The world of Hip-Hop has lost another treasure. This time it is famed and beloved producer, Darrol “Shamello” Durant, who most notably co-produced Busta Rhymes massive hit “Put Ya Hands Where My Eyes Can See.” The song was the lead single from from Busta Rhymes’ 1997 album When Disaster Strikes.
Shamello died on March 7, according to sources with AllHipHop, but a cause of death was not disclosed at the time of this writing.
The New York native, first put on by Chuck D and the Bomb Squad, produced for other notables like New Edition, Mobb Deep, Petey Pablo and BBD, among others. He would go on to amass a history in music that lasted over 20 years, yielding a Grammy nomination and multi-platinum sales. He co-founded the Producers Coalition of America and made strides in film, TV and live events. He was the production manager for Kevin Smith’s “Comic Book Men” for over six seasons on the AMC channel.
Condolences have poured in from a who’s who of Hip-Hop, including Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, RockWilder, DJ Premier, Pharaoh Monche, Benny Boom and numerous others in the music and entertainment business.
Busta Rhymes said, “From the inception of LONS you were there bro, and have been there and gifted me with “Put your hands where my eyes can see”, all the way to now you loved us like the Big bro you’ve always been. Words can’t describe this pain. @shamellod I love you Big bro and I’m still not ready to except (accept) this. I can’t. Rest well King.”
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His words live on in his autobiography, “Ghetto To Greater,” which he called an “audio biography,” chronicled his life and times in a most creative way.
Who am I? A multiplatinum music producer Who went to school to study biology. So what! That makes no difference. Not true! To you and you and you and you, Well, my story it has significance. It shows the rise and fall, and rise and fall, and rise and fall And the tough struggles of life we go through, that’s the stuff That binds us all. See me, I’m just like you . . . ’cause I too have big dreams.
I want the finer things; I want my life to be pristine. At the end of the day, I want good kids and a bad wife. I want to get out of the hood. I just want to live a good life, Yes! So if you’re struggling to succeed, Even if you’ve seen success, This book should give you what you need. Take a look; take a read. In my quest to entertain you Poured my life out on the paper. And I’ve given you my plain truth From the streets to the booth From gutter to God From ghetto to greater. The Fun-Authorized Audio Biography of Shamello Durant
You can get the book, right here.
Lastly, Shamello Durant will be laid to rest on Friday, March 12 in his hometown of Hempstead Long Island with a virtual service to accommodate those unable to make it physically. He is remembered fondly and with great admiration by a host of friends and family.