Toure “DJ Toure” Duncan of Hieroglyphics grew up playing drums in church and at school. Drums were his first instrument, then he studied piano, took piano lessons as a child. Interest into drumming led to production, started Djing at the age of 12 in the 6th grade. Started purchasing equipment as a pre-teen and began to teach himself the art of Djing and the skills to become a producer. Playing Drums and being in Oakland which had a strong music scene, he was influenced by a variety of musicians and musical styles. From Hip Hop to Gospel to R&B. Sonic influcences Hieroglyphics Attended elementary school with Casual in the 4th grade, they became friends. They kept their relationship strong. A-Plus, Tajai and Opio lived close by in the neighborhood over the hill from Toure’s home, and they began to form a crew. When Del officially started the Hieroglyphics crew in the late 1980s, Toure was Casual’s DJ and the crew began to come together. Independent Production Incubator for the Bay Area As a producer of hits for Hieroglyphics crew and the solo and group members, Toure began to make a name for himself as a producer in the Bay Area. He began to branch out with production for Dolla Will who was signed to Too $hort’s record label. Since that time he has worked with many independent artists in the Bay Area including Too $hort, E-40, Father Dom, Beeda Weeda, Goapele, and many others. With his production company, 101% Music, Toure has singlehandedly acted as an incubator for new talent in the Bay for Hip Hop, Rap, Soul, R&B and other genres of music. Renown for his DJ skills, he has been featured as a DJ on songs including “That’s How it Is”, Casual’s first single, As a tour DJ Toure has traveled the Americas, Canada and internationally to Japan as a DJ and member of Hieroglyphics and rocked stages alongside the X-Ecutioners, Mos Def, Wu-Tang, Nas, Common, Talib Kweli and countless others. As a drummer Toure has toured as a member of Mystic’s band alongside Black Eyed Peas in Canada and the United States.