Mike WiLL talks producing records for Gucci Mane, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, and 50 Cent with XXL

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Many stars were introduced in 2011. The names who stick out are the number of rappers who gained exposure, but there were several producers who also gained prominence. Mike WiLL is among the producers who made a name for himself in 2011. In 2012, Mike WiLL hopes to continue producing records for many of the biggest names in the hip hop game.

Already, Mike WiLL has produced records for Future, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, 50 Cent, and Ludacris. Mike WiLL was responsible for Maybach Music’s summer hit, “Tupac Back,” which featured verses from Meek Mill and a hook from Rick Ross. While “Tupac Back” was his breakout record, Mike WiLL’s first record came before this single.

Since he was fourteen, Mike WiLL has been making beats, but he has been seriously crafting songs since he was nineteen years old. Now, at age twenty-two, Mike WiLL has some notable artists on his resume. Unlike other people who entered the music industry, basketball inspired Mike WiLL to produce. A friend on his high school basketball team rapped and Mike WiLL loved his flow and began mixing industry beats for him.

Friends saw how talented Mike WiLL was and they told him he should become a serious producer. After buying the proper equipment and mixing more industry beats, Mike WiLL began making his own beats. Gucci Mane was the first rapper to actually rap over a Mike WiLL beat and he promised him he would credit him for the beat, thus taking his career to the next level. Mike WiLL said there was no turning back from that point on.

Despite the co-sign from Gucci Mane, Mike WiLL was still a relative unknown, so he had to continue pushing his project, himself. After hearing the “Lose My Mind” single by Young Jeezy, Mike WiLL was highly interested in producing a beat for him. However, with no connections, WiLL had to find a way to run into Jeezy. One night, Mike WiLL was at Magic City with his friend, DJ Esco, when Young Jeezy entered the club. When the popular rapper entered the club, DJ Esco shouted Mike WiLL out and began playing his tracks.

After his tracks began playing, Young Jeezy’s manager approached Mike WiLL and told him he wanted him to be on TM103. Mike WiLL quickly agreed and he exchanged numbers with Young Jeezy’s camp. When Mike WiLL finally hit the studio with Young Jeezy, there was instant chemistry. The duo created several songs, among them “Sittin’ Low” and “Nicks 2 Bricks,” which appeared on The Real is Back 2, a mixtape released by Young Jeezy, as fans waited on his album.

Mike WiLL had established a strong relationship with Young Jeezy, but when the track listing was revealed for his album, Mike WiLL was nowhere to be found. With the release date approaching, Young Jeezy’s manager again reached out to Mike WiLL, looking for a club banger. At the time, WiLL was a little upset with the way things turned out, but he gave Young Jeezy what would become “Way Too Gone.” Jeezy already had the beat and made a song to it. Doubting Jeezy would use the beat, he also gave it to Future, who put a verse on the song, and it eventually made the album.

The turning point for Mike WiLL came when he produced “Tupac Back,” Maybach Music’s song featuring Meek Mill and Rick Ross. After producing one of 2011’s biggest hits, Mike WiLL produced Future’s “Ain’t No Way Around It,” along with Ludacris and Big K.R.I.T.’s “I’m on Fire.” Along with producing “Itchin'” and the success of the “Tupac Back” single through freestyles, Mike WiLL established himself as one of the breakout stars of 2011. Eventually, Mike WiLL met 50 Cent, as he was in the studio with Jeremih, working on the “Girls Gone Wild” song, which was heard by 50 Cent, who wanted to rap on the track. 50 Cent’s team reached out to Mike WiLL and the single was released.

The response of “Girls Gone Wild,” along with the other Mike WiLL tracks propelled him into a star and now he is working on keeping the flow going in 2012. His plans include branching out into R&B and pop. Also, Mike WiLL is preparing to submit his music for commercials and movies in order to expand his Ear-Drummers Entertainment company.