Mike Will Made It

Mike Will Made It
Background information
Birth name Michael Len Williams II
Also known as Mike Will
Born (1989-03-23) March 23, 1989
Marietta, Georgia, US
Origin Atlanta, Georgia, US
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • rapper
  • songwriter
Instruments
Years active 2005–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website mikewillmade.it

Michael Len Williams II (born March 23, 1989), professionally known as Mike Will Made It (often stylized as Mike WiLL Made-It)[1] or simply Mike Will, is an American record producer, rapper and songwriter.[2] He is best known for producing trap beats for several Southern hip hop artists as well as for producing several hit singles, such as "Black Beatles" by Rae Sremmurd, "Mercy" by GOOD Music, "No Lie" by 2 Chainz, "Bandz a Make Her Dance" by Juicy J, "Pour It Up" by Rihanna, "Love Me" by Lil Wayne, "Body Party" by Ciara, "We Can't Stop" by Miley Cyrus, "First Day Out the Feds" by Gucci Mane, and "Formation" by Beyoncé. He has released five mixtapes.

Early life

Williams was born in Marietta, Georgia, the youngest of three children; he has two older sisters.[3] His father, Michael Williams Sr., is a former IBM executive who worked as a club DJ in the 1970s. His mother, Shirley Williams, a former bank loan officer, was once in a gospel group, singing for Dottie Peoples. He grew up in a musical family as his uncle was an accomplished guitar player and one of his older sisters was a drum major in the Olympics.[3] While growing up, Mike Will was athletic, participating in a number of sports, including basketball, baseball, and football, with dreams of becoming a professional athlete.[2]

His life also centered around a love of hip hop music. Mike Will first developed his talent for music by re-playing popular instrumentals that he heard on the radio while he and his friends would freestyle to them.[3] In a number of interviews, Will has mentioned, in particular, re-playing the instrumental for "Still Fly", a popular song by the southern rap group Big Tymers, on a Casio brand keyboard, and has also mentioned re-playing "Young'n (Holla Back)" by New York rapper Fabolous on production equipment at a local music store.[4]

At age 14, Mike Will began to develop his own beats on a Korg ES1 beat machine, which his father bought for $500 for him as a Christmas present from the local music store Mars Music. As Mike Will became more accomplished, he also began to use production equipment, including the Korg Triton, the Akai MPC1000, the Yamaha Motif, and the Roland Fantom.[3] By the time Mike Will was 16, he was hanging out at local recording studios in Atlanta, trying to shop his beats to established artists.[5] Since the late 1990s, Atlanta has been a major epicenter for hip hop, rivaling New York City and Los Angeles. He was initially ignored by other artists while shopping his beats around Atlanta, but eventually one of his beat tapes made its way into the hands of Gucci Mane, who then summoned Mike Will to Patchwerk studios, an Atlanta recording studio.[5]

Upon graduating high school, Mike Will enrolled at Georgia State to pursue undergraduate studies mainly due to pressure by his father, but chose to take a hiatus and eventually dropped out after several semesters, with a 3.1 GPA, to focus on his music career. During this hiatus, he produced his first hit. Upon hearing one of his produced singles "Tupac Back" began to enjoy success on the Billboard rap and Hot 100 charts, Mike Will decided to quit school and focus on his music career full-time.[6] He has since advised aspiring music producers not to drop out of college if they are not sure on their own future career outcome or lacking a defined plan before entering the industry.[3]

Music career


2011–12: Production and mixtapes

In an interview with XXL, Mike Will said, "Gucci Mane was the first [major artist] to ever rap on my beat."[7] Mike Will first met Gucci Mane at Atlanta recording studio, PatchWerk Recording Studios, and upon introducing himself and giving Gucci Mane a CD of beats, Gucci Mane proceeded to freestyle over each of the instrumentals.[8] He then offered Mike Will $1,000 for one of his beats.[9] The two artists began releasing songs together, such as "East Atlanta 6", and a number of songs from Gucci Mane's mixtape, No Pad, No Pencil.[8] After developing this close relationship with Gucci Mane, he began working with other big-name Atlanta rappers such as Future, Waka Flocka Flame, Rocko, and 2 Chainz.[9]

In 2011, Mike Will released his first single, "Tupac Back", performed by Meek Mill and Rick Ross, from the compilation album Self Made Vol. 1.[10] The single was released on April 5, 2011 and peaked at #31 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart.[11] This came after Mike Will submitted some of his beats to an A&R for Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group label.[10]

Also in 2011, Mike Will worked with Atlanta rapper Future, producing several popular and noteworthy songs together, including "Ain't No Way Around It",[12] "Itchin", and three songs from Future's 2012 major label debut album Pluto: "Neva End", "Truth Gonna Hurt You", and "Turn On the Lights".[3] "Turn On the Lights" was promoted as a single, and to date has peaked at #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard chart.[13]

On December 27, 2011, Mike Will released his first mixtape, Est. in 1989 (Last of a Dying Breed).[14] It was released in conjunction with popular mixtape website LiveMixtapes.com.[14] Est. in 1989 includes a mix of exclusive songs and songs from Mike Will's catalog, and features artists such as Gucci Mane & 1017 Brick Squad, Future, Waka Flocka Flame, Kanye West & GOOD Music, 2 Chainz, Lil Boosie, Ludacris, Lil Wayne.[15]

On March 23, 2012, Mike Will partnered with popular music site The FADER to announce the second installment of his mixtape series, Est. in 1989 Pt. 2, and to release the mixtape's first single, "Back 2 the Basics", which features his manager/rapper Gucci Mane, founder/CEO/president of Brick Squad and Waka Flocka Flame.[16] The project Est. in 1989 Pt. 2 features songs with Diddy, 2 Chainz, Juicy J, Future, Lil Wayne, T.I., Mac Miller, French Montana, Jeremih, and others.[17] The album was released again on July 24, 2012 in partnership with LiveMixtapes.com.[17]

Will has also worked extensively with Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz, producing "La La", which features Busta Rhymes, from 2 Chainz, then known as Tity Boi, Codeine Cowboy mixtape and "Got One" from 2 Chainz's T.R.U. REALigion mixtape.[18][19] According to an interview with Complex magazine, Mike Will has been working together with 2 Chainz "since 2008, when he was Tity Boi...We're kind of like family."[20] In 2012, Mike Will produced the lead single, "No Lie", from 2 Chainz' debut album, Based on a T.R.U. Story, released via Def Jam.[20] The single, which features popular recording artist Drake, was released May 8, 2012, and debuted in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100, ultimately peaking at #1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[21] The single has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America, selling over 500,000 copies digitally.[22]

In 2012, Mike WiLL Made-It produced "Bandz a Make Her Dance", a single for Taylor Gang rapper Juicy J that also features Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz.[23] The song was listed as one of the 25 Best Songs of Summer 2012 by Complex magazine, and as of September 2012, the single had peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[24][25]

Mike Will, alongside producers Kanye West, Mike Dean, Lifted, and Anthony Kilhoffer, co-produced the G.O.O.D. Music single "Mercy", which features vocals by Kanye West, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, and Pusha T.[26] "Mercy", released April 3, 2012, served as the lead single from the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album Cruel Summer, and peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.[27][28] Other notable production efforts for Mike Will include the single "Way Too Gone", featuring Future from Young Jeezy's 2011 studio album Thug Motivation 103: Hustlerz Ambition, "Just a Sign" from B.o.B's second studio album Strange Clouds and "Pour It Up" from Rihanna's 2012 studio album, Unapologetic.[29][30]

In 2012 interviews, Mike Will mentioned upcoming work with Kanye West, Brandy, Big Sean, and Pusha T.[20]

The third installment of the series, entitled Est. in 1989 2.5 was released on December 24, 2012.[31] The mixtape featured guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Future, Rihanna, Big Sean, Trinidad Jame$, Lil Wayne, and other artists.[32]

2013–present: Debut studio album and Miley Cyrus collaborations

Mike Will executive produced Miley Cyrus's fourth studio album Bangerz (2013), including its lead single "We Can't Stop". He produced eight tracks on Bangerz and six tracks on Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz.

On September 9, 2013, Mike Will premiered his commercial debut single "23", featuring Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J and Miley Cyrus. He revealed that he had signed with Interscope Records to release his debut album.[33] His debut album will also feature Beyoncé, Future, Kendrick Lamar, and 2 Chainz.[34]

He was named producer of the year by HipHopDX on December 18, 2013.[35]

On June 17, 2014, Mike WIll Made It released the first single from his upcoming mixtape, "Buy the World", featuring Future, Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar.[36] On December 15, 2014, he released his fifth mixtape, Ransom. Featured artists include Big Sean, Juicy J, 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar.

Influences

In interviews, Mike Will has named a number of musical influences on his own production work. In a "Behind the Beats" interview with Complex magazine, he says that he "always admired Dr. Dre's drums", and calls Timbaland "the first crazy pop producer... He brought so many artists to the game."[37] As a southern producer, he says, he "was also looking up to Shawty Redd. He was the first producer to really bring that dark trap energy and sound."[37] He also refers to DJ Toomp as "my big brother or my mentor", saying, "I love what he does."[37] In an interview, with AOL's The Boombox, Mike WiLL also cites Pharrell as a producer that he respects.[8]

Production equipment

Mike Will uses a variety of production equipment to create beats. His gear includes the Korg Triton, Akai MPC 1000, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Yamaha Motif, and the Roland Fantom-X.[3][38][39]

EarDrummers Entertainment

In 2006, Mike Will started his own production company called EarDrummers Entertainment (also known as Ear Drummer Records). According to an interview Mike Will gave to The Boombox, there are currently eight producers signed to Ear Drummer Records: Ileni K, GT, Marz, P-Nasty, Pluss (A+), Scooly, J-Bo, and Dj FU.[8] In 2014, Mike Will signed Rae Sremmurd and Two-9 to the label.[40][41]

Artists
In-house producers

Discography

Studio albums

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details
Title Album details
Est. in 1989 (Last of a Dying Breed)
  • Released: December 28, 2011[42]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
Est. in 1989 Pt. 2
Est. in 1989 Pt. 2.5
  • Released: December 24, 2012[44]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Hosted by DJ Drama
#MikeWiLLBeenTriLL
  • Released: December 23, 2013[45]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Digital download
  • Hosted by Future
Ransom
  • Released: December 15, 2014[46]
  • Label: Ear Drummer Records
  • Formats: Digital download
  • #4 US Heat[47]

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US US R&B US Rap AUS
 GER
 CAN
 FRA
 UK
"23"
(featuring Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J)		 2013 11 4 2 39 78 26 30 85 Non-album single
"Buy the World"[48]
(featuring Future, Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar)		 2014 — 42 — — — — — — Ransom
"Drinks On Us"[49]
(featuring Swae Lee, The Weeknd and Future)		 2015 — —[upper-alpha 1] — — — — — —
"Choppin' Blades"[51]
(featuring Jody HiGHROLLER and Slim Jxmmi)		 — — — — — — — —
"Nothing Is Promised"
(featuring Rihanna)		 2016 75 26 — 69 — — 25 64 Ransom 2
"Pull Ova"
(featuring Eearz)		 — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes

  1. ↑ "Drinks On Us" did not enter the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number five on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.[50]

Awards and nominations

BET Hip Hop Awards

The BET Hip Hop Awards were established in 2006 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate hip-hop performers, producers and music video directors.

Year Nomination Award Result
2013[52] "Bugatti" Track of the Year Nominated
Best Club Banger Nominated
Mike Will Made It Producer of the Year Won
2014 Nominated
"Move That Dope" Track of the Year Nominated
Best Club Banger Won
2015 Mike Will Made It Producer of the Year Nominated
2016 Nominated

iHeartRadio Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2014 "Pour It Up" (Rihanna) Hip Hop/R&B Song of the Year Won

VEVO Certified Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result
2013 "23" 100.000.000 Views Won

References

  1. ↑ "Mike Will Made-It". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  2. 1 2 Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Noz, Andrew (April 30, 2012). "Beat Construction: Mike WiLL Made It". The Fader.
  4. ↑ Tobias, Jonathan (December 16, 2011). "Mike Will Made It Explains Convincing Young Jeezy Of A "TM103" Track, Working With Gucci Mane As A Teenager". Hip Hop DX.
  5. 1 2 Devin Leonard (August 7, 2014). "Hip-Hop Producer Mike WiLL's Makeover of Miley Cyrus Was Only the Beginning". Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Mike WiLL Made-It Debuts Ear Drummers' Act Rae Sremmurd". The Burton Wire. February 23, 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  7. ↑ Bristout, Ralph (January 26, 2012). "Production Credit: Mike Will Speaks on Working With Rick Ross, Young Jeezy & 50 Cent". XXL Magazine.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Graham, -made-it-producer/ (February 22, 2012). Missing or empty |title= (help);
  9. 1 2 "Mike Will Made It: The Billboard Cover Story". Billboard. 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  10. 1 2 Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL".
  11. ↑ "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. July 9, 2011.
  12. ↑ Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
  13. ↑ "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. September 24, 2012.
  14. 1 2 "Mike Will - Est. In 1989 (Last Of A Dying Breed)". Live Mixtapes. December 27, 2011.
  15. ↑ Moore, Jacob (December 27, 2011). "Mixtape: Mike WiLL Made-It "Est. In 1989"". Complex Magazine.
  16. ↑ Cooper, Duncan (March 23, 2012). "Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame, "Back 2 The Basics" (Prod. by Mike WiLL Made-It) MP3". Fader Magazine.
  17. 1 2 Zeichner, Naomi (July 24, 2012). "Download Mike Will Made It's Est. In 1989 (Part 2) Mixtape". The Fader.
  18. ↑ "Audio: Tity Boi Ft. Busta Rhymes – Lala [Prod. By Mike WiLL Made-It] (NO DJ)". Dirty Glove Bastard. February 23, 2012.
  19. ↑ Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beat: Mike Will". Complex Magazine.
  20. 1 2 3 Pereira, Julian (May 4, 2012). "Interview: Mike Will On Producing 2 Chainz & Drake's "No Lie"". Complex Magazine.
  21. ↑ "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. September 15, 2012.
  22. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (July 26, 2012). "2 Chainz's "No Lie" Certified Gold". Hip Hop DX.
  23. ↑ "Juicy J – Bands A Make Her Dance (rmx) f. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz". 2 Dope Boyz. June 18, 2012.
  24. ↑ "The 25 Best Songs of Summer 2012". Complex Magazine. August 16, 2012.
  25. ↑ "R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard Magazine. September 29, 2012.
  26. ↑ "The 25 Best Songs of Summer 2012". Complex Magazine. August 16, 2012.
  27. ↑ "Hot 100". Billboard Magazine.
  28. ↑ "Hot 100". Billboard Magazine.
  29. ↑ Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL".
  30. ↑ "B.o.B. Speaks on Mike WiLL Made-It's Est. in 1989 Pt.2 p(Video)". 2 Dope Boyz. July 6, 2012.
  31. ↑ Meka, Meka (December 24, 2012). "Mike WiLL Made It – Est In 1989 2.5 (Mixtape)". 2 Dope Boyz.
  32. ↑ "Mike WiLL Made It "Est. In 1989 2.5" Mixtape Cover Art & Release Date". HipHop DX. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
  33. ↑ "Mike WiLL Made It, Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J "23"". Complex. 2013-09-09. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  34. ↑ "Mike WiLL Made It f/ Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J "23" Video". Complex. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  35. ↑ http://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX -. "The 2013 HipHopDX Year End Awards". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  36. ↑ "Buy the World (feat. Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar & Future) - Single by Mike Will Made-It on iTunes". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  37. 1 2 3 Pereira, Julian (March 5, 2012). "Beyond the Beats: Mike WiLL". Complex Magazine.
  38. ↑ Matthew Schnipper; Naomi Zeichner; JORDAN SARGENT; Olivia Graham (12 December 2012). "Drum Majors: Four Producers to Watch". The Fader. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  39. ↑ ""Producers Week" Day 2: Mike Will Made It And M-Sixteen!". V-103. January 31, 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  40. ↑ "Mike WiLL Made It Signs Two-9 To Eardruma/Interscope Records". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  41. ↑ "Listen to Rae Sremmurd's Mike WiLL Made It-Produced "No Flex Zone"". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  42. ↑ "Mike Will - Est. in 1989 (Last of a Dying Breed) // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. 2011-12-28. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
  43. ↑ "Mike Will - Est. in 1989 Pt. 2 // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. 2012-07-24. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
  44. ↑ "Mike Will – Est. in 1989 Pt. 2.5 // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. 2012-12-24. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
  45. ↑ "Mike Will – #MikeWillBeenTrill // Free Mixtape". DatPiff. Idle Media Inc. 2013-06-25. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
  46. ↑ "Tweet". Twitter. 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-11-25.
  47. ↑ "Mike Will Made-It - Chart history - Billboard". Retrieved 1 July 2016.
  48. ↑ "Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases". All Access Music Group. Archived from the original on 2014-07-04.
  49. ↑ "Drinks On Us (feat. The Weeknd, Swae Lee & Future) - Single". iTunes.
  50. ↑ "Mike Will Made It: Chart History for Drinks On Us". Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  51. ↑ "Choppin' Blades (feat. Jody HiGHROLLER & Slim Jxmmi) - Single by Mike Will Made-It". iTunes.
  52. ↑ "Hip Hop Awards Archives". Retrieved 1 July 2016.

External links

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