Adrian Ross (SoundDaddy)
was born March 10, 1979, in Montebello, California. A.D. was raised in the San
Gabriel Valley, and began classical piano lessons at the age of 4. By
age 10, he transitioned his talent into learning jazz/blues piano.
Inspired by Jerry Lee Lewis, Adrian learned to master the art of
improvisation or “soloing.” Entering into Oak Ave. Middle School in
Temple City, Adrian joined the school band playing the drums. By high
school the Temple City Drum Core, under the direction of David Ross(no
relation), developed a new appreciation for rhythm and complimented
his musical aptitude.
In 1994, at the age of 15,
Adrian attended the “Berklee in L.A. Summer Program” at McKenna
College as a Keyboard & Drum student annually for 7 years where he
networked with other young music prodigies that attended the program
from around the nation. In that winter of 1994, Adrian auditioned and
joined the Tournament of Roses Honor Band Drum Core to perform at the
Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena annually for 4 years under the
direction of Tad & Carol Carpenter.
After graduating Temple
City High School in 1997, Adrian enrolled at Cal State University Long
Beach as a Music Major and began producing music in his dorm room
using sequencing programs such as Sonic Foundry Acid, Fruity Loops, &
Cakewalk software.
After blaring beats
throughout the dormitory, Adrian attracted aspiring artists to his
growing studio where he began producing hip-hop demo cds and mixtapes
which were distributed on-campus. With the variety of style and
instrumentation, Adrian received the nickname of “SoundDaddy”,
inspiring the label SoundDaddy Records in 1998.
As word spread, SoundDaddy
was producing music for new artists such as Cappa E, Marijayne,
Thoughtsarizen(Simple Thoughts), Swiss, DeviantDaKid, & Lil’ Heff.
Performing shows in Long Beach, LA, & Orange County, SoundDaddy
Records became a local underground library of new music.
In May of 1999, Adrian
meets a Black Metal band named, “Sanctus” that had recently been
signed to Metal Blade Records. The band was in search of a Keyboard
player to compliment their epic and aggressive sound. After signing
with the band, Adrian composed an additional 3 tracks for the album,
“Aeon Sky” released world wide on June of 2000.
In 2001, Adrian received
the “Outstanding Musicianship Award” from the Berklee School of
Music. That summer, Adrian met a crew of Roadies from the Kottonmouth
Kings at a VIP birthday party for Lou Dog (drummer) at “On The Rox”
in Hollywood. The Roadies(B-Rad, Jonny Blaze, Skwish, & Mic-D), were
in search of a music producer to help develop their band called, “Hit
Skwad.” After producing beats and writing with the band, Adrian began
rapping with the Hit Skwad and acquired the nickname, “A.D. Ross.”
Within a few months, A.D. produced and recorded the tracks, “Hit It
Up, Hooda, & White Smoke” which were showcased at their debut
performance opening for the Kottonmouth Kings at the Sun Theater in
Anaheim. The band continued to perform at shows throughout Orange
County, Hollywood, & the Inland Empire promoting “The Hit Skwad Demo.”
In 2004, A.D. Ross met a
fellow production entrepreneur named Andy G. Together they formed the
hip hop duo, “Overdose Project” performing at hot spots in Orange
County, Hollywood, and did several guest appearances at Club Glam at
the Fandango in Anaheim hosted by Grant Lee.
That year, Adrian met an
independent movie director named Binca D’Carpio of Bink Productions
and did his first movie score for the film, “For Them.” The film was
showcased at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005.
In April of 2005,
SoundDaddy Records incorporated under the name SoundDaddy Productions
Inc. expanding beyond music production and well into video editing,
graphics, & web design.
A.D. Ross