Mike_WiLL_Made-It

Mike Will Made It

Mike Will Made It

American music producer (born 1989)


Michael Len Williams II (born March 23, 1989), known professionally as Mike Will Made It (often stylized as Mike WiLL Made-It)[1] or simply Mike Will, is an American record producer and rapper. He is best known for producing trap beats for several Southern hip hop and pop artists on commercially successful singles. His credits include "Black Beatles" and "Powerglide" by Rae Sremmurd, "Mercy" by Kanye West, "No Lie" by 2 Chainz, "Bandz a Make Her Dance" by Juicy J, "Pour It Up" by Rihanna, "Love Me" by Lil Wayne, "Body Party" by Ciara, "We Can't Stop" by Miley Cyrus, "Formation" by Beyoncé, and "Humble" by Kendrick Lamar. He embarked on a career as a non-performing lead artist in 2013 with his debut single "23" (featuring Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J), which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. His 2017 follow-up single, "Rake It Up" (with Yo Gotti featuring Nicki Minaj) peaked at number eight on the chart. He has released six mixtapes and one solo studio album, Ransom 2 (2017).

Quick Facts Birth name, Also known as ...

Outside of production, he founded the record label EarDrummer Records in 2013, in association with Interscope Records, which has signed acts including hip hop duo Rae Sremmurd and late Georgia rapper Trouble.

Early life

Williams was born in Marietta, Georgia, the youngest of three children; he has two older sisters.[2] His father, Michael Williams Sr., is a former IBM executive who worked as a club DJ in the 1970s. His mother, Shirley Williams, a former bank loan officer, was once in a gospel group, singing for Dottie Peoples. He grew up in a musical family as his uncle was an accomplished guitar player and one of his older sisters was a drum major in the Olympics.[2] While growing up, Williams was athletic, participating in many sports, including basketball, baseball, and football, with dreams of becoming a professional athlete.[3]

His life also centered around a love of hip-hop music. Williams first developed his talent for music by re-playing popular instrumentals that he heard on the radio while he and his friends would freestyle to them.[2] In several interviews, Williams has mentioned, in particular, re-playing the instrumental for "Still Fly", a popular song by the southern rap group Big Tymers, on a Casio brand keyboard, and has also mentioned re-playing "Young'n (Holla Back)" by New York rapper Fabolous on production equipment at a local music store.[4]

At age 14, Williams began to develop his own beats on a Korg ES1 beat machine, which his father bought for him as a Christmas present from the local music store Mars Music. As he became more accomplished, he also began to use production equipment, including the Korg Triton, the Akai MPC1000, the Yamaha Motif, and the Roland Fantom.[2] By the time WillIams was 16, he was spending time at local recording studios in Atlanta, trying to shop his beats to established artists.[5] He was initially ignored, but eventually one of his beat tapes made its way into the hands of Gucci Mane, who then invited WillIams to Patchwerk studios, an Atlanta recording studio.[5]

Upon graduating high school, Williams enrolled at Georgia State University to pursue undergraduate studies mainly due to pressure from his parents, but chose to take a hiatus and eventually dropped out after several semesters, with a 3.1 GPA, to focus on his music career.[6]

Career

2011–2012: Production and mixtapes

In an interview with XXL, Mike Will said, "Gucci Mane was the first [major artist] to ever rap on my beat."[7] Mike Will first met Gucci Mane at Atlanta recording studio, PatchWerk Recording Studios, and upon introducing himself and giving Gucci Mane a CD of beats, Gucci Mane proceeded to freestyle over each of the instrumentals. He then offered Mike Will $1,000 for one of his beats.[8] The two artists began releasing songs together, such as "East Atlanta 6", and a number of songs from Gucci Mane's mixtape, No Pad, No Pencil. After developing this close relationship with Gucci Mane, he began working with other big-name Atlanta rappers such as Future, Waka Flocka Flame, Rocko, and 2 Chainz.[8]

In 2011, Mike Will released his first single, "Tupac Back", performed by Meek Mill and Rick Ross, from the compilation album Self Made Vol. 1.[9] The single was released on April 5, 2011, and peaked at No. 31 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart.[10] This came after Mike Will submitted some of his beats to an A&R for Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group label.[9]

Also in 2011, Mike Will worked with Atlanta rapper Future, producing several popular and noteworthy songs together, including "Ain't No Way Around It",[11] "Itchin", and three songs from Future's 2012 major label debut album Pluto: "Neva End", "Truth Gonna Hurt You", and "Turn On the Lights".[2] "Turn On the Lights" was promoted as a single, and to date has peaked at No. 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart.[12]

On December 27, 2011, Mike Will released his first mixtape, Est. in 1989 (Last of a Dying Breed).[13] It was released in conjunction with popular mixtape website LiveMixtapes.com.[13] Est. in 1989 includes a mix of exclusive songs and songs from Mike Will's catalog, and features artists such as Gucci Mane & 1017 Brick Squad, Future, Waka Flocka Flame, Kanye West & GOOD Music, 2 Chainz, Lil Boosie, Ludacris, Lil Wayne.[14]

On March 23, 2012, Mike Will 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 features his manager/rapper Gucci Mane, founder/CEO/president of Brick Squad and Waka Flocka Flame.[15] The project Est. in 1989 Pt. 2 features songs with Diddy, 2 Chainz, Juicy J, Future, Lil Wayne, T.I., Mac Miller, French Montana, Jeremih, and others.[16] The album was released again on July 24, 2012, in partnership with LiveMixtapes.com.[16]

Will 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's T.R.U. REALigion mixtape.[17][18] 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."[19] 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.[19] The single, which features popular recording artist Drake, was released May 8, 2012, and debuted in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, ultimately peaking at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[20] The single has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, selling over 500,000 copies digitally.[21]

In 2012, Mike WiLL Made-It produced "Bandz a Make Her Dance", a single for Taylor Gang rapper Juicy J that also features Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz.[22] The song was listed as one of the 25 Best Songs of Summer 2012 by Complex magazine, and as of September 2012, the single had peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[23][24]

Mike Will, alongside producers Kanye West, Mike Dean, Lifted, and Anthony Kilhoffer, co-produced the G.O.O.D. Music single "Mercy", which features vocals by Kanye West, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Pusha T.[25] "Mercy", released April 3, 2012, served as the lead single from the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album Cruel Summer, and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.[26][27] Other notable production efforts for Mike Will include the single "Way Too Gone", featuring Future from Young Jeezy's 2011 studio album Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition, "Just a Sign" from B.o.B's second studio album Strange Clouds and "Pour It Up" from Rihanna's 2012 studio album, Unapologetic.[28][29]

In 2012 interviews, Mike Will mentioned upcoming work with Kanye West, Brandy, Big Sean, and Pusha T.[19]

The third installment of the series, entitled Est. in 1989 2.5 was released on December 24, 2012.[30] The mixtape featured guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Future, Rihanna, Big Sean, Trinidad Jame$, Lil Wayne, and other artists.[31]

2013–present: Debut studio album, collaborations, and Creed II soundtrack

Mike Will executive produced Miley Cyrus's fourth studio album Bangerz (2013), including its lead single "We Can't Stop". He produced eight tracks on Bangerz and six tracks on Cyrus' other project Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz.

On September 9, 2013, Mike Will premiered his commercial debut single "23", featuring Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J and Miley Cyrus. He revealed that he had signed with Interscope Records to release his debut album.[32] His debut album will also feature Beyoncé, Future, Kendrick Lamar, and 2 Chainz.[33]

He was named producer of the year by HipHopDX on December 18, 2013.[34]

On June 17, 2014, Mike Will Made It released the first single from his mixtape, "Buy the World", featuring Future, Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar.[35] On December 15, 2014, he released his fifth mixtape, Ransom. Featured artists include Big Sean, Juicy J, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, and Kendrick Lamar.

On March 24, 2017, he released Ransom 2.[36] The bigger names showcase a quick flip through Mike Will's contact list: Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Pharrell, Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Migos, YG, and more.[37]

In 2018, the soundtrack for the action-drama film Creed II was released, entitled Creed II: The Album. The album featured all original songs written and produced by Mike Will Made It (with the exception of three tracks).

On August 21, 2020, Mike Will released the single "Bang Bang" with rapper Chief Keef. He also announced that his upcoming project is "74%" done.[38] On November 6, 2020, Mike Will released the song, "What That Speed Bout!?" with rappers Nicki Minaj and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. It is the lead single to his upcoming album, Michael, which failed to meet its 2023 release date.[39]

In 2023, Mike Will partnered with ESPN’s Custom NBA Music Strategy as its first-ever lead producer to curate music for the 2023-24 NBA season.[40] ON October 16, 2023, Mike Will released the new single ‘Different Breed’ featuring Latto and Swae Lee on ESPN.[41]

Influences

In interviews, Mike Will has named several 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."[42] 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."[42] He also refers to DJ Toomp as "my big brother or my mentor", saying, "I love what he does."[42] In an interview, with AOL's The Boombox, Mike WiLL also cites Pharrell as a producer that he respects. Mike Will told Rolling Stone, that some of his primary musical interests are Arctic Monkeys, Lauryn Hill and The Smiths.[43]

Production equipment

Mike Will uses a variety of production equipment to create beats. His gear includes the Korg Triton, Akai MPC 1000, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Yamaha Motif, and the Roland Fantom-X.[2][44][45]

Ear Drummer Records

Quick Facts Ear Drummer Records, Parent company ...

In 2006, Mike Will started his own production company called EarDrummers Entertainment. In 2013, he founded Ear Drummer Records (initially known as Eardruma Records) and signed the label to Interscope Records on December 19, 2013.[46][47] In 2014, Mike Will signed Rae Sremmurd and Two-9 to the label.[48][49]

Artists

In-house producers

Discography

Studio albums

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Soundtrack albums

More information Title, Album details ...

Mixtapes

More information Title, Mixtape details ...

Singles

More information Title, Year ...

Promotional singles

More information Title, Year ...

Notes

  1. "Drinks On Us" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number five on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[85]
  2. "Gucci On My" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, but peaked at number 10 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[87]
  3. "Perfect Pint" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number six on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[85]
  4. "The Mantra" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 47 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.[92]

Awards and nominations

BET Hip Hop Awards

The BET Hip Hop Awards were established in 2006 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate hip-hop performers, producers, and music video directors.

More information Year, Nomination ...

Grammy Awards

More information Year, Nominee / work ...

iHeartRadio Music Awards

More information Year, Nominated work ...

References

  1. "Mike Will Made-It". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  2. Noz, Andrew (April 30, 2012). "Beat Construction: Mike WiLL Made It". The Fader.
  3. Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
  4. "Beat Construction: Mike Will Made It". The FADER. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  5. "Mike Will Made It: The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. August 9, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  6. Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Networks.
  7. "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. July 9, 2011.
  8. Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
  9. "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. September 24, 2012.
  10. Moore, Jacob (December 27, 2011). "Mixtape: Mike WiLL Made-It "Est. In 1989"". Complex Magazine.
  11. Zeichner, Naomi (July 24, 2012). "Download Mike Will Made It's Est. In 1989 (Part 2) Mixtape". The Fader.
  12. Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beat: Mike Will". Complex Magazine.
  13. 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. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  16. "The 25 Best Songs of Summer 2012". Complex Magazine. August 16, 2012.
  17. "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. September 29, 2012.
  18. "The 25 Best Songs of Summer 2012". Complex Magazine. August 16, 2012.
  19. "Hot 100". Billboard Magazine.
  20. "Hot 100". Billboard Magazine.
  21. Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Networks.
  22. Meka, Meka (December 24, 2012). "Mike WiLL Made It – Est In 1989 2.5 (Mixtape)". 2 Dope Boyz.
  23. "Mike WiLL Made It "Est. In 1989 2.5" Mixtape Cover Art & Release Date". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  24. "Mike WiLL Made It, Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J "23"". Complex. September 9, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  25. "Mike WiLL Made It f/ Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J "23" Video". Complex. September 24, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  26. "The 2013 HipHopDX Year End Awards". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on January 22, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  27. "Mike Will Made-It Reveals 'Ransom 2' Release Date". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  28. "Mike WiLL Made-It: Ransom 2 Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  29. @MikeWiLLMadeIt (August 20, 2020). "GOT SOSA IN HIS BAG 😤🎯... #BANGBANG @ MIDNIGHT.... PROJECT 74% DONE... 👨🏽🔬" (Tweet). Retrieved August 20, 2020 via Twitter.
  30. Horowitz, Steven J. (October 17, 2023). "Mike Will Made It Partners With ESPN's Custom NBA Music Strategy as First-Ever Lead Producer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  31. Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
  32. Conteh, Mankaprr (June 28, 2023). "Mike Will Made-It Still Believes in Atlanta's Future". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  33. Schnipper, Matthew; Zeichner, Naomi; SARGENT, JORDAN; Graham, Olivia (December 12, 2012). "Drum Majors: Four Producers to Watch". The Fader. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  34. ""Producers Week" Day 2: Mike Will Made It And M-Sixteen!". V-103. January 31, 2012. Archived from the original on July 2, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  35. Tardio, Andres (December 20, 2013). "Mike WiLL Made-It's Eardruma Records Officially Signs With Interscope". HipHopDX. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  36. "Mike WiLL Made It Signs Two-9 To Eardruma/Interscope Records". HNHH. July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2016.
  37. "Firestarter :: EarDrummers' Ducko McFli on His Own Terms". December 20, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  38. "Trill Sammy – Road Runnin' Feat. Landstrip Chip". HNHH. March 16, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  39. "Mike Will Made-It Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. January 22, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  40. "Mike Will Made-It – Chart History: Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  41. "Ransom 2 by Mike WiLL Made-It on Apple Music". iTunes. March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  42. "Creed II: The Album by Mike WiLL Made-It on Apple Music". iTunes Store. November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2018.
  43. "Mike Will – Est. in 1989 (Last of a Dying Breed) // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. December 28, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2014.[permanent dead link]
  44. "Mike Will – Est. in 1989 Pt. 2 // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. July 24, 2012. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  45. "Mike Will – Est. in 1989 Pt. 2.5 // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. December 24, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
  46. "Mike Will – #MikeWillBeenTrill // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. June 25, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.[permanent dead link]
  47. Mike WiLL Made It 🦍 [@MikeWiLLMadeIt] (November 25, 2014). "#RANSOM (( ALL NEW MUSIC. )) DECEMBER 15 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  48. "Mike Will Made It (Hot 100) – Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  49. "Mike Will Made It – Chart History". Australian Charts. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  50. "Mike Will Made It – Chart History". Les Charts (France). Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  51. Peak chart positions for songs in UK:
  52. "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on June 28, 2014.
  53. "Urban/UAC Future Releases". AllAccess.com. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  54. Powell, Jon (November 23, 2020). "Chief Keef drops new visual for "Status"". www.revolt.tv. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  55. "BET Hip-Hop Awards 2014 Nominations Revealed". HotNewHipHop. September 4, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  56. "Here Are The Nominees For The 10th Annual BET Hip-Hop Awards". HotNewHipHop. September 15, 2015. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  57. "Here Are the Nominees for BET's 2016 Hip-Hop Awards". complex.com. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  58. "Grammy nominations 2017: Beyoncé and R&B artists shine while rock suffers". Guardian. December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.

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