He’s worked with everyone from Big Sean and Ty Dolla $ign to Lil Durk and G-Eazy. The trend continues today.Īs of May 2021, Hitmaka’s production has helped sell more than 74 million records worldwide. But in 2014, Nicki Minaj raised his credibility after giving him two spots on her double-platinum album, “The Pinkprint.” Looking for more of that magic, musicians began seeking his services. Due to his background as a rapper, Hitmaka initially had difficulty convincing artists he was a serious producer. He also appeared on VH1’s “Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood,” but saw his future in music production. He cut his teeth as a producer for King Louie’s “My Hoes They Do Drugs” (featuring Juicy J and Pusha T) and DJ Infamous’ “Double Cup.” Hitmaka was officially a beatsmith. Making another calculated decision, the emcee changed his name from Yung Berg to Hitmaka and started making behind-the-scenes moves. As soon as the success started, however, trouble followed in the form of robberies, lawsuits, tabloid drama, label problems and feuds with other rappers. A master of reinvention, Hitmaka rebranded himself Yung Berg in 2007 and came out of the gate with two smash hits (“Sexy Lady” and a feature on Ray J’s smash, “Sexy Can I”). Hitmaka’s parents sent him to military school in Montana.Īfter finishing his education, he spent the next few years working on music and serving as a hype man for Shawnna. Though the deal netted Hitmaka a feature on the “Exit Wounds” soundtrack and cameos in DMX videos, the situation spiraled out of control. DMX soon moved Hitmaka to New Jersey and gave the teenager his own house. After numerous trips to Los Angeles and New York City for meetings, Hitmaka - then known as Iceberg - left Infrared and signed with DMX’s Bloodline Records, a subsidiary of Def Jam Recordings. Hitmaka’s first record deal came via Chicago-based Infared Music Group, an independent that also had future blog mainstays L.E.P. for his demo tape, which triggered a bidding war between DMX and Jay-Z. He even snagged beats from Kanye and No I.D. and Lupe Fiasco before he could legally drive. Starting his journey as a rap-obsessed teen in Chicago, the artist born Christian Ward found himself rubbing elbows with the likes of future Grammy winners Kanye West, No I.D. Hitmaka’s career seems more like a fictional novel or movie than real life.
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