Dan the Automator, a Bay Area native and renowned producer, rose to fame with his groundbreaking work alongside Kool Keith on the influential album Dr. Octagon in 1996. Known for his innovative contributions to left-field rap, he has since diversified his portfolio with successful collaborations across various genres, including projects like Handsome Boy Modeling School and Deltron 3030. His commercial success includes co-producing hits for Gorillaz and Kasabian, solidifying his status as a key figure in the music industry.

Dan Nakamura, also known as Dan the Automator, began his musical journey in San Francisco, studying violin from a young age before venturing into DJ'ing influenced by early hip-hop legends. His career evolved through underground projects like Dr. Octagon with Kool Keith, leading to mainstream success with collaborations on chart-topping albums like Gorillaz's debut. Nakamura's prolific output spans diverse projects, from Lovage to Handsome Boy Modeling School, showcasing his versatility and creativity as a producer. In recent years, he has continued to expand his musical repertoire through new duos, production work, and contributions to film and television soundtracks.