Today, Jan.15, hip-hop producer, executive and DJ, 9th Wonder, celebrates his 44th birthday.

Born Patrick Denard Douthit in North Carolina, 9th Wonder started out in the game as the beat-producing member of the group Little Brother, alongside MCs Phonte and Big Pooh. In 2003, he really hit the big time when he remixed, and released, an unofficial version of Nas' song, "God's Son." Since then, to say he has kicked it into high gear would be an understatement.

With eight solo LPs and more collaborative mixtapes and albums than one can count, 9th Wonder has had a tremendous impact on hip-hop music from the mainstream to the underground. Aside from working closely with lyricists such as Talib Kweli and Murs, 9th has cranked out memorable bangers for everyone from Jay-Z ("Threat" from the Black Album) to Destiny's Child ("Game Over" and "Girl") to Kendrick Lamar ("Duckworth." from DAMN.)

In addition to his contributions within the music industry, he has also worked on films and video games, teaches classes that examine songs from the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements and has been the subject of a documentary. 9th also formed the record label, Jamla in 2010, and has since helped nurture the career of Grammy-nominated rapper, Rapsody.

Most recently, the "Making a Murderer" producer collaborated with member of The Roots, Black Thought, on the widely-acclaimed EP, Streams of Thought Vol. 1which serves as the Philly MC's debut project and made its way onto XXL's list of the best hip-hop projects of 2018.

Happy Birthday, 9th Wonder!

See 50 of the Best Hip-Hop Projects of 2018

More From XXL