50 cent Producer Kills Himself Last Night

ShadyBlock has learned that producer Disco D (born Dave Shayman) committed suicide last night (January 23). Sources close to the Ann Arbor, MI producer said that the beatmaker, who has previously produced for 50 Cent ("Ski Mak Way"), Trick Daddy ("I Pop") and Kevin Federline ("Popozao"), has committed suicide. While reports say D was battling manic depression, details regarding his death are still sketchy. The 27 year old Grammy-nominated producer had also worked with Nina Sky and Pharrell Williams, crafted the original theme song for "VH1's Hip-Hop Honors" and commercials for Sprite, Best Buy and Nickelodeon's Kid's Choice Awards. He had been working with Lil' Scrappy and Crime Mob among others, as of late. Benny Blanco, who worked with D, confirmed the suicide, but declined to comment. "We have no comment. We send our deepest condolences," Benny told sources. "He was loved and will be truly missed." DJ Vlad, a good friend of D, was shocked upon hearing the news. "Disco D was a good friend of mine. I lived with him in Brazil for a couple weeks. He was a real artist," Vlad revealed. "I just talked to him a few days ago, and he told me things were hard. I tried to cheer him up. I didn't realize how hard it really was. I'm devastated right now."