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In what is developing as Atlanta's artsy neighborhood, two cats sit in a small studio making beats, rhyming, writing lyrics.
No, it's not another rap group out of the talent-rich A-T-L, it's another production duo doling out hit records for stars
such as Bow Wow and Nelly. This is Ryan Bowser and Antoine "Bam" Macon, aka the Nimrods. They're young, hip and
in the process of becoming the next big thing in the production arena.
To te Nimrods' credit so far: the Nelly and Kelly Rowland smash hit "Dilemma," Bow Wow's "My Baby"
and tracks with 112, O'Ryan and J Records' rising star Noah.
Their story is a classic urban tale in itself - this dynamic duo met in St. Louis after one of them came across the other
one's flier in a BBQ joint! Ryan's studio rates were so cheap, that Bam, who was delivering pizzas at the time, could afford
to go in and work on his craft. The chemistry was evident and before they knew it, they were putting tracks together, Ryan
mostly the beat man and Bam the poet/songwriter. That was 1997... after paying their dues for a minute, the Nimrods hooked
up with Arista on Toya's debut CD. The story stayed on its destined path when they rolled into a skating rink in St. Louis
and caught the ear of Nelly when they handed him a track that sampled Patti LaBelle's "Love, Need and Want You."
The end result was "Dilemma," which was nominated for a Grammy and held the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 for
10 consecutive weeks.
Since "Dilemma," Ryan and Bam have worked with Monica, Tyrese, DMX, 112, Bow Wow, Jagged Edge, J-Kwon and new
artists Noah (Jive) and Miss Penelope (Universal).
The Nimrods - Ryan is from St. Louis and Bam is from East St. Louis - now call Atlanta home, so I caught up with them
one chilly afternoon at their studio on the trendy end of Howell Mill Road.
Star - What was the first record you go paid for?
Ryan - "I Do" with Toya. We got paid for that some made a deal for several tracks on her album. We split like
15 grand.
Star - What'd ya buy?
Bam - Equipment.
Ryan - I spent mine - it was right around Christmas time, so we bought gifts, clothes and equipment.
Star - Do you remember when you first heard
one of your songs on the radio? What was it like?
Bam - It felt good!
Ryan - Everyone in the neighborhood heard it and were calling. I turned on the radio and it was like "Wow!"
Then everyone started
Star - So you hooked up with Nelly via a skating rink in St. Louis?
Bam - Yea. He was always looking for beats and we started handing him CDs. That went on for awhile. He would tell us the
tracks were good but didn't fit in with what he was doing. So one day I just straight out asked him, "Man, what are you
looking for?" And the next CD I handed him had the cut with the Patti LaBelle sample on it. He had already just about
finished his album but fell in love with it and that was "Dilemma."
Star - So who were your influences coming up?
Ryan - Babyface, Joe. A lof of R&B.
Bam - Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men, Jodeci.
Star - What do you think is the formula for a
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