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Hitmaka

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Hitmaka
Ward in 2024
Ward in 2024
Background information
Birth nameChristian J. Ward[1][2]
Also known as
  • Iceberg
  • Yung Berg
Born (1985-09-09) September 9, 1985 (age 39)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.[3][4][5][6]
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
  • disc jockey
  • record executive
Years active2001–2010 (rapper)
2010–present (producer)
Labels
Children3

Christian J. Ward (born September 9, 1985), known professionally as Hitmaka, is an American record producer and former rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois,[7][8][9] Ward was the first artist to sign with American rapper DMX's vanity label Bloodline Records (under the stage name Iceberg) in 2001, at the age of 14.[10] Six years later, he signed with Epic Records and adopted the stage name Yung Berg. His 2007 debut single, "Sexy Lady" peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, while his guest appearance on Ray J's single, "Sexy Can I" and Ward's own follow-up single, "The Business" peaked at numbers three and 33 on the chart, respectively, the following year; all three of which preceded the release of his debut studio album, Look What You Made Me (2008). Despite generally unfavorable critical reception, it peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200. After releasing a number of follow-up mixtapes and singles that failed to chart, he shifted focus away from recording in favor of a career in music production by 2014.[11]

Ward's production and songwriting work has proved commercially successful. Since the 2010s, he has been credited on the Billboard Hot 100-top 40 singles "Bounce Back" by Big Sean, "John" by Lil Wayne, "Party" by Chris Brown, "Look Back at It" by A Boogie wit da Hoodie, "Dangerous" by Meek Mill, and "Plan B" by Megan Thee Stallion. In 2020, he was appointed Vice President of A&R at Atlantic Records.[12][13]

Career

2001–2005: Career beginnings

In 2001, Ward signed to rapper DMX's Bloodline Records. He made his debut on the soundtrack to Exit Wounds on the song "Dog 4 Life" as Iceberg. However, his parents sent him to a military boarding school in Montana in 2001.[14] In 2002, he made a brief appearance in Eve’s Satisfication music video. He moved to Los Angeles, California, after finishing school in 2003.[14][15] In 2005, Ward worked as a hype man and recording assistant for Disturbing tha Peace member and Chicago rapper Shawnna.

2007–present

Ward in 2007

Ward's debut single, "Sexy Lady", which featured R&B singer Junior, became a hit on Los Angeles urban radio, and he signed with Epic Records among many labels that approached him. Ward's six-track EP Almost Famous: The Sexy Lady EP was released in July 2007. Also in 2007, Ward made a cameo in the music video of singer Kat DeLuna's debut single "Whine Up". "Sexy Lady" peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition to that single, Ward recorded a song with Lil Wayne and Brisco titled "Bitch Please", which was released in November 2007.

In December 2007, Ward released another single "Sexy Can I", a collaboration with singer Ray J, then his debut album Look What You Made Me.[14] The second single was "Do That There" (featuring Dude 'n Nem), followed by "The Business" (featuring Casha), which peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.[16] Look What You Made Me would chart at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and at number 2 on the Top Rap Albums chart.

On March 25, 2008, Ward released his single entitled "Do That There", which was a direct diss towards fellow rapper Bow Wow. However, during an interview in early 2009, Ward stated that the two had settled their differences.[17]

Hitmaka in 2008

In December 2008, Ward began casting "exceptionally stand out beautiful dark skin/brown skin women to showcase beauty of all races" for a potential dating reality show that he would host.[18] However, as evidenced by the trailer for his new television series, titled Back to Business, it will not be a dating show,[19][20] but the reality show was never released as planned. In 2009, Ward formed The Dream Team production group with his older brother K-Young and producer Rob Holladay. In 2012, Ward also co-wrote and co-produced for Nicki Minaj's album The Pinkprint on the tracks "Want Some More", "Buy a Heart", and "Shanghai".

In 2014, Ward appeared in the first season of the VH1 series Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood. The series loosely follows events in his and fellow castmate, Hazel E's personal lives.[21] On November 9, 2014, it was announced by VH1 that they had fired Ward from Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood due to arrest for allegedly assaulting his fellow castmate and girlfriend Masika Kalysha.[22][23]

In 2020, Ward helmed the executive producer duties for rapper T.I.'s eleventh album The L.I.B.R.A..

Personal life

In October 2015, Ward was ordered to pay $100,000 in back child support for his child with Brandy Flint. The ruling was part of a default judgement after he failed to appear in an Illinois court to respond to charges.[24] In December 2017, Ward was considered a delinquent parent by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, which has published information on Ward's failure to pay child support. At the time, Ward's amount owed in past-due child support is $104,962 for one child.[25]

Robbery victim

On August 23, 2008, it was reported and confirmed[by whom?] that Ward had been ambushed by Detroit rapper Trick Trick and his entourage in his club and had his signature "Transformers chain" taken. But on August 26, 2008, Trick Trick denied having anything to do with the altercation, and claimed to have saved Ward from the altercation.[26] On December 16, 2011, Ward explained the altercation by stating he didn't want to go to Trick Trick's club since a member of his entourage had a problem with him, but somehow ended up there. "I was like 30 deep, I went in the club and I went to the back because I had the number one record at the time", he said, stating that he wanted a free bottle. "The co-owner come back and he said, My partner Trick Trick said ain’t no love for you on those bottles. I was like, your partner? Hold on. So now we’re in Trick Trick's club, I come to find out, the same club that I didn’t wanna go to and perform. Now, I’m in the club. I’m like 5’6, 150 pounds. I come out there and the whole club security surrounds me. They whooped my ass through the club, the security. My entourage was all around us and they were getting their asses whooped too!"[27] On October 5, 2010, British rapper Rowdy T announced that he had taken Ward's "Batman chain" and called him a snitch for reporting it to police,[28] but during an interview, Ward announced that he had done no such thing, and the chain wasn't anything important to him.[29]

On March 20, 2011, during an interview, Ward announced that he was done with wearing flashy jewelry stating,

On some real shit back in the day when I was buying those big ass chains and shit, I felt like that was a part of me being Yung Berg. But me growing up and being Christian, being Mr. Ward, and who I really I am, I toned down. I'm not going to be with the big gaudy chains because people would look and they would say 'Well, this nigga still ain't learn his lesson.' I learned my lesson. I'm going to have jewelry but it's going to be more upscale and common. It's not going to be catching just the nigga eye.[30]

Controversy

On February 21, 2012, during an interview, singer Teairra Marí stated that she did not like Ward and would get him ambushed again due to comments he made about her during one of his interviews.[31]

Discography

Main article: Hitmaka discography

Filmography

Television

Year Film Role Notes
2014 Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood Himself

References

  1. ^ Hitmaka. last.fm. Retrieved on October 11, 2015.
  2. ^ "Delinquent Parent". Illinois.gov. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  3. ^ Donna-Claire Chesman (September 11, 2019). "Hitmaka Interview: "I Would Never Rap Again"". Djbooth. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  4. ^ Ogden Payne. "Behind The Calculated Rebrand Of Producer And Atlantic Records VP Of A&R, Hitmaka". Forbes.com. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  5. ^ "Love & Hip Hop Hollywood Star Fired After Assault Arrest | E! News". Eonline.com. November 7, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  6. ^ "Yung Berg". Bet.com.
  7. ^ "Vibe - Google Books". Books.google.com. December 2007. p. 133. Retrieved April 29, 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ Whitburn, Joel (March 22, 2011). Joel Whitburn's Music Stars: Brief Bios of Every Recording Artist who Ever ... - Google Books. H. Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780898201765. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  9. ^ "Vibe - Google Books". Books.google.com. August 2008. p. 70. Retrieved April 29, 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Before Multi-Hyphenate Hitmaka Became A Music Label Executive, He Was Dropped By DMX's Label As A Teen". afrotech.com. November 22, 2022.
  11. ^ "Hitmaka Talks "Privileged" Upbringing & Not Wanting to be a Rapper Again". HNHH. September 12, 2022.
  12. ^ Yung Berg Is Killing The Producer Game Behind The Scenes, Here's How..., Yung Berg BKA “HITMAKA” Details Reality TV & Becoming A Super-Producer, September 17, 2019.Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  13. ^ Yung Berg-Sway's Universe Archived March 25, 2020, at the Wayback Machine.Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  14. ^ a b c Cordor, Cyril (2008). "Yung Berg > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  15. ^ "Biography". YungBerg.net. Sony Music Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 7, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  16. ^ "Artist Chart History – Yung Berg – Singles". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  17. ^ "Yung Berg Interview: Responds Back To Brisco's Comments I Was Just Jokin LOL [AUDIO ONLY]". WORLDSTARHIPHOP. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012.
  18. ^ Osorio, Kim (December 1, 2008). "Yung Berg Casting Dark-Skinned Women For His Reality Show". Bet.com. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  19. ^ "Video: Yung Berg Back To Business [Reality Show Trailer]". Worldstarhiphop.com. June 25, 2009. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  20. ^ "Young Berg and his Bitchassness (black girl diss)". YouTube. July 11, 2008. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2010.
  21. ^ Yung Berg on Love & Hip Hop Hollywood. Vh1.com. Retrieved on October 11, 2015.
  22. ^ Yung Berg Fired From 'Love & Hip Hop Hollywood' Following Assault Arrest. MTV (November 9, 2014). Retrieved on 2015-10-11.
  23. ^ Yung Berg Fired From VH1's 'Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood' After Assault Arrest. Billboard (November 7, 2014). Retrieved on 2015-10-11.
  24. ^ Yung Berg Hit With $100,000 Child Support Bill, October 22, 2015. Bet.com, Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  25. ^ "Delinquent Parent". Illinois.gov. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
  26. ^ Trick Trick Speaks On Yung Berg Beatdown, ’I Saved That Nigga’s Life’ | The Vibe Source. Vibesource.wordpress.com. Retrieved on October 11, 2015.
  27. ^ "Yung Berg Explains Trick Trick & Maino Altercations | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. December 16, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  28. ^ Yung Berg Robbed Of Another Chain | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales. HipHopDX (October 5, 2010). Retrieved on 2015-10-11.
  29. ^ Langhorne, Cyrus (October 4, 2010) Yung Berg Breaks Silence On Batman Chain Jacking. sohh.com
  30. ^ Yung Berg Abandons Flashy Jewelry, "I Learned My Lesson" – For The Best In Hip-Hop News. SOHH.com (2011-03-20). Retrieved on 2015-10-11.
  31. ^ Langhorne, Cyrus (February 21, 2012) "I'll Get His A** Jumped Again. I Don't Like Yung Berg. I'm Sorry". sohh.com
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