Hit-Boy

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Hit-Boy got his start in professional music production upon receiving a message from high-profile record producer Polow da Don on Myspace which read: "Let's get this paper, pimp." He received his first major production credit in tandem with the producer for the 2009 More than a Game documentary soundtrack, which was released by Polow's label Zone 4, to which he signed as an in-house producer. He co-produced the song "Stronger" by Mary J. Blige, which entered the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Hollis is also a founding member of the collective Surf Club, which he formed with fellow producers Chase N. Cashe, BCarr, and Chili Chill. While continuing to receive production credits with Zone 4, he became acquainted with rapper Kanye West and produced his 2010 GOOD Friday song, "Christmas in Harlem." On May 2, 2011, he signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music label as an in-house producer, allowing him to work directly with West and the label's further releases. West and Jay-Z's 2011 single "Niggas in Paris" peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, won two Grammy Awards (Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song), and received diamond certification by the RIAA. On June 7, 2012, Hollis released his first single as a recording artist, "Jay-Z Interview", which was produced by Bink!. Later in July 2012, Hollis was featured rapping on CyHi the Prynce's mixtape Ivy League Club, on the song "Entourage." Hollis then released the self-produced track "Old School Caddy", which features then-GOOD Music cohort Kid Cudi. These two tracks appeared on his first full-length project, a mixtape titled HITstory, which was released for free download on his website. Also in 2012, he produced three songs from his label GOOD Music's compilation album Cruel Summer, and produced ASAP Rocky's single "Goldie." On June 29, 2013, he parted ways with GOOD Music, but stated that he was still on good terms with West and his labelmates.

In Their Own Story

The message on Myspace was blunt: "Let's get this paper, pimp." It was from Polow da Don, and it launched Chauncey Hollis Jr. into professional music production. By 2009, he had his first major credit on the More than a Game documentary soundtrack. Then came the connection with Kanye West. He produced West's 2010 GOOD Friday song "Christmas in Harlem," and on May 2, 2011, he officially signed to GOOD Music as an in-house producer. That same year, he co-produced "Niggas in Paris" for West and Jay-Z. The single peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, won two Grammy Awards, and went diamond. In 2012, he released his own mixtape HITstory and produced three songs on GOOD Music's Cruel Summer. He also produced ASAP Rocky's "Goldie." On June 29, 2013, he parted ways with GOOD Music, but made sure to state he was still on good terms with West and his labelmates.

Reader's Guide

Hit-Boy joined Kanye West's GOOD Music on May 2, 2011, as an in-house producer. His most significant contribution from this era is co-producing West and Jay-Z's 2011 single "Niggas in Paris." The track peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, won two Grammy Awards (Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song), and received diamond certification by the RIAA. Before signing, he had already produced West's 2010 GOOD Friday song "Christmas in Harlem."

During his time with GOOD Music, Hit-Boy also produced three songs on the label's 2012 compilation album Cruel Summer. He released his own mixtape HITstory in 2012, which included the self-produced track "Old School Caddy" featuring Kid Cudi. He also produced ASAP Rocky's single "Goldie" that same year. On June 29, 2013, he parted ways with GOOD Music, but stated he remained on good terms with West and his labelmates. Beyond his work with West, Hit-Boy has produced or co-produced charting singles for Jay-Z, Travis Scott ("Sicko Mode"), Nipsey Hussle ("Racks in the Middle"), Beyoncé ("Sorry"), Drake ("Trophies"), and Lil Wayne ("Drop the World"). He has also helmed the entirety of production on six Nas albums: King's Disease (2020), King's Disease II (2021), Magic, King's Disease III (2022), Magic 2, and Magic 3 (2023).

Did You Know?

• Hit-Boy got his start in professional music production after receiving a Myspace message from Polow da Don that read: "Let's get this paper, pimp."
• He signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music on May 2, 2011, as an in-house producer.
• He co-produced West and Jay-Z's 2011 single "Niggas in Paris," which won two Grammy Awards and received diamond certification.
• He produced three songs on GOOD Music's 2012 compilation album Cruel Summer.
• On June 29, 2013, he parted ways with GOOD Music but stated he was still on good terms with West and his labelmates.