Val Anthony Ronald Lawrence (born November 14, 1965), also known by his stage name Amen-Ra, is an American record producer, best known for his production credits for Sean Combs' Bad Boy Records.
Early life Lawrence was born on the island of Dominica. In 1970, his family immigrated to the United States, settling in East Elmhurst, Queens, in New York City. After high school, he attended Howard University.
In college he met Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, and formed the rap duo Two Kings in a Cipher, which released the album From Pyramids to Projects. Later, the duo joined the Bad Boy Entertainment production team called "The Hitmen", with fellow Howard University alumnus Sean "Diddy" Combs.
Music career The Hitmen produced numerous rapShawn Setaro, "How producer Ron Lawrence made Bad Boy's greatest hits", Complex, August 2, 2018. and R&B hits of prominent radio play. He is best known for the singles "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G., "Been Around The World" by Sean "Diddy" Combs, "Where I'm From" by Jay-Z, "Money, Power, Respect" by The Lox, the Grammy-nominated "Love Like This" as well as "All Night Long" by Faith Evans, "Phenomenon" by LL Cool J, "You Should Be Mine" by Brian McKnight, "Can't Let Her Go" by Boyz II Men, "Cold Rock a Party" remix by MC Lyte, and "The Theme (It's Party Time)" by Tracey Lee. He produced the song "Wonderful" for Aretha Franklin for her album So Damn Happy. On June 23, 1998, Lawrence received a Governors Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences on. In 1999, Ron produced "In For Life" by Terror Squad from their self-titled debut album and featured verses from Big Pun, Triple Seis, Prospect, and Cuban Link.
Lawrence created the hip-hop source score of Spike Lee's film Bamboozled, and appearing in it as a musical engineer. He produced the theme song " A Woman Like Me", by Beyoncé, for the Pink Panther soundtrack. Lawrence himself later studied film at the New York Film Academy and created the short film Founding Fathers, a documentary on hip hop's birth and evolution.
In 2014, Lawrence started a film production company Spotlyte Media. In 2015, he produced and edited the short film Above the Sun. In 2016, he wrote, directed and produced the short film, Angel of Light and the documentary Commutation for Guy Fisher. In 2017, he produced, directed and edited the documentary Rap Dimension, and Rolling Stone published Jay-Z's 50 greatest songs with Lawrence's production coming at number one.
In 2018, he produced and edited the webisode series "Diary of a Music Producer". In 2019, Lawrence published his autobiography titled Where I'm From, a book about his life story growing up in East Elmhurst, his experience at Howard University and creating hits for various musicians. He also appeared in the Netflix series, Hip-Hop Evolution, season 3 episode 2 which is titled Life After Death, covers a segment on Sean "Diddy" Combs and The Hitmen.
Studio album With Two Kings in a Cipher From Pyramids to Projects (Bahia/RCA, 1991)
Production credits +YearArtistSongAlbum1994A.D.O.R.Life FlowThe ConcreteEd O.G.Going Out My Mind (No More Love Mix)1995SugaWhat's Up StarThe Show (soundtrack)1996MC LyteCold Rock a Party (Remix)Bad As I Wanna Be1997Brian McKnightYou Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)Notorious B.I.G.HypnotizeLife After DeathTracey LeeThe Theme (Keep Your Hands High); Big Will; Clue (Who Shot J.R.?)Many FacesPuff DaddyBig Ole ButtIn the Beginning... There Was RapBoyz II MenCan't Let Her GoEvolutionPuff Daddy (+ Family)Been Around the World; Don't Stop What; I Love You Baby (feat. Black Rob)No Way OutLSGYou Got MeLSGLL Cool JPhenomenon; Hot Hot HotPhenomenonMaseDo You Wanna Get Money?; Will They Die 4 U?; Wanna Hurt Ma$e?Harlem WorldJay-ZI Know What Girls Like; Where I'm FromIn My Lifetime, Vol. 11998The LoxMoney, Power, Respect; So RightMoney, Power, RespectMC LyteWoo Woo (Freak Out)Woo (soundtrack)Oogie BoogieSeven & 7All CityThe Hot JointMetropolitanTyreseYou Get YoursTyreseFaith EvansLove Like This; All Night Long; Life Will Pass You ByKeep the FaithLord Tariq & Peter Gunz My Time to GoMake It ReignR. KellySpendin' MoneyR.System of a Down, BoysWill They Die 4 U?Chef Aid: Soundtrack1999The Madd RapperThey Just Don't KnowTell 'Em Why U MaddTerror SquadIn for LifeTerror Squad: the AlbumRakimUplift; Real ShitThe MasterMaseStay Out of My WayDouble Up2000Mau MausBlak Iz BlakBamboozled (soundtrack)Carl ThomasCold Cold WorldCarl Thomas2001Mary J. BligeLoveNo More DramaG DepEverydayChild of the GhettoJimmy Cozier No More Playing GamesJimmy CozierLuther VandrossHow Do I Tell HerLuther Vandross2002LL Cool JThrow Ya L's Up; 10 Million Stars10Blu Cantrell & Lady MayRound UpBittersweet2003Aretha FranklinWonderfulSo Damn Happy
References
External links Autobiography