Wikipedia

Ali Dee Theodore

Ali "Dee" Theodore
Born
Ali Theodore

1970 (age 54–55)[1]
Manhattan, New York City, US
Other namesAli Dee (Kid Panic)
Occupations
Parents
RelativesCyd Charisse (aunt)
Nana Visitor (aunt)
Nenette (Charisse) Tucker (grandmother)
Eugene Becker (unce)
AwardsAmerican Music Award for Favorite Soundtrack 2008
Musical career
Genres
Instrument
  • Vocals
WorksAli Dee discography
Years active1988–present
Labels
Websitewww.instagram.com/alideeofficial/

Ali Theodore, known professionally as Ali Dee Theodore, is an American rapper, composer, songwriter, business owner, and music producer, based in Manhattan, New York City. He is also the founder and owner of the now-closed DeeTown Entertainment and, with partner Dave Jordan, founder of the publishing company Canvas 1 from 2002-2012, which was affiliated with BMI.

Early life and education

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Ali Theodore[2] was born in Manhattan, New York City, United States in 1970.[citation needed] His mother was Broadway director, choreographer and performer Lee Theodore and his father Paris Theodore was a covert weapons designer for the CIA and NSA.[2] Actress Cyd Charisse was his aunt.[3]

Career

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Theodore released hip hop recordings in the late 1980s and 1990s before focusing on composition and production for film and television. He led DeeTown Entertainment, a New York-based music production company.[4][5]

According to the box-office database The Numbers, Theodore is credited as executive music producer on three films in the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise; those films collectively grossed over $1.15 billion worldwide, and the site lists him as ranked #3 by worldwide box office among executive music producers it tracks.[6][7]

For Disney’s global Mickey Mouse 90th celebration, Theodore wrote and produced the original single "It's a Good Time" for use across Disney parks and around ABC’s Mickey's 90th Spectacular broadcast.[8] In addition, published credits and industry listings cite Theodore's Disney work on multiple franchises and series, including co-writing/producing the Disney Channel single “BAMM” from Zombies[9][10] and producing "All the Way Up" for Shake It Up: Break It Down (Walt Disney Records).[11] Other Disney titles he has worked on include Descendants, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Kickin’ It, Teen Beach Movie, and Hannah Montana.[12][13]

His work also appears on major studio soundtracks such as Despicable Me 4 (2024).[14][15]

Businesses

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Theodore is the founder and owner of the New York–based music production company DeeTown Entertainment.[16] He has also operated the publishing entity Canvas 1, noted in industry profiles as affiliated with BMI.[17]

Since 2021, Theodore has been affiliated with Music Nation Copyrights Management in the United Arab Emirates.[18][better source needed]

Recognition and accolades

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  • Named to Crain’s New York Business “40 Under 40” (2010).[19]
  • The soundtrack to Alvin and the Chipmunks won Favorite/Top Soundtrack at the 2008 American Music Awards (album award).[20][21]

Discography

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Ali Dee and the Forty Thieves

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Ali Dee and the Forty Thieves (Cassette, Advance, Album, Promo); EMI Records Group North America, EMI Genre: Hip Hop Style: Boom bap, Hardcore Hip-Hop Released: 1992

New rapper Dee breaks a sweat on this fun and danceable pop/hip -hop romp. His rapid -fire phrasing is a good contrast to the track's air -punching chants at the chorus. Crisp beats and slowly insinuating melody add up to a potential hit at several formats -but don't be surprised if urban is first to jump aboard. Also, check out "Bring It On" on the flipside.

— Larry Flick, editor for Billboard Singles Reviews pg. 107, November 28, 1992, 11:45pm[22]

Bring It On

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Released: 1993 on EMI America Records Genre: Hip Hop Style: Boom Bap, Hardcore Hip-Hop

No.TitleFeat. Artist(s)Length
1."Batter Up"Written-By – Ali Dee, Juice*, L.O.*, Michael Sandlofer. Performer - Ali Dee3:25
2."Bring It On"Vocals (Special Guest Vocals By) – Kool G Rap.

Performer (Sample) – Donovan. Scratches: DJ Clark Kent. Written-By – Ali Theodore, Kool G Rap. Written-By (Sample) – Donovan Leitch*.

Performer - Ali Dee feat. Kool G Rap		4:10
3."How Ya Feel" 0:25
4."Hit Em In Da Head"Written-By – Ali Theodore, Juice, L.O., Michael Sandlofer. Performer - Ali Dee2:52
5."Who's Da Flava"Performer (Sample) – Grand Puba, The Impressions. Scratches – DJ Clark Kent. Written-By – Ali Theodore, Cash Ellington, Juice. Written-By (Sample) – Curtis Mayfield. Performer - Ali Dee3:46
6."Tap Skinz"Performer [Sample] – Albert King. Written-By – Ali Theodore, Juice, L.O., Spade*. Written-By (Sample) – Hudson Whittaker. Performer - Ali Dee3:32
7."Flip Cassette"Performer - Ali Dee0:14
8."Da Mann"Performer - Ali Dee0:15
9."Styles Upon Styles"Vocals (Special Guest Vocals) – Phife. Written-By – Ali Theodore, Juice, Malik Taylor, Michael Sandlofer, Spade*. Performer - Ali Dee feat. Phife3:45
10."Take It Back"Backing Vocals – Stacy Heineke, Vicky Ramptom. Performer (Sample) – Odyssey. Written-By – Ali Theodore, Cash Ellington. Written-By (Sample) – James Douglas*, Sandy Linzer. Performer - Ali Dee4:46
11."Dee Swings Jazz"Performer - Ali Dee0:29
12."Got 2 B Real"Written-By – Ali Theodore, Juice*, Michael Sandlofer. Performer - Ali Dee3:56
13."Crazy Swift"Written-By – Ali Theodore, Jeff Lorber, Juice, L.O., Spade*. Performer - Ali Dee3:29
14."Murder At Midnight"Performer - Ali Dee0:41
15."Stompin' Committee"Vocals (Guest Vocals By) – Key*, Law*, The Vibe Tribe. Vocals (Law & Key) aka The Twins. Written-By – Ali Theodore, Juice, Keith Lowe, L.O., Lawrence Lowe, Spade*. Performer - Ali Dee feat. Law & Key, The Vibe Tribe3:38

Total album play time: 39:40[23][24]

Other album versions

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These were other release versions in 1993. Bring It On (LP, Promo); EMI Records USA, EMI Records Group North America

References

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  1. ^ "10 Questions With Ali Dee". www.bmi.com.
  2. ^ a b Music, All (March 28, 2010). "Ali Dee". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  3. ^ PASQUARELLI, ADRIANNE (March 28, 2010). "40 UNDER 40 CLASS OF 2010 - Ali "Dee" Theodore, 39 President, DeeTown Entertainment Inc". Crain Communications. Archived from the original on October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  4. ^ Pasquarelli, Adrianne (March 28, 2010). "Ali "Dee" Theodore, 39 — President, DeeTown Entertainment Inc". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  5. ^ "10 Questions With Ali Dee". BMI. May 22, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  6. ^ "Ali Dee Theodore — Box Office". The Numbers. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  7. ^ "Alvin and the Chipmunks — Franchise Box Office". The Numbers. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  8. ^ Parisi, Paula (November 2, 2018). "For Mickey Mouse's 90th, Not Your Grandfather's Custom Music House". Variety. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  9. ^ "BAMM (From "ZOMBIES") — credits". Apple Music. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  10. ^ ""BAMM" — credits". Shazam. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  11. ^ "Various – Shake It Up: Break It Down". Discogs. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  12. ^ "Ali Dee — Artist Page". Universal Music Publishing Group. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  13. ^ "Audeze talks to producer, writer, mixer and manager Ali Dee Theodore". Audeze. August 12, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  14. ^ "Despicable Me 4 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. June 28, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  15. ^ "Everybody Wants to Rule the World — credits". Shazam. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  16. ^ Pasquarelli, Adrianne (March 28, 2010). "Ali "Dee" Theodore, 39 — President, DeeTown Entertainment Inc". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  17. ^ "10 Questions With Ali Dee — Meet the "triple threat" behind DeeTown Entertainment". BMI. May 22, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  18. ^ "Ali "Dee" Theodore — LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Pasquarelli, Adrianne (March 28, 2010). "Ali "Dee" Theodore, 39 — President, DeeTown Entertainment Inc". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  20. ^ "American Music Awards 2008 — Winners & Nominees". Rock On The Net. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  21. ^ "2008 American Music Awards: The Best and Worst". Entertainment Weekly. November 24, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  22. ^ KayDaily, DJ Joe IX (November 28, 1992). "ALI DEE Who's Da Flava". page 107, Billboard Singles Reviews pg. 107 via American Radio History. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  23. ^ Ali Dee (1993). Bring It On (liner notes). Los Angeles, California: BMI, ASCAP. SPRO-80688.
  24. ^ Ali Dee (1993) [First released 1992]. Bring It On (liner notes). Los Angeles, California: BMI, ASCAP. E2-80688.
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