New Rory & Mal – Checking In With Hit-Boy (September 18, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this rich, candid conversation, Rory and Mal check in with legendary producer Hit-Boy, who’s fresh off regaining his independence after 18 years tied to his first publishing deal. They dive deep into his hard-earned freedom, creative process, collaborations (notably with Nas), the ever-shifting music landscape, and trade war stories about the music business. They close with a fun, rapid-fire “this or that” session covering classic tracks Hit-Boy has produced and legendary albums he wishes he could’ve touched. The episode is packed with industry insights, laughs, and gems for both fans and up-and-coming producers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Breaking Free: Hit-Boy’s Publishing Deal Journey

• Out of His Longstanding Deal:

  • Hit-Boy details finally becoming fully independent after 18 years in a restrictive publishing contract, originally signed at age 19.

    “I was one year out of high school. I signed up when I was 19.” (04:08)

• How It Began and Ended:

  • Discovered by Polow Da Don on MySpace.
  • The contract had outdated, open-ended terms; it required negotiation and advocacy—especially by Jay-Z and management—to create an end date, ultimately freeing him in July 2025.

• Mental Toll & Staying Creative:

  • The contract was “fucked up mentally” and at times “depressing,” causing creative blocks but not stopping his drive.

    “Plenty of times…couldn’t think of nothing, felt like I exhausted myself…making no real progress.” (07:45)

Advice for Younger Producers

• On Signing Deals:

  “Number one is if you are gonna sign a deal, make sure you got an end date…find the right fit.” (07:04)

  • Warns about the dangers of indefinitely binding contracts.
  • Pushes patience, self-worth, and understanding leverage as a producer.

• New Platform Opportunities:

  • Notes the explosion of “new big producers every day” through social media and streaming (TikTok, IG).

Life and Work Post-Deal

• Real Independence:

  • Hit-Boy can now “move his percentage around” as he pleases and only takes projects if the business and creative fit.

    “From here out, you know, the plays are serious…real dollar signs and some real business being done.” (08:27)

• His Insane Work Rate:

  • Despite the contract, he’s released huge volumes (“80 songs in three years” with Nas).
  • “We emptied the clip, bro…dropped damn near everything we made.” (09:08)

The Hip-Hop Creative Process

• Learning from Nas (and others):

  • Working closely with Nas for multiple albums was not just productive, but artistically formative for Hit-Boy as a rapper.

    “That was just an opportunity for me to grow, be around an elite MC…and I got to grow through that whole process.” (09:08)

• Project Teases:

  • Four projects on the way, including:
    • Joint album with Alchemist (Nov 2025)
    • Collaboration with Spank Nitty (“Yeast Talkin’”)
    • More “Half-A-Mil” records with Dom Kennedy pending.

Stories from the Studio

• Most Eccentric Collaborator:

  “Jay Electronica…might FaceTime you at 3 in the morning from the jungle…” (11:08)

  • Also mentions Tzo Touchdown's unique desire to record with a handheld mic.

• West Coast Energy Shift:

  • Discusses how Kendrick Lamar’s high-profile beef and 'pop out' event inspired a new wave of seriousness among LA MCs.

    “He gave a lot of people opportunities…a lot of people [are] like ‘I gotta take my shit more serious.’” (12:49)

Music Biz Real Talk

• Producer Collabs and Verses Battles:

  • Reflects on his Verzuz battle with Boi-1da and how Drake records were “stinging me…but once I start coming with the New Nip and new Nas…it started to even out.” (14:40)
  • Wishes these kinds of battles were live for full effect.

• Industry Shifts:

  • The “Big Three era” (Drake, Cole, Kendrick) is possibly over; the game lacks clear newer superstars.

    “I don’t think this game is what it used to be…the world ain’t what it used to be. None of this shit is the same, bro.” (15:58)

• Producer A-List Status:

  • Pushes back on only working with major artists—he finds inspiration working with those who make him “laugh and think.”

• Sample/Copyright Nightmares:

  • Recounts losing his songwriter fee for Rihanna’s “Woo” because of a disputed guitar sample, illustrating a common modern producer struggle.

    “I had to give this dude the whole 45 bands for the beat, you know what I mean? It was ugly.” (38:02)

Frank Ocean, Creative Patience, and Release Cycles

• On Rare and Elusive Artists:

  • Wonders why certain dream collaborations (like an album with Frank Ocean) never happen.

    “Why wouldn’t he just come with me, do a whole project? But…guys like Frank, they’re in their own stratosphere.” (18:45)

• How Audiences Consume Music Now:

  • Observes how quickly people judge new releases:

    “You don’t even take two hours. It’s five minutes…It’s so trash, garbage.” (19:41)

• Consistency Versus Legacy:

  • Argues for the value of dropping lots of music, referencing Virgil Abloh's advice—people remember your hits, not the misses.

    “Stuff you put out that’s bad…nobody gonna remember that anyway…Keep shooting.” (21:32)

Touring, Trap Clubs, and Regional Vibes

• New York vs. LA Nightlife:

  “I never seen that many superstars in one building…New York…they be just super fly, take pride in how they present themselves.” (25:29)

  • Notes differences in strip club culture (Starlets in NY, Crazy Girls/Sam’s in LA, and wild Atlanta clubs from his beginnings with Polow Da Don).

• Hint at Potential NY Move:

  “Man, I’m finna look at some real estate.” (23:59)

The “This or That” Producer Showdown (32:27+)

A fun, rapid-fire game where Hit-Boy chooses between classic tracks and albums—many of which he produced:

| Matchup | His Pick & Reason | Timestamp | |----------------|-----------------------|---------------| | “Paris” vs “Clique” | “Paris” – the reaction live in Vegas is unmatched. | 32:46 | | “Goldie” vs “Trophies” | “Goldie” – signaled ASAP Rocky’s major intro. | 34:15 | | “Backseat Freestyle” vs “Racks in the Middle” | “Racks in the Middle”—deep personal connection, won Grammy, originally his record. | 34:41 | | “Woo” (Rihanna) vs “Sicko Mode” (Travis Scott) | “Sicko Mode”—despite wild sample drama on “Woo” | 37:44/39:31 | | “Sorry” vs “Flawless” (Beyoncé) | “Flawless”—spawned the remix and “Feeling Myself.” | 40:10 | | “Cold” (Kanye) vs “One Train” (ASAP Rocky) | “One Train”—symbolic of an era in hip-hop. | 40:28 | | Nas: Magic vs King’s Disease series | Can’t choose—Magic’s more mixtape, KD more conceptual. | 41:15 | | Reasonable Doubt vs Illmatic | “Reasonable Doubt”—“dope boy talk, we’d have made some.” | 42:17 | | Chronic vs Doggystyle | “Chronic”—but acknowledges “Doggystyle” was LA leveled up. | 42:56 | | Ready to Die vs All Eyez on Me | “All Eyes on Me”—but producing for Big would be a dream. | 43:30 | | Miseducation vs One in a Million | “Miseducation”—for the songwriting range. | 43:54 | | D’Angelo Brown Sugar vs Sade Love Deluxe | Wants more on “Lovers Rock” (Sade), but gives both love. | 44:11 |

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Hit-Boy on His Contract:

  “There was no ending date because of terminology in the contract…outdated stuff still being upheld.” (04:35)

• On Influence of Nas:

  “Watching this n**** write verse and freestyle hooks…I got to grow through that whole process.” (09:08)

• On Jay Electronica:

  “He might FaceTime you at 3 in the morning from the jungle.” (11:08)

• On Sample Drama (Rihanna’s “Woo”):

  “I chopped that beat in front of The Weeknd, Travis was there, Ty Dolla $ign…dude was like, ‘Nah, you stole my sounds.’” (38:02)

• On Consistency in Art:

  “Just keep shooting…the good stuff is gonna stand out.” (21:32)

• On Streaming Era:

  “You put out a great project, people might not go back to it in three weeks…so much shit is out.” (19:46)

• On Artists’ Motivation Today:

  “What’s inspiring him to do it?...I just don’t understand where the artists are as far as things that go on in the industry, how people consume music, how long they live with it.” (19:46)

Upcoming & Unreleased Projects

• Album with Spank Nitty (“Yeast Talkin’”) – drops October 3rd
• Album with Alchemist – coming in November
• Hints at more Half-A-Mil (with Dom Kennedy)
• Mentions a possible tour with Alchemist

Final Wrap Up

The conversation ends on high energy, as Hit-Boy and the hosts riff about music, industry grind, and the “therapy” of nightlife and creative spaces. Hit-Boy is invigorated in his independence, ready to drop multiple projects and continue collaborating across genres and regions—with a reminder that, whether in LA or New York, the creative hustle never stops.

For aspiring producers or longtime fans, this episode is a goldmine of both warnings and motivation—full of stories about the music biz, the thrill (and frustration) of collaboration, and what it means to stay inspired amidst chaos.

Notable Episode Timestamps

• 03:02 – Hit-Boy on finally being independent and free of his publishing deal
• 04:08 – The origin of the 18-year deal
• 07:04 – Advice to new producers
• 08:27 – The meaning of producer independence
• 09:08 – On emptying the clip with Nas: 80 songs in three years
• 11:08 – Funniest/strangest artists to record with (Jay Electronica)
• 14:40 – Hit-Boy’s take on his Verzuz with Boi-1da
• 18:45 – Why a Frank Ocean x Hit-Boy album hasn’t happened
• 21:32 – Virgil Abloh's advice: Make a lot, hits rise above
• 25:29 – New York vs LA creative energy post-pandemic
• 32:27 – “This or that” production game begins
• 41:15 – King’s Disease vs Magic (Nas albums)
• 44:43 – On losing out on album placements (Jay & Beyoncé “Everything Is Love”)
• 46:28 – New projects and tour plans

“I’m on some straight art at this point.” — Hit-Boy (15:58)