Bolo Da Producer

Bolo Da Producer (born Timothy Mingo in Tampa, Florida) is an American record producer and songwriter. He is best known for co-writing and producing Silento's "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" (2015), which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. He is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Early life

Timothy Mingo was born in Tampa, Florida. He attended Stillman College, a historically black college in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, initially on a football scholarship. Injuries shifted his focus, and in spring 2000 a roommate introduced him to music production using Cakewalk software in their dorm room. He began making beats, recording local artists, burning and selling CDs on campus for $10 each, and collaborating with peers who later achieved platinum success. Key influences include Mannie Fresh, Timbaland, Tim & Bob, Dr. Dre, Just Blaze, and others. After early professional traction, including the original version of 2 Pistols' "She Got It" (later remixed with T-Pain), he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, noting the increased competition and quality of the music scene there.

Career

Bolo Da Producer began professional work in the mid-2000s. He produced the original version of "She Got It" by 2 Pistols. He collaborated with Alabama rapper Doe B (Hustle Gang/T.I.) prior to Doe B's death in 2013. In 2014, 16-year-old Silentó (Richard Lamar Hawk) reached out via Twitter. They created "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" in a rushed 45-minute studio session. The initial hook order and cadence were adjusted, ad-libs and dance instructions were added, and the track was released on SoundCloud in December 2014. It went viral rapidly, boosted by a DanceOn YouTube campaign featuring instructional dance videos, leading to major streaming, chart success, and a Capitol Records deal.

Notable production and writing credits include:

  • Silentó – "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" (co-writer/producer; peaked No. 3 Billboard Hot 100; RIAA certified 6× Platinum per Wikipedia / artist claims 10× Platinum/Diamond; Billboard and Soul Train award recognition)
  • Dawin ft. Silentó – "Dessert" (writer; RIAA 2× Platinum)
  • Taylor Girlz – "Steal Her Man" (producer; RIAA Gold; 100M+ streams)

Personal life

Mingo has children and lives in the Atlanta area. His parents are Shirley and Ernest Mingo. He hosts production seminars at Clark Atlanta University.

Selected production/writing credits

  • Silentó – "Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)" (2015)
  • Dawin ft. Silentó – "Dessert"
  • Taylor Girlz – "Steal Her Man"
  • 2 Pistols (original) – "She Got It"