Although Depth Charge Studios was officially incorporated in 1996, the foundation of the company dates back to 1988 when company founder & CEO, Danny Zacharias (Zechariah Wise) formed a hip hop group with two neighborhood friends. The grade school trio began learning the ins and outs of music production in the basement of Wise’s boyhood home in Burke, Virginia, and by 1991, had secured management and were rocking local house parties and traveling along the East Coast to perform at music showcases.
In 1992, Wise and DJ Dialtone formed the Lower Life Forms, and were courted by two major labels after the recording of their first unreleased album, “Chronicles of Another Species.” In 1995, they completed their would-be debut, “The Whole Universe is Ours” but distribution issues left the album in limbo. Undeterred, Wise started Depth Charge Recordings, Inc. as a label for the works of his crew, Team Demolition, as well as a recording facility for local aspiring artists and a full service CD and DVD production house. From 1996 to 2007, the company released 17 commercially available records, 4 promotional releases and the company’s recording studios became known throughout the Washington, DC area as a premier location for producing, recording and mixing urban music.
In 2005, as Wise’s list of both technical and creative credits grew ever more extensive, he moved the facility to Alexandria, Virginia. Wise focused his creative efforts on producing and together with his crew, now known by the shortened name, Team Demo, began racking up production credits with both major and independent artists including 50 Cent, Sean Price and dozen of others. The Depth Charge label also published and released music by Illa Ghee, Kurious, Audio(File) and Zechariah Wise (Mister Wise) himself on the Depth Charge label.
Depth Charge Studios has cemented itself as a top-tier music facility in the Washington, DC area, and Wise’s reputation for stellar vocal recordings, pristine mixes, and unique compositions and arrangements have made him a highly sought-after engineer and producer. Together with his staff of professionals, Wise is committed to offering the highest quality sound at a great value. As the DC Metro music scene has flourished, so too has Depth Charge Studios.
Check out the MADE AT DEPTH CHARGE STUDIOS video playlist. Music on this playlist passed through Depth Charge Studios during one or more phases of the production process (production, recording, mixing and/or mastering.)
The Depth Charge Recording Group 