Ali Dee Theodore

Ali "Dee" Theodore
Born
Ali Theodore

1970 (age 55–56)
Manhattan, New York City, US
Other nameAli Dee (Kid Panic)
Occupations
Parents
RelativesCyd Charisse (great-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 to 2012, which was affiliated with BMI.

Early life and education

Ali Theodore was born in Manhattan, New York City, United States in 1970. 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. Actress Cyd Charisse was his aunt.

Career

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.

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.

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. 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 and producing "All the Way Up" for Shake It Up: Break It Down (Walt Disney Records). Other Disney titles he has worked on include Descendants, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Kickin’ It, Teen Beach Movie, and Hannah Montana.

His work also appears on major studio soundtracks such as Despicable Me 4 (2024), and VeggieTales: Celery Night Fever (2014).

Businesses

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

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

Recognition and accolades

Discography

Ali Dee and the Forty Thieves

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

Bring It On

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

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Batter Up"
  • Ali Theodore
  • Juice
  • L.O.
  • Michael Sandlofer
3:25
2."Bring It On" (featuring Kool G Rap)
4:10
3."How Ya Feel" 0:25
4."Hit Em In Da Head"
  • Theodore
  • Juice
  • L.O.
  • Sandlofer
2:52
5."Who's Da Flava"
3:46
6."Tap Skinz"
3:32
7."Flip Cassette" 0:14
8."Da Mann" 0:15
9."Styles Upon Styles" (featuring Phife)
3:45
10."Take It Back"
4:46
11."Dee Swings Jazz" 0:29
12."Got 2 B Real"
  • Theodore
  • Juice
  • Sandlofer
3:56
13."Crazy Swift"
3:29
14."Murder At Midnight" 0:41
15."Stompin' Committee" (featuring Law & Key and The Vibe Tribe)
  • Theodore
  • Juice
  • Spade
  • L.O.
  • Keith Lowe
  • Lawrence Lowe
3:38
Total length:39:40

Other album versions

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

References

  1. ↑ "10 Questions With Ali Dee". www.bmi.com.
  2. 1 2 Music, All (March 28, 2010). "Ali Dee". AllMusic. 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 December 8, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 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. ↑ "Celery Night Fever". Apple Music. Retrieved June 14, 2026.
  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. ↑ "American Music Awards 2008 — Winners & Nominees". Rock On The Net. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  20. ↑ "2008 American Music Awards: The Best and Worst". Entertainment Weekly. November 24, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2025.
  21. ↑ KayDaily, DJ Joe IX (November 28, 1992). "ALI DEE Who's Da Flava" (PDF). page 107, Billboard Singles Reviews pg. 107 via American Radio History. Retrieved October 6, 2024.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  22. ↑ Ali Dee (1993) [First released 1992]. Bring It On (liner notes). Los Angeles, California: BMI, ASCAP. E2-80688.
  23. ↑ Ali Dee (1993). Bring It On (liner notes). Los Angeles, California: BMI, ASCAP. SPRO-80688.