Mike & Keys | |
|---|---|
 Money Mike (left) and J-Keys (right) in March 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Futuristiks |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States, |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Labels | Street Corner |
| Members |
|
| Website | www |
Mike & Keys (formerly known as The Futuristiks) are an American hip hop production and songwriting duo from Los Angeles, California that consists of Money Mike (born Michael Ray Cox, Jr.) and J-Keys (born John Groover). [1]
J-Keys, born in South Sacramento, and Money Mike born in Hammond, Louisiana, both name church and family as having a huge influence on the development of their musical talents. Graduates of the Los Angeles Recording School [2] in Hollywood, CA, the duo's first full production credit came in 2009 on Before I Self Destruct for rapper 50 Cent. [3] After further work in 2010 on hip hop albums such Dom Kennedy’s From the Westside with Love, II , Redman's Reggie , and Sheek Louch’s Donnie G: Don Gorilla , The Futuristiks became a prominent production team for hip-hop, R&B and gospel artists.
Proving to be a life-altering year for The Futuristiks, in 2011, their work ranged from hip hop records with chart-topping artists Eminem, Royce da 5'9" and Ras Kass as well as other known acts such as Strong Arm Steady [4] and Mitchy Slick. In 2011, they also produced rapper Problem’s "Last Love" for the unreleased mixtape Plan B which received video spins on BET’s 106 & Park making to the Top Ten Countdown and other video mediums. Moreover, in 2011, they also produced the lead singles for Dom Kennedy's The Original Dom Kennedy and Skeme’s mixtapes The Statement and Before My Next Statement.
Continuing their catalog growth, the production duo began working with R&B artists Jeremih on the highly anticipated Late Nights with Jeremih Mixtape, as well as debut projects for other R&B artists TeeFlii and Elijah Blake. Not leaving their hip hop roots, in 2012, the pair produced tracks for rappers T.I., Freddie Gibbs, Fat Joe, Bad Lucc, [5] 8Ball, [6] Jay Rock, [7] Curren$y and OverDoz. The Futuristiks made the Billboard Top 100 in 2012 for their production on Capitol Records Tito Lopez’s song Mama Proud. They also made the Billboard 200, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and Top Rap Album for their production credit on Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records artist T.I.’s Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head.
As their sound developed and territory expanded in 2013, the Futuristiks were nominated for their first Recording Academy Grammy Award in the Best Rap Album [8] category for their contribution on Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1 . Lupe's II topped Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Rap Albums charts, while debuting and peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. [8]
The Futuristiks began working with Epic Records/Roc Nation Management artist Casey Veggies, helming the title track and six songs total on the awaited 2013 Life Changes. [9] In 2013, they also produced songs for Master P, Juelz Santana, [10] Adonis the Ace, Drumma Boy, Zeke and K.Roosevelt.
Like many mainstream producers, The Futuristiks, have taken on entire projects and recently hemmed the Executive Producer credits on the Nipsey Hussle’s, October 8, 2013 release Crenshaw . [11] In addition, the Futuristiks have the majority of the producers credit on Dom Kennedy’s, 2013 release Get Home Safely . Their aesthetic is fit for dropping the top, with crawling drums and warped samples that never push the tempo up too high for Dom’s coziness level. [12]
Georgia Ann Muldrow - "Overload" [16] [17] [18]
Buddy - "Harlon & Alondra" [19] [20] [21]
Nipsey Hussle - "Victory Lap" [22]
All tracks, but with co-producers
Guapdad 4000 - Dior Deposits [24] [25]
Dom Kennedy - From the Westside with Love Three [27]
"I Wanna Rock" is the third official single from American rapper, Snoop Dogg's tenth studio album, Malice n Wonderland. It was released digitally on iTunes on November 17, 2009, after the second single "That's Tha Homie". The song was produced by Scoop DeVille and mixed by Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg released it on a mixtape titled "I Wanna Rock" on November 23. The song was confirmed by BBC Radio 1 to be released in the UK on March 15, 2010 but is now listed as "Coming Soon".
Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle, was an American rapper, entrepreneur, and activist. Emerging from the West Coast hip-hop scene in the mid-2000s, Hussle independently released his debut mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, to moderate local success, which led to him being signed to Cinematic Music Group and Epic Records.
Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson, better known by his stage name YG, is an American rapper. He released his debut mixtape 4Fingaz in 2008, and its follow-up, The Real 4Fingaz, the following year. The latter gained recognition for its local hit song "Toot It and Boot It", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 67 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings in October 2009, which entered joint-venture with Atlanta-based rapper Jeezy's record label, CTE World, in 2013.
Dominic Ross Hunn, better known by his stage name Dom Kennedy, is an American rapper from Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California. His fourth mixtape, From the Westside with Love (2010), was met with critical acclaim; its sequel, From the Westside with Love II (2011), served as his debut studio album and entered the Billboard 200. His second and third albums, Get Home Safely (2013) and By Dom Kennedy (2015), both peaked at number 23 on the chart and were met with continued praise.
Casey Joseph Jones, known professionally as Casey Veggies, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California. A founding member of the Los Angeles-based hip hop collective Odd Future, he co-formed the group with Tyler, the Creator, Hodgy, Left Brain, the Super 3 and Jasper Dolphin in 2007. He signed with Epic Records to release his debut studio album, Live & Grow (2015); its lead single, "Tied Up" received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second album, Organic (2019), followed thereafter.
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".
Get Home Safely is the second studio album by American rapper Dom Kennedy. The album was released on October 15, 2013. The album features guest appearances from Skeme, Krondon, Ty Dolla Sign, Nipsey Hussle and TeeFLii.
The discography of American rapper Nipsey Hussle consists of one studio album, 54 singles, three compilation mixtapes and 14 mixtapes, including The Marathon, The Marathon Continues and Crenshaw. His debut studio album Victory Lap was released on February 16, 2018.
The Marathon Continues or TMC for short, is the sixth official mixtape by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on mixtape hosting websites, and to iTunes on November 1, 2011, via Hussle's All Money In record label. The mixtape featured production by 1500 or Nothin', THC, Wizzo and Mistah Mota, Le-Lo Lang among others. Guest appearances on the mixtape included Dom Kennedy, YG, Cobby Supreme and Yung Brodee among others.
Crenshaw is the eighth official mixtape by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on October 8, 2013, on mixtape hosting websites. It was also released in a limited first edition of 1,000 copies for $100 each including other incentives via his All Money In record label. The mixtape features production by The Futuristiks, 1500 or Nothin', 9th Wonder, DJ Dahi, Mike Free, Ralo, Wizzo and Jiggy Hendrix, among others. Guest appearances on the mixtape came from Rick Ross, Dom Kennedy, Slim Thug, James Fauntleroy II, Z-Ro, Skeme and Sade among others. The mixtape was supported by the singles "Checc Me Out" featuring Dom Kennedy and Cobby Supreme, "U See Us", "The Weather" featuring Rick Ross, "If U Were Mine" featuring Fauntleroy, and "1 of 1".
OKE: Operation Kill Everything is the fourteenth mixtape by American rapper the Game, which was hosted by DJ Skee. The mixtape was released on October 8, 2013, and serves as his first project since leaving the Interscope Records, following the release of his fifth album Jesus Piece (2012). It was also released in promotion of his upcoming sixth studio album. The mixtape features guest appearances from Too Short, Schoolboy Q, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Problem, Nipsey Hussle, Juicy J, Young Jeezy, Clyde Carson, Skeme, Stat Quo and Ty Dolla $ign; as well as the production provided by Cardiak, DJ Mustard, SAP and Cool & Dre, among others.
Christian Joel Jones, better known by his stage name TeeFlii, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer from South Los Angeles, California. He is best known for his 2014 single "24 Hours", which entered the Billboard Hot 100. The song, released by Epic Records, served as the lead single for his debut studio album Starr (2015), which failed to chart. Also in 2014, he co-wrote the single "Show Me" for fellow California rapper Kid Ink, which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Lonnie Kimble, better known by his stage name Skeme, is an American rapper from Inglewood, California. Skeme has collaborated with various West Coast rappers such as the group Black Hippy, Bizzy Bone, The Game, Dom Kennedy, Nipsey Hussle, E-40, Casey Veggies and Problem among others. In 2012, Skeme released his debut studio album Alive & Living under RBC Records. His second studio album Ingleworld was released in 2013 by MADE Headlines.
The following list is a discography of production by Mustard, an American hip hop and R&B music producer from Los Angeles, California. It includes a list of songs produced, co-produced and remixed by year, artist, album and title. In addition to producing songs for other artists, he has released four solo albums, 10 Summers (2014), Cold Summer (2016), Perfect Ten (2019), and Faith of a Mustard Seed (2024), which he produced entirely. He also executive produced projects other than his own such as YG's debut album My Krazy Life and Kid Ink's Summer in the Winter mixtape.
Mailbox Money is the ninth mixtape by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on December 31, 2014, on mixtape hosting websites. It was also released in a limited first edition of 100 copies for $1,000 each including other incentives via his All Money In record label, which followed-up Crenshaw, that was sold under the same schema but rather 1,000 copies for $100. The mixtape features production by DJ Mustard, Rance, Hit-Boy, DJ Khalil, Ralo Stylez and Wizzo, among others. Guest appearances on the mixtape came from Rick Ross, Dom Kennedy, K Camp, Trae Tha Truth, Buddy and many others. The mixtape was supported by the singles "A Hunnit A Show" featuring Rick Ross, "Between Us" featuring K Camp, "Where Yo Money At", "Count Up That Loot", and "50 Niggaz".
Overdoz is an American hip hop group from the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, California. The group is composed of vocalist and rapper Kent Jamz, rapper Joon, rapper P and comedian Cream. The group formed in the summer of 2008 and are currently signed to RCA Records and Polo Grounds Music. Overdoz has collaborated with several prominent artists in the hip hop industry, such as Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg, Childish Gambino, Juicy J, The Internet, Flatbush Zombies, Dom Kennedy, Casey Veggies, Nipsey Hussle and Skeme.
Ricci Riera, is an American record producer, DJ and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. He is best known for his production with notable hip hop artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Travis Scott, Schoolboy Q, Overdoz, and ASAP Rocky, among others. Aside from his solo production, Riera was previously a member of the Grammy nominated Los Angeles production duo THC. Riera scored his first Grammy nomination as a producer for the Drake track "U with Me?", produced with 40, Kanye West, DJ Dahi, Axlfolie, Vinylz and Oz, from the second best selling album of 2016, Views. Riera most recently contributed twice on Kendrick Lamar's much anticipated third studio album Damn, producing on the tracks "Element", produced with Sounwave, James Blake, Tae Beast and Bekon, and "God" produced with DJ Dahi, Bekon, Cardo, Top Dawg, Yung Exclusive, Mike Hector and Teddy Walton.
Simmie Sims III, known professionally as Buddy, is an American rapper, singer, and dancer. Previously on the I Am Other label, he is now signed to Cool Lil Company and RCA Records. He is also a member of the hip-hop supergroup Zoink Gang, with JID, Smino and Guapdad 4000.
Victory Lap is the only studio album by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. It was released on February 16, 2018 through All Money In No Money Out and Atlantic Records. It was Hussle's first major commercial release after releasing a string of mixtapes for thirteen years. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, selling 53,000 album-equivalent units; It was the last project to be released during Hussle’s lifetime, as he was shot and killed on March 31, 2019. It reached a new peak of number two in April 2019, following Hussle's death. It received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.
"Deep Reverence" is a song by American rapper Big Sean featuring American rapper Nipsey Hussle. It was released on August 25, 2020, as the lead single from Sean's fifth studio album Detroit 2 (2020). Produced by Hit-Boy and G. Ry, the song finds Sean and Nipsey rapping about their pressures and struggles in life, and working hard to earn respect. The song received a nomination for Best Rap Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
