Jay Versace | |
---|---|
Birth name | Jahlil Gunter |
Born | January 24, 1998 |
Origin | Pleasantville, New Jersey, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation | Record producer |
Years active | 2014–present |
Jahlil Gunter [3] (born January 24, 1998), [4] known professionally as Jay Versace, is an American record producer and former Internet personality. [5] [6] He began posting comedy videos onto Vine as a teenager, and amassed over three million followers on the platform [7] [8] [9] before shifting focus onto a career in music production in 2018. [1] [10] He has since been credited on the Billboard 200-number one albums SOS (2022) by SZA [2] and Call Me If You Get Lost (2021) by Tyler, the Creator—both of which also won Grammy Awards. [11] His other work includes songs for Doja Cat, Lil Yachty, Boldy James, and Westside Gunn. [3]
Versace is from Pleasantville, New Jersey. [12] [13] His moniker was inspired by a Vine video in which American rapper Riff Raff feeds his dog "Versace water from the fountain of life". [9]
In 2014, Versace began making comedic videos onto the video-sharing platform Vine, usually involving reenactments of certain scenarios involving his family members, friends, and entertainers. [9] His work was also noted to involve the amplification of the spirituality, creativity, and mental health of black people. [1] [14] He relocated to Los Angeles in 2016 at the age of 18. [7] He was nominated for Viner of the Year at the 8th Shorty Awards. [15] Versace had amassed over three million followers and two billion total views on Vine before the platform was discontinued in January 2017. [7] [5] Thereafter, he turned to other social media platforms, amassing 2 million followers on Instagram and 500,000 subscribers on YouTube. [8] He also starred alongside American actors Danielle Campbell and Nathan Kress in his own Fullscreen web series, Jay Versace is Stuck in the 90s, [16] which was nominated for Best Web Series at the 10th Shorty Awards. [17] Versace signed a representation contract with United Talent Agency in January 2018, [18] and then was slated to feature alongside American internet personality Miles McKenna in an eight-part web series by Portal A Interactive titled My Wizard & Me, yet this did not come to fruition. [19]
Versace started experimenting with music production for the first time in May 2018, with help from his musician friends Knxwledge and Pink Siifu. [1] [10] He began posting atmospheric, lo-fi music instrumentals to his SoundCloud account. [12] Versace approached American rapper Westside Gunn and asked to work together, before the latter discovered his account and ended up using one of Versace's first-ever songs on his own album, Pray for Paris (2020), titling the track "Versace". [20] He then produced all tracks on the mixtape, The Versace Tape (2020) by American rapper Boldy James, which became the first-ever release on Griselda Records in August 2020. [21] In March 2021, Versace contributed a remix version of the song "Lay_Up.m4a" by Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats to the duo's remix album, Unlocked 1.5 (2021). [22] He also produced the song "Safari" off of American rapper Tyler, the Creator's sixth studio album Call Me If You Get Lost (2021), [11] which won the award for Best Rap Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. [10] Released in August 2022, the track "On God" by American rappers Meechy Darko, Freddie Gibbs and A-Trak, which was co-produced by Versace and Dot da Genius. [23] Versace then produced the songs "SOS" and "Smoking on My Ex Pack" from American singer SZA's second studio album, SOS (2022), which earned him critical acclaim and commercial success. [2] SZA credits her first attempts at rap music to Versace, who encouraged her to "talk her shit". [2]
Versace came out as queer [1] via a Snapchat post in 2016, claiming that "I love people in general idgaf what gender you are". [24] [25] [8] His mother, Nikesha Dolly Gunter, died of illness in May 2022. [26]
Year | Artist | Album | Song |
---|---|---|---|
2020 | Westside Gunn | Pray for Paris | "Versace" |
Boldy James | The Versace Tape | "Maria" | |
"Nu Wave" | |||
"Cartier" (featuring ElCamino) | |||
"Brick Van Exel" | |||
"Long Live Julio" | |||
"Monte Criso" | |||
"Cardinal Sin" | |||
"Bentayga" | |||
"Roxycontin" (featuring Keisha Plum, Tiona Deniece and Westside Gunn) | |||
Pink Siifu and Fly Anakin | FlySiifu's | "Mind Right" | |
Lil Yachty | Lil Boat 3.5 | "Lil Diamond Boy" (bonus track) | |
2021 | Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats | Unlocked 1.5 | "Lay_Up.m4a (Jay Versace Version)" |
Patrick Paige II | If I Fail Are We Still Cool? | "Who Am I | |
Tyler, the Creator | Call Me If You Get Lost | "Safari" (co-produced with Tyler, the Creator) | |
Westside Gunn | Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Side B | "Free Kutter" (featuring Jay Electronica) | |
2022 | Fly Anakin | Frank | "Bag Man" |
Draft Day | Non-album single | "How Far Will I Go" (featuring Lil Yachty) | |
Xavier Omär | b l u r r | "A Dream" | |
Meechy Darko | Gothic Luxury | "On God" (featuring A-Trak and Freddie Gibbs) (co-produced with Dot Da Genius) | |
SZA | SOS | "SOS" | |
"Smoking on My Ex Pack" | |||
2023 | Summer Walker | Clear 2: Soft Life | "Pull Up" |
"New Type" (featuring Childish Gambino) | |||
Doja Cat | Scarlet | "97" | |
"Often" | |||
"Love Life" | |||
2024 | Vince Staples | Dark Times | "Étouffée" |
Award | Year | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BET Social Awards | 2019 | Social Hustle Award | Himself | Nominated | [27] [28] |
Grammy Awards | 2022 | Best Rap Album | Call Me If You Get Lost (by Tyler, the Creator) | Won | [10] |
Grammy Awards | 2024 | Best Progressive R&B Album | SOS (by SZA) | Won | [10] |
Shorty Awards | 2016 | Viner of the Year | Himself | Finalist | [15] |
2018 | Best Web Series | Jay Versace Is Stuck in the 90s | Nominated | [17] | |
Soul Train Awards | 2016 | Internet Soul Sensation Badu Award | Himself | Won | [29] |
Alan Daniel Maman, known professionally as The Alchemist, is an American record producer and DJ. Critically acclaimed for his sample-heavy production style, he is regarded as one of the most influential producers in modern hip hop and underground rap. His frequent collaborators include Eminem, Action Bronson, Freddie Gibbs, Roc Marciano, ScHoolboy Q, Conway the Machine, Westside Gunn, Boldy James, and Earl Sweatshirt.
This is a list of all of the songs that The Alchemist has produced.
Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is an American independent record label. Specializing in hip hop and R&B artists, TDE is based in Carson, California. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who is the chief executive officer. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.
James Clay Jones III, better known by his stage name Boldy James, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan, and member of the hip hop collective Griselda. Recognized for his deep voice and laid-back delivery of vivid stories, he often explores themes of drug trade and street life. After his debut album My 1st Chemistry Set (2013), James has since released 14 studio albums along with several mixtapes and EPs.
Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, is an American singer-songwriter. She first gained recognition through her self-released EPs See.SZA.Run (2012) and S (2013), which helped her become the first female artist to sign with Top Dawg Entertainment. Her third EP, Z (2014), was her first project to be released to digital retailers and reached the top-ten on the U.S. Independent Albums chart.
Alvin Lamar Worthy, known professionally as Westside Gunn, is an American rapper, executive producer, and fashion designer, best known as the head and co-founder of independent hip-hop label Griselda Records. He founded the label with his paternal half-brother rapper Conway the Machine and frequently collaborates with him alongside his cousin and fellow rapper Benny the Butcher. Gunn is recognized as one of the faces of the underground 2010s grimey boom bap resurgence, juxtaposing vivid drug-ridden street narratives, high fashion, and luxurious, artistic sample based production.
Gabrielle Jeannette Hanna is an American internet personality, singer-songwriter, author, actress and YouTuber. She rose to prominence on the video platforms Vine and YouTube before releasing her debut single, "Out Loud", in 2017. Her debut extended play, 2WayMirror, was released on May 31, 2019, and her second EP, Bad Karma, was released on May 15, 2020. Her debut album, Trauma Queen, was released on July 22, 2022.
Supreme Blientele is the second studio album by American rapper Westside Gunn from Buffalo, New York. It was released on June 22, 2018 through Griselda Records with distribution by Empire Distribution. Its titles allude to Ghostface Killah's album Supreme Clientele and the Canadian professional wrestler Chris Benoit. Production was handled by Daringer, The Alchemist, Pete Rock, Harry Fraud, Sadhugold, Roc Marciano, Statik Selektah, 9th Wonder and Nephew Hesh. The album includes guest appearances from Anderson .Paak, Benny the Butcher, Bro AA Rashid, Busta Rhymes, Conway the Machine, Crimeapple, Elzhi, Keisha Plum, Jadakiss and Roc Marciano.
Demond Price, known professionally as Conway the Machine, or simply Conway, is an American rapper and co-founder of the New York based, independent hip hop label Griselda Records alongside his paternal half-brother Westside Gunn. Renowned for his 1990s inspired, dark and gritty lyricism, he rose to prominence following his 2015 mixtape Reject 2 and his 2020 debut studio album From King To A GOD. His second studio album, God Don't Make Mistakes, was released through Shady Records in 2022 and received universal acclaim from critics.
Jeremie Damon Pennick, known professionally as Benny the Butcher, or simply Benny, is an American rapper and songwriter. He came to prominence in 2018 following the release of his debut album, Tana Talk 3. Along with his cousins and fellow rappers Westside Gunn and Conway The Machine, with which he forms the collective Griselda, he is known for his '90s inspired rap songs and is often credited with leading a revival of the so called 'grimy' and 'gritty' hip hop music, influenced by mafioso and drug dealing themes.
Griselda Records is an American independent hip hop record label based in Buffalo, New York. It was founded by rapper Westside Gunn, his brother Conway the Machine, and Mach-Hommy in 2012. In addition to the founding members, Benny the Butcher and in-house producer Daringer make up the flagship artists of the Griselda Records roster.
Pray for Paris is the third studio album by American rapper Westside Gunn. It was released on April 17, 2020 through Griselda Records with distribution by Empire Distribution. The album was produced by Daringer, Beat Butcha, the Alchemist, DJ Muggs, and DJ Premier. It features guest appearances from Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, Joey Badass, Tyler, the Creator, Boldy James, Freddie Gibbs, Roc Marciano, Wale, Joyce Wrice, Billie Essco, Keisha Plum, and Cartier Williams. The album debuted at number 67 on the Billboard 200.
Who Made the Sunshine is the fourth studio album by American rapper Westside Gunn. When it was originally scheduled to be released on August 28, 2020, it was postponed following the death of Griselda Records collaborator DJ Shay from COVID-19. It was finally released on October 2, 2020, through Griselda, Shady, and Interscope.
"Keep My Spirit Alive" is a song by American rapper Kanye West from his tenth studio album, Donda (2021). The song features vocals from fellow American rappers Conway the Machine and Westside Gunn and originally featured additional vocals from KayCyy.
Pray for Haiti is the twenty-second studio album by Haitian-American rapper Mach-Hommy. It was released on May 21, 2021, through Griselda Records and Daupe!. Production was handled by Camoflauge Monk, Conductor Williams, Denny LaFlare, Cee Gee, DJ Green Lantern, Messiah Muzik, Nicholas Craven and Sadhu Gold, with Westside Gunn and Mach-Hommy serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Westside Gunn, Keisha Plum, Melanie Charles as well as Tha God Fahim and received universal acclaim from critics.
SOS is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter SZA. It was released on December 9, 2022, by Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. SZA worked with a variety of record producers and songwriters such as Babyface, Jeff Bhasker, Rob Bisel, Benny Blanco, Darkchild, DJ Dahi, Ant Clemons, and Lizzo. It serves as the follow-up to SZA's debut album Ctrl (2017).
"Smoking on My Ex Pack" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022). The second of the album's three rap tracks, it is a boom bap song with a chipmunk soul production style, fusing hard-hitting drum beats with a sped-up sample of Webster Lewis's "Open Up Your Eyes" (1981). Before SOS, SZA had been known as an R&B artist who made "sad girl" music, a narrative she wanted to dispel because she viewed it as reductive. Particularly, she believed her being categorized strictly as R&B was racially insensitive. As such, she wanted to experiment with "aggressive" hip hop music for SOS, leading to the conception of "Smoking on My Ex Pack". Its producer was Jay Versace, to whom SZA credited her first attempts at rap music.
And Then You Pray for Me is the fifth studio album by American rapper Westside Gunn, released on October 13, 2023, by Griselda Records and Empire. The album is a sequel to Gunn's 2020 album Pray for Paris. With guest appearances from AA Rashid, JID, Conway The Machine, Cartier A Williams, Benny the Butcher, DJ Drama, Stove God Cooks, Rick Ross, Estee Nack, Trap-A-Holics, Giggs, Ty Dolla Sign, Keisha Plum, Denzel Curry, Boldy James, EST Gee, Jeezy, DJ Swamp Izzo, DJ Holiday, Peezy, Rome Streetz, and KayCyy, the album features a shift in sound from Gunn's signature boom bap style, incorporating trap elements reminiscent of the late 2000s and 2010s. The album debuted at number 29 on the Billboard 200, making it Gunn's highest commerical debut on the chart.
Denzel Williams, known professionally as Conductor Williams, is an American record producer from Kansas City, Missouri. He is known for his work with the musical collective Griselda and has produced for rappers Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Boldy James, and Rome Streetz, as well as their former member and associate Mach-Hommy. He is also known for his work with other artists such as Tyler, The Creator, Drake, JID, and J. Cole.
Conflicted is an American 2021 crime drama film by Amire K. Reed. It was written by Duece King, and stars Griselda rappers Benny the Butcher and Westside Gunn.