Happy Birthday, 88-Keys!

Today, March 5, is the birthday of rapper/producer 88-Keys. At 42 years old, Keys has made a huge impact on music already. The Harlem born producer has been a hip-hop head basically since birth. "Young as an intern," Keys interned at The Music Palace Recording Studio in Long Island while in college and received his name because of his exceptional skills on the sampling keyboards.

Keys got his first taste as an engineer when he worked with California hip-hop collective The Pharcyde. Word got around about 88-Keys production prowess, which led him to working with Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild, Kid Cudi, Consequence and more.

More recently, Keys has jumped from behind the boards to show off his own skills on the mic. The musician released his debut solo album, The Death of Adam, executive produced by Kanye West, in November 2008. The album's first single was the extra-smooth "Stay Up (Viagra!)," a collaboration between him and Ye'. The video was also hilarious, with 88 Keys and Kanye dressed up as old men. With lines from 88 like, "He's into twisting backs by throwing his weight in/But she ain't waiting for him to rise to the occasion/He's like "Be patient, this a contact sport/So you can save your pep talk, give me that oral support," it's clear what the song was about.

He has continued to produce as well, boasting production credits on West and Jay Z's joint album, Watch the Throne .

Happy Birthday, 88-Keys!

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