Hitmaka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hitmaka
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Ward in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christian J. Ward |
| Also known as |
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| Born | September 9, 1985 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Years active | As a rapper: 2001–2010 As a songwriter/producer: 2010–present |
| Labels | |
| Children | 3 |
Christian J. Ward (born September 9, 1985), known professionally as Hitmaka, is an American record producer and former rapper. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Ward initially secured a record deal with American rapper DMX's vanity label Bloodline Records, under the stage name Iceberg. Ward would later sign with Epic Records, where he gained major recognition rapping as Yung Berg. His debut album Look What You Made Me (2008) included the hit songs "The Business", which reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In his later career, he ditched recording and began a prolific career as a record producer and executive in the music industry. In 2020, he was appointed as the vice president of A&R at Atlantic Records.
Contents
Career
2001–2005: Career beginnings
In 2001, Ward signed to rapper DMX's Bloodline Records. He made his debut on the soundtrack to Exit Wounds on the song "Dog 4 Life" as Iceberg. However, his parents sent him to a military boarding school in Montana in 2001. He moved to Los Angeles, California, after finishing school in 2003. In 2005, Ward worked as a hype man and recording assistant for Disturbing tha Peace member and Chicago rapper Shawnna.
2007–present
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In December 2007, Ward released his debut album Look What You Made Me. The single was "Do That There" (featuring Dude 'n Nem), followed by "The Business" (featuring Casha), which peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. Look What You Made Me would chart at number 20 on the Billboard 200 and at number 2 on the Top Rap Albums chart.
On March 25, 2008, Ward released his single entitled "Do That There", which was a direct diss towards fellow rapper Bow Wow. However, during an interview in early 2009, Ward stated that the two had settled their differences.
In December 2008, Ward began casting "exceptionally stand out beautiful dark skin/brown skin women to showcase beauty of all races" for a potential dating reality show that he would host. However, as evidenced by the trailer for his new television series, titled Back to Business, it will not be a dating show, but the reality show was never released as planned. In 2009, Ward formed The Dream Team production group with his older brother K-Young and producer Rob Holladay. In 2012, Ward also co-wrote and co-produced for Nicki Minaj's album The Pinkprint on the tracks "Want Some More", "Buy a Heart", and "Shanghai".
In 2014, Ward would appear in the first season of the VH1 series Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood. The series loosely follows events in his and fellow castmate, Hazel E's personal lives. On November 9, 2014, it was announced by VH1 that they had fired Ward from Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood due to arrest for allegedly assaulting his fellow castmate and girlfriend Masika Kalysha.
In 2020, Ward helmed the executive producer duties for rapper T.I.'s new album The L.I.B.R.A..
Personal life
Robbery victim
On August 23, 2008, it was reported and confirmed that Ward had been ambushed by Detroit rapper Trick Trick and his entourage in his club and had his signature "Transformers chain" taken. But on August 26, 2008, Trick Trick denied having anything to do with the altercation, and claimed to have saved Ward from the altercation. On December 16, 2011, Ward explained the altercation by stating he didn't want to go to Trick Trick's club since a member of his entourage had a problem with him, but somehow ended up there. On October 5, 2010, British rapper Rowdy T announced that he had taken Ward's "Batman chain" and called him a snitch for reporting it to police, but during an interview, Ward announced that he had done no such thing, and the chain wasn't anything important to him.
On March 20, 2011, during an interview, Ward announced that he was done with wearing flashy jewelry.
Discography
- Look What You Made Me (2008)
- 1-800-HIT-EAZY (with Eric Bellinger) (2021)
- Big Tuh (2021)
Filmography
Television
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood | Himself |
See also
In Spanish: Hitmaka para niños
