Eve Let Hitmaka Sleep In Dressing Room When His Money Was Low I CLUB SHAY SHAY
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Hitmaka lived on the UPN lot, sleeping in Eve's dressing room when he was struggling financially.
- ❖Eve gave Hitmaka his first major writing placement on her album's title track, "Evolution," and coined his artist name, Young Berg.
- ❖Hitmaka initially disliked "Sexy Can I" and resisted recording it, but Epic Records president Charlie Walk insisted, even buying him a chain as incentive.
- ❖The studio session for "Sexy Can I" involved Ray J watching porn on a big screen and Tiara Marie clowning his ad-libs.
- ❖Hitmaka was arrested for smoking a blunt on set during the "Sexy Can I" video shoot in Miami.
- ❖Shaquille O'Neal, who had a partnership with Ray J for the record, personally bailed Hitmaka out of jail.
- ❖Hitmaka witnessed Ray J's relationship with Whitney Houston, including them drinking Patrón from the bottle and Whitney supporting them on stage at a club.
Insights
1Eve's Mentorship and Early Career Breakthrough
Hitmaka experienced significant financial hardship early in his career, resorting to sleeping in Eve's dressing room at the UPN lot. Eve provided crucial support, not only allowing him to stay but also giving him his first major writing opportunity on the title track of her album 'Evolution.' She also influenced his artist name, changing 'Iceberg' to 'Young Berg.' This relationship was foundational, providing a platform for his entry into professional songwriting.
Hitmaka states he 'used to sleep in her dressing room' and that Eve 'was so good to me.' He confirms writing the title track 'Evolution' with her, calling it his 'first real writing placement in the game.' He also explains how Eve changed his name to Young Berg.
2The Unlikely Creation and Success of 'Sexy Can I'
Hitmaka initially hated the song "Sexy Can I" and resisted recording it, preferring to push another track. However, Epic Records president Charlie Walk was convinced of its potential, insisting on its release and even bribing Hitmaka with a custom chain. The song's recording process involved bizarre elements, including Ray J watching porn during the session and an unexpected ad-lib that became iconic. Despite the initial reluctance and chaotic production, the song became a massive, multi-platinum hit.
Hitmaka states, 'I hated it' regarding 'Sexy Can I' and recounts Charlie Walk 'tap dancing on his piano playing to the song' and saying 'it's going to be the biggest song of your career.' He confirms Walk bought him an Epic Records chain to convince him. He describes Ray J watching 'Vivid DVDs of porn' during the session and Tiara Marie's reaction to Ray J's 'Stevie Wonder' ad-libs.
3Shaquille O'Neal's Unexpected Bailout
During the video shoot for "Sexy Can I" in Miami, Hitmaka was arrested for smoking a blunt on set. After several hours in jail, he was unexpectedly bailed out by Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq was involved because he had a partnership with Ray J for the 'Sexy Can I' record, which was released on Shaq's record label. This intervention allowed Hitmaka to return to the set and complete the video, which went on to be a massive success.
Hitmaka details being 'locked me up in Miami' and then, 'Guess who bailed me out of jail? Shaquille O'Neal.' He explains, 'Shaq, it was on Shaq record label. Shaq came and bailed me out of jail.'
4Ray J and Whitney Houston's Public Relationship
Hitmaka witnessed firsthand the public and intense relationship between Ray J and Whitney Houston during the peak of 'Sexy Can I's' success. He recounts an evening in Atlanta where Whitney Houston joined them at a club, drinking Patrón directly from the bottle and chain-smoking cigarettes, then supporting them on stage. The night culminated in a chaotic scene at the hotel, highlighting the wild nature of their dynamic.
Hitmaka describes Ray J saying, 'Man, I got a surprise tonight... Whitney coming to compound with us tonight.' He details 'Me and Whitney drinking out the Patrone. Two hand drinking out the bottle like this. Chain smoking cigarettes together' and Whitney being 'on stage with us in compound.' He also mentions Whitney 'getting undressed in a room in Ray J room' at the hotel.
Notable Moments
Hitmaka's early struggles, sleeping in Eve's dressing room at the UPN lot when he had no money.
This illustrates the extreme dedication and hardship many artists face before achieving success, highlighting Eve's generosity as a mentor.
Epic Records president Charlie Walk tap-dancing on his piano, high on what Hitmaka suspected was coke, while insisting 'Sexy Can I' would be a hit, despite Hitmaka's strong dislike for the song.
This bizarre scene underscores the unpredictable nature of label decisions and how a strong belief from leadership can override an artist's initial resistance, leading to unexpected success.
Ray J watching porn on a big screen during the recording session for 'Sexy Can I,' with Tiara Marie present, and his 'Stevie Wonder' ad-libs being clowned.
This provides a vivid, humorous, and specific glimpse into the chaotic and unconventional environment in which hit songs can be created, revealing unique celebrity personalities.
Hitmaka getting arrested for smoking a blunt on the set of the 'Sexy Can I' video shoot and then being bailed out by Shaquille O'Neal.
This is a highly unexpected and memorable event that showcases the surreal intersections of celebrity, legal trouble, and the music industry, emphasizing the unexpected support systems that can emerge.
Witnessing Whitney Houston drinking Patrón directly from the bottle and chain-smoking with Hitmaka at a club, then supporting Ray J on stage during the 'Sexy Can I' tour.
This offers a rare, intimate, and raw look into the personal life and public persona of a music icon, highlighting the intense and often uninhibited nature of celebrity relationships.
Quotes
"I used to sleep in her dressing room or whatever and they used to come wake me up before [__] I used to sleep on the lot."
"You just have to be the person, know the person, know how what he sounds like. So you had been around Eve enough to kind of knew kind of how how she would sound, the words that she would use because that's, you know, when you do stuff like that, you have to be able to really you become Eve to an extent when you actually write this vocal."
"I think I'm I'm I'm at I'm at a place where I'm comfortable now where I can be done. I don't even have to do anything. But to me, it's like the job not done yet. I got to make some more people millionaires. like I got to put some more people in position. I think that that's really like my whole You ever You ever realize that you really just blessed to be a blessing? And I just that's that's my whole forte right now."
"He like, 'Man, you don't I'm in my vibe right now, Berg. Like, I don't even want to like like I don't want to disrespect your woman. Can I put these on?' And he put on a he showed me a bunch of like vivid DVDs of porn. So he won't watch porn while we doing the the song."
"Whitney getting undressed in a room in Ray J room. She like get OUT OF HERE YOUNG BIRD. I'M LIKE oh [__]"
Q&A
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