Southside (record producer)

Last updated

Southside
Southside-mtuma-reid-main (1).jpg
Southside in 2018
Background information
Birth nameJoshua Howard Luellen
Also known as
  • Young Sizzle
  • Southside on the Track
  • 808MafiaBoss
  • Sizzle
Born (1989-02-02) February 2, 1989 (age 35)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2008–present
Labels
Member of
Children6

Joshua Howard Luellen (born February 2, 1989), [1] known professionally as Southside (also known as Sizzle), is an American record producer, rapper and songwriter. Based in Atlanta, he is recognized in the music industry for his aggressive, trap-infused production work for prominent hip hop artists. [2] His association with hometown rapper Waka Flocka Flame led Luellen to sign to his label Brick Squad Monopoly, an imprint of Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, as in-house talent in 2010. Luellen and labelmate, fellow producer Lex Luger established the production team 808 Mafia that same year, who were credited on several commercially successful releases throughout the remaining decade. [3]

Contents

As a lead artist, Luellen signed with Epic Records to release his collaborative album with G Herbo, Swervo (2018), which peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200. His 2022 single, "Hold That Heat" (with Future featuring Travis Scott) marked his first entry—at number 57—on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite not performing on both, he has released several mixtapes as a recording artist. [4]

Early life

Southside was raised in the Southeast section of Atlanta, Georgia. [1] Growing up, he played Little League Baseball but gave up the sport after suffering a concussion when he was hit in the head with a ball. [5] He started making beats when he was 14 years old, when he got his first computer from his uncle. [6]

Career

It was around his mid-teenage years that Southside decided to start taking music production as a serious career, He was later discovered by rapper Waka Flocka Flame at the age of 17, and through Waka's connection with Gucci Mane, Luellen was signed to 1017 Records. [7] [8] At the label, Luellen met Lex Luger, a fellow producer for Waka Flocka, and the two laid the production groundwork for Waka Flocka's debut album, Flockaveli (2010). Southside's first major credit was the song "Fuck the Club Up," which appeared on the album.

In 2011, Southside co-produced the track "Illest Motherfucker Alive", from Kanye West and Jay-Z's album Watch the Throne . [9] This gained him wider recognition in mainstream hip hop. He has since worked with artists such as Rick Ross, Jeezy, Wale, Meek Mill, Lil Scrappy, MGK [10] among others.

Southside was the main producer of Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka's collaborative album Ferrari Boyz , and on Flocka's second album Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family . [11]

In January 2013, Southside produced "Millions" – the lead single from Pusha T's mixtape Wrath of Caine. [12] The music video for the song was released on February 10. The song sparked controversy when producer Rico Beats was asked to modify Southside's instrumental for the final version of the song. Southside wasn't notified of the changes, which led to the two producers exchanging threats over Twitter. [13] On Wrath of Caine's official track list, Kanye West was credited as co-producer, instead of Rico Beats. [14] Also in 2013, Southside and TM88 produced the song "Tapout" by Rich Gang from their self-titled album . The song peaked at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Throughout the early 2010s, Southside's productions have been featured on numerous mixtapes. Produced with TM88, Young Thug's 2014 single "Danny Glover" became one of his breakout hits. By late 2014, Southside's production continued to catapult into Atlanta's hip hop mainstream when Future's mixtape Monster saw widespread praise as Southside handled a quarter of the mixtape's production. Monster standout "Commas" was released as a commercial single in March 2015 and spent 20 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 55 while earning a gold certification by the RIAA. [15]

In 2015, Southside continued to push his trap sound in the hip hop industry ubiquitously, especially on various songs produced by him and his 808 Mafia collective. Luellen was responsible for producing a significant portion of Future's album, DS2 , as well as being responsible for producing nine of the ten tracks of Future's mixtape, 56 Nights , in which Southside made the entire project's worth of beats in only one night. [16] In addition, Southside also contributed to the production of three tracks on the collaborative mixtape What a Time to Be Alive by Future and Drake.

Artistry

Southside uses the digital audio workstation, FL Studio along with custom installed VST plugins to compose his beats. Luellen's distinct signature trap sound is gritty, grimy, and thunderous hip hop street sound which is similar to that of his collaborators, Lex Luger and his group 808 Mafia. Despite such similarities, Luellen's sound is distinctly known to be more gangster, bombastic, gritty, rambunctious, and menacing compared to that of his collaborators. Luellen is known for his dark, belligerent, and menacing hip hop sound coupled with hard hitting 808 kicks, crisp snare drums, fast hi-hats, frantic synthesizers, sinister lead instruments, and colorfully layered ominous orchestration of synthesized brass, hits, stringed, woodwind, and keyboard instruments. [4] [17] [18] [19] Like many other producers Southside uses a musical signature tag on many of the songs he has produced. His main tag is a pitched-up voice saying his name. He also uses his team tag, 808 Mafia and more recently, a sample of the Ironside (1967 TV series) theme song produced by Quincy Jones. [1] Back in the beginning of his career, Southside claimed to complete a single beat in 15 to 30 minutes, but as of 2015, he claims to be able to make a single beat in less than 6 minutes and with no sound. [5] He cites Lil Jon as his favorite producer and enjoys the production work made by Pharrell, Shawty Redd, and Drumma Boy. [20] He is also influenced by the production works of Kanye West, Dr. Dre, Timbaland and Swizz Beatz. [21]

Southside also credits modern technology and internet, particularly through the monetization of music through streaming sites such as SoundCloud, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music that help him make a living off of his passion for hip hop music and well as making his own production career possible. [15] Inside the studio, Southside is known for his strong work ethic and strategic marketing acumen when producing beats for artists and getting the finalized track on the mixtape circuit or radio. [8] [22] Since 2013, Southside began to focus on his career as a producer from an entrepreneurial perspective, cultivating talent while learning the ins and outs of the legality in the music production business as well as negotiating deals and making the financial decisions on every track he is responsible for producing. [3]

Discography

Collaborative albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US
[23] 		US
R&B/HH
[24] 		US
Rap
[25]
Swervo
(with G Herbo)
  • Released: July 27, 2018
  • Label: Machine Entertainment, Epic, Cinematic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
1588

Mixtapes

TitleMixtape details
Free Agent
  • Released: July 13, 2014
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Young Extravagent Nigga
  • Released: August 9, 2014
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Free Agent 2
  • Released: February 2, 2015
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Free Agent 3
  • Released: December 9, 2015
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Hardcore N Hi-Tech
  • Released: April 9, 2016
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Lebron Flocka James 4
(with Waka Flocka Flame)
  • Released: July 26, 2016
  • Label: Bricksquad Monopoly Money, RBC
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
I.O.U.
  • Released: December 25, 2016
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Trap Ye
  • Released: February 2, 2017
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
808 Day
  • Released: August 8, 2017
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Trap Ye: Season 2
  • Released: February 2, 2018
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Blood on the Hills
(with Pyrex and 808 Mafia)
  • Released: October 10, 2020
  • Label: 808 Mafia
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
Demons R Us
(with Doe Boy)
  • Released: November 6, 2020
  • Label: Epic, Freebandz
  • Format: Digital download, streaming
BREAK THE SILENCE
  • Released: August 8, 2024
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

As lead artist

List of songs, showing year and album name
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
[26] 		US
R&B
/HH
[27] 		US
Rap
[28] 		CAN
[29] 		NZ
Hot
[30]
"Who Run It"
(with G Herbo)		2018—————Swervo
"Focused"
(with G Herbo)		—————
"Swervo"
(with G Herbo)		—————
"That's How I Grew Up"
(with G Herbo)		—————
"Some Nights"
(with G Herbo)		—————
"Big Ol' Ass"
(with Wolfeworks and Craft)		—————Non-album singles
"Order"
(with TM88 and Gunna)		—————
"Hmmm"
(featuring Lil Yachty and Valee)		—————
"Can't Control"
(with Bass Frequency)		2019—————
"Been Thru This Before"
(with Marshmello featuring Giggs and Saint Jhn)		2020—————
"Blood on the Hills"
(with Pyrex and 808 Mafia)		—————
"Blue Jean Bandit"
(with TM88 and Moneybagg Yo featuring Young Thug and Future)		—————
"Yessirski"
(with Doe Boy)		—————Demons R Us
"Tweakin"
(with Doe Boy featuring Future)		—————
"Don"2021—————Non-album singles
"No Keys"
(featuring JessLøcc)		—————
"Lost Remix"—————
"Empty Space"
(with 10MilliVision)		2022—————
"Stay with Me"
(with 18iker and 808 Mafia)		—————
"Hold That Heat"
(with Future featuring Travis Scott)		571613439
"Gimme da Lite"
(with Lil Yachty)		2023————29
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of songs, showing year and album name
TitleYearAlbum
"Breakin' U Off"
(TM88 and Rich the Kid featuring Ty Dolla Sign, 2 Chainz, and Southside)		2020

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gucci Mane</span> American rapper (born 1980)

Radric Delantic Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, is an American rapper and record executive. He is credited, along with fellow Atlanta-based rappers T.I. and Jeezy, with pioneering the hip hop subgenre trap music for mainstream audiences into the 2000s. His debut studio album, Trap House (2005) was released by the independent label Big Cat Records and entered the Billboard 200; it was followed by Hard to Kill (2006), which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 entry with its 2007 single, "Freaky Gurl". That same year, he released his third album, Trap-A-Thon before signing with Atlantic Records to release his fourth album, Back to the Trap House (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wasted (Gucci Mane song)</span> 2009 single by Gucci Mane featuring Plies

"Wasted" is the official first single from Gucci Mane's sixth studio album The State vs. Radric Davis. The song features rapper Plies. The song was originally from Gucci Mane's 2009 mixtape, Guccimania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waka Flocka Flame</span> American rapper (born 1986)

Juaquin James Malphurs, known professionally as Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. He first became known for his 2009 single "O Let's Do It," which entered the Billboard Hot 100 and led him to sign with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, an imprint of Warner Records that same year. His 2010 follow-up single, "No Hands" reached number 13 on the chart and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Both songs, along with "Hard in da Paint" and "Grove St. Party", preceded the release of his debut studio album Flockaveli (2010), which peaked at number six on the Billboard 200. His second studio album, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family (2012) peaked at number ten on the chart and was supported by the singles "Round of Applause", "I Don't Really Care" and "Get Low".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hard in da Paint</span> 2009 single by Waka Flocka Flame

"Hard in da Paint" is the second single from American rapper Waka Flocka Flame's debut studio album Flockaveli.

<i>Flockaveli</i> 2010 studio album by Waka Flocka Flame

Flockaveli is the debut studio album by American rapper Waka Flocka Flame. It was released through 1017 Brick Squad, Asylum, and Warner Bros. Records on October 5, 2010. The title of the album is a portmanteau of Waka Flocka Flame's name and that of the Italian political theorist Machiavelli, and was inspired by fellow American rapper Tupac Shakur, whose final stage name and pseudonym before his death was Makaveli. The album was recorded at Next Level Studios in Houston, NightBird Recording Studios in West Hollywood, and S-Line Ent. in Atlanta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lex Luger (record producer)</span> American record producer (born 1991)

Lexus Arnel Lewis, professionally known as Lex Luger, is an American record producer. His stage name is a homage to the former WCW/WWF professional wrestler Lex Luger. He co-founded the American hip hop production team 808 Mafia with Southside. He is a member of the hip hop production duo Low Pros with A-Trak, and the VABP, a hip hop group that he founded in high school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waka Flocka Flame discography</span>

The discography of Waka Flocka Flame, an American rapper, consists of two studio albums, 41 singles and 28 mixtapes. His highest-charting single, "No Hands" featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale, peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The following list is a discography of production by Lex Luger, an American record producer. It includes a list of songs produced, co-produced and remixed by Luger specified by year, artist, album and title.

Kebo Gotti is an American rapper.

<i>Ferrari Boyz</i> 2011 studio album by Waka Flocka Flame & Gucci Mane

Ferrari Boyz is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame. Originally scheduled for a June 21, 2011, release, it was delayed and later released on August 9. It features Rocko, 2 Chainz, 1017 Brick Squad labelmates Wooh da Kid, and Frenchie, and also Brick Squad Monopoly members Slim Dunkin, Ice Burgundy, and YG Hootie. The album was mostly produced by label producer Southside, with additional production by 808 Mafia, Drumma Boy, Fatboi, Shawty Redd, and Schife. According to Waka Flocka, the album was completed in two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wild Boy (song)</span> 2011 single by Machine Gun Kelly featuring Waka Flocka Flame

"Wild Boy" is a song by American rapper Machine Gun Kelly featuring fellow American rapper Waka Flocka Flame. The song, released September 27, 2011, serves as the lead single from Kelly's debut EP Half Naked & Almost Famous (2012). Produced by GB Hitz and Southside, the song was initially included on Kelly's third mixtape Rage Pack, and later included on his major-label debut studio album Lace Up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Will Made It</span> American record producer (born 1989)

Michael Len Williams II, known professionally as Mike Will Made It or simply Mike Will, is an American record producer, rapper and songwriter. 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", which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. His 2017 follow-up single, "Rake It Up" peaked at number eight on the chart. He has released six mixtapes and one solo studio album, Ransom 2 (2017).

808 Mafia is an American record production and songwriting team founded by record producers TM88, Lex Luger, and Southside, who is currently at the helm of the group. The organization also includes producers Fuse 100, Tarentino, Purps, Swede, Nonstop Da Hitman, MP808, among others. The group's name originates from the Roland TR-808, a drum machine commonly used in hip-hop music.

Trap is a subgenre of hip hop music pioneered by Atlanta rappers T.I., Jeezy, and Gucci Mane, which originated in the Southern United States, with lyrical references to trap starting in 1991 but the modern sound of trap appearing in 1999. The genre gets its name from the Atlanta slang term "trap house", a house used exclusively to sell drugs. Trap music is known for its simple, rhythmic, minimalistic productions that uses synthesized drums, and is characterized by complex hi-hat patterns, snare drums, bass drums, some tuned with a long decay to emit a bass frequency, and lyrical content that often focuses on drug use and urban violence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonny Digital</span> American record producer, rapper, and DJ

Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke, better known by his stage name Sonny Digital, is an American record producer, rapper, and DJ. He first saw recognition for his production work on YC's 2011 single "Racks", which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Throughout the following decade, he was credited on a string of commercially successful hip hop and trap singles including ILoveMakonnen's "Tuesday", Future's "Same Damn Time", 50 Cent's "I'm the Man", 2 Chainz's "Birthday Song", and Travis Scott's "Stargazing". Uwaezuoke has also produced for XXL Magazine's Freshman Hip Hop Cyphers in 2017 and 2018, and pursued a lukewarmly-received career as a recording artist.

Bryan Lamar Simmons, known professionally as TM88, is an American record producer. He is part of the Atlanta-based record production team 808 Mafia, as one of its lead members alongside Southside. Simmons produced the 2017 hit single "XO Tour Llif3" by Lil Uzi Vert, which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His other notable production credits include songs for Young Thug, Future, Gucci Mane, Migos, Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J; he formed the group TGOD Mafia with the latter two in 2016, with whom he released a collaborative studio album in June of that year.

1017 Global Music, LLC, also known as The New 1017 Records, is an American record label founded by Gucci Mane in 2007. Its formation followed his departure from Mizay Entertainment and the dissolution of So Icey. The label's most notable artists include Gucci Mane, Young Thug, Waka Flocka Flame, Pooh Shiesty and OJ da Juiceman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zaytoven</span> American record producer (born 1980)

Xavier Lamar Dotson, known professionally as Zaytoven, is an American record producer from Atlanta, Georgia. He has released collaborative projects with artists including Gucci Mane, Usher, Future, Young Dolph, Migos, Lecrae, Lil Yachty, Chief Keef, Young Scooter, B.o.B, Boosie Badazz, Waka Flocka Flame, 21 Savage, Deitrick Haddon and La Fève.

Gary Rafael Hill, known professionally as DJ Spinz, is an American record producer, songwriter and disc jockey. Spinz became a DJ in the late 2000s before shifting into music production. He has since produced the Billboard Hot 100-top 40 singles "Cashin' Out" by Cash Out and "Flex " by Rich Homie Quan, as well as the multi-platinum-certified singles "Fuck Up Some Commas" by Future, "Blasé" by Ty Dolla Sign, and "Bring It Back" by Travis Porter. Furthermore, he has been credited on albums for Waka Flocka Flame, Gucci Mane, French Montana, Jacquees, Rick Ross, and 2 Chainz, among others.

<i>Swervo</i> 2018 studio album by G Herbo and Southside

Swervo is a collaborative studio album by American rapper G Herbo and record producer Southside. It was released on July 27, 2018, by Machine Entertainment Group, Epic Records, Cinematic Music Group, 150 Dream Team and 808 Mafia. The production on the album was entirely handled by Southside, alongside Jake One and TM88, among others. The album also features guest appearances from 21 Savage, Chief Keef, Juice WRLD and Young Thug.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Interview: SouthSide Archived February 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine The Marrack
  2. ↑ "Southside Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |". AllMusic .
  3. 1 2 EMMANUEL C.M. (August 13, 2015). "Southside Explains How Future's New Album Came Together". XXL. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Marrack, Peter (August 30, 2011). ""THE ILLEST MOTHERFUCKER ALIVE" – AN INTERVIEW WITH SOUTHSIDE". Respect. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Interview: Southside On Future, Fatherhood, and Making Beats in Six Minutes". Complex.
  6. ↑ Interview with Southside Archived January 25, 2013, at archive.today IGetMusic.com
  7. ↑ Southside music will make us sizzle TheWhatItDo.com
  8. 1 2 Graham, Nadine (August 19, 2011). "DXnext: South Side". HipHopDX. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  9. ↑ Southside Talks Producing For Jay-Z & Kanye West's "Watch The Throne" HipHopDX
  10. ↑ Interview with Southside Archived January 25, 2013, at archive.today IGetMusic.com
  11. ↑ "Gucci Mane / Waka Flocka Flame: Ferrari Boyz Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Pusha T – Millions". DJ Booth. February 10, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Southside Calls Out Rico Beats Over Production Credit On Pusha T's "Millions"". MTV. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Pusha T – Wrath of Caine". DatPiff. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  15. 1 2 Suarez, Gary (November 4, 2015). "Southside: The Atlanta Producer Behind Future's Hip-Hop Takeover". Forbes. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  16. ↑ Brendan Varan. (September 3, 2015). "SOUTHSIDE ON MAKING "56 NIGHTS," LIVING WITH TRAVI$ SCOTT & MORE (VIDEO INTERVIEW)". DJBooth. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Brick Squad Producer Southside Interview". Arkatech Beats. November 15, 2010. Archived from the original on July 14, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  18. ↑ Drake, David (February 28, 2014). "What's Young Thug Like In the Studio? We Interviewed "Danny Glover" Producers 808 Mafia". Complex. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Brick Squad Producer Southside Interview". Arkatechbeatz. November 15, 2010. Archived from the original on August 11, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  20. ↑ "The Illest Motherfucker Alive" – an interview with Southside Respect-Mag.com
  21. ↑ Lex Luger & Southside talk producers, software, and creativity Respect-Mag.com
  22. ↑ Drake, David (February 28, 2014). "What's Young Thug Like In the Studio? We Interviewed "Danny Glover" Producers 808 Mafia". Complex. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  23. ↑ "G Herbo Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  24. ↑ "G Herbo Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  25. ↑ "G Herbo Chart History: Top Rap Albums". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Future Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved May 2, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Future Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Future Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Future Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
  30. ↑ Peaks in New Zealand:
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.