Domino (producer)

Not to be confused with Domino (rapper), a different American rapper.

Domino
Birth name	Damian Siguenza
Also known as	Domino
Born	November 9, 1970 (1970-11-09) (age 41)
Origin	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	CEO/Producer/Manager
Instruments	Akai MPC 2000, Akai MPC1000, Pro Tools, Numark CDX, Korg Kaoss Pad KP3, Ecler Nuo4, Arturia Analog Factory, Novation ReMOTE 25SL, Native Instruments Kontakt 2
Years active	1993–Present
Labels	Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings
Associated acts	Hieroglyphics Dan 'The Automator' Nakamura Amp Fiddler
Website	Domino on Myspace

Damian Siguenza, known by his stage name, Domino (born November 9, 1970), is an American record producer, manager, DJ, and one of the members of the Oakland, California-based underground hip hop collective, Hieroglyphics.

Biography

Born in San Francisco, California, Siguenza claimed in a 2006 interview that the nickname "Domino" came from his friends in high school:

“

I got the name in high school. There is no meaning other than that it is associated with my first initial to my name Damian."[1]

”

Domino began his music career as a rapper, but by 1989-90 had switched almost exclusively to beat making, following the purchase of a Casio FZ 10Msampler.^[1] By the time he joined the Hieroglyphics in the mid-1990s, Domino concentrated solely on beat making and production.^[1]

Musical career

In 1991, Domino was living in the back room of 'The Groove Merchant' Record Store in the Bay Area honing his ear and craft with old and rare funk and soul records. He met Hieroglyphics' founder Del tha Funkee Homosapien through a frequent customer, Elektra Records A&R/producer Dante Ross.^[2] Del then introduced Domino to the other members of the Hieroglyphics, who admired Domino's beat making skills as much as Domino admired the Hieroglyphic's rapping skills, and Domino eventually became an integral part of the collective. Ultimately, as the various groups were signed to Elektra and Jive Records. Domino, being the oldest, became the spokesman and manager for most of the groups.^[1]

Domino is known for his combination of jazz and funk style sounds, creative sampling and extensive record knowledge. Some of his more notable tracks include "Let Em' Know and "Live and Let Live" from Souls of Mischief's first album 93 til Infinity. "After Dark" and "At The Helm" from the Hieroglyphics' first album 3rd Eye Vision and "Make Your Move" and "Powers That Be", from the Hieroglyphics' second album Full Circle. His creative use of samples and approach to using funk and jazz-based music is one of the foundations of the Hieroglyphics' sound. His production has been featured on just about every Hiero-related release on Jive and Hieroglyphics Imperium labels.

In the years (1997–2006) of being acting CEO the Hiero Imperium, Domino has gained worldwide recognition and respect in the underground hip-hop world while expanding the Hiero Imperium to include artists such as O.C., Goapele, and Beeda Weeda.

Domino continues creating music for Commercials, Television and Video games. His songs have recently been featured in the EA's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series and his songs featured on the HBO Entourage Series.

Domino has recently been associated with Dan the Automator and Amp Fiddler. He is working on many new projects, including a solo project and Bay Area rapper Richie Cunning.

Production Discography

• 1998 - 3rd Eye Vision - Hieroglyphics
• 1993 - No Need for Alarm - Del tha Funkee Homosapien

Studio albums

Album information
No Need for Alarm Artist: Del tha Funkee Homosapien Released: 1993 Songs Produced by Domino: "No More Worries", "Don't Forget"
Both Sides of the Brain Artist: Del tha Funkee Homosapien Released: April 11, 2000 Song Produced by Domino: "Press Rewind"
93 'til Infinity Artist: Souls of Mischief Released: September 6, 1993 Songs Produced by Domino: "Let 'Em Know", "Live And Let Live", "Disseshowedo","What A Way To Go Out", "Outro"
Trilogy: Conflict, Climax, Resolution Artist: Souls of Mischief Released: March 14, 2000 Song Produced by Domino: "Interrogation"
Ascension Artist: Pep Love Released: July 24, 2001 Songs Produced by Domino: "Act Phenom", "Different"
Power Movement Artist: Tajai Released: April 20, 2004 Songs Produced by Domino: "Raindance", "Dedication"
Triangulation Station Artist: Opio Released: February 22, 2006 Song Produced by Domino: "Confederate Burning"
Fear Itself Artist: Casual Released: February 1, 1994 Songs Produced by Domino: "Intro", "Me-O-Mi-O", "That Bullshit", "Follow The Funk", "We Got It Like That", "Lose In The End", "Thoughts Of The Thoughtful", "Be Thousand"
He Think He Raw Artist: Casual Released: September 17, 2001 Song Produced by Domino: "Studio D"
Smash Rockwell Artist: Casual Released: September 6, 2005 Songs Produced by Domino: "Rap Game", "Styles"
3rd Eye Vision Artist: Hieroglyphics Released: May 24, 1998 Songs Produced by Domino: "Intro", "All Things", "At The Helm", "After Dark", "Tajai", "Off The Record", "Aplus", "No Nuts", "Del"
Full Circle Artist: Hieroglyphics Released: October 7, 2003 Songs Produced by Domino: "Prelude", "Powers That Be", "Make Your Move", "Shift Shape", "Classic", "Let It Roll", "7 Sixes"

Compilation albums

Album information
Hieroglyphics B-Sides Released: 1997
Hieroglyphics Oldies, Vol. II Released: 1998 Song Produced by Domino: "Fear No Evil", "Can I Kill 'em?",
Over Time Released: March 20, 2007

External links

• Official website
• Domino on Myspace
• Domino discography at Discogs

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Maniaci, Paul (09-03-2006). "Domino Music Producer Interview". The Career Cookbook.com. http://thecareercookbook.com/article.php?article_id=45. Retrieved 2007-03-14. 
2. ^ StinkE (1996-07-22). "Domino Online Exclusive Interview". StinkE Productions. http://www.hieroglyphics.com/artists/domino-interview.html. Retrieved 2007-01-31. ^{[dead link]}

Persondata
Name	Domino
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 9, 1970
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death