The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Joe and Jada

Guest: Hitmaka (formerly Yung Berg)

Episode Date: October 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd (Joe and Jada edition) centers around a candid, wide-ranging conversation with producer Hitmaka (formerly known as Yung Berg). Fat Joe and Jada, as hosts, delve into Hitmaka’s transformation from artist to producer, his industry relationships, lessons from legends like Pharrell and Kanye, and the realities (and wild stories) of success and survival in hip-hop. The episode is both a celebration and a deep-dive—a masterclass in the rap business, creativity, and keeping it real.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hitmaka's Grind and Studio Ethic

• Hitmaka is praised as the “walking, talking cheat code” of hip-hop, known for his relentless studio work and ability to conjure hits on demand.
  • Hitmaka: "When you come see me, you come get a hit. I don’t play beats. I’m playing you a smash. You fill in the blanks. ...They pay me like 50 grand a record, man." [05:58]
• Fat Joe emphasizes that true artists can’t cheat the game and must put in “that pain, that passion.”
  • Fat Joe: "In this game, it ain’t no cheating. ...You gotta go in that studio, you gotta let your life out." [05:00]

2. Numbers and Idols: A Producer's Resume

• Hitmaka reflects on his staggering stats: 350+ million sold, 18 number ones at radio, and 27 billion streams.
  • Hitmaka: "350/Something million. I got 18 number ones at radio, 27 billion streams..." [06:49]
• His producer idols: Jermaine Dupri, Kanye (from Chicago), No I.D., Timbaland, Pharrell.
  • Hitmaka: "I never worked with Pharrell yet...He made ‘Happy’ in one of the rooms I work in all the time." [07:11]

3. Industry Stories: Cold Spells, Competition, and Comebacks

• Fat Joe recounts witnessing even legends like Timbaland and Pharrell go “cold” before bouncing back, highlighting the cyclical nature of fame.
  • Fat Joe: "I watched the same thing happen to Pharrell in Miami. When he got cold...now this guy’s running Louis Vuitton." [07:39]
• On competition vs. beef:
  • Hitmaka: "I think you started beef with me and Khaled right then...It’s competition, but you get cut from the family tree when it comes to producing." [10:08]

4. Transitioning and Reinvention: From Yung Berg to Hitmaka

• The vibe shifts into Hitmaka’s personal reinvention—Rico Love suggested the name change, and Fat Joe’s initial reaction (“Who the fuck is Christian? That’s Yung Berg!”).
  • Hitmaka: "Rico Love was actually the person who made me change my name to Hitmaka." [31:14]

5. Rap Industry Real Talk: Pay, Independence, and Living Large

• They discuss the realities of money, with Fat Joe extolling the benefits of going independent, investing in his own image, and spending $400k on music videos to project success.
  • Fat Joe: "You have to look like nothing changed. ...Niggas go independent, start shooting in front of the bodega...that’s not me." [48:15]
• Fat Joe and Hitmaka also share the downsides—blowing fortunes, falling off, and the necessity for long-term investments.
  • Fat Joe: "I went broke three, four times in my life. Like dead broke." [74:45]

6. Changing the Game For Others: Artist Development & Mentorship

• Hitmaka is passionate about providing new platforms—signing Dream Doll, executive producing new artists, and returning to a label role to lead artist development.
  • Hitmaka: "Every producer that’s watching this, go inside the building, take that step, and do what I’m about to do." [89:02]
• Professional “Life Changer”:
  • Hitmaka: "I ain’t a producer no more. I’m a professional life changer." [35:22]

7. Transparency and Virality in the Social Media Era

• Hitmaka addresses his viral “body count” clip from a Cam Newton interview (“Set me up with that...I just met you an hour ago, Cam. Why you need to know all my bodies?”) [14:01]

8. Fashion, Flexing, and the Meaning of Success

• The hosts have fun discussing their style, extravagant spending, and out-flexing other artists.
  • Fat Joe: "I am knocking you guys silly. ...The way I’m shitting on him." [66:12]
  • Questioning the budget for fits/jewelry and competitiveness it inspires.

9. Health, Sacrifices, and Staying Grounded

• Fat Joe shares details about his diabetes, the advantages of Ozempic, and the struggle to balance health, family, and maintaining energy for the lifestyle.
  • Fat Joe: "I have diabetes...Ozempic regulates that shit like a computer all week long." [38:45]
  • Hitmaka: "The Ozempic should stop the glizzies, though." [38:11]

10. Wild & Memorable Industry Stories

• Memories of Fat Joe’s pool parties, how "Lean Back" and other tracks paralyzed the rap scene, getting R. Kelly and others on records, and seeing rap-fame cycles.
  • Fat Joe: "Lean Back...they played that shit about 30 times in a row. ...That lifestyle paralyzed the streets." [58:51]
• Jada, Fat Joe and Hitmaka each reflect on that "nobody’s touching me" moment in their careers.

11. Closing Out: Legacy and Reflection

• Hitmaka announces he’s heading back into a label A&R role (but doesn’t name where just yet), encouraging industry peers to do the same for the future.
  • Hitmaka: "I’m going back inside the building...When you get somebody like myself...it’s necessary and needed." [89:02]
• Celebration: Hitmaka sells a portion of his catalog, Ty Dolla $ign’s new album drops, and Jada/guest Ry’s new single premieres.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Hitmaka on his studio game:
  "I’m the walking, talking cheat code. ...It’s the alley oop of all alley oops when you come see me." [05:58]

• Fat Joe on being competitive and loyal:
  "In this industry of fakers and vultures...one guy I can say who’s really loyal—the one and only Hitmaka." [03:43]

• On industry cold streaks and comebacks:
  "I watched the same thing happen to Pharrell in Miami. ...Now this guy’s running fucking Louis Vuitton, biggest guy." — Fat Joe [07:39]

• On the Yung Berg to Hitmaka transition:
  "Rico Love said, 'What do you think about changing your name?' ...He was actually the person who made me change my name." — Hitmaka [31:14]

• Fat Joe on financial independence:
  "I never not won in my whole career. ...I invested in myself. I never took an L. Thank God." [47:47]

• On mentorship and artist development:
  "Every producer that’s watching, go inside the building, take that step, and do what I’m about to do. ...It’s not about job security." — Hitmaka [89:02]

• Fat Joe on his humble beginnings and hunger:
  "Don’t tell me about this poor ever in your life...That’s why I give you the pain. That’s why you caught the vapors." [68:06]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:55 | Show starts, Hitmaka introduced | | 05:00 | The hit-making process and industry “cheat codes” | | 06:49 | Hitmaka shares his sales/streaming stats | | 07:11 | Idols and never working with Pharrell | | 09:22 | Khaled, studio competitiveness, and big party stories | | 13:13 | The formula for hit-making and staying competitive | | 31:14 | Ric Love’s advice and the name change story | | 35:22 | Hitmaka’s artist signing news (Dream Doll) / professional “life changer” quote | | 48:15 | The reality of going independent and staying fly | | 58:51 | "Lean Back," pool parties, and paralyzing the game | | 74:45 | The roller-coaster of money, going broke and bouncing back | | 83:26 | Reflecting on “peak” moments in their careers | | 86:25 | Hitmaka on selling a portion of his catalog | | 89:02 | Hitmaka announces going back label-side/A&R role | | 91:08 | Introduction & performance from project Ry (with Jada) | | 95:52 | End-of-show brags: radio dominance, reflection |

Tone & Style

The conversation is lively, braggadocious, and packed with “inside baseball” on the rap game, but always with a sense of humility and gratitude for survival and sustained relevance. Fat Joe, Jada, and Hitmaka juggle comedy, advice, and realness, trading wild stories and industry game.

For New Listeners

If you’re a fan of hip-hop, entrepreneurship, or just want to hear successful artists “talk their talk” with no filter, this episode serves a heavy dose of both bravado and practical wisdom. The episode is especially insightful for music creators or anyone curious about the business side of music, as well as those who love wild behind-the-scenes stories from the rap world.

Guest and Host Socials

• Fat Joe: @fatjoe
• Jadakiss: @therealkiss
• Hitmaka: @hitmaka

For the complete experience—including the premiere of new music and more off-the-cuff stories—listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.