R.I.P. Dave Shayman a.k.a. Disco D (1980-2007)

The Michigan-bred, New York-based producer Dave Shayman (better known as Disco D) was found dead on Monday, January 22, 2007 of an apparent suicide. He was 26 years old.

With a diverse and decorated 10-year career in the music industry, Disco D is considered by many to be a musical enigma. As a producer, his credits range from underground genre-defying, vinyl-only Detroit Ghettotech records to multi-million selling street anthems for hip-hop superstar 50 Cent. He has toured as a DJ all over the world, wowing crowds with his genre-bending track selection and quick-fingered turntable trickery. D has also composed music for a range of commercials and TV shows (Best Buy, Sprite, VH1, and Nickelodeon).

Born in 1980 in St. Louis, MO, D moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan at age 6. Equally interested in music, physical science and computers, D was blessed with a wide range of experiences at an early age, which shaped both his creative and business mind. Growing up just outside of Detroit meant exposure to a diverse range of music.

He signed his first record deal with Bad Boy Bill's Contaminated Muzik/Mixconnection Multimedia at age 17, and started his first record label, GTI Recordings, at age 19. D successfully juggled a top-tier university education, record label, and international tour schedule, and relocated to New York City in 2002 after completing his degree. His fascination and focus on the Ghettotech scene peaked in 2003 with the release of “A Night At The Booty Bar” on Tommy Boy.

Shayman fought manic-depression for much of his adult life. He will be missed.