Hitmaka On Women, DMX Bigger Than Jay-Z, Kanye, Shaq, Ray J & Young Berg | Club Shay Shay
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Hitmaka sold over 250 million records and has billions of streams, but emphasizes the importance of appreciating the journey, not just the accolades.
- ❖Chicago's tough environment and soulful musical roots fostered his talent, with limited opportunities driving artists to excel.
- ❖His longevity is attributed to a relentless work ethic and an aversion to 'phony kicking it' in the industry.
- ❖He views being 'used' as a service provider in the music business, understanding that utility dictates relationships.
- ❖Hitmaka's mother sent him to a controversial boarding school in Montana at 13, which he believes saved his life but caused deep, unresolved trauma.
- ❖He signed with DMX at 13, experiencing a bidding war between major labels like Jay-Z and DMX.
- ❖The hit song 'Sexy Can I' with Ray J was initially disliked by Hitmaka, but became a massive success, leading to Shaquille O'Neal bailing him out of jail during the video shoot.
- ❖His transition from rapper Young Berg to producer Hitmaka was a necessary rebrand after being 'blackballed' due to a chain-snatching incident.
- ❖Hitmaka believes DMX was bigger than Jay-Z in the late 90s/early 2000s.
- ❖He sees money and fame as the 'most dangerous drug' due to their addictive and intoxicating nature.
- ❖Hitmaka's production process involves presenting artists with pre-made beats and hooks to streamline their work.
- ❖He avoids personal relationships with artists he produces for to maintain professional boundaries and prevent conflicts over women or success.
- ❖Sampling is expensive, often costing 50% of publishing, leading Hitmaka to use 'replays' of samples to reduce costs and control.
- ❖He believes men heavily influence female rap lyrics, particularly those promoting materialistic expectations.
- ❖Hitmaka prioritizes collaboration in production, aiming to be an executive like Quincy Jones or Diddy, rather than a solo 'purist' producer.
- ❖His relationship with his mother remains strained due to past actions and her perceived lack of accountability, impacting his views on family and trust.
- ❖He uses therapy to process personal traumas and navigate the complexities of his life, particularly his relationship with his mother and his skepticism towards women.
Insights
1The Traumatic Impact of a Boarding School Experience
Hitmaka's mother sent him to a controversial boarding school in Thompson Falls, Montana, at age 13, after his parents' divorce and his rebellious behavior. This experience, which he describes as worse than juvenile hall and akin to documented abuses, stripped him of his DMX record deal and cut him off from the world, profoundly shaping his life and trust issues.
He details being 'kidnapped' by two Samoans, flown to Vegas, then shipped to Montana, where he experienced harsh conditions, including minimal food and isolation. He mentions not knowing about 9/11 until after his release. His father eventually retrieved him after 10 months. (, , , , )
2Strategic Rebranding from Rapper to Producer
After his rapping career as Young Berg was 'blackballed' following a highly publicized chain-snatching incident, Hitmaka strategically pivoted to behind-the-scenes production. He adopted the 'Hitmaka' moniker, focusing on creating hits for other artists, which allowed him to regain industry prominence and surpass his previous success.
He states, 'that the situation happened, the dynamics happened with the chain situation. It kind of was like black ball me for getting my [expletive] took.' He decided to 'get behind the scenes' and started producing as Young Berg, eventually adopting the 'Hitmaker' tag. He cites 'Bounce Back' for Big Sean as a key record in this transition. (, , )
3The Financial Realities of the Music Industry
Hitmaka clarifies that the real money in music is not primarily in streaming but in radio play, performance royalties, and touring. Streaming platforms are compared to TV networks, where major labels strike large lump-sum deals, and individual artists, especially those not at the top tier, see minimal direct income from streams.
He states, 'the money is in radio, Shannon, it's in radio. Yes. It's in performance.' He compares Spotify and Apple to TV networks where the NFL gets deals, but individual players don't get checks from ABC. He notes that only 'top artists' like Taylor Swift and Drake make good money from streaming, but even for them, it's secondary to branding and touring. (, , )
4Skepticism Towards Relationships and Women
Hitmaka expresses deep-seated skepticism about women and marriage, stemming from his parents' divorce, observations of industry relationships, and personal experiences where women's motives appeared tied to his success. He describes himself as 'damaged goods' and prioritizes his career, seeking a partner who understands or integrates into his lifestyle.
He explicitly states, 'I don't trust women.' He recounts seeing women 'do bad things to their friends to get to me' and notes that meeting women after achieving success makes him 'skeptical about who really is there for you.' He also shares a story of a woman attempting to set him up for a home invasion. (, , )
5The Art of Production: Pre-made Hooks and Sample Replays
Hitmaka's production method involves creating fully formed beats with pre-written hooks before artists arrive, simplifying their process. He also extensively uses 'replays' of classic samples, where musicians re-record the sampled elements, to avoid the high costs and publishing splits associated with directly clearing original master recordings.
He explains, 'I'll present a beat with a hook already on it to make the job easier for them.' Regarding samples, he states, 'a lot of my music, if it feels like a sample, but it's been replayed.' He mentions working with Paul Cabin, who 'replays all them samples,' to avoid paying 50% of publishing for master use. (, , )
Lessons
- Prioritize a relentless work ethic and genuine connections over superficial industry networking for long-term career longevity.
- When pivoting careers, leverage existing skills and networks, and consider a rebrand to shed negative associations or align with a new professional identity.
- Understand the financial mechanics of your industry; don't assume high visibility (e.g., streaming numbers) directly translates to high income without considering other revenue streams like radio play, touring, and performance royalties.
- Cultivate a strong, trustworthy financial management team, ideally family members with proven business acumen, to protect assets and ensure long-term wealth building.
- For creative professionals, streamline your workflow by preparing as much as possible (e.g., pre-made hooks for producers) to maximize efficiency and value for collaborators.
Notable Moments
Hitmaka's mother sends him to a harsh boarding school in Montana at age 13, which he believes saved his life but caused deep emotional scars.
This event profoundly impacted his life, leading to trust issues and shaping his perspective on relationships and personal accountability. It also cost him his first record deal with DMX.
Shaquille O'Neal bails Hitmaka out of jail during the 'Sexy Can I' music video shoot with Ray J.
This highlights the unexpected and often surreal experiences in the music industry, showcasing the deep connections and unusual circumstances that can arise from collaborations with major figures.
Hitmaka recounts DMX's larger-than-life persona, including seeing him drink two fifths of Remy Martin and then cry like a dog and sleep on the concrete for hours, with no one daring to wake him.
This anecdote paints a vivid picture of DMX's raw, complex character and immense influence, illustrating the unique challenges and pressures faced by artists of his stature.
A woman attempts to set up Hitmaka for a home invasion, leading to a physical altercation and a gun discharge, all documented by his home security cameras.
This extreme personal experience underscores the dangers and betrayals that can accompany fame and wealth, reinforcing his deep-seated trust issues and caution in relationships.
Quotes
"I think that a lot of people skip over the journey and don't really appreciate the journey."
"Money and fame is the most dangerous drug you could possibly take."
"You never outshine a master, bro. 48 laws of power. That's the big dog. Stay away."
"The only thing that can't be replaced is life. Chain, car, money. I can get all that back."
Q&A
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