Sonny Digital

Sonny Digital
Birth name Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke[1]
Born (1991-03-05) March 5, 1991
Saginaw, Michigan, United States
Origin Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
Years active 2010–Present
Labels
Associated acts
Website sonnydigital.us

Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke (born March 5, 1991),[2] professionally known as Sonny Digital, is an American record producer, rapper and DJ from Atlanta, Georgia,[3] who rose to prominence after producing YC's hit single "Racks" in 2011. He is best known for his production on ILoveMakonnen's "I Dont Sell Molly No More" and "Tuesday" featuring Drake, Future's single "Same Damn Time", and 2 Chainz's "Birthday Song" featuring Kanye West.

Calvin Stovall of BET called Sonny "one of the game's hottest young producers" and stated that he is "leading a renaissance of young beat makers," such as Hit-Boy and Jahlil Beats.[4] The young producer has worked with a lot of major hip-hop artists such as: Future, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Kanye West, 50 Cent, Rick Ross, Juicy J, Waka Flocka Flame, Wiz Khalifa, French Montana, Mistah F.A.B., Trae, Ca$h Out, Gorilla Zoe, Roscoe Dash, Wale, Ace Hood, Kirko Bangz, Mac Miller, Travis Porter and Chief Keef.[5][6]

He is also a frequent collaborator with label-mates such as 808 Mafia's Southside and TM88.[7]

In 2011, Sonny created his own label Sonny Digital Music Group. Currently, he is the only artist signed to the label. He is also signed as a producer to Universal Publishing.[5]

Music career

Career beginnings

Sonny was born on March 5, 1991 in Saginaw, Michigan, but was raised in Atlanta.[3] He has been involved in making music since an early age. At first he started rapping while at school, but found it hard to get instrumentals to rap over. When he was 13, he got influenced by his older cousin to start making beats. Aside from school, Sonny didn't have other hobbies like playing sports or video games, so he dedicated a large amount of his free time to creating music. Sonny was inspired by famous producers Shawty Redd and Drumma Boy and initially tried to copy their sound while learning to make beats. Eventually his production transformed into his own style.[8]

When he was 16, he joined a hip-hop group as a producer and was also producing mixtapes for other local artists. By that time, he realized he could take making music seriously and make it into his career. Sonny quietly waited for his big break while building up a name for himself as a talented upcoming producer. That break came a few years later when rapper YC used one of his beats for the single "Racks", which went to become a national hit, peaking at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100[9] and being certified Gold by RIAA. The song was also featured in the Billboard 2011 Year-end Rap songs and R&B/Hip-hop songs charts.[10][11] Sonny recalls initially sending the beat for "Racks" to a few well-known rappers, who passed on it.[12] Brendan Klinkenberg from Complex Music wrote the real reason for the song's success was not YC's performance but Sonny's catchy beat.[13] "Racks" helped to boost the careers of Sonny Digital and YC, as well as rapper Future, who was also featured on the track. Sonny and Future became frequent collaborators and have since worked on a number of songs together.

Present

Sonny released his first official mixtape Digital History on May 9, 2011. The tape, hosted by DJ 1Hunnit, is a collection of songs Sonny had produced between 2010 and 2011. It features many upcoming rappers, as well as known artists, such as Plies, Wale, 2 Chainz and Future. It has been viewed over 70,000 times on LiveMixtapes.[14]

Sonny produced 6 songs on Gorilla Zoe's album King Kong released in June. Sonny's second mixtape Behind the Muzik was released on September 8, 2011. It is a collaboration with fellow producer Will A Fool, where each produced half of the songs.[15]

In late 2011, Sonny produced Future's hit single "Same Damn Time", which was initially featured on Future's mixtape Streetz Calling. Following the song's success, in 2012 Future released a new version of "Same Damn Time" as the third official single from his debut album Pluto. It peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100.[16] A music video for the single was released on April 4, 2012 and has since been viewed nearly 5 million times on YouTube. Sonny Digital also produced the official remix of "Same Damn Time" featuring rappers Diddy and Ludacris, which was released on May 17, 2012. The remix was featured on Future's re-release of Pluto, titled Pluto 3D.[17]

In March 2012, Sonny produced Gorilla Zoe's mixtape Gorilla Zoe World. The tape was certified bronze for being downloaded over 25,000 times on popular mixtape site DatPiff.[18] In early 2012 Sonny also worked on Gucci Mane's mixtapes Trap Back and I'm Up. On June 8, 2012, Sonny Digital released his debut rap single, "Business Man", featuring rapper Que. The song was produced by BWheezy.[19][20]

Sonny co-produced 2 Chainz' single "Birthday Song", which was released on July 24, 2012. Sonny created the original beat, which was later modified by a number of GOOD Music producers – Kanye West, BWheezy, Anthony Kilhoffer, Lifted and Mike Dean.[21][22] The single peaked at number 49 on the US Hot 100, and also entered top 10 of the R&B and Rap charts. The official music video was released on August 30, 2012, and became a viral success, gaining over 30 million views on YouTube. Sonny stated he always wanted to work with West and "Birthday Song" is his proudest production to date.[23]

Later in 2012, Sonny produced the track "Don’t Get Me Started", which was featured on the deluxe version of DJ Khaled's album Kiss the Ring, as well as on Ace Hood's mixtape Body Bag 2. The official video for the promo single was released on August 17, 2012 on Ace Hood's YouTube channel. Sonny was featured on Jo FloWroshus' single "Attention" from his 900° album. In an interview with BET Sonny stated he was working with artists B.o.B, Ace Hood and Wiz Khalifa, and making a new mixtape with fellow producer Drumma Boy.[24] He also wants to work with a famous pop singer like Justin Bieber.[25]

In March 2013, Sonny released a collaboration mixtape with rapper Que, titled Forbes Atlanta.[26]

Production style and inspiration

Sonny uses the music production software FL Studio[5] along with custom plug-ins to make his beats. He usually produces upbeat club songs which are distinguished by their hard-hitting sound and the use of heavy basslines, 808 kicks and sped up hi-hats. Sonny has recently been producing more trap style beats, as was evident in the 21 Savage mixtape "Free Guwop".

Sonny seeks inspiration in listening to other producers' tracks, music in general and watching movies. He is a fan of producers Shawty Redd and Drumma Boy. His favorite albums are Drake's Take Care, Rick Ross' Teflon Don and Young Jeezy's Thug Motivation 101.[23]

Discography (as lead artist)

EPs

Mixtapes

Singles

Production discography

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Certifications Album
US
 US R&B
 US Rap
2010 "What's Goin' On" (Gorilla Zoe)[28] — 99 — King Kong
2011 "Racks" (YC feat. Future) 42 8 6 Rack Nation
2012 "Same Damn Time" (Future) 92 12 16 Pluto
"Birthday Song" (2 Chainz feat. Kanye West) 47 10 8
  • RIAA: Gold
 Based on a T.R.U. Story
2014
"Covered N Money" (Future) — — — Honest
"Say That Shit" (Tory Lanez) — — — N/A
"Tuesday" (ILoveMakonnen feat. Drake) 12 2 —
  • RIAA: Platinum
 ILoveMakonnen
2015 "Alone" (PnB Rock) — — — RNB 3
"Tweaker" (Chief Keef) — — — BFTD3
"BIH" (Chief Keef) — — —
2016 "Red Opps" (21 Savage) — — — Free Guwop

Other songs

2011

Gorilla Zoe - King Kong

Wiz Khalifa - Cabin Fever

YC - Racks (CDS)

Juicy J - Rubba Band Business 2

Roscoe Dash - J.U.I.C.E.

Kevin Gates - "Drug Dealer Potential"

Ace Hood - Blood, Sweat & Tears

Wale – The Eleven One Eleven Theory

Juicy J - Blue Dream & Lean[30]

Future - Streetz Calling

Yung Joc - Ready To Fly

2 Chainz - UNKNOWN

Kid Ink – Wheels Up[31]

Ilovemakkonnen side by side

2012

Jody Breeze - Airplane Mode[32]

Future – Astronaut Status

Gorilla Zoe - Gorilla Zoe World

Gucci Mane - Trap Back

SPOT – The Price Iz Right

Gucci Mane - I'm Up

Future - Pluto

Young Lace – Above Average[33]

Juicy J – Blue Dream & Lean (Bonus Tracks)

Chevy Woods – Gang Land

Waka Flocka Flame - Triple F Life

Jackie Chain – Bruce Lean Chronicles

2 Chainz - Based on a T.R.U. Story

DJ Khaled - Kiss the Ring

Ace Hood - Body Bag 2

Trae Tha Truth - Tha Blackprint

Diamond – The Young Life[34]

Rocko – Wordplay

Roscoe Dash - Roscoe 2.0

Reese – Reese Vs. The World 2

B.o.B - Fuck 'Em We Ball[35]

Young Lace - Bipolar

Future - Pluto 3D

Frank Whyte - 1728

2013

Sonny Digital & Que - Forbes Atlanta

Beyoncé - TBA

Chief Keef - Bang Pt. 2

Ace Hood - Trials & Tribulations

2014

Young Money - Young Money: Rise of an Empire

Wiz Khalifa - 28 Grams

Wiz Khalifa - Blacc Hollywood

B.o.B - No Genre Pt. 2

ILoveMakonnen – ILoveMakonnen

2015

Kourtney Money - The Return Of Money (Zone 6 Edition)[36]

Future - DS2

Travi$ Scott - Rodeo

Juicy J - 100% Juice

Chief Keef - Finally Rollin 2

Chief Keef - Back From The Dead 3/Cabinet Fever

Wiz Khalifa - Cabin Fever 3

50 Cent - The Kanan Tape

Juicy J - OS To Oscar

Migos & Rich The Kid - Streets on Lock 4

Young Buck - 10 Pints

YFN Lucci - Wish Me Well

Pnb Rock - RNB 3 : Philadelphia

Young Thug - Slime Season

Jeezy - Gangsta Party

Que - I Am Que

Lil Uzi Vert - Luv is Rage

Ty Dolla Sign - Airplane Mode

Que - Lost Dawg

Key! - Screaming Dreams : The Prelude

21 Savage - Free Guwop

21 Savage - Slaughter King

SD - Just The Beginning

Ace Hood - Starvation 4

Key!

Zuse - Trap Zuse

OJ Juiceman - 6 Rings 3

Lil Uzi Vert - The Wraith, The Uzi Vert

Jeezy - CITS

2016

Landstrip Chip - Cruising Control

G.O.A.T

Meek Mill - DC4

References

  1. ↑ Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke Credits AllMusic.com, Rovi Inc.
  2. ↑ Sonny Digital VK.com
  3. 1 2 HHW exclusive: behind the beats with Sonny Digital Hip Hop Weekly
  4. ↑ Sonny Digital: Youngest in Charge BET.com
  5. 1 2 3 Behind The Boards: Sonny Digital The Source
  6. ↑ Sonny Digital Discogs.com
  7. ↑ South Side, TM88, & Sonny Digital Studio Session YouTube - 808 Mafia TV
  8. ↑ Sonny Digital Shares Conversations With Kanye West, Working With Wiz Khalifa, DJ Khaled The Boombox
  9. ↑ "YC Album & Song Chart History" Billboard
  10. ↑ "2011 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" Billboard
  11. ↑ "2011 Year End Charts – Rap Songs" Billboard
  12. ↑ YC's 'Racks' Producer Sonny Digital Talks Collabo MTV
  13. ↑ 15 New Producers To Watch Out For > Sonny Digital Complex
  14. ↑ Mixtapes › DJs › DJ 1Hunnit › Sonny Digital - Digital History LiveMixtapes.com
  15. ↑ Mixtapes › DJs › DJ Iceberg, DJ Pretty Boy Tank › Sonny Digital x Will A Fool - Behind The Music LiveMixtapes.com
  16. ↑ Future > Chart History Billboard
  17. ↑ Future Set To Re-Release 'Pluto 3d' With New Songs Vibe
  18. ↑ Gorilla Zoe - Gorilla Zoe World DatPiff.com
  19. ↑ Business Man Album Version Amazon
  20. ↑ Producer @SonnyDigital Releases New Single ‘Business Man’ ThatRetailChick
  21. ↑ Sonny Digital Explains Origins of 2 Chainz and Kanye West's "Birthday Song" XXL Magazine
  22. ↑ 2 Chainz - Based On A T.R.U. Story SweetPotion.com
  23. 1 2 10 Questions: Sonny Digital BMI, Broadcast Music, Inc.
  24. ↑ Producer Sonny Digital Praises Kanye's Helping Hand BET.com
  25. ↑ Inside the World of Sonny Digital Full Blast Magazine
  26. ↑ "Sonny Digital & Que - Forbes Atlanta". LiveMixtapes. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  27. ↑ Smith, Trevor (October 1, 2016). "Sonny Digital releases G.O.A.T.". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved October 1, 2016.
  28. ↑ Gorilla Zoe Album & Song Chart History Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
  29. ↑ Wale The Eleven One Eleven Theory > Tracklist HipHopDX.com
  30. ↑ Juicy J - Blue Dream & Lean LiveMixtapes.com
  31. ↑ Kid Ink – Wheels Up DatPiff
  32. ↑ "Jody Breeze - Airplane Mode". Livemixtapes. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  33. ↑ DJ Mustard › Young Lace - Above Average LiveMixtapes.com
  34. ↑ Diamond – The Young Life [Mixtape] OnSmash
  35. ↑ B.o.B Fuck Em We Ball DatPiff, retrieved Nov 16, 2012
  36. ↑ "Kourtney Money - The Return Of Money (Zone 6 Edition)". Livemixtapes. 2015-02-20. Retrieved 4 March 2015.

External links

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