Behind the Beats: Hit-Boy
Kanye West has a multiplatinum collection of hit records, but for Watch the Throne, his collaborative album with Jay-Z, the Louis Vuitton Don has had no problem sharing production duties. One of the album's producers is relative newcomer Hit-Boy, who also happens to be signed to 'Ye's G.O.O.D. Music label.
Hit-Boy is no stranger to big records or high-powered pairings; he produced Lil Wayne and Eminem's 2010 single "Drop the World." Now, he looks to further extend his discography on "N---as in Paris" off WTT.
" 'N----as in Paris' came about from me having a beat idea already. When I went to New York, I just further went into it," Hit-Boy told Mixtape Daily. "It was just a batch of beats. Kanye asked me for some beats, and that was one of the beats I gave him."
The song appropriately was recorded in Paris during one of the many storied Watch the Throne globetrotting sessions. Hit-Boy, however, didn't get to make the trip, so instead he sent all the necessary files so Hov and Yeezy could complete the track. "They actually went over to Paris; I didn't get to make that trip," he said. "Next thing I know, they're like, 'Yo, I need all the files for that beat.'
"That particular beat was just energetic," Hit-Boy added. "It's something that can be played in the club, it's something that can be played on radio. It's a more of a fun type record. Just different flows, the way that they rode the beat, it's just new, it's fresh."
There is no doubt that Hit-Boy is accomplished after already having done beats for Mary J. Blige ("Stronger") and Chris Brown ("Froze"), but this particular placement means a lot more to him. "To do a beat on this album is definitely a dream come true," he said of his work with the Throne. "Just for me to work with them period, but this album is really just a staple. This is something that's gonna be forever."
Kanye West has a multiplatinum collection of hit records, but for Watch the Throne, his collaborative album with Jay-Z, the Louis Vuitton Don has had no problem sharing production duties. One of the album's producers is relative newcomer Hit-Boy, who also happens to be signed to 'Ye's G.O.O.D. Music label.
Hit-Boy is no stranger to big records or high-powered pairings; he produced Lil Wayne and Eminem's 2010 single "Drop the World." Now, he looks to further extend his discography on "N---as in Paris" off WTT.
" 'N----as in Paris' came about from me having a beat idea already. When I went to New York, I just further went into it," Hit-Boy told Mixtape Daily. "It was just a batch of beats. Kanye asked me for some beats, and that was one of the beats I gave him."
The song appropriately was recorded in Paris during one of the many storied Watch the Throne globetrotting sessions. Hit-Boy, however, didn't get to make the trip, so instead he sent all the necessary files so Hov and Yeezy could complete the track. "They actually went over to Paris; I didn't get to make that trip," he said. "Next thing I know, they're like, 'Yo, I need all the files for that beat.'
"That particular beat was just energetic," Hit-Boy added. "It's something that can be played in the club, it's something that can be played on radio. It's a more of a fun type record. Just different flows, the way that they rode the beat, it's just new, it's fresh."
There is no doubt that Hit-Boy is accomplished after already having done beats for Mary J. Blige ("Stronger") and Chris Brown ("Froze"), but this particular placement means a lot more to him. "To do a beat on this album is definitely a dream come true," he said of his work with the Throne. "Just for me to work with them period, but this album is really just a staple. This is something that's gonna be forever."
