Hitmaka

Ward was born on September 9, 1985 in Chicago.{{Cite web |date=2019-09-11 |title=“I Would Never Rap Again”: An Interview with Hitmaka About His Second Act Success |url=https://djbooth.net/features/2019-09-11-hitmaka-interview-more-than-a-producer/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=DJBooth |language=en-US}}

In January 2001, Ward signed to rapper DMX's imprint, Bloodline Records. He made his debut on the soundtrack to the film, Exit Wounds, on the song, "Dog 4 Life" under the alias, Iceberg. In the next few months, his experiences with DMX became concerning including sexual intercourse, drug addiction and heavy cannabis or alcohol usage, pertaining in a lack of guidance. Ward, despite the falling out, was gifted a puppy by the rapper.{{Cite web |last=Abraham |first=Mya |date=2022-08-22 |title=HitMaka Says His Mother Sent Him To A Boot Camp After Signing To DMX’s Label |url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/hit-maka-bootcamp-dmx-memories-1234687642/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=VIBE.com |language=en-US}}

After he failed to receive support from DMX, he remained a signed artist on Bloodline, but moved from a studio in Toronto, Ontario to Edgewater, New Jersey, to self-produce a planned studio album for the label, while working with other producers (including his former mentors, Boogz da Beast and Tricky Stewart).{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=D'Shonda |date=2023-02-06 |title=Hitmaka Has the Recipe for Music Industry Longevity |url=https://boardroom.tv/hitmaka-yung-berg-producer/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Boardroom |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Hitmaka Plots His ‘World Domination,’ Shares Kanye West, ... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/shawn-setaro/hitmaka-yung-berg-interview |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Complex |language=en}} Ward would then receive pager messages from his now-estranged mother, demanding that he meet her at a Red Lobster in Chicago. At the time, he was in a studio session with the then-unknown LEP Bogus Boys and later at a shopping mall, buying clothing and jewelry. Upon visiting his mother at Red Lobster, he was tricked into being sent away in a van and shifted from Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to Spring Creek Lodge Academy, a now-closed military boarding school in Thompson Falls, Montana in July 2001.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p915081/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Yung Berg > Biography|last=Cordor|first=Cyril|year=2008|publisher=allmusic|access-date=June 24, 2009}}{{Cite web |last=Hazell |first=Ricardo |date=2022-08-22 |title=HitMaka Says His Mother Sent Him To Boot Camp After Signing To DMX’s Label |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.72792/title.hitmaka-dmx-bootcamp |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=HipHopDX |language=en}} His father, who is no longer in contact with Ward, then demanded DMX to release him from his Bloodline imprint, out of concern that Ward's association would incite a controversial hip-hop criminal lifestyle, considering DMX's own legal issues.{{Cite web |title=Hitmaka on His Time With DMX and Being Unaware of Late Ra... |url=https://www.complex.com/music/a/cmplxjoshua-espinoza/hitmaka-time-with-dmx-unaware-of-drug-addiction-i-never-knew |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Complex |language=en}} He initially failed the first test while at Spring Creek, but later improved a year and half later, before being released from the school in late 2002.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

He moved to Los Angeles, California, after earning his GED in 2003; he previously attended Chicago Vocational High School and Curie Metropolitan High School.{{cite web|url=http://www.yungberg.net/biography |title=Biography |work=YungBerg.net |publisher=Sony Music Entertainment |access-date=June 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507114722/http://www.yungberg.net/biography |archive-date=May 7, 2009 }} In 2005, Ward worked as a hype man and recording assistant for former Disturbing tha Peace member and fellow Chicagoan Shawnna.

File:Yung Berg in 2007 (6904212018).jpg

Released on April 3, 2007, Ward's debut single, "Sexy Lady", which featured R&B singer Junior, became a hit on Los Angeles urban radio. "Sexy Lady" peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{Cite web |last=Ju |first=Shirley |title=Hitmaka talks wanting to be the “Puff Daddy of this generation,” making hits with today’s biggest stars, being a music exec and more |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2019-11-13/83940/hitmaka-talks-wanting-to-be-the-puff-daddy-of-this-generation-making-hits-with-todays-biggest-stars-being-a-music-exec-and-more |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=REVOLT}} Among many labels that approached him, he signed with Epic Records. Ward's six-track EP, Almost Famous: The Sexy Lady EP, was released on July 24, 2007. Later that year, Ward made a cameo in the music video for singer Kat DeLuna's debut single "Whine Up".{{Cite web |title=Happy Birthday Hitmaka! |url=https://www.binnews.com/content/2022-07-14-hitmaka-stops-by-famous-friday/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=BIN: Black Information Network |language=en}} Ward recorded a song with Lil Wayne and Brisco titled "Bitch Please", which was released in November 2007.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

In December 2007, Ward released another single "Sexy Can I", a collaboration with singer Ray J.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Sharmaine |title=Living up to his name: 13 songs Hitmaka helped create for other artists |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/13-best-songs-hitmaka-helped-create-for-other-artists |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=REVOLT}} The first single for his debut album, "Do That There" (featuring Dude 'n Nem), was followed by "The Business" (featuring R&B artist Casha Darjean), which peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Rain |date=2024-07-08 |title=Hitmaka Essential Songs |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/823361-hitmaka-essential-songs |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}} On August 12, 2008, Ward released his debut studio album and his only album as a rapper to date, Look What You Made Me.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-01 |title=How Hitmaka Keeps On Making Hits |url=https://uproxx.com/music/hitmaka-interview-empire-hits/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}} It would chart at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and at number two on the Top Rap Albums chart.

File:Yung berg.jpg

In December 2008, Ward began casting black women of certain skin tones "to showcase beauty of all races" for a potential reality show that he would host.{{cite news|url=http://www.bet.com/Music/News/yungbergrealityshow_musicnews_12.1.htm?mb=1 |title=Yung Berg Casting Dark-Skinned Women For His Reality Show |last=Osorio |first=Kim |date=December 1, 2008 |website=Bet.com|access-date=June 24, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205045643/http://www.bet.com/Music/News/yungbergrealityshow_musicnews_12.1.htm?mb=1 |archive-date=December 5, 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhoGrkiCYz42YESXLf |title=Video: Yung Berg Back To Business [Reality Show Trailer] |date=June 25, 2009 |publisher=Worldstarhiphop.com |access-date=November 6, 2010}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydPt1YO88ro |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/ydPt1YO88ro |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=Young Berg and his Bitchassness (black girl diss)|date=July 11, 2008 |publisher=YouTube|access-date=November 6, 2010}}{{cbignore}} The potentially-titled Back to Business was never released as planned. In 2009, Ward formed the production group, the Dream Team with his older brother, K-Young, and producer Rob Holladay.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025|reason=Sources are found, but none are reliable to confirm it.}}

In 2010, Ward quietly ended his rap career and focused more on producing and writing songs for other artists. His major placement was in 2011, when he was credited (alongside Rob Holladay and Polow da Don) as the co-producer for rapper Lil Wayne's single, "John", featuring Rick Ross.{{Cite web |last=Mobley |first=Chris |date=2023-04-18 |title=Hitmaka Songs: Best Productions, Ranked |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/661257-hitmaka-songs |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=2019-09-20 |title=How Hitmaka Went From Hip-Hop Punchline to Rap’s Most Sought After Producer: ‘It’s a Great Time to Be Me’ |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/hitmaka-interview-yung-berg-thotbox-8530545/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}} He was later credited as producer or co-composer on other singles that followed: Driicky Graham's "Snapbacks & Tattoos" (2012),{{Cite web |date=2025-01-19 |title=REPLAY - HitMaka - R&B Money |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-rb-money-97430895/episode/replay-hitmaka-259406022/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250524055527/https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-rb-money-97430895/episode/replay-hitmaka-259406022/ |archive-date=2025-05-24 |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=iHeart |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Star |first=Mikey T. The Movie |date=2012-08-07 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Yung Berg Details Creation Of "Snapbacks & Tattoos"; Soulja Boy Remix On The Way |url=https://allhiphop.com/mobile/exclusive-yung-berg-details-creation-of-snapbacks-tattoos-soulja-boy-remix-on-the-way/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}} Tamar Braxton (sister of Toni Braxton) with "The One" (2013), and DJ Infamous' "Double Cup" (2014).{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Trevor |date=2014-02-18 |title=DJ Infamous Feat. Jeezy, Ludacris, Juicy J, The Game & Hitmaka "Double Cup" Video |url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/490328-dj-infamous-feat-jeezy-ludacris-juicy-j-the-game-and-hitmaka-double-cup-video-new-video |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=HotNewHipHop |language=en}}

In mid-2014, Ward officially changed his alias to Hitmaka, referencing his revamp as a full-time music producer. His first outing under the Hitmaka alias was for Nicki Minaj's third studio album, The Pinkprint, which was released on December 15, 2014. Ward is credited as co-producer on the tracks "Want Some More", "Buy a Heart", and "Shanghai". Later that year, Ward appeared on the first season of the VH1 reality series, Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, a California spinoff of the Love & Hip Hop franchise. The series loosely followed events in his personal life.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140912061138/http://www.vh1.com/celebrities/yung-berg#cast=love-and-hip-hop-hollywood Yung Berg on Love & Hip Hop Hollywood]. Vh1.com. Retrieved on October 11, 2015. On November 9, 2014, it was announced by VH1 that they had fired Ward from Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood, due to him being arrested for allegedly assaulting his fellow castmate and former girlfriend, Masika Kalysha.[https://web.archive.org/web/20141111213231/http://www.mtv.com/news/1991924/yung-berg-love-hip-hop-hollywood-fired/ Yung Berg Fired From 'Love & Hip Hop Hollywood' Following Assault Arrest]. MTV (November 9, 2014). Retrieved on 2015-10-11.[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6312145/yung-berg-fired-from-vh1-love-hip-hop-hollywood-after-assault-arrest Yung Berg Fired From VH1's 'Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood' After Assault Arrest]. Billboard (November 7, 2014). Retrieved on 2015-10-11.

Throughout the five-year span, he focused more on production throughout, producing and composing for Jeremih ("Giv No Fuks", "Worthy" and "I Think of You"), Chris Brown ("Party"), K. Michelle ("Ain't You"), Big Sean ("Bounce Back"), Kid Ink ("Nasty" and "F with U"), Ty Dolla Sign ("Ex" and "Pineapple"), A Boogie wit da Hoodie ("Look Back at It"), Meek Mill ("Dangerous") and 2 Chainz ("Rule the World"). He also produced a single, "Thot Box", featuring A Boogie wit da Hoodie, 2 Chainz, Tyga, YBN Nahmir and Meek Mill.{{Cite web |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |date=2019-09-20 |title=How Hitmaka Went From Hip-Hop Punchline to Rap’s Most Sought After Producer: ‘It’s a Great Time to Be Me’ |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/hitmaka-interview-yung-berg-thotbox-8530545/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}

In August 2019, Ward was given the position of executive vice president of urban A&R at Atlantic Records.{{cn|date=May 2025}} In late 2020, Ward helmed the executive production duties for rapper T.I.'s eleventh album, The L.I.B.R.A., upon its release that October.{{Cite web |last=Devin |title=T.I. Drops New Single 'Pardon' with Lil Baby |url=https://www.rap-up.com/article/2020/10/15/ti-lil-baby-pardon |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Rap-Up}} That same year, he (along with Cardiak) co-produced Trey Songz and Summer Walker's "Back Home", a title track from the former's eighth studio album, Back Home, which charted at number twelve on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Trevor |date=2020-10-23 |title=Trey Songz Scores Third No. 1 on Top R&B Albums With ‘Back Home’ |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/trey-songz-back-home-number-1-rb-albums-chart/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}

On February 11, 2021, Ward released a collaborative album with singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger, 1-(800)-HIT-EAZY, which would be followed two years later by a sequel, Line 2, released on February 16, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Samuels |first=Keithan |date=2023-02-16 |title=Eric Bellinger on New Album '1(800)HIT-EAZY: Line 2' |url=https://ratedrnb.com/2023/02/eric-bellinger-on-new-album-1-800-hit-eazy-line-2-interview/ |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Rated R&B |language=en}}

Throughout 2021, he produced numerous tracks for singer/rapper Tink and collaborated with OG Parker to produce Yung Bleu's single, "Baddest".{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jon |title=Yung Bleu connects with Chris Brown and 2 Chainz for “Baddest” |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2021-06-14/51439/yung-bleu-connects-with-chris-brown-and-2-chainz-for-baddest |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=REVOLT}} That September, he was appointed the vice president of A&R at Empire Distribution. Within this position, he reports to founder Ghazi Shami and president (Chris Brown's former manager) Tina Davis.{{Cite web |last=Saint-Vil |first=Sweenie |title=Hitmaka named Vice President of A&R at EMPIRE |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2021-09-23/108222/hitmaka-named-vice-president-of-ar-at-empire |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=REVOLT}} In October 2022, he won a BET Hip Hop Award for Producer of the Year.{{Cite web |title=The Evolution of Hitmaka |url=https://www.kolormagazine.com/music/hitmaka-yung-berg-interview |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=KOLOR MAGAZINE |language=en-US}}

In 2023, Ward continued producing for various artists including Chloe Bailey ("How Does It Feel"),{{Cite web |last=YKIGS |date=2023-02-27 |title=Chloe Bailey Releases Chris Brown Collaboration "How Does It Feel" - YouKnowIGotSoul.com |url=https://youknowigotsoul.com/chloe-bailey-releases-chris-brown-collaboration-how-does-it-feel |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=YouKnowIGotSoul.com {{!}} New R&B Music, Songs, Podcast, Interviews |language=en-US}} 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne ("Transparency"),{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jon |title=2 Chainz and Lil Wayne bring the vibes on 'Welcome 2 Collegrove' album |url=https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-11-17/338295/check-out-2-chainz-and-lil-waynes-welcome-2-collegrove-album |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=REVOLT}} Chris Brown ("Angel Numbers / Ten Toes") and in 2025, Bow Wow ("Use Me").{{Cite web |title=Bow Wow Makes a Vibrant Return to Music with “Use Me” Featuring Chris Brown |url=https://www.vinylmeplease.com/blogs/music-industry-news/bow-wow-makes-a-vibrant-return-to-music-with-use-me-featuring-chris-brown?srsltid=AfmBOoqhZBwHgBp3npidfZJNZKO89Mr4Qwx-1ISBD6nE9kGzXDCffUfn |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=Vinyl Me, Please |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=BOW WOW AND CHRIS BROWN REUNITE FOR A CERTIFIED SUMMER ANTHEM WITH "USE ME" |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bow-wow-and-chris-brown-reunite-for-a-certified-summer-anthem-with-use-me-302413936.html |access-date=2025-05-24 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}

In October 2015, Ward was ordered to pay $100,000 in back child support for his child with Brandy Flint. The ruling was part of a default judgement after he failed to appear in an Illinois court to respond to charges.[https://www.bet.com/article/kpjgzg/yung-berg-hit-with-title00-000-child-support-bill Yung Berg Hit With $100,000 Child Support Bill, October 22, 2015]. Bet.com, Retrieved March 24, 2020. In December 2017, Ward was considered a delinquent parent by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, which has published information on Ward's failure to pay child support. At the time, Ward's amount owed in past-due child support is $104,962 for one child.{{cite web|url=https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/ChildSupport/delinquent/SitePages/DelinquentParent.aspx?ItemID=210|title=Delinquent Parent|website=Illinois.gov|access-date=2017-12-25|archive-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616232916/https://www.illinois.gov/hfs/ChildSupport/delinquent/SitePages/DelinquentParent.aspx?ItemID=210|url-status=dead}}

On August 23, 2008, it was reported that Ward had been ambushed in a robbery, which his signature "Transformers chain" was stolen. On December 16, 2011, Ward explained the altercation, saying "I was like 30 deep, I went in the club and I went to the back because I had the number one record at the time".{{cite web | url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.17989/title.yung-berg-explains-trick-trick-maino-altercations | title=Yung Berg Explains Trick Trick & Maino Altercations | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales | website=HipHopDX | date=December 16, 2011 | access-date=2015-10-11}} Ward later claimed that the chain was not important to him.Langhorne, Cyrus (October 4, 2010) [https://web.archive.org/web/20140130005107/http://www.sohh.com/2010/10/yung_berg_addresses_getting_robbed_for_b.html Yung Berg Breaks Silence On Batman Chain Jacking]. sohh.com

On March 20, 2011, during an interview, Ward announced that he was done with wearing flashy jewelry stating,

{{Blockquote|text=On some real shit back in the day when I was buying those big ass chains and shit, I felt like that was a part of me being Yung Berg. But me growing up and being Christian, being Mr. Ward, and who I really I am, I toned down. I'm not going to be with the big gaudy chains because people would look and they would say 'Well, this nigga still ain't learn his lesson.' I learned my lesson. I'm going to have jewelry but it's going to be more upscale and common. It's not going to be catching just the nigga eye.[http://www.sohh.com/2011/03/yung_berg_abandons_flashy_jewelry_i_lear.html Yung Berg Abandons Flashy Jewelry, "I Learned My Lesson" – For The Best In Hip-Hop News]. SOHH.com (2011-03-20). Retrieved on 2015-10-11.|author=|title=|source=}}

{{Main|Hitmaka discography}}

• Look What You Made Me (as Yung Berg) (2008)

• 1-800-HIT-EAZY (with Eric Bellinger) (2021)
• 1-800-HIT-EAZY: Line 2 (with Eric Bellinger) (2023)

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{YouTube|u=therealyungberg|Yung Berg}}
• [https://myspace.com/YungBerg Yung Berg] on Myspace

{{Yung Berg}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hitmaka}}

Category:1985 births

Category:Living people

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:African-American record producers

Category:American hip-hop record producers

Category:Chicago Vocational High School alumni

Category:MNRK Music Group artists

Category:Epic Records artists

Category:Pop rappers

Category:Rappers from Chicago

Category:Songwriters from Illinois

Category:American dance musicians

Category:Participants in American reality television series

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:Record producers from Illinois

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:American music industry executives

Category:American trap musicians

Category:African-American songwriters

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:20th-century African-American people

Category:American male songwriters