INTERVIEW: Hit Boy Talks Music Career; Industry, Ye, 'Software Update,' Album & Movie Collab With The Alchemist

Summary

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The Breakfast Club – Interview: Hit-Boy Talks Music Career; Industry, Ye, 'Software Update,' Album & Movie Collab With The Alchemist

September 19, 2025

Hosts: Charlamagne Tha God, Jess Hilarious, (DJ Envy away), Lauren LaRosa
Guest: Hit-Boy (Producer & Artist)

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Episode Overview

This engaging interview spotlights legendary producer and artist Hit-Boy, who has helped shape contemporary hip-hop through hits for Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Nas, and many more. Hit-Boy discusses his grueling years under a restrictive publishing deal, his liberation in July 2025, relationships and creative processes with industry giants (including Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Nas), new ventures with The Alchemist, and his personal evolution reflected in his upcoming album, 'Software Update.' Personal stories weave through commentary on industry realities, the undervaluation of producers, regional sound, mentorship, and the impact of AI on music.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflection on Career and Breaking Free of Industry Constraints

• Eighteen-Year Publishing Deal: Hit-Boy reveals he was in a deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) for 18 years, signed at 19, just a year out of high school (03:08, 06:47).

  • Exposes the Trap: “I was in a deal for 18 years... I feel like I made it when I got out my deal, you know what I mean?” (04:49)
  • Depression & Boundaries: “I didn’t realize I was depressed… Never had boundaries… taking 20-30 people to dinner… All the young nigga shit, period.” (05:37)

• Liberation with Jay-Z & Roc Nation's Help: Jay-Z and Desiree Perez were instrumental in negotiating Hit-Boy's exit, albeit with four extra years added on (04:52-06:45).

• The Emotional Impact of Freedom: “Bro, I feel refreshed. I feel like I just started, though.” (06:47)

Notable Quote:

“It was like I didn’t realize I was depressed... Never had boundaries. Shout out Melissa Dumas, my therapist, she made me realize a lot.”
— Hit-Boy (05:37)

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2. Navigating Industry and Creative Evolution

• Early Lessons from Jimmy Iovine: Admits to Iovine he knew nothing about business; Iovine tells him, “That’s actually the smartest thing you ever said. Everything I do you can learn. But what you do, I can’t learn that. You just got that in you.” (04:20)

• On Sacrificing for Brand Energy: Signed away significant earnings for the chance to be associated with Kanye West and Good Music. “I was giving 20% to Good Music, 20% to my managers... I was giving up, like, 40% of my money at that time.” (31:47)

• Lack of Producer Credit/Respect: "Producers is the most disrespected, period. I might do a song for somebody, they can take it on a whole tour—I ain’t even got my fee yet." (14:13)

Notable Quote:

“I just make music. I don’t got one thing that I specifically do. People still haven’t even... Like, I got family members that don’t even know... you did Trophies for Drake... people still don’t even know what I’ve done yet for real.”
— Hit-Boy (11:48)

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3. Collaborations and Artistic Chemistry

• Nas: The Power of Chemistry

  • On why the run with Nas clicked: “He just wanted to work... Nas just kept coming through and kept using the music I was providing.” (15:35)
  • “We dropped 80 songs in three years. Six albums. That was a lot of practice... and we made it happen. Won a Grammy.” (15:47)

• Watch The Throne Era: His association with the iconic Kanye/Jay-Z "Niggas in Paris" beat is still often overlooked. “Still people that don’t even know I was associated with 'In Paris.'” (12:34)

• Work with Beyoncé: Recalls working in the Hamptons and experiencing how Beyoncé fosters creativity (17:09).

Notable Quote:

“I feel like people still haven’t even heard my full story... some people still think Kanye originated the ‘Niggas in Paris’ beat.”
— Hit-Boy (12:34)

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4. Personal History, Family, and Therapy

• Childhood Duality: Raised witnessing both wealth (uncle in R&B group Troop) and struggle (father’s incarceration). “Visiting prisons, then going back to my uncle’s condo… tugged in a bunch of different ways, but it kept me balanced.” (11:02)

• Father’s Recidivism and Pain: Ongoing attempts to support his father, but repeated returns to prison have forced “tough love.” (37:01-40:07)

  • “Every time he get out, we start to make some stride… and then, boom, he back in there. He doing another three years right now.” (09:47)
  • “I did everything. I paid for the high price lawyer... You still went against everything that I put the energy into. I gotta focus on me, period.” (39:34-40:07)

• Foundation: The Next Hits

  • Using his story to create opportunities, especially for underserved youth and kids with incarcerated parents (33:12, 36:40).

Notable Quote:

“You could do anything for a person, and if they’re not ready to accept it, they’re not ready to move forward... it’s nothing you can do about it.”
— Hit-Boy (37:01)

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5. Creative Process, AI, and the Industry Today

• On Making Hits vs. Making Music: His biggest songs often come from “just being in the stool, damn near by myself, just having fun.” (46:35)
• AI in Music: Sees it as a tool, not a crutch. “If you hear something dope, try to flip it as if you were sampling off a record. It’s a tool, man. I’m rocking with it.” (40:23, 40:52)
• Producer Versatility & Regional Sound: “It’s all mixed in…” Appreciates experimentation and the “melting pot” but notes some producers have signature sounds, while he blends and adapts. (20:39-21:24)

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6. Upcoming Projects & What’s Next

• Solo Album "Software Update": Drops in November. "Updating myself... therapy, being a better dad, dressing better, getting smarter." (34:51)
• Album + Movie with The Alchemist: “I feel like it’s gonna make people look at us in a whole different light.” (49:24)
• Collab with Spank Nitty James: Project out October 3 (48:54).
• Dream Pick: Wants to do an album with Kodak Black (22:44).

Notable Quote:

"Software update. Just like that’s where I’m at. Period... Updating my software, you know what I mean? Getting smarter, educating myself more, whatever it is."
— Hit-Boy (34:51)

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Memorable Moments & Standout Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On Not Having Boundaries:
  “It’s like a dot, it’s not a circle no more. It’s small now…just more condensed… I got the right people around me.”
  — Hit-Boy (06:15)

• On His Production Style:
  “I’m the least technical producer ever. Everything...coming from the soul.” —(11:48)

• On Making 'Niggas in Paris':
  “I didn’t even know I was in a bad deal till I made Niggas in Paris.” —(03:08)

• On Industry Exploitation:
  “I was giving up, like, 40% of my money at that time… but I sacrificed.” —(31:47)

• On Family & Loss:
  “For him to go back [to prison] this time, it probably hurt the worst, ‘cause I’m like…you actually was getting to it… and it’s like you still ended up back in there.” —(37:53)

• On AI:
  “It’s a tool, man. Don’t use it as a crutch.” —(40:23)

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Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 02:20 | Hit-Boy joins, discusses beginnings, career | | 03:08 | Industry deal, Jay-Z's diamond record | | 04:49 | Breaking free from deals, therapy insights | | 06:15 | Importance of keeping the circle small | | 09:47 | Father's incarceration, childhood impact | | 11:48 | Reflects on legacy, “least technical producer”| | 12:34 | Credit for 'Niggas in Paris’ | | 15:35 | Chemistry with Nas, 80 songs in 3 years | | 22:44 | Dream to do album w/ Kodak Black | | 31:47 | “Brand energy” cost of association | | 33:12 | Launching The Next Hits foundation | | 34:51 | Upcoming album 'Software Update' | | 37:01 | Tough love with father, “nothing you can do” | | 40:23 | On AI’s place in music | | 46:35 | “Making hits vs. making music” | | 49:24 | Alchemist album & movie collaboration | | 50:35 | Million dollar “freedom” party |

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Final Thoughts & Takeaways

This episode offers a raw, reflective look at a producer’s journey through industry pitfalls, personal evolution, and creative freedom. Hit-Boy is candid about mistakes and growth, determined to pay it forward through mentorship and new ventures. The conversation delivers inspiration and industry realism, enriched by technical insight and stories behind the hits.

Charlamagne’s Send-off: “Oh, it’s Hit-Boy, man. Thank you for coming, my brother.” (50:51)

Hit-Boy’s Closing Sentiment: “It’s genuine. It’s coming from a place of like, this shit coming from my soul.” (49:38)

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Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Would you sell your soul for greatness? Would you be willing to sacrifice? Find out on September 19 that a new Jordan Peele produced horror film only in theaters, starring Marlon Wayans in a role of a lifetime as the greatest football player of all time, AKA the Goat. Tariq Withers also stars the up and coming Protege, directed by Justin Tippen, produced by Monkey Paw Productions. Never Meet yout Idols. Him in theaters now.

[Marcus Grant / Michael F. Florio]

I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season? Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Your ultimate source for player news, draft tips and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL.

[Podcast Trailer Narrator]

Visit toyota.com NFL now to learn more. What would you do if one bad decision forced you to choose between a maximum security prison or the most brutal boot camp designed to be hell on earth? Unfortunately for Mark Lombardo, this was the choice he faced.

[Hit-Boy]

He said, you are a number.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

A New York state number, and we own you.

[Podcast Trailer Narrator]

Listen to shock incarceration on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Honey German]

Hi, it's Honey German, and I'm back with season two of my podcast, Gracias. Come again. We got you. When it comes to the latest in music and entertainment, with interviews with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities. You didn't have to audition.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, I didn't, Aud. I haven't auditioned in, like, over 25 years.

[Honey German]

Oh, wow. That's a real G talk right there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, yeah.

[Honey German]

We'll talk about all that's viral and trending with a little bit of chisme and a whole lot of laughs. And of course, the great vivras you've come to expect. Listen to the new season of Gracias. Come again on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

[Hit-Boy]

Hold up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Every day I wake up.

[Hit-Boy]

Wake your ass up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The Breakfast Club.

[Hit-Boy]

Y' all finished or y' all done?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yep. It's the world's most dangerous morning show. The Breakfast Club. Charlemagne. The God. Just hilarious. DJ Envy. Envy had to run, but Lauren LaRosa is in. And right now we got a man. I want to say young legend, but you just legend at this point, right? You know what I'm saying, you know, I mean, listen, anybody that delivered Nas his first Grammy, I got a salute. Hit Boy is here.

[Hit-Boy]

Respect.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Good morning.

[Hit-Boy]

Appreciate y' all having me. I've been waiting to get on here for some years, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Happy to have you, man. How you feeling this morning?

[Hit-Boy]

Solid, man. I feel better than ever. For real? Yeah. Just running around New York, you know what I mean? We was out late last night, so I'm dragging a little bit. But I'm good, though, man. I'm blessed.

[Podcast Announcer]

You went to out for Fashion Week.

[Hit-Boy]

I'm just here, man, moving around. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

When did Hit boy feel like he arrived? I mean, you produced for everybody from Jay Z to Beyonce to Nas. When you look back, was it a beat? Was it a moment that made you feel like, yeah, I'm here to stay in this game?

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, it's crazy, man, because I. You know, I was in a. I was in a situation. I was in a deal for, like, 18 years with UNPG Universal Music Publishing Group. And I was just talking about how I kind of never felt like I all the way made it. Because, you know, it's funny, bro. You don't even know this. You tweeted something a long time ago that triggered something in my brain, bro. Somebody said something, and you tweeted like, this is probably 2011 something. You was like, hit boy got that otherworldly money. Cause I guess I did niggas in pairs. I did other joints. And I was like, hold up. I'm supposed to have otherworldly money. This is Jay Z first diamond record. You know what I mean? And I'm like, yo, so that's what. I didn't even know I was in a bad deal till I made Niggas in Paris. You know what I mean? I had did drop the world with my boy chasing cash for Lil Wayne and Eminem. I did other joints, but that was the first hit that was like, okay, where the real money at now? You know what I mean? I was able to get some bread. I went and did a record deal and label deal with Jimmy. Ive that Interscope. But my publishing money wasn't what it should have been. I couldn't go get that crazy advance. So you triggered something in me. I'm like, man, I'm supposed to be touching.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who do you have that conversation with, though? Because a lot of times, man, especially when you black, you don't like to tell people you don't know something.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who you had that conversation?

[Hit-Boy]

You know, it's crazy, though. Cause that's bro, Jimmy Iovine. I went to his crib when I was about to sign my deal. Just chopping it. We eating food, you know, just connecting. And I'm just telling him, like, bro, I don't know nothing about none of this shit. And he was like, you know, that's actually the smartest thing you ever said. Cause everything I do, you can learn. But what you do, I can't learn that. You just got that in you. So that, you know, that was just like a little moment where. I mean. But I mean, bro, it's just been. It's been a journey. It's been a hell of a journey. And I got on my deal just this past July, two months ago. So I felt like I made it when I got out my deal, you know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So it was Jimmy Iovine who got you on the right track, basically.

[Hit-Boy]

Well.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Cause he just handed you a piece of paper and said, oh, just sign this.

[Hit-Boy]

And, well, I mean, well, that's kind of what happened. He handed me the papers, he gave me a couple M's. I'm like 24 years old. I went and did the most nigga shit I could do. Got a crib and moved all my homies in and just like, turned up and, you know, I was able to make some hits. Yeah, I mean, but basically Jay Z was the one who got me out my deal. Jay Z and Desiree Perez, they stepped in. I was being managed by them, like, 2021. And at. @ that point, I was in my deal for 14 years. And I was like, yo, I need to get out this deal. And it was like, well, the best we could do is, you know, you can go from here to 2025. And when, you know, July 2025 hit, you'll be out your deal. And I just did them last four years. So I was in my deal for 18 years.

[Podcast Announcer]

July 1, 2025. What did you wake up feeling like?

[Hit-Boy]

A new man. A new man. I just like, man, the pressure. That dark cloud is just gone now. Like, it was like I didn't realize I was depressed. Like, I've been doing therapy. You know what I mean? I realized a lot. Like, shout out Melissa Dumas, my therapist, like, she made me realize I never had boundaries. And that's. That made me go back to, like, oh, that's why I was like, just basically handed people around me the same life, lifestyle. You know, I'm taking 20, 30 people out to dinner. I'm doing all this. All the young niggas shit, period. So just, you know, basically just to be in this place now I'm just feeling refreshed, man.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

How are you now with that, though, right?

[Hit-Boy]

Like, all good? I'm good.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Is this circle small?

[Hit-Boy]

It's like a dot. It's not a circle no more. It's like it's small now, you know, just more condensed. And, you know, I got the right people around me that I know really care about me versus just letting anybody hang.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What did Jay Z and DEZ do exactly to get you out your situation? You know, everybody likes to blame Roc Nation for the bad.

[Hit-Boy]

Right, right, right. Nah, I mean, bruh, they did what they did. I don't know. They bossed up and went in there and figured it out. You know, they. They got me a nice little advance, 20, 21. It was like, well, you know, you can get this advance, but you still got to do four more years. And I just took it on the chin and just dug it out, you know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So now you can do a new publishing deal now?

[Hit-Boy]

I could do whatever I want to do. I'm free, man. For the first time. I signed my deal one year out of high school. I was 19 years old, you know what I mean? And I was in that deal. I'm 38 now, you know what I mean? It's been some time, so I'm just. Bro, I feel refreshed. I feel like I just started, though. Yeah, you know what I mean?

[Podcast Announcer]

You've done so much.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah.

[Podcast Announcer]

Like, what's the offers like on the table? Because everybody heard about you getting out the table, so I know they talking you down.

[Hit-Boy]

Offers is nice, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Got to be a portobeer better.

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, I ain't gonna say all that, you know what I mean? But we are working our way up to that because, you know, I'm expanding, bro. I just bought a hors shout. My boy DJ from Blue Bucks Clan, crazy group from the West Coast. But my boy just started messing with the horses, and he, like. He been putting me on, like, you know, gaming me up about how to get money with that. And it's like it's a whole different world.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Racehorse or agriculture?

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, racehorse, yeah, racehorses, yeah. It's like, it's like you buy DNA, you know what I mean? We basically, like, trying to find Michael Jordan mom. Like, you know what I mean? Like, you know what I mean? All they kids didn't want races. It's like, you know, if they kids or their dad won races, it's just, you know, the value goes up. So learning that type of stuff and you know, expanding on into film. I'm doing some stuff with Alchemist, the Homie Alchemist producer. We going back and forth, just rapping on each other beats and got a couple other people in the mix. And we did a movie to go with the. With the album, too. So I'm hype on that because you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And Al rapping, okay.

[Hit-Boy]

Yes, sir.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How do you balance being seen as one of the greatest producers with still being hungry and, I guess, chasing the next sound, maybe?

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, it's not that I'm chasing, it's just. That's just. That's how I keep myself entertained, man. Like, producing has always just been fun for me. It's just been like a replacement for video games. Because I started when I was like, 15, 16, and I stopped playing video games to start making beats. And I'm glad I did. You know what I mean? Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yo, you still look so young. You talking like.

[Hit-Boy]

That's right.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

You're still young. How old are you?

[Hit-Boy]

I'm 38. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I feel 25 for sure.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Right? And then hearing you say, right, you feel like you about to just start all over.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah. So with more knowledge, just way smarter, way flyer, way richer, you know? Yeah. So.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

But the way you make it sound is like you haven't enjoyed any of it at all.

[Hit-Boy]

No, I have. I have, I have. I've been, you know, I've had some good times, but, you know, I just. I just been chasing, like, something within myself, like, just trying to push myself to be, like, great, like, you know what I mean? Like, I look up to. To the greats, you know what I mean? I look up to the Jay Z's, to the Yays, to Nas's, like, you know, and it's like, I know it's more to get, you know, when you.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Talk about going to see a therapist, was it just a bad publishing deal that had you?

[Hit-Boy]

Nah, nah, nah. I've been dealing with, you know, it made me realize a lot, just about my childhood. You know, my pops had got out of prison a couple years ago. People kind of saw the splash. But I've been dealing with that, you know, since I was three years old. That's something that, you know, my mom and my grandma, they did a great job, like, raising me, you know, making me a respectable young man and all that. But, you know, you know, I just still felt some type of void with my dad. And every time he get out, we start to make some stride, we start to move, and then it's like, boom, he back in there. He doing another three years right now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Damn.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, crazy, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Did you feel like you wanted to be in hip hop? Because he always had that dream of.

[Hit-Boy]

Wanting to be a rapper. Nah, nah, nah. I just love music, period, you know. Cause my uncle was in a group called Troop back in the day. My grandma, I was just talking about Troop last night. We were just talking about Troop. So my grandma is the one who started them when my uncle was like 13. Like he was found some kids from his high school and then she was the one that whipped them into shape to where they got a record deal. And you had a couple number ones and all that. But you know, I got to see early in my life, I got to see a lot. Cause I lived with him when he was at his height. Me and my mom, I'm like 2, 3, 4 years old. I'm hearing all this like R B, I'm hearing soulful, I'm hearing NWA gangsta west coast music and living pretty nice up until I was like five. And then, you know, my dad, I was dealing with my dad being in prison, but living with my uncle, I got to see a high level lifestyle. But then I also seeing how it started to be new R B groups and the sound switched and Troop wasn't what it once was. And it was like we went from living in nice condos to now we living in a one bedroom all together, you know what I mean? In Pasadena. Yeah. So I got to see highs and lows, man. That's why I keep it just humble. I keep it cool. Right.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I was gonna ask how is that, how has that shaped you? Because you lived that pretty early.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, no, for sure. Yeah, man. Just visiting prisons and then going back to my uncle condo where he got a elevator in the spot and a pool. Like it was just like I'm being tugged in a bunch of different ways. But it just kind of kept me balanced at all times. I come from a super humble, cool family too. So, you know, I'm always just pushing, man. Pushing.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I was just talking about Troop last week because I forgot somebody sampled. All I do is think of you.

[Hit-Boy]

A couple people have and Nyla played.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It last Friday and they was like, that's B5. And I'm like, B5.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah. But then it's really Jackson 5, right? But yeah, Troop just. They, they. His name is Sword Stronghold. They went crazy on their version.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Now you got Grammy wins, you got plaques, you got accolades. What do you feel still hasn't been said about your legacy yet.

[Hit-Boy]

What hasn't been said? I Mean, I. I can't really. I. I don't really know. I'm just. I'm just living it. You know what I mean? Like, me, I feel like I'm the most. I'm the least, like, technical producer ever. Everything has just been coming flowing through me. It's coming from the soul. Like, I'm. That's why I just. I don't feel like people could pinpoint my sound. I can go from Beyonce to Nas or go from Nas to Bieber or to Bieber to Drake, whatever. It's like I just make music. I don't got one thing that I specifically do. So I feel like people still haven't even. Like, I got family members that don't even know. Like, damn, you did trophies for Drake or you did right here for Bieber and Drake, or you. You know, it's like people still don't even know what I've done yet. For real. It's some people that still think Kanye originated the Niggas in Paris beat, you know what I mean? Like, there are still people that hold you.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I literally thought that.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah. So I'm saying, like, it's still people that don't even know I was associated with in Paris. So I still got, you know, my story is yet to be fully told.

[Podcast Announcer]

Break the association down with you in the song for people who don't know.

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, I produced the song, made the beat, you know, I just. Yeah, I worked on that. And I worked on Lift off from Watch the Throne too. But we had did a bunch of other songs. I was out here in New York. We was at Soho. I mean, I was in Mercer Hotel just doing songs. And I'm hype on all these other joints that we was working on. I had, like, hearing Jay Z vocals and Yay vocals on my beats. I was losing my mind, you know what I mean? But none of them songs seen a lot of day. They just so happened to go to Paris, and I guess they was lit. They went through his emails and heard that beat. It just. They was turning up and it went crazy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You. You know, you started a trend, right? Well, I wanted it to be a trend.

[Hit-Boy]

Right.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

When you and Nas got together.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And started creating all of those dope projects, I was like, that's what I want to see happen. I want all of these legendary MCs to get with younger producers who probably grew up on they sound and understand they sound and know what they need.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Why do you think that didn't become more of a thing?

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, I think I Think it did kind of, you know what I mean? I feel like we inspired a couple movements that's happening, you know what I mean? But I just. The game is just different now, man. I feel like, you know, people don't care as much about producers, you know what I mean? Even just like that, you know, it's like me doing my own music and wanting to, like, push my stuff forward. It's a lot that's like. That goes into that. Like, I just had a song drop last Friday, right, with Tia Karene and Jid that I produced. Made the whole beat by myself, be crazy as hell energy. And I didn't know the song was dropping until I looked on Twitter. But my lawyer and my manager was reaching out to the label. Like, yo, we supposed to get primary credit on this. We supposed to get our payment taken care of. Mind you, the song came out, still ain't even been paid for the motherfucker, you know what I mean? Even though it just came out, but still, it's like, I just. That part of the game, I feel like producers is the most disrespected, like, period. You know what I mean? Like, we. Like, I might do a song for somebody, they can go take it on a whole tour. I ain't even got my fee yet. I ain't even got an upfront. It's measly, my nigga, compared to what y' all out there making. But I'm trying to break down that. I'm trying to, like, get more respect, put on producers names. And I know we got people that's pushing in metro, having successful albums. Just a lot of people that's doing they thing. Mustard going crazy on the super bowl. Like, that's good looks. It's like. But I feel like it's still a lot of respect that we don't get put on our name.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's crazy to say that, cuz. I come from the era where all the producers did. You know what I mean? The Swiss beats, the Timberlands, the rs, the premiere. Like, you knew all of them.

[Hit-Boy]

And they was getting chilly. They was getting pray.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Back then, they didn't even have what's the. The name drops in their song.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, I know. I know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You just knew it was them.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

They was in the music videos. They were everywhere. You would see it.

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, shit, I'm on that same wave now. I'm about to push my movement forward, man. This movie with Alchemist and just all the other stuff I'm doing, it's just. I feel like people gonna look at Me in a whole new light.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Why Nas? What was it about Nas, man?

[Hit-Boy]

He just wanted to work, you know what I mean? These n be on bullshit. Like, I be like, I link with people. I play them beats. You know, they'll take beats or they'll come record stuff and then never use it. Nas just kept coming through and kept using the music I was providing, and it was that simple. Like, I just kind of was like, if he gonna dedicate his energy, this is Nas. You know, he don't even. Like, he already solidified, but it gave me a chance to, like, really just learn. Like, it's like being in the gym, bro. We was just. We dropped 80 songs in three years, you know? I mean, six albums. So it's like, that was a lot of. A lot of practice, you know, and just. We made it happen. We won a Grammy.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What did y' all unlock in each other creatively that the industry probably didn't even see coming?

[Hit-Boy]

I think just empowering each other, man. Like, you know, he was open to the ideas I was bringing him. Like, you know, I had certain, like, hooks. Like, I had the Don Toliver hook already, and I had, like, this Anderson Paak hook that he used on the first album that just, like, he was just open to my ideas. And it's like, you know, I'm a shooter, man. Everybody that pull up, I try to get these ideas off. And most people don't understand it, but he understood what I was on, and he, you know, we just felt the vibe.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How much you sitting on from them Watch the Throne sessions?

[Hit-Boy]

How much I'm sitting on what?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Just extra music.

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, well, that was so long ago, man. It's like I got stuff that just. That's just sitting, but I don't really got nothing with their vocals, you know, I mean, I might have beat ideas and stuff I was working on at that time, but, yeah, no, they. You know, they ain't letting the music out like that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Gotcha.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Who was the best person you worked with? You would say, well, what was the best experience with the audience.

[Hit-Boy]

Man, it's been a lot of good ones. I mean, I guess I would say working on Beyonce album in 2013. The Beyonce album that dropped. I did a bunch of stuff on there. She, like. She let me have that opportunity, and we went to the Hamptons and we worked, and I was just like, that was ill. That was lemonade, Right? I think that was. No, that was. That was the Beyonce album. Yeah, the one with the pink joint.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Okay, Right. I see you this. Sorry.

[Hit-Boy]

But, nah, just being out there, seeing that level of lifestyle and just, like, how she creates a community with the creatives that she brings around. Like, making everybody have dinner together and, you know, tell each other about themselves and just, like, really, you know, getting to know the people that's around her, like, that was ill. Yeah.

[Podcast Announcer]

What's your relationship with Kanye today?

[Hit-Boy]

I don't really got one. You know what I mean? But, I mean, I love that dude, man. He funny as a motherfucker to me, bro. Like, everything he say, everything he do be hilarious. And he. I mean, he a genius, obviously. You know, he got crazy vision. And if he ever, you know, I mean, if we tap in, we tap in, but it's all love.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Is it a collaborative thing when you're in there with him, or is it.

[Hit-Boy]

More of a. Nah, nah, it's everything, bro. I'm bringing him. I was bringing them beats. We were sitting down, making stuff together. We was. You know what I mean? He was having me flip songs that he had, like, putting my take on it. It's everything.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

It's dope. I mean, I didn't realize you come from such a musically inclined family. Like, I knew your dad, of course, but then I didn't know your uncle.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So do you remember the first time you fell in love with music?

[Hit-Boy]

Fell in love? I mean, I remember one specific time. I must have been four years old, maybe five. And we was riding. My uncle had this green Mustang. It was ill, like, you know, green rims and all that. And he had the top down, and he was playing NWA Music. And I just remember, like, hearing all these c. You know, I'm a little kid, but I was like. But it just sounded so ill. Like, I was just like. I was mesmerized by, like, you know, what I was hearing.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you feel like you have to do for an artist from the west coast, like an OG Artist from the west coast, or maybe not even an OG artist from west coast, but you have to do for them what you did for Nas.

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, that's gotta be a dream, though, right? Yeah. I mean, I did, like, five, six songs on Snoop Dogg back on Death Row. And, you know, I worked with Snoop. I worked with Game. I worked with a bunch of different. I did a bunch of. Bunch of stuff on what? The album that he dropped? Because I worked on Easy with Kanye and Game, so whatever album that was on Drillmatic. Yeah, a bunch of. On there. Yeah. But hey, man, whoever want to lock in? And it makes sense, like, the nausea was just. It was Just a genuine moment. Like, you know, it wasn't like we chasing some industry thing or. I was like, bro, I need you to put. He wasn't putting no pressure on me. I was putting the pressure on myself. More so to be like, let me deliver for Nas, you know what I mean? And that's what pushed us to make so much music. His lights is hidden. Wow.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Were you ever, like, nervous at some point working with Nas? Because he is a great. And, you know, he's very particular.

[Hit-Boy]

He has a particular. I mean, he kind of. He laid back and humble and chill like me. So it's like it was. It was pretty easy, you know what I mean? It was never no ego. That's why we was able to do so much stuff. And I feel like that's half of the thing, like, with rappers, especially, like, ego, you know, you see a lot of people that had hits with big producers and then they stopped working with them, and then they don't make no more hits like that. And it's like, nigga, why didn't you just. Just keep working with this producer?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's right.

[Podcast Announcer]

You know, for a producer like you, who can do so many different people from different places, how do you feel about the regional identity conversation that Metro was having? Like, artists need to have a certain sound from where they come from.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah. I mean, in this day and age, it's just kind of all mixed in, like, especially with social media. It's like everybody see how everybody dress, everybody see how everybody talk from different places. And it's like everything is just being put into this melting pot. So I don't know, you know, but it's like, like, I mean, you got your mustards, you got me, you know, But I mean, I kind of do different sounds and. But you got. You got people that's locked in on what they do and. But I feel like it's a new day. It's a time to experiment and explore and take advantage of that melting pot and just like, pull from different places. Like, I've been working with a lot of Detroit artists. Shout, Baby Tron. You know, I done worked with T Grizzly Rio, the young OG Peasy, like, all the hood, you know what I mean? It's like I'm pulling from that, and then I'm bringing them into my world and just kind of meshing it together.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So is it the lyrics that influenced the production or production that influenced the lyrics?

[Hit-Boy]

It's all one thing. It's all one thing. I feel like, yeah, people want to hear. If you hear that right beat as an artist, you know, like, it's like it just come to you. You ain't got to overthink it.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I feel like if it works, it works. Every producer can't, you know, dip and dab in every genre of music or have. Cause none of your stuff sound the same. That is creative. That's dope. Right. But going to. So you were saying Metro Booman said that you're supposed to. Well, not you supposed to, but producers. One particular sound.

[Podcast Announcer]

Yeah. CA basically was saying that, like, because of social media, everything's mixed in and it's. And it's. We're kind of losing the feeling of like Atlanta sounding like Atlanta, New York having a sound like that type of thing.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah, I think if it worked, it worked. You're one of the examples of it working.

[Hit-Boy]

No, for sure.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I love. I love Metro last project. That futuristic summer.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, man, that take me through there, man. I went to the most hood club in LA last week. I just be moving around. They. They was playing that and the way they was turning up. I put that joint on my playlist, man. Like, that hard.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I just like it because of the nostalgia that he provided. And it really do sound like a futuristic summer.

[Hit-Boy]

2013, 2015. Yeah. Yep. For sure.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What it sound like now.

[Hit-Boy]

I see what he did and then.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And the Waka Flocka Records on there. Super slept on it.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Who do you want to work with now? Like, who do you.

[Hit-Boy]

Because you work with a lot of.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Artists that are people's dream artists to work with.

[Hit-Boy]

I want to do an album with Kodak Black, man. Kodak Black. I think that shit'll be soulful, fly. Like, he really be rapping. He really be saying shit. You know, I haven't got to really connect with him, but I rock with dude. For sure.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I always say Kodak is like. I would say Kendrick's evil twin, but Kendrick evil is goddamn stuff. Kendrick's evil. A twin.

[Hit-Boy]

He a wild dude.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You haven't reached out to him or nothing?

[Hit-Boy]

Who that Kodak. I have. He rapped on a song I did on Big Sean last album. But I ain't connected with him on some. Like, you know, let's really tap in. But, you know, I want to do that for sure.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Do you ever. People feel like. You ever feel like people don't give you your flowers because you're not like a loud personality in the industry?

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, it could be that. But, man, I'm over that whole conversation. I'm over. I'm over list and rankings and flowers. And all that, bro, I'm just making the fly. I know I'm better than I ever been. And that's where my. That's where the bar is at for me. Like, okay, if I could just keep getting better off. Like, I know that I can, like, create more headspace in my beats now. My 808s literally blew out the Sprinter speakers last night. Like, my 808 is hidden. So crazy. But not in a disruptive way. In a way where that is punching you in the chest. And it's like I'm excited to just dig into that more. You know what I mean? Just creating the sonics, that's just like. I know I've advanced personally, you know.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's the, I guess most trash beat you've ever made?

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Damn.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Ended up being a smash.

[Hit-Boy]

I wouldn't say trash, but I would say, look, I would say, bro, I didn't know In Paris was about to be what it was about to be. I literally didn't. I really didn't, man. I had my homeboy Chili Chill. I used to be rapping with and, you know, just working with. He was about to put that song out, that beat out on a mixtape of his. Like, literally a few days before I got the email from Don C. Don C was like, yo, I need you to send me the files to this beat. And I was like, damn. Oh, the homie was just about to drop something on this. Let me, let me see. Then I got an email from Yay. And he was like, bro, me and Jay was in Paris. We made this song. He was like, when this song drop, your life about to change. So I, I. But I didn't even, bro. Still didn't know until I really heard the song and got around. I went to the. The planetarium where they did the listening party, and Cali was there and a bunch of people was there. And the way they reacted when In Paris came on, that was when I first understood what it really was, you know, so. But I didn't know. I didn't know that was about to be that big.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I know a program director who went to a Washington listening party and I was like, how was the album? He was like, it's dope, but ain't no radio hits on there. Oh, and then I remember, Listen, I remember when In Paris was. I'm like, did you go to the bath?

[Marcus Grant / Michael F. Florio]

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[Hit-Boy]

This is Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. And you're never gonna guess who's our guest on Las Culturistas. It is Bradley Jackson, Elle Woods. Tracy Flick herself, Reese Witherspoon.

[Honey German]

Reese, we must go on a girls trip. I have to have a tequila.

[Hit-Boy]

We must. Oh, the Q rating. When they run diagnostics, we can run it on you guys. I'd be scared to run the Q rating. No, I'm the Q rating.

[Podcast Trailer Narrator]

My resiliency score is down to adequate because we were on a red eye.

[Hit-Boy]

My resiliency. Where's your grip? My grit. I gotta get my grit score up. Now. Don't think that you're gonna come on Las Culturistas, the podcast. And we're not gonna at least bring up Big Little Lie Season 3. Whoever said orange is the new pink seriously disturbs. Listen to Las culturistas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I'm Jorge Ramos.

[Podcast Announcer]

And I'm Paula Ramos.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Together, we're launching the Moment, a new podcast about what it means to live through a time as uncertain as this one.

[Hit-Boy]

We sit down with politicians. I would be the first immigrant mayor in generations. But 40% of New Yorkers were born outside of this country. Artists and activists. I mean, do you ever feel demoralized? I might personally lose hope. This individual might lose the faith. But there's an institution that doesn't lose faith. And that's what I've to bring you depth and analysis from a unique Latino perspective.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

There's not a single day that Paula and I don't call or text each other sharing news and thoughts about what's happening in the country. This new podcast will be a way to make that ongoing intergenerational conversation public.

[Hit-Boy]

Listen to the moment with Jorge Ramos.

[Podcast Announcer]

And Paula Ramos as part of the.

[Hit-Boy]

My Cultura Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio.

[Podcast Announcer]

App, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Dr. Leslie]

Do you want to hear the secrets of serial killers, psychopaths, pedophiles, robbers?

[Podcast Trailer Narrator]

They are sitting there waiting for the vulnerable thing. They're waiting for the unprotected.

[Dr. Leslie]

I'm Dr. Leslie, forensic psychologist. I advocate for safety and awareness of predators while wearing pink.

[Hit-Boy]

When you were described to me as a forensic psychologist, I was like, snooze. We ended up talking for hours and I was like, this girl is my best friend.

[Dr. Leslie]

This is a podcast where I cut through the noise with sarcasm, satire and hard truths.

[Hit-Boy]

I am not gonna fake it and.

[Dr. Leslie]

Force it, but would you force an orgasm? Because that's like a different layer. The car accident you didn't want to see but couldn't turn away from. In this episode I discuss personal safety and self defense. Tools, instincts and strategies to protect yourself and your loved ones in everyday life and high risk situations. Listen to Intention disturbing on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Hit-Boy]

That's funny, man.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Also, this ain't even no question. Click as well. Click is one of my favorite songs.

[Hit-Boy]

That's what's up.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

How is that?

[Hit-Boy]

Shout out Big Sean, man. Yeah, yeah, man. Just again, just getting back into. I was, you know, signing good music at the time, so I was just working on everything I could for Yay and with Yay and his artists and I think it was in London we started working on that song and the original beat was actually a beat I had gave Dom Kennedy and he actually put it out. It was a song called cdc and they, they did the original demo to that beat and I ended up having to tell ye like, man, my boy Dom Kennedy just dropped a song on this beat. So we just flipped it, took some of the sounds out, added more sounds and just, just turned it up, made it what it was.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Look, the vocals in the beginning right when they. What? Who is that?

[Hit-Boy]

That's James Fauntleroy legend, man.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I did not know that was him.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, okay. You know James Joint on the anti Rihanna album that's about. That's named after James. Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Okay, so he made those vocals specifically for Click?

[Hit-Boy]

Yep. He. He. Yeah. Took that joint like, Yay. Just gave him a bunch of stuff, and that was something he did over that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You say you were signed to Good Music?

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, I was signing. I know that. Yeah. That was the time, too. I had to sacrifice because I was already signed to Paul on the Don and his managers was managing me, so I was giving him 20%. Then when I got around Yay, him and his team was like, well, we want to manage you. And I was like this, you know, young, humble, loyal guy. So I'm like, I stuck it out with my other team, but I also did a thing where I was getting given 20% to good music. So I made a sacrifice to get that brand energy just to be around and just like, you know, I got niggas in Paris out of it. Click. I got a bunch of stuff out of it, but I sacrificed. I was giving up, like, 40 of my money at that time.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I see why you wasn't making no money.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, I mean, man, you know, shout out to no id, like, he always called it brand energy. It's like, you. Me being associated with Yay. A lot of good came from that, too. I sacrificed, but, you know, it also landed me in this place where, you know, if I want to go sell my catalog, if I want to, you know, move my music around, I can. I can do that, and I can make some real money now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I didn't know the Polo, the Don situation either.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, I was signed to Polo and Universal since I was 19 years old, and I just got out in July. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So what'd you produce with Polo? Like, what came out of that?

[Hit-Boy]

I was. I mean, I was. I produced, like, certain little stuff with him during those days when he was, you know, in his heyday. But I was more so just signed to him as a producer, and his managers was managing me. So they was. They had a whole situation going, but.

[Podcast Announcer]

They couldn't just release you, like, once you realized it was a bad deal, did you go to them?

[Hit-Boy]

I'm sure they could have, but they didn't want to. You know what I mean? They, like, now we got them early, and we about to extract as much as we can. And, you know, how does that make you feel?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Like, is that something you take personal or you just like, you know what? That's business. That's what I signed.

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, at this point, yeah, but I. I, man, bro, I was. I've been depressed for years, my nigga. I've been depressed Going to lawyers, and they like, yo, this the worst deal I ever seen. You know what I mean? Stuff like that. And. And they like, well, they don't want to let you out the deal, or they don't want to give you an amendment or whatever the case is. And it's like, that was. You know, I was like, chasing, like, maybe if I make a bigger song than N in Paris, that I can get out this deal, you know? And it's like, I probably up certain relationships like that, like, just trying to put pressure on different artists and trying to, like, just do too much, I guess. You know what I mean? But it never was about that. I was just in that contract. That's just what it was. And that's why I'm just happy as hell to be out now, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So Polo ate off niggas in Paris and all of that stuff?

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, he did. Damn. Yeah, he did, for sure.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I mean, great business for Polo.

[Hit-Boy]

I mean, I did too, though, you know, it is what it is. I just talked to Polo last night, man. Solid dude. Got love for him. He gave me opportunity. I've made a lot happen with that opportunity. And I'm just taking that knowledge now to the. To the next phase. And that's why I'm starting this foundation. I just started a foundation called the Next Hits. So it's like the next Hit Boys or the next Hit songs, however you want to look at it. Just. Just, you know, helping underserved communities and kids that's like, got dads that's locked up like my dad was locked up, and teaching them about the business, the business side, the engineering, recording, producing, whatever they want to do.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Who's the Polo? We gotta get Polo up here. Cause his name is always coming up. And I didn't know he was. He signed, like, Kane Brown as his.

[Hit-Boy]

No, no, man. No, he got it here, man. He be out here for sure.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So when did you get out the good music situation? All of this just happened.

[Hit-Boy]

No, no, no. I was only in a good music situation for, like, two years. Okay, yeah, for like two years and ran through that. But, I mean, even with my deal, like, ye wanted to be involved in that. And I went to Jimmy Iovine. You know, he went to Jimmy Iovine, too. And it was basically like, well, Jimmy told him, like, this is up to Hit Boy. And Jimmy came to me like, well, do you want to be your own man? Do you really want to learn the game or you want to keep being up under somebody else? So I just, like, kind of. I lost that Brand energy. But I just got to really get on that road to learning about, about, you know, running a label, you know, how the money is being spent, marketing and all this. Like, I understand it a lot better now. So, you know, I just, you know, I just been pushing for these last, you know, however many years.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

So you got, you're dropping a solo album, you got, you got some projects coming out in October, but you dropping a solo album in November. Software update.

[Hit-Boy]

Software update. Just like that's where I'm at period. Just updating myself. Like the therapy aspect, like, you know, being a better dad, being a better. You know what I mean? Just dressing better, whatever the case is, just updating my software, you know what I mean? Getting smarter, educating myself more, whatever it is.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

How do you protect your mental health in an industry that's all about constant output? They always want something from you.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, I mean, I live my real life, man. I had got off of social media for like the whole 20, 25, since like January. I just got back on in July and man, it made me realize a lot, like, I'm actually living an incredible life, you know, I mean, you might look at somebody else and like, oh, man, this person got a bigger mansion. This person got, got a, you know, bigger fleet of cars. Like, none of that shit matter, you know what I mean? If I look around, like I got my son, I'm a real dad, I got my son full time. Like, he, if he, if this was in la, he'd probably be sitting right here with us, you know what I mean? He's everywhere when I got him. So, yeah, man, life is, life is amazing right now.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

When you said you didn't understand boundaries. Yeah, what did that look like? What did a hit boy, that looked.

[Hit-Boy]

Like being taken advantage of, you know what I mean? Just, just anybody who needed something at any time, you know, even if they didn't deserve it. I just was open arms, just giving to people and like, even family, whatever, you know, just learning how to say no. Learning how to just understand that I'm not the worst person in the world if I do say no. You know what I mean? It is what it is. Like, you know, I'm out here hustling, I'm out here doing what I gotta do. I'm pushing around, I'm in New York doing interview at the interview and just like session after session, like, you know, I gotta take care of myself, make sure my mind's straight first. And when I do got it, I'm a very generous person, you know what I Mean, a lot of people. I do a lot for people, but I gotta make sure I'm straight first. I think the best.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I'm sorry.

[Hit-Boy]

Go ahead.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I think the best thing that you're doing is that foundation that you just. You just named. What is the name of it?

[Hit-Boy]

The Next Hits.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

The Next Hits. I think that's dope. Helping, you know, kids who want to learn the business, you know, does not have their father, you know, I think that's pretty dope. I'm proud of you for that.

[Hit-Boy]

Appreciate that. Yeah, yeah. We just getting started, man. And finna push it to the max. Yeah.

[Podcast Announcer]

What have your conversations been like with your dad? Just about the business side of it. Since you've come up out of the things that you.

[Hit-Boy]

You said with my dad? Yeah, man. That's a whole thing right there, man. Like, man, he got out. We hit the ground running. He was making bread. I was trying to educate him. I'm taking him to my accountant and wealth manager offices. And he just lives a different life, man. He don't differentiate prison from real life. Like, he can. I'm cool in here. I'm cool out there, you know? And it's like, I don't live like that. Like, I couldn't imagine being around niggas all day. I couldn't. I couldn't imagine it. So it's like that's. That's. That's just him. And I try to, you know, show him, teach him, put him on, like, put him in the most comfortable situation possible. And I still couldn't change his mind. And that was, like, eye opening for me, like. And, you know, you could do anything for a person, and if they not ready to accept it, they're not ready to move forward with how they think. It's nothing you could do about it, you know? So that's just.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

How does that. How does that hurt you? How does that hurt?

[Hit-Boy]

Oh, man, this. I mean, real. And every time it's like, worse and worse. Cause this time when he got out, bro, he doing songs. He was on the fucking stage with Kendrick at the Pop out holding my son. It's a picture. Kendrick, my son, and my dad on stage at the Pop Out. Did songs with Snoop Dogg, did a whole album with the Game that went number one on iTunes. He did a bunch of shit. And for him to go back this time, it probably hurt the worst. Cause I'm like, bro, like, you actually was getting to it. Getting respect, getting love, getting money, all this shit. And it's like, you still ended up back in There it's like, like that's where the software update comes from. Like, I gotta update my software. I gotta stop playing with my life. I gotta just take me more serious, you know, instead of always pouring into everybody else as much as I do.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Have you offered him help? Like, you know, listen, man, maybe you need to sit down.

[Hit-Boy]

Not for sure, we didn't, man. Bro, we didn't. Talked about it all. Like, I'm like, I might have to take him to the most random middle of America city and just like, where there's no action and bring a therapist and just like work out all day and make music, man. Like, that's probably the only way to. To save him, you know? I mean, he'll probably find some out there too, if I still find something to get into.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So is he. Is he institutional out there?

[Hit-Boy]

He is, man, for sure. I mean, bro, like, he had a plea deal to not even have the three years he just got now. And he said he would rather be in prison than be on the streets on probation because he can get washed up for a longer time that way, I guess. But I couldn't imagine that, man, you know what I mean? And it's like, oh, you don't want my help then? You know what I mean? I paid for the lawyer to get you to plea deal. You want to, you know, do your thing. So holla at me when you get out, bro. Holla at me when you get out.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What kind of friction does that cause between the father and the son, though? Yeah, get the business, just.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, no, I mean, it's deep, bro. It's deep. And that's the friction where it's like, I'm all. I've always been forgiven. I've always been like, you know, there for him, sending breads, sending help, whatever the case is. And this is the one time where I'm like, it's gotta be tough love, bro. Holla at me when you got. Because I did everything. I paid for the High Price lawyer. I flew to North Carolina where the case was, got on the stand, talked to the judge, spent my time out there, time away from my son, all this shit. And you still went against everything that I put the energy into. And I'm like, well, hey, bro, I gotta focus on me, period.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Does he have a sense of entitlement?

[Hit-Boy]

I'm sure he do, yeah. Yeah, for sure. And I made it so easy all these years, and it's like, yeah, no, I can't play them games games no more.

[Podcast Announcer]

It's so crazy how life get.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What do you think about AI, man? Like, how is AI going to impact the production process?

[Hit-Boy]

Man? I think it's a dope tool, man. Don't use it as a crutch. Don't press a button and then get a person to beat and be like, that's it. Like, you know, if you press that button and you hear something dope, try to flip it as if you was just listening to a sample off the radio or a sample off a record, whatever the case is, just. It's a tool, man. I'm rocking with it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I don't even know, when you say press a button, what do you mean?

[Hit-Boy]

Like, it's like you could. It's literally programs where it's like you could type something in, press a button and it'll give you like an outline of what you typed in, whether it's.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

A, like, make a hit boy beat.

[Hit-Boy]

Make a East coast hip hop 1999 type beat, and it'll give you something that's in that area type, you know, vibe. But, you know, I don't think you should just take that and be like, oh, boom, I made this. I mean, you could. I'm sure it's happening. I'm sure I'll be hearing music on the radio. Like, man, it sound like it could be AI sometimes, but, you know, I don't know. But yeah, I think it's an ill tool if you use it the right way and just use it as a tool, not a crutch.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

So it has sparked some creativity.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, for sure. Like, you know, it's like I use it kind of like how I would use midi. Like, if I play a piano progression and I want to turn into some, like, strings, I could just, boom, run it through that and I could take them strings and then chop them up and make it, you know, into his own thing.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

What you think about AI artists, though?

[Hit-Boy]

AI artists? How many? I mean, man, I feel like K Pop Demon Hunters is AI, you know, all the kids listen to that. It sound like my daughters love them. I can't even get one song off in the car no more. I be trying to play my music. My son like, nah, play, Soda Pop, play. You know, I'm like, man, damn, it's humbling. You know what I mean? But it's also eye opening. Like, man, this is doing numbers. Like, what am I missing?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Are they AI?

[Hit-Boy]

I don't know, but it sound like it to me.

[Podcast Announcer]

I don't know, but I know everything they do is just like magic, magic.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Like it goes up for them kids yeah, numbers.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

But you listening with the different pair is though, you got producer ears, so you probably hear something.

[Hit-Boy]

I'm just. I'm just listening. I'm messing around with AI and listening to that. It just. It sound like it's some AI in there. It might not be. I don't want to disrespect the creatives that's behind that, but it's like, you know, that's just how I feel.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I've got a couple more questions. You ever. You ever gave an artist a beat you knew was dope and they just completely went?

[Hit-Boy]

Plenty of times. I ain't gonna put no names out there, but, you know, I was. It was. It's certain songs that I just wish would have been like actual hits. Like Watch and Learn for Rihanna. Like, every girl I run into, like, that's my favorite Rihanna song. You know, my jam. And it's like, damn, that should have been a hit. Or like right here with Justin Bieber and Drake. Like, I don't understand why them songs wasn't like top 10 or whatever, but that's part of the game, you know?

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Watch and Learn is my jam.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I wish. I mean, you know, we all wish, but I. I wish Nipsey hadn't passed.

[Hit-Boy]

Oh, man. Come on, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I feel like Racks in the Middle was the perfect follow up to Victory, bro.

[Hit-Boy]

That was his whole vision. Like, he came to me and I was actually about to put that song out. It was going to be. It was going to be on my production album. I was about to do like a Khaled esque type album with different. Featuring different artists. And that was going to be me featuring Roddy Rich. Roddy had a verse on there. And we was about to. We was literally starting the paperwork process and I. I low key had nit pull up. I wanted him to throw a verse to on it. He heard the song. He was like, bro, run that back. I ran it back. He was like, man, let me get this joint, bro. He was like, this could be the perfect song to like push into my next rollout post victory lap. And I'm like, I just like, cool, let's run it. You know what I mean? And he came through. He did the song. It was a movie. Like him doing three verses, talking about the stuff he was talking about and laying it on the line like that. And for that to play out that way, it was just a movie for me, man, like insane. I was talking to Nip every day. We texting at 6 in the morning. Morning, you know, top of the morning just, like, sending samples back and forth. I'm sending him beats I had just made. We talking about. He was telling me he wanted me to be involved in this next project. Heavy. And for that to, you know, you know, happen how it happened. It was super up, man. Sad time. For real. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Cause on Racks, that's what he talks about. His homeboy. That was eerie. After you.

[Hit-Boy]

That was eerie, bro. It was eerie. And the way the beat sound with the choirs and all that. It just him walking through the graveyard like, man, nuts. Nuts. It was dope, though. At the video shoot, I got to meet his grandmother. We was on a private jet, kicking it. They drinking champagne. I was flying. Like, being able to experience that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I remember that picture.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

I mean, I remember when he posted that picture.

[Hit-Boy]

I was there. Yeah. I'm in the video. That's my McLaren, like, next to the other car in front of the private jet. Okay. McLaren.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

All right.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

With the flex, y'.

[Hit-Boy]

All.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

That's who you would have ended up. Like, what you did with Nas, that would have been.

[Hit-Boy]

I agree. I think we would have did damage. Did damage, man. It's like, I feel like Racks in the Middle is still one of the most, like, revolutionary west coast beats from the modern era. You know what I mean? I feel like that's where. If I was to think about, like, if Dre was actually gonna make Detox, I think it should sound like Racks in the Middle level. Like, you know, because it's got that. That west coast, like, you know, drag on it, but it still sound new, you know, you got to push it forward, forward.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Y' all want to Grammy for that, too, right?

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, we did Bittersweet, man. Crazy. But. But the good thing is, like, when we made the song, we felt like that. We felt like, man, this is Grammy level. We was playing that joint back to back. We was turned up in the stool. We. We was really feeling that. So for it to. It was just validating. Like, damn. Like, Nip was on. He was right, spot on. You know what I mean?

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Have people really embraced the loss of Nipsey? Like, did people really realize how big of a loss that was, especially for the West Coast?

[Hit-Boy]

I think so. I think the world, you know. You know, I feel like, you know, obviously, when, you know, it's up, but when people pass, they get even bigger. More people tap in. So it's like, you know, his legacy is spreading, and you see what Black Sam doing. He taking the brand and just, like, turning into, you know, a monster, man. It's amazing. So yeah, man, it's crazy.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I'm glad that you are, like, making yourself seen. And I hope you do a lot more press after this, because I'm tired of googling your name. And stories. Stories of boys actually being hit come up. You need to know.

[Hit-Boy]

You. It's that time. It's that time for sure. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's harder? Making a beat that gives a rapper a hit or making a beat that gives them, like, a career? I don't want to say revival, but, like, resurgence.

[Hit-Boy]

It's all the same thing. I'm just making music. I don't. I never meant to make a hit. I just made music that I felt, you know, and most of my. Of my hits that y' all would know me for came from me just being in the stool, just damn near by myself, just cooking up, having fun, man. That's what this production has always been about for me, just literally having fun.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

At this point in your career, are you making music for money, for legacy, or just because you can't stop? That's what, you know, all the above.

[Hit-Boy]

I need the bread. I'm trying to, you know, I mean, the legacy, that's just. It's gonna shape up. It's gonna be what it's gonna be, and I just. I just love to do it. You know what I mean? Like I said, like, I love when I feel my own growth. I love when I feel myself advancing and being able to. That I wanted to do five years ago, musically, that I can now accomplish. And I can now, you know, fully manipulate and bend these sounds into ways that I can make them do whatever I want to. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And if Hit Boy stopped producing today, what do you think? What do you think the game would lose, man?

[Hit-Boy]

Some authenticity. It's just, like. Just raw. Like, you know, I mean, bro, I just. Like I said, I shoot from the hip every time. Like, I don't know how to make a. I'm just making music, and this should just be coming. What it's becoming like, you know, just being able to see some of these songs performed in stadiums and watching Beyonce watching ho watching, you know, Travis Kendrick doing backseat freestyle still on his tour, like, it's ill. You know what I mean? Just like. And it's still rocking as if it just dropped. It's like, man, you just gotta make what you feel. And, you know, I've been making some stuff that's timeless.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You got anything with Kendrick tucked away?

[Hit-Boy]

I'll be chopping him with, bro, man. That's why I'll be telling people, man, it's crazy. So my little. My son, he five years old now. Before his fourth birthday, he made a. He made a song. He made his first song because he was in most of the sessions with me and Nas just sitting in the back. Didn't realize he was taking this all in. Told him, you know, I asked him did he want to make a song for his birthday, put him on the mic. He literally freestyled with context. I was laughing. It was crazy. But put the song out with a video, and I think it was a day not like us dropping. And that's how I knew Kendrick was just like, this was light work for him. This whole, like, he texted me about my son video, like, go ahead, nephew. Like, you know what I mean? You know what I mean? It's like, bro, like in the middle of all that, I'm like this, like, he crazy. He really crazy. He cool, though.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Well, Hit Boy and Spank Nitty James, y' all got.

[Hit-Boy]

Y' all coming out October 3rd. Yeah, shout my boy Spank, man. Shout out Hemmy, man, the whole Inland Empire.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

What's Bank? Where you from?

[Hit-Boy]

He from Hemet. He from deep in the ie. Yeah, yeah, for sure. That's in like, east of la. Like, like an hour east of la. That's where we all kind of came up. I. I grew up in Pasadena, but when I was 13, I moved to the IE, and that's where I learned how to make beats and all that. So it was vital. But I was sad when I first moved out of Dina for sure. But yeah, the ie, that's, you know, a lot of homies out there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And then you and Alchemist got an album coming out October 24th.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, yeah, we got an album and a movie. That's. I feel like it's to. Going. Gonna make people look at us in a whole different light. Yeah.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

And then a solo album called Software Update.

[Hit-Boy]

Software Update. God damn.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

I know. Look, he couldn't wait to get it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

You got the word up, like, what you did.

[Hit-Boy]

Yeah, I mean, I'm excited, bro. It's like, it's genuine. It's coming from a place of like, this shit, coming from my soul, man. So, like, I'm just like, looking forward to, you know, letting people see me in a different light and just like pushing, you know, what I've done forward.

[Podcast Host / Interviewer]

Yeah. And you free now, now, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Free.

[Hit-Boy]

It's amazing. Welcome home. Hit Free. I just threw like a million dollar party in LA last week and shot a video with Az Chike baby trying to spank. And that was the illest we had Marathon Burger up there. We had this whole eat Couch activation because we got this song called Eat Couch. And. Yeah, it's just. Yeah, it was. It was crazy. Like, it's like smashing a girl on the couch from the back, and her face is in the couch, so she eating. She's eating couch. Yeah, got. You know, there's a pillow for Swank.

[Podcast Announcer]

You know there's a pillow for that.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, there is a pillow.

[Hit-Boy]

No, no, no. I know, I know, I know. But Spank is just funny. When he said eat Couch, man, that's. That just had me laughing so hard. I'm like, we gotta put this joint out, man.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Why the hell is the party a million dollars?

[Hit-Boy]

Cause it was a celebration. 18 years, man. I'm like, I gotta go all out. I just went crazy. I just had all type of activations. I had, you know, hood taco spots, marathon Burger. I had, you know, just a lot of fly shit going. All right, man, that's what's up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, it's Hit boy, man. Thank you for coming, my brother.

[Hit-Boy]

N. For sure appreciate y', all, man. It's honor.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Yes, sir.

[Hit-Boy]

Hold up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Every day I wake up.

[Hit-Boy]

Wake your ass up.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

The Breakfast Club.

[Hit-Boy]

Y' all finished or y' all done?

[Marcus Grant / Michael F. Florio]

I'm Marcus Grant. And I'm Michael F. Florio, and together we host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Ready to dominate your fantasy league league this season, then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies. Whether you're a rookie manager or a fantasy vet, we've got the insight to help you crush your opponents. Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Toyota, the official automotive partner of the NFL.

[Podcast Trailer Narrator]

Visit toyota.com NFL now to learn and more.

[Honey German]

Hi, it's Honey German, and I'm back with season two of my podcast, Gracias. Come again. We got you when it comes to the latest in music and entertainment, with interviews with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities. You didn't have to audition.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

No, I didn't audition. I haven't auditioned in, like, over 25 years.

[Honey German]

Oh, wow. That's a real G talk right there.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

Oh, yeah.

[Honey German]

We'll talk about all that's viral and trending with a little bit of Cheeseman and a whole lot of laughs. And, of course, course, the great biblas you've come to expect. Listen to the new season of Gracias. Come again on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or Wherever you get your podcast.

[Marcus Grant / Michael F. Florio]

In early 1988, federal agents raced to.

[Hit-Boy]

Track down the gang they suspect of.

[Marcus Grant / Michael F. Florio]

Importing millions of dollars worth of heroin.

[Hit-Boy]

Into New York from Asia. We had 30 agents ready to go with shotguns and rifles, and five, six white people pushed me in the car. I'm going, what the hell? Basically, your stay at home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin. All you gotta do is receive the package. Don't have to open it, just accept it.

[Charlamagne Tha God]

She was very upset, crying.

[Hit-Boy]

Once I saw the gun, I tried to take his hand and I saw the flash of light. Listen to the Chinatown sting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Trailer Narrator]

What would you do if one bad decision forced you to choose between a maximum security prison or the most brutal boot camp designed to be hell on earth? Unfortunately for Mark Lombardo, this was the choice he faced.

[Hit-Boy]

He said, you are a number, a New York state number, and we own you.

[Podcast Trailer Narrator]

Listen to shock incarceration on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.