J. White Did It

Last updated

J. White Did It
Birth nameAnthony Jermaine White [1]
Also known asJ. White
Born (1984-12-17) December 17, 1984 (age 39)
Leavenworth, Kansas, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • disc jockey
Instruments
Years active2005–present
Labels Kobalt

Anthony Jermaine White (born December 17, 1984), known professionally as J. White Did It, is an American record producer, songwriter, and DJ from Blytheville, Arkansas. White has produced three Billboard Hot 100-number one singles: "Bodak Yellow" (2017) and "I Like It" (2018) both for Cardi B, as well as "Savage Remix" (2020) for Megan Thee Stallion. The latter won a Grammy Award, along with his 2018 production, "A Lot" by 21 Savage. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life

White was born on December 17, 1984, in Blytheville, Arkansas. He grew up in the cities of Kansas City and Leavenworth in Kansas. [5] His father was a church singer and played guitar, his mother was also a church singer, his grandmother and uncle played drums. "At 15, I knew I couldn't play football. I was like, 'Oh, I'm not that good. I'm not that tall. I'm fast, but I'm not that fast. Really skinny,'" he said. [1] He started making beats at the age of 16. [5] At age 17, his uncle brought him his first keyboard, "Honestly, I thought when I got that keyboard that I was gonna be rich the next year. It's fixing to be a breeze. Literally, it wasn't." [1] He graduated from Leavenworth High School. [5]

Career

In 2005, White moved to New York City where he started learning how to produce records. [5] There, he met Klenord "Shaft" Raphael, a producer who later went on to become his mentor and manager, who taught him how to sample songs. [6] That summer, he moved back home to Kansas City, and, for the next ten years, worked as a janitor, a DJ, and a producer around the cities of Kansas, Dallas, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. During this period of time, he produced beats for several artists including Stevie Stone, Krizz Kaliko, Eric Bellinger, and Lyrica Anderson, but his music career wasn't taking off. [6] He told The Kansas City Star that he wasn't getting credit on a lot of records he produced at the time. [5]

In 2016, his manager Shaft invited him to his house in New York to ask him for beats. There, he met with Bronx rapper Cardi B, one of Shaft's other clients. "I began to work with her and I believed in what she believed in. We just all became one big happy family, and marched on to the promised land," he said. Their first collaboration was for 2016 promotional single "What a Girl Likes", followed by a number of songs from Cardi B's second mixtape, Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2 (2017), including the Offset-assisted single "Lick". [6] [7]

In 2017, White produced Cardi B's major-label debut single "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)". [2] The song topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for three consecutive weeks, becoming the first song produced by him to achieve this spot. [8] It also won Single of the Year at the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards [9] and Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Song at the 2018 American Music Awards. [10] In September of that year, he signed a deal with rights management and publishing company Kobalt Music Group. [5]

In 2018, he produced "I Like It", another single by Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin. The song also topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming his second number one. [11] Billboard staff, Los Angeles Times , and Apple Music's editorial selection ranked it as the best song of the year. [12] It was nominated for Record of the Year at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. [13]

White executive produced Iggy Azalea's second studio album In My Defense (2019), [14] including its lead single "Sally Walker". The song peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100. [15] He also produced the tracks "Started" and "Freak of the Weak". [16]

J White is managed by Lucas Keller, Nic Warner and Chad Wes at Milk & Honey, and published by Sony Music Publishing for the world. [17] [18]

Grammy Awards

YearWorkCategoryResultRef.
2018 "Bodak Yellow" (Cardi B) Best Rap Song Nominated
[4]
2019 "I Like It" (Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin) Record of the Year Nominated
2020 "A Lot" (21 Savage feat. J. Cole)Best Rap SongWon
2021 "Savage (Remix)" (Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé)Record of the YearNominated
Best Rap SongWon

Personal life

White's mother was murdered on January 28, 2015, due to domestic violence, leading to what he recalls as "one of the lowest years of [his] life." [6] [7] He told The Kansas City Star that in 2016, "I was in a bad place. Everything felt like it was falling down on me. [...] My relationship with the mother of my kids was bad, I was broke. [...] The industry wasn't giving me any chances. I was just wanting to give up on everything: producing, life, all of that." [5] He had attempted suicide twice that year. [6]

Artistry

White claimed that he lets his beats and melodies come to him naturally: "I just let the spirit guide me, I just go with the flow, man. So if I feel like playing piano first or lighting some candles or doing jumping jacks, I do that. There can be no set rule for me making music". [6] He believes hip hop records should come naturally and quickly: "I don't really believe in spending a lot of time [on hip hop records]," he told DJ Booth, adding, "If the energy is there and it hits you, it will hit you automatically. It doesn't take long to create great energy." He admitted that he created the beat for Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" in 15 minutes only. [2] Similar to Mike Will Made It, White makes it known with his full moniker "J. White Did It" that he's responsible for the beat. [2] "I was like 'Oh, OK. My name is, like, everybody's name.' So I put the 'Did It' on to just be... If I didn't do it, I don't know who did." [1] His producer tagline, "J. White, I need a beat, I can go off on (Ooh)," drops at the beginning of his songs. [19]

Production discography

Charted songs

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US US
R&B/HH
AUS CAN IRE NZ UK
"Bodak Yellow"
(Cardi B)
201711336512424 Invasion of Privacy
"Money Bag"
(Cardi B)
2018583284
"I Like It"
(Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin)
111421078
"Money"
(Cardi B)
1376530353635Non-Album Single
"A Lot"
(21 Savage featuring J. Cole)
20191256121252629 I Am > I Was
"Sally Walker"
(Iggy Azalea)
6230567082 In My Defense
"Started"
(Iggy Azalea)
1207376
"Savage"
(Megan Thee Stallion either solo or remix featuring Beyoncé)
20201149323 Suga
"What It Is (Block Boy)"
(Doechii)
202429831951369Non-album single

Production credits

Adapted from White's official SoundCloud page and Genius.com. [20] [21]

Artist(s)YearAlbumSong(s)
Gena2011Non-album song
Ron Artest Go Loco
Six D2012Non-album song
  • 00. "2 Seconds"
T'Melle Non-album song
B-Hamp Non-album song
  • 00. "Go to Work"
Assata Jones2013Non-album song
  • 00. "Dance on Me (Dirty)" (featuring Tink)
T'MelleThe Interview
  • 09. "Baby"
Stevie Stone 2 Birds 1 Stone
  • 03. "Get Out My Face" (featuring Krizz Kaliko)
  • 11. "Boomerang" (featuring Krizz Kaliko)
  • 13. "She Go"
  • 14. "Let It Beat"
Krizz Kaliko Son of Sam
  • 06. "Girls Like That" (featuring Bizzy)
  • 12. "Night Time"
Lyrica Anderson 2014King Me 2
Eric Bellinger Choose Up Season
Troy NōkaGotta Rep the Town
  • 03. "Let It All Workout"
  • 05. "Slow It Down"
Bobby V 2015Non-album song
  • 00. "Bad Habit" (with Pleasure P and Ray J)
Stevie Stone Malta Bend
  • 11. "Get Fucked Up"
  • 13. "Wait on It" (featuring Ces Cru)
Plies Ain't No Mixtape Bih
  • 12. "Fuck Me"
Fat PimpNon-album song
  • 00. "Uh Oh" (featuring J. White Did It)
Tre WardTooManyNights
  • 05. "Anymore"
Lyrica AndersonHello
  • 01. "Hello"
Eric BellingerCuffing Season, Pt. 2
Krizz Kaliko2016 GO
  • 17. "You See It (Buss It)"
Cardi B Underestimated: The Album
  • 06. "What a Girl Likes"
Cardi B2017 Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2
  • 01. "Bronx Season"
  • 02. "Lick" (featuring Offset)
  • 05. "Leave That Bitch Alone"
Troy NōkaGotta Rep the Town 2
  • 02. "Be Dat"
  • 04. "Flow Crime"
  • 08. "Do It Like Me"
  • 14. "Bars for Dee"
LeToya Luckett Back 2 Life
  • 04. "Used To"
Notty TaylorNon-album song
  • 00. "Died Last Year"
HoodCelebrityy Trap vs. Reggae
  • 05. "Sit Down"
Cardi B2018 Invasion of Privacy
Tinashe Joyride
  • 05. "Ooh La La"
Stefflon Don Secure
  • 10. "Crunch Time"
Messiah El ArtistaNon-album song
  • 00. "Never Let You Go"
Cardi BNon-album song
21 Savage I Am > I Was
Gucci Mane 2019 Delusions of Grandeur
Iggy Azalea In My Defense
Gucci Mane Woptober II
Iggy Azalea Wicked Lips
  • 01. "Lola" (with Alice Chater)
  • 02. "Not Important"
  • 04. "Personal Problem"
Gucci Mane East Atlanta Santa 3
  • 01. "Jingle Bales Intro"
  • 02. "Mr. Wop"
  • 03. "M's On Ice"
  • 04. "Drummer" (featuring Kranium)
  • 07. "Dirty Dancer"
  • 08. "Snow"
  • 15. "12 Days of Christmas"
Megan Thee Stallion 2020 Suga
Flo Milli Ho, Why Is You Here?
  • "Like That B***h" [22]
  • "Weak"
Mulatto Queen of da Souf
Iggy Azalea2021 The End of an Era
  • 06. Iam The Stripclub
Drake & 21 Savage2022 Her Loss
Doechii2024 Non Album Song What it is (Bloc Boy) Feat Kodak Black

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Stereotypes</span> Production team

The Stereotypes are an American music production team, formed in 2003 and composed of Jonathan Yip, Ray Romulus, Jeremy Reeves and Ray Charles McCullough II. In June 2010, they were listed among the "Top 10 Songwriters and Producers to Watch" in Billboard magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iggy Azalea</span> Australian rapper (born 1990)

Amethyst Amelia Kelly, known professionally as Iggy Azalea, is an Australian rapper, songwriter, model and businesswoman. Born in Sydney, Australia, Azalea moved to the United States at the age of 16 in order to pursue a career in music. Azalea earned public recognition after releasing the music videos for her songs "Pussy" and "Two Times" on YouTube. Shortly after releasing those two songs, she released her debut mixtape, Ignorant Art (2011), and subsequently signed a recording contract with American rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle label.

Trap is a subgenre of hip hop music which originated in the Southern United States, with lyrical references to trap starting in 1991 but the modern sound of trap appearing in 1999. The genre gets its name from the Atlanta slang term "trap house", a house used exclusively to sell drugs. Trap music is known for its simple, rhythmic, minimalistic productions that uses synthesized drums, and is characterized by complex hi-hat patterns, snare drums, bass drums, some tuned with a long decay to emit a bass frequency, and lyrical content that often focuses on drug use and urban violence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mustard (record producer)</span> American record producer (born 1990)

Dijon Isaiah McFarlane, known professionally as Mustard, is an American record producer and DJ. A frequent collaborator of fellow California-based artists YG and Ty Dolla Sign, he began his career producing singles and albums for both rappers, and has since done so for other prominent acts in hip hop and R&B. He first saw recognition for his work on Tyga's 2011 single "Rack City".

<i>The New Classic</i> 2014 album by Iggy Azalea

The New Classic is the debut studio album by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. It was released on 21 April 2014 by Def Jam Recordings in a joint venture with Grand Hustle Records. Primarily a hip hop album, The New Classic features elements of EDM, dance-pop and trap in its production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fancy (Iggy Azalea song)</span> 2014 single by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX

"Fancy" is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea featuring British singer Charli XCX, taken from the former's debut studio album, The New Classic (2014). It was released on 17 February 2014 by Def Jam Recordings as the fourth single from the album. "Fancy" was described as an electro-hop, electropop, and pop rap song. It was written by Azalea and XCX, composed and produced by production team the Invisible Men, alongside additional producers the Arcade. It was leaked under the title "Leave It" in December 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Flockin</span> 2015 single by Kodak Black

"No Flockin" is the debut single by American rapper Kodak Black. The song, a rap freestyle over an instrumental of the same name produced by Vinnyx (VinnyxProd), became a sleeper hit eventually peaking at 95 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in January 2017. The song was initially released on July 27, 2014, on Kodak Black's official YouTube account, before being released on iTunes on July 6, 2015, by Dollaz N Dealz Entertainment, Sniper Gang and Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardi B</span> American rapper (born 1992)

Belcalis Marlenis Cephus, known professionally as Cardi B, is an American rapper. Noted for her unfiltered public image and lyrics, Cardi B is one of the most successful female artists in contemporary music. From 2015 to early 2017, she gained recognition on Vine and Instagram, as a cast member on VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York, and by releasing two mixtapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bodak Yellow</span> 2017 single by Cardi B

"Bodak Yellow" (alternatively titled "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)") is the major-label debut single by American rapper Cardi B. It was written alongside Pardison Fontaine, Klenord Raphael, and producers J. White Did It and Laquan Green, with an additional writing credit going to Kodak Black for the interpolation of his song "No Flockin". It was released on June 16, 2017, by Atlantic Records as the lead single from her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cardi B discography</span>

American rapper Cardi B has released one studio album, three mixtapes, 38 singles, and 17 music videos. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she has sold 100 million equivalent units in the United States across albums, singles, and mixtapes, making her the 6th best-selling female digital artist in the country. Her debut album Invasion of Privacy was the best selling female rap album of the 2010s according to The Recording Academy. It also became the most streamed female rap album on Spotify history. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), "Girls Like You" was the 5th best-selling single of 2018 worldwide, selling 11.9 million units that year alone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bartier Cardi</span> 2017 single by Cardi B featuring 21 Savage

"Bartier Cardi" is a song by American rapper Cardi B featuring British-American rapper 21 Savage, from the former's debut studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018). It was released on December 22, 2017, as the second single from the album. The song was written by the two performers and its producers 30 Roc and Cheeze Beatz. Its official music video received a nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards.

<i>Invasion of Privacy</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Cardi B

Invasion of Privacy is the debut studio album by American rapper Cardi B. It was released on April 6, 2018, through Atlantic Records. Originally planned as an EP and primarily a hip hop record, it also includes elements of trap, Latin trap and R&B. It features production from 30 Roc, Andrew Watt, Benny Blanco, Boi-1da, Craig Kallman, Cubeatz, DJ Mustard, Frank Dukes, J. White Did It, Keyz, Murda Beatz, Needlz, Tainy, and Vinylz, among others. The album features guest appearances by Migos, Chance the Rapper, Kehlani, SZA, 21 Savage, J Balvin, Bad Bunny, and YG.

"Money Bag" is a song recorded by American rapper Cardi B for her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy (2018). It was written by Cardi B, Jordan Thorpe, Klenord Raphael, and its producers Laquan Green and J. White Did It. It debuted at number 58 on the US Billboard Hot 100 the week following the album's release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Like It (Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin song)</span> 2018 song by Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin

"I Like It" is a song by American rapper Cardi B, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and Colombian singer J Balvin. It was released on May 25, 2018, to radio stations through Atlantic Records as the fourth single from her debut studio album, Invasion of Privacy (2018). "I Like It" is a Latin trap and hip hop song that comprises a trap drum beat and boogaloo music. It was written by the three performers along with Pardison Fontaine and Klenord Raphael, while the production was handled by J. White Did It, Tainy, Craig Kallman and Invincible. The song contains a sample from "I Like It Like That", replayed by musicians during production, with Tony Pabón, Manny Rodriguez, and Benny Bonnilla being credited as co-writers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Money (Cardi B song)</span> 2018 single by Cardi B

"Money" is a song by American rapper Cardi B. It was released on October 23, 2018, through Atlantic Records. The song was written by Cardi B with its producer J. White Did It. Its music video features Cardi playing characters in different locations, including in an art museum, a bank and a brothel. Cardi performed the song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, alongside the "Money Bag" instrumental. The song and its music video received acclaim and accolades including Best Hip Hop Video at both the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards and the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards and a Rhythm & Bars Award at the 2019 Soul Train Music Awards. "Money" was certified quadruple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sally Walker (song)</span> 2019 song by Iggy Azalea

"Sally Walker" is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. Written alongside producer J. White Did It, it was released on 15 March 2019 as the lead single from her second studio album In My Defense via Bad Dreams Records/Empire Distribution. The music video, directed by Colin Tilley, accompanied its release the same day. The song debuted and peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>In My Defense</i> 2019 studio album by Iggy Azalea

In My Defense is the second studio album by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. It was released independently on 19 July 2019, by Azalea's label Bad Dreams Records and Empire Distribution serving as the follow-up to The New Classic (2014). The album contains features from Lil Yachty, Kash Doll, Juicy J, and Iggy's protégée Stini, with production including J. White Did It, who executive produced the album with handling production on majority of its tracks, as well as with Smash David, Go Grizzly and Rico Beats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Started</span> 2019 single by Iggy Azalea

"Started" is a song recorded by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea for her second studio album In My Defense. The song was written by Azalea alongside Ronny Wright and produced by American record producer J. White Did It. It was released by Bad Dreams and Empire on 3 May 2019 as the second single from the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lola (Iggy Azalea song)</span> 2019 single by Iggy Azalea and Alice Chater

"Lola" is a song by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, released as the lead single from her fifth extended play Wicked Lips (2019). The song is a collaboration with British singer Alice Chater, and is included in her 2020 extended play Aries. It was released by Bad Dreams Records and Empire Distribution on 8 November 2019. The song contains a sample of "Mambo Italiano".

<i>The End of an Era</i> 2021 studio album by Iggy Azalea

The End of an Era is the third and final studio album by Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. It was released independently on 13 August 2021 through Azalea's label Bad Dreams Records and Empire Distribution, with the deluxe edition following on 17 September 2021. Taking inspiration from the end of her 20s for the title, Azalea stated that she wanted the album to be a "time capsule" of that decade of her life. The End of an Era includes guest appearances from Bia, Sophia Scott and Ellise on the standard edition, while Alice Chater and Tyga are featured on the deluxe edition. Production was handled by Azalea's frequent collaborator J. White Did It and several others. It was preceded by three singles: "Sip It", "Brazil" and "Iam the Stripclub".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Burkes, Dawn M. (November 17, 2017). "How Mesquite producer J. White helped Cardi B's 'Bodak Yellow' top the charts". Guide Live. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Malone, Chris (September 27, 2017). "8 Things to Know About 'Bodak Yellow' Producer J. White". Billboard . Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  3. "The Making of 21 Savage and J. Cole's "A Lot": From a Spotify Song Camp to the Grammys". Complex Networks .
  4. 1 2 "J. White Did It". Grammy.com. The Recording Academy . Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Randle, Aaron (September 26, 2017). "Meet the KC guy who helped rapper Cardi B dethrone Taylor Swift, make music history". The Kansas City Star . Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Malone, Chris (November 23, 2018). "White, 'Yellow,' And Green: Cardi B's Longtime Collaborator J. White On Success & Struggle". Forbes . Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  7. 1 2 Robertson, Darryl (January 29, 2018). "Interview: "Bodak Yellow" Producer J. White Opens Up About Suicide Attempts, Celebrates Grammy Nomination". Variety. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  8. Trust, Gary (September 25, 2017). "Cardi B 'Moves' to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 With 'Bodak Yellow,' Post Malone Debuts at No. 2 With 'Rockstar'". Billboard. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  9. "Cardi B Performs". XXL . October 11, 2017. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  10. Lewis, Hilary (September 12, 2018). "American Music Awards: Drake, Cardi B Lead 2018 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  11. Trust, Gary (July 2, 2018). "Cardi B Becomes First Female Rapper With Two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, as 'I Like It', With Bad Bunny & J Balvin, Follows 'Bodak Yellow' to the Top". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  12. Aswad, Jem (December 3, 2018). "Apple Music Unveils Its Top 100 Songs and Albums for 2018". Variety . Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  13. "2019 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominations List". The Recording Academy. December 7, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  14. @IGGYAZALEA (February 27, 2019). "he executive produced the entire project!" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  15. "Iggy Azalea Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  16. Mastrogiannis, Nicole (April 11, 2019). "Iggy Azalea Talks "Sally Walker," Teases Songs on New Album 'In My Defense'". iHeart Radio . Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  17. "Hitmaker J White Did It Signs with Milk & Honey Management". September 9, 2020.
  18. "Sony Music Publishing Signs J. White Did It to Global Deal" (Press release).
  19. "Iggy Azalea - Sally Walker Lyrics". Genius. March 15, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  20. "Jwhite DID IT". SoundCloud . Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  21. "J. White Did It Lyrics, Songs, and Albums". Genius. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  22. Powell, Jon (July 10, 2020). "Flo Milli delivers new video for "Like That B***h"". Revolt . Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.