Atlanta-based
Jazze Pha (born Phalon Alexander), the son of original
Bar-Kays bassist
James Alexander, began racking up session credits in the mid-'90s and became one of the hottest beat-makers around the turn of the following decade. Predominantly a producer of Southern rap,
Pha's handiwork led to Top 20 hits for
Field Mob ("Sick of Being Lonely") and
Ciara ("1, 2 Step"), and he also worked on records by
Too Short,
Slick Rick,
Ludacris,
Lil' Wayne,
OutKast,
T.I.,
Ruben Studdard, and
Nelly. In 2005, he signed a production deal with the Cash Money label, which had previously counted only
Mannie Fresh as an in-house producer. ~ Andy Kellman