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Michael Williams (hip hop producer)

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Mike WiLL Made It
Birth nameMichael Williams
Also known asMike WiLL
Born (1989-03-23) March 23, 1989 (age 35)
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)Music Producer
Years active2008–present


Michael Williams (born March 23, 1989), better known by his professional name Mike WiLL Made It or, in shorthand, as Mike WiLL, is an American music producer based in Atlanta, Georgia[1] [2] .

Early Life

Mike WiLL Made It, birth name Michael Williams, was born on March 23, 1989 in Marietta, Georgia, the youngest of three children with two older sisters[3] . Mike WiLL's mother was in a gospel group, singing for Dottie Peoples when Mike was young, and, according to Mike WiLL, his uncle was an accomplished guitar player[3] . Growing up, Mike WiLL was athletic, participating in a number of sports, including basketball, baseball, and football, with dreams of becoming a professional athlete[2] . As a teenager, Mike WiLL first developed his talent for music by re-playing popular instrumentals that he heard on the radio while he and his friends would freestyle rap to them[3] . In a number of interviews, Mike WiLL has mentioned, in particular, re-playing the instrumental for "Still Fly," a popular song by the southern rap group Big Tymers, on a make-shift Casio brand keyboard, and has also mentioned re-playing the song "Holla Back" by New York rapper Fabolous on production equipment at a local music store[4] .

At age 14, Mike WiLL began to make his own beats on a Korg ES1 beat machine, which his father purchased for him as a Christmas present from local music store Mars Music. As Mike WiLL became more accomplished he also began to use production equipment including the Korg Triton, the Akai MPC1000, the Yamaha Motif, and the Roland Fantom[3] .

Upon graduating high school, Mike WiLL enrolled at Georgia State to pursue undergraduate studies, but dropped out after several semesters to focus on his career as a music producer[3].

Professional Career

In an interview with XXL Magazine, Mike WiLL is credited with saying that "Gucci Mane was the first [major artist] to ever rap on my beat."[5] Mike WiLL first met Gucci Mane at Atlanta recording studio, PatchWerk Recording Studios, and upon introducing himself to Gucci Mane and giving Gucci Mane a CD of beats, Gucci Mane proceeded to freestyle rap over each of the instrumentals[6] . The two artists began releasing songs together, like "East Atlanta 6," and a number of songs from Gucci Mane's popular mixtape, No Pad, No Pencil.[6]

In 2011, Mike WiLL placed his first single with the song "Tupac Back," performed by Meek Mill and Rick Ross, from the album Self Made Vol. 1[7] . The single was released on April 5, 2011 and peaked at #31 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart[8] . The placement came after Mike WiLL submitted some of his beats to an A&R for Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group label[7] .

Also in 2011, Mike WiLL worked with Atlanta rapper Future, producing a number of popular and noteworthy songs together, including "Ain't No Way Around It,"[9] "Itchin," and three songs from Future's 2012 major label debut album, PLUTO, "Neva End," "Truth Gonna Hurt You," and "Turn On The Lights."[3] "Turn On The Lights" was promoted as a single from PLUTO, and to date has peaked at #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart[10] .

Mike WiLL Made It has also worked extensively with Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz, producing "La La," which features Busta Rhymes, from 2 Chainz', then known as Tity Boi, Codeine Cowboy mixtape and "Got One" from 2 Chainz' T.R.U. REALigion mixtape[11] [12] . According to an interview with Complex Magazine, Mike WiLL has been working together with 2 Chainz "since 2008, when he was Tity Boi…We're kind of like family."[13] In 2012, Mike WiLL produced the lead single, "No Lie," from 2 Chainz' debut album, Based On A T.R.U. Story, released via Def Jam[13] . The single, which features popular rap artist Drake, was released May 8, 2012, and debuted in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, ultimately going on to peak at #1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart[14] . The single has been certified "Gold" by the Recording Industry Association of America, selling over 500,000 copies digitally.[15]

In 2012, Mike WiLL Made It produced "Bandz A Make Her Dance," a single for Three Six Mafia rapper Juicy J that also features Lil' Wayne and 2 Chainz[16] . The song was listed as one of the 25 Best Songs of Summer 2012 by Complex Magazine, and as of September 2012, the single has peaked at #14 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart[17][18] .

In interviews given during 2012, Mike WiLL also mentions upcoming work with Kanye West, Brandy, Big Sean, Pusha T, and more[13] .

Est. In 1989 Mixtape Series

On Tuesday, December 27th, Mike WiLL Made It released his first mixtape, Est. In 1989 (Last Of A Dying Breed)[19] . The mixtape was released in conjunction with popular mixtape website LiveMixtapes.com[19] . Est. In 1989 included a mix of exclusive songs and songs from Mike WiLL's catalog, and featured artists such as Gucci Mane, Future, 2 Chainz, Lil Boosie, Young Jeezy, Ludacris, ScHoolboy Q, Waka Flocka Flame, and more[20] .

On March 23, 2012, Mike WiLL Made It partnered with popular music site The FADER to announce the second installment of his mixtape series, Est. In 1989 Pt. 2, and to release the mixtape's first single, "Back 2 The Basics," which featured Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame[21] . Mike WiLL released Est. In 1989 Pt. 2 on July 24th, again in partnership with LiveMixtapes.com[22] . Est. In 1989 Pt. 2 featured songs with Diddy, 2 Chainz, Juicy J, Future, Lil Wayne, T.I., Mac Miller, French Montana, Jeremih, and others[22] .

Influences

In various interviews, Mike WiLL Made It has named a number of musical influences on his own production work. In a "Behind The Beats" interview with Complex Magazine, he says that he "always admired Dr. Dre's drums," and calls Timbaland "the first crazy pop producer…He brought so many artists to the game."[23] As a southern producer, he says, he "was also looking up to Shawty Redd. He was the first producer to really bring that dark trap energy and sound."[23] He also refers to DJ Toomp as "my big brother or my mentor," saying, "I love what he does."[23] In a different interview, with AOL's The Boombox, Mike WiLL also cites Pharrell as a producer that he respects[6] .

EarDrummers Entertainment

In 2010, Mike WiLL Made It started his own production company called EarDrummers Entertainment. Mike WiLL first came up with the idea for his production company at the age of 18. According to an interview Mike WiLL gave to The Boombox, there are currently two producers signed to EarDrummers Entertainment, Marz and P-Nasty[6] .

External links

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References

  1. ^ "Mike WiLL Made It". Ultra Top.
  2. ^ a b Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Noz, Andrew (April 30, 2012). "Beat Construction: Mike WiLL Made It". The Fader.
  4. ^ Tobias, Jonathan (December 16, 2011). "Mike WiLL Made It Explains Convincing Young Jeezy Of A "TM103" Track, Working With Gucci Mane As A Teenager". Hip Hop DX.
  5. ^ Bristout, Ralph (January 26, 2012). "Production Credit: Mike WiLL Speaks on Working With Rick Ross, Young Jeezy & 50 Cent". XXL Magazine.
  6. ^ a b c d Graham, Nadine (February 22, 2012). "Mike WiLL Made It Reveals Work on Brandy's New Album & Ludacris Collaboration".
  7. ^ a b Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL".
  8. ^ "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. July 9, 2011.
  9. ^ Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
  10. ^ "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. September 24, 2012.
  11. ^ "Audio: Tity Boi Ft. Busta Rhymes – Lala [Prod. By Mike Will] (NO DJ)". Dirty Glove Bastard. February 23, 2011.
  12. ^ Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beat: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
  13. ^ a b c Pereira, Julian (May 4, 2012). "Interview: Mike WiLL On Producing 2 Chainz & Drake's "No Lie"". Complex Magazine.
  14. ^ "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. September 15, 2012.
  15. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (July 26, 2012). "2 Chainz's "No Lie" Certified Gold". Hip Hop DX.
  16. ^ "Juicy J – Bands A Make Her Dance (rmx) f. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz". 2 Dope Boyz. June 18, 2012.
  17. ^ "The 25 Best Songs of Summer 2012". Complex Magazine. August 16, 2012.
  18. ^ "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magzine. September 29, 2012.
  19. ^ a b "Mike Will - Est. In 1989 (Last Of A Dying Breed)". Live Mixtapes. December 27, 2011.
  20. ^ Moore, Jacob (December 27, 2011). "Mixtape: Mike WiLL Made It "Est. In 1989"". Complex Magazine.
  21. ^ Cooper, Duncan (March 23, 2012). "Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka, "Back 2 The Basics" (Prod. by Mike WiLL) MP3". Fader Magazine.
  22. ^ a b Zeichner, Naomi (July 24, 2012). "Download Mike Will Made It's Est. In 1989 (Part 2) Mixtape". The Fader.
  23. ^ a b c Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
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