l2=Soul Position discography}}
[[File:RJD2.jpg|upright=1.2|thumb|RJD2 in 2007]]
===Studio albums===
* ''[[Deadringer (album)|Deadringer]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Since We Last Spoke]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Magnificent City]]'' (2006) {{small|(with [[Aceyalone]])}}
* ''[[The Third Hand]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Colossus (album)|The Colossus]]'' (2010)
* ''We Are the Doorways'' (2011) {{small|(as The Insane Warrior)}}
* ''The Abandoned Lullaby'' (2011) {{small|(with [[Aaron Livingston]], as Icebird)}}
* ''[[More Is Than Isn't]]'' (2013)
* ''STS x RJD2'' (2015) {{small|(with STS)}}
* ''[[Dame Fortune (album)|Dame Fortune]]'' (2016)
* ''Tendrils'' (2018) {{small|(as The Insane Warrior)}}
* ''[[The Fun Ones]]'' (2020)
* ''Escape from Sweet Auburn'' (2022) <small>(with STS)</small>
* ''Visions Out Of Limelight'' (2024)

===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) {{small|(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) {{small|(with [[Aceyalone]])}}
* "Superhero" (2006) {{small|(with Aceyalone)}}
* "You Never Had It So Good" (2007)
* "No Helmet Up Indianola" (2020)

===Guest appearances===
* [[Pigeon John]] – "The Last Sunshine" from ''[[And the Summertime Pool Party]]'' (2006)
* [[Lushlife]] + CSLSX – "Toynbee Suite" from ''[[Ritualize]]'' (2016)

===Productions===
* [[Aesop Rock]] – "Kill 'Em All Remix" (2001)
* [[Cannibal Ox]] - "The F Word (Remix)" (2001)
* Copywrite - "Fuck Sound Check" from ''Eastern Conference [High & Mighty]'' (2001)
* [[Cage (rapper)|Cage]] – "Among the Sleep" from ''[[Movies for the Blind]]'' (2002)
* [[Mos Def]]/[[Diverse (rapper)|Diverse]]/[[Prefuse 73]] – "Wylin Out (RJD2 Remix)" (2002)
* RJD2 - "I REALLY Like Your Def Jux Baby Tee" from ''Def Jux 2 (2002)''
* RJD2- "True Confessions" from ''Urban Renewal Program (2002)''
* [[Souls of Mischief]] – "Spark" (2002)
* [[El-P]] – "Lazerfaces' Warning (RJD2 Remix)" from ''Fandam Plus'' (2002)
* Edotkom - "Blind Man's Eye" from ''Obsidian: The Altered States LP'' (2002)
* [[Massive Attack]] – "[[Butterfly Caught]] (RJD2 Remix)" (2002)
* [[Murs (rapper)|Murs]] – "Sore Losers" from ''[[The End of the Beginning (Murs album)|The End of the Beginning]]'' (2003)
* [[Viktor Vaughn]] – "Saliva" from ''[[Vaudeville Villain]]'' (2003)
* [[The Weathermen (hip hop group)|The Weathermen]] – "5 Left in the Clip (RJD2 Remix)" from ''[[The Conspiracy (mixtape)|The Conspiracy]]'' (2003)
* Cage – "Weather People" from ''[[Weatherproof]]'' (2003)
* [[Nightmares on Wax]] – "70s 80s (RJD2 Remix)" (2003)
* [[Elbow (band)|Elbow]] – "Fugitive Motel (RJD2 Mix)" (2003)
* The High & Mighty- "Incorporate Anthem" from ''The Highlight Zone'' (2003)
* [[Tame One]] – "Up 2 No Good Again" from ''When Rappers Attack'' (2003)
* [[CunninLynguists]] – "Seasons" from ''[[SouthernUnderground]]'' (2003)
* Diverse – "Certified"; "Uprock"; "Big Game"; "Explosive" + "Under the Hammer" from ''[[One A.M. (album)|One A.M.]]'' (2003)
* [[Aceyalone]] – "Lost Your Mind" + "Moonlit Skies" from ''[[Love & Hate (Aceyalone album)|Love & Hate]]'' (2003)
* J-Walk - "Another Lover (RJD2 Remix)" (2003)
* Babbletron – "The Clock Song" from ''Mechanical Royalty'' (2003)
* [[Vast Aire]] – "9 Lashes (When Michael Smacks Lucifer)" from ''[[Look Mom... No Hands]]'' (2004)
* [[Leak Bros]] – "Gimmesumdeath" from ''[[Waterworld (Leak Bros album)|Waterworld]]'' (2004)
* [[Hikaru Utada]] – "[[Devil Inside (Hikaru Utada song)|Devil Inside]] (RJD2 Remix)" (2004)
* [[Unkle]] - "Reign (RJD2 Vocal Remix)" (2004)
* [[Leela James]] – "Music (RJD2 Remix)" (2005)
* Cage – "Shoot Frank" from ''[[Hell's Winter]]'' (2005)
* [[Astrud Gilberto]] – "The Gentle Rain (RJD2 Remix)" from ''Verve Remixed 3'' (2005)
* [[The Go! Team]] – "Huddle Formation (RJD2 Remix)" from ''Ladyflash Remixes'' (2006)
* [[Pigeon John]] – "The Last Sunshine" from ''[[And the Summertime Pool Party]]'' (2006)
* [[Cool Calm Pete]] – "Black Friday" from ''[[Lost (Cool Calm Pete album)|Lost]]'' (2006)
* [[Fall Out Boy]] - "Dance, Dance (Remix)" (2006)
* [[Aceyalone]] – "Never Come Back"; "Angelina Valintina" + "Impact" from ''[[Grand Imperial (album)|Grand Imperial]]'' (2006)
* [[Jack Peñate]] – "Learning Lines" from ''[[Matinée (album)|Matinée]]'' (2007)
* [[Little Brother (group)|Little Brother]] - "Best Kept Secret" (2007)
* [[Yo La Tengo]] – "Here to Fall (RJD2 Remix)" from ''Here to Fall: Remixes'' (2010)
* [[J-Live]] – "Great Expectations" from ''S.P.T.A.'' (2011)
* CunninLynguists – "The Format" from ''[[Strange Journey Volume Three]]'' (2014)
* [[Son Little]] – "Cross My Heart (RJD2 Remix)" from ''Things I Forgot'' (2014)
* [[Tycho (musician)|Tycho]] – "Apogee (RJD2 Remix)" from ''Awake Remixes'' (2016)
* [[Homeboy Sandman]] – "Gumshoe" from ''[[Kindness for Weakness]]'' (2016)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|www.rjd2.net}}
* {{SoundCloud}}
* {{Discogs artist|RJD2|RJD2}}

{{RJD2}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rjd2}}
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:American hip-hop record producers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Eugene, Oregon]]
[[Category:Musicians from Ohio]]
[[Category:Definitive Jux artists]]
[[Category:XL Recordings artists]]
[[Category:MHz Legacy members]]
[[Category:Soul Position members]]