Nic Nac | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Nicholas Matthew Balding |
Also known as | LetMeSeeYou |
Born | El Monte, California, U.S. | July 5, 1989
Origin | El Cerrito, California, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupations |
|
Instruments |
|
Years active | 2003–present |
Nicholas Matthew Balding (born July 5, 1989), known professionally as Nic Nac, is an American record producer and songwriter from El Cerrito, California. He is best known for producing a string of successful hip hop singles during the mid-2010s, including "Loyal" for Chris Brown, "Do It Again" for Pia Mia, and DJ Khaled's "I'm the One" and "No Brainer". [1] He began his career as part of the regional hip hop production group Go Dav [2] in the early 2000s, and has since formed the similar musical group, Starting Six.
His productions can be identified by the producer tag "Let Me See You!", a voice clip sampled from Wallpaper.'s 2013 song "Hesher". His musical style has been described as similar to fellow California-based producer Mustard, with whom he often collaborates. [3]
Nicholas Balding was born on July 5, 1989, in El Cerrito. He started to DJ when he was in fifth grade. His parents got him something called a "DJ In A Box" that came with two turn tables, a mixer, and two speakers. He just used basic drum beats and didn't know how to play piano yet at the time, as he does now. He started to DJ because he lived up the street from a Guitar Center and went there everyday to hang around the people who worked there. They showed him how to DJ, so by the time he got to high school, he met a kid in his class who made beats and he gave him a program. In 2003, when he was in the eighth grade, Balding and his cousin started a DJing group; they were DJing for their friends parties, for school dances, and so on. He was playing songs by different rappers such as the Ying Yang Twins, E-40, Lil Jon, and Too $hort. [4]
He got into production when he was fourteen years old in high school and was using Fruity Loops (now FL Studio). Later in high school, Nicholas formed a group with four rappers and one singer called, Go Dav. Nick was the only member that wasn't from Oakland, California. They got famous for their song "Ride or Die Chick" and were known mainly in the East Bay area. Being in the group, made him more interested in furthering his career in music. In his first year he got together with some of his best friends at St Mary's High School in Berkeley, and started a group, going by the name Starting Six.[6]
His first major success as a producer was the song, "143" by Bobby Brackins and Ray J. He made enough money from that song and was able to move out of his mother's house and relocated to Los Angeles. He got a manager after moving to L.A. but things didn't work out between them later on. [5]
After "143", the next big hit he produced was "Beat It" by Sean Kingston, Chris Brown, and Wiz Khalifa. After making "Beat It", Balding was trying to get a manager and was trying to get better at producing. Nicholas's and Chris Brown's managers were close friends. [5] Later in 2013, he produced the single by Chris Brown titled "Loyal". During the making of "Loyal", rappers Ty Dolla Sign and B.o.B wrote the chorus and first verse. Balding's manager played the beat for Chris Brown's manager and Chris took the beat for his own the same day. [4] He cut the track that night and got Lil Wayne, French Montana, and Too Short on it all within a week. Balding currently lives with six of his high school friends, one of them being his cousin that he grew up with. They have a front and back house, (three live in the front, three in the back). They formed the group called Starting Six and have released several videos online. [5]
In 2015, he then produced Chris Brown and Tyga's single "Ayo". Balding delivered, his production replete with an echoing "I neeeed you" helium vocal sample. [6]
Nic Nac describes his melodies as "video gamey", with heavy R&B chords underneath. [4] He frequently uses a voice loop in his productions: "Let me see you!", which is heard prominently in perhaps his most famous production, Chris Brown's 2013 single "Loyal".
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2018) |
Year | Song | Artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
2007 | "Demo On Wax" | Team Knoc | The Makeover |
2010 | "Rocket" | Yuna | Decorate |
"Random Awesome" | |||
"I'm Ready" | Bobby Brackins, Marc E. Bassy | Live Good 0.5 | |
"143" | Bobby Brackins, Ray J | ||
"Nighttime" | Young Murph | Nighttime Sunshine | |
"Nighttime 2.0" | |||
"Little Devil" | Campa | — | |
2011 | "180" | Bobby Brackins, Jeremih | |
"Bout That Life" | Mann | ||
2012 | "Chainless" | Tinashe | In Case We Die |
"Young Booty" | Bobby Brackins | Stay On It | |
"B.Y.O.B." | Bobby Brackins, Wallpaper | ||
"Yanking" | Bobby Brackins | ||
"Breeder" | Bobby Brackins, Starting Six | ||
"Like Me Revemped" | Bobby Brackins, Nic Nac | ||
"S.O.D" | Starting Six, Aliky | On Yo Beach | |
2013 | "I Hit It First" | Ray J, Bobby Brackins | — |
"Open Yo Legs" | Bobby Brackins | Maxwell Park | |
"Big Body" | Bobby Brackins, Clyde Carson, Ty Dolla $ign | ||
"Jungle Fever" | Bobby Brackins | ||
"Kindergarten" | |||
"Rari" | Bobby Brackins, Ray J | ||
"Westside" | Bobby Brackins, Marc E. Bassy | ||
"Beat It" | Sean Kingston, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa | Back 2 Life | |
"Hold That" | Sean Kingston, Yo Gotti | ||
"Seasonal Love" | Sean Kingston, Wale | ||
"Shotta Luv" | Sean Kingston, 2 Chainz | ||
"Ayo (16th Floor)" | Sean Kingston | ||
"Save One For Me" | |||
"My Baby" | Zendaya | Zendaya | |
"Wake Up In It" | Mally Mall, Sean Kingston, Tyga, French Montana, Pusha T | Well Done IV | |
"GLOBE" | YMTK, Bread | MPL 2: Murphy Pan's Labyrinth | |
"Hotel Party" | YMTK, The Six | ||
2014 | "Dolo" | Kid Ink, R. Kelly | Full Speed |
"Fucking Around" | 100s | Ivry | |
"Nothing" | Ma$e, Eric Bellinger | Now We Even | |
"2 Blessed" | Roach Gigz | Roachy Balboa Round 4 | |
"Loyal" | Chris Brown, Lil Wayne, Tyga | X | |
"Came To Do" | Chris Brown, Akon | ||
"Fill Me In" | Pia Mia, Austin Mahone | TBA | |
"Fuck With You" | Pia Mia | ||
"Watch Me Work" | Tinashe | Aquarius | |
"I Don't Get Tired" | Kevin Gates, August Alsina | Luca Brasi 2 | |
"Say What" | Ernest Rush | STRT TRBL | |
2015 | "Dolo" | Kid Ink, R. Kelly | Full Speed |
"Ayo" | Chris Brown, Tyga | Fan of a Fan: The Album | |
"Bitches N Marijuana" | Chris Brown, Tyga, Schoolboy Q | ||
"I'm Up" | Omarion, French Montana, Kid Ink | I'm Up – Single | |
"Do It Again" | Pia Mia featuring Chris Brown and Tyga | Do It Again – Single | |
2016 | "Faithful" | Bobby Brackins, Ty Dolla Sign | To Live For |
"Back to the Crib" | Bobby Brackins, Wash | ||
"Joy Ride" | Bobby Brackins, Austin Mahone | ||
2017 | "I'm the One" | DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne | Grateful |
2018 | "No Brainer" | DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, and Chance the Rapper | Father of Asahd |
2019 | "All I Do Is Cry" | Kim Petras | Clarity |
The term hyphy is an Oakland, California slang meaning "hyperactive". More specifically, it is an adjective describing the hip hop music and the culture associated with the Oakland area. The term was first coined by Oakland rapper Keak da Sneak.
Tyrone William Griffin Jr., known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign, is an American singer, songwriter and record producer from Los Angeles, California. He gained initial recognition for his guest appearance on fellow Los Angeles rapper YG's 2010 single "Toot It and Boot It", which entered the Billboard Hot 100. He signed with Atlantic Records in 2012, and Wiz Khalifa's Taylor Gang Entertainment the following year.
Brian Todd Collins, known professionally as Kid Ink, is an American rapper and singer from Los Angeles, California. His debut studio album, Up & Away (2012), was released independently and peaked at number 20 on the Billboard 200. He then signed with RCA Records to release his debut extended play (EP) Almost Home (2013), followed by his second album and major label debut, My Own Lane, the following year. The latter peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and was led by the single "Show Me", which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album spawned two additional singles: "Iz U Down" and "Main Chick". His third album, Full Speed (2015), peaked at number 14 on the Billboard 200 and spawned the singles "Body Language" and "Be Real", both of which received platinum certifications by the RIAA.
Priese Prince Lamont "Printz" Board is an American record producer, songwriter, and singer best known for his work with Black Eyed Peas and being a member of the production group Bucky Jonson. In addition, Board has worked with DJ Mustard, CeeLo Green, Mark Ronson, Fergie, and John Legend, among others.
Jon Redwine is an American record producer. He is best known for his co-production on Tinashe's 2014 single "2 On", which peaked at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He has also been credited on songs and albums by other artists including Chris Brown, Bobby Brackins, G-Eazy, Zendaya, Waka Flocka Flame, Mario, Jeremih, Colette Carr, MKTO, and Jake Miller.
X is the sixth studio album by American singer Chris Brown. It was released on September 16, 2014, by CBE Entertainment and RCA Records. The album serves as the follow-up to his fifth album Fortune (2012). Brown for the album worked with several producers, including RoccStar, Danja, Nic Nac, Diplo and others. The album also features guest appearances by various urban artists, including Kendrick Lamar, R. Kelly, Akon, Nicki Minaj, Usher, Trey Songz, Tyga, Rick Ross, Brandy, Lil Wayne, Jhené Aiko and Aaliyah.
"Beat It" is a song by American singer Sean Kingston, featuring vocals from American singer Chris Brown and rapper Wiz Khalifa. The song is the second single from Kingston's third studio album, Back 2 Life. It was released on April 15, 2013, as a digital download. The song was written by Kisean Anderson, Cameron Thomaz, Omari Akinlolu and Nicholas Balding.
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".
Digi+Phonics is an American hip hop production team, composed of California-based record producers Tae Beast, Sounwave, Dave Free and Willie B. They currently serve as the main in-house producers for Carson-based record label, Top Dawg Entertainment. Digi+Phonics work significantly on projects from all the members of hip hop supergroup Black Hippy, who are also signed to Top Dawg and is composed of rappers Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q, and Ab-Soul. Their best known productions include "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" by Kendrick Lamar, "There He Go" by Schoolboy Q, and "Terrorist Threats" by Ab-Soul. They frequently co-produce songs together and put the finishing touches on the projects released by Top Dawg Entertainment.
Anthony Leedel Norris is an American hip hop record producer and songwriter, professionally known as Lee on the Beats. Lee has produced for artists such as Lil Wayne, DJ Khaled, Kid Ink, Ace Hood, French Montana, Rick Ross, Meek Mill and Freeway, among others. In 2013, Lee was signed to DJ Khaled's We the Best Music Group. He is best known for producing French Montana’s “Pop That” and co-producing Khaled’s “Do You Mind”.
"Show Me" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kid Ink. The song was released on September 17, 2013, by Tha Alumni Music Group, 88 Classic and RCA Records as the lead single from his second studio album, My Own Lane (2014). The song, produced by DJ Mustard and Mike Free, features a hook by American recording artist Chris Brown. The song peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.
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.
"Loyal" is a song by American singer Chris Brown, released as the fourth single from his sixth studio album X (2014). Produced by Nic Nac and Mark Kragen, the song features American rapper Lil Wayne and another American rapper depending on a specific version: Tyga on the album version, French Montana on the East Coast version, and Too $hort on the West Coast version. The song was written by Brown, Wayne, Bobby Brackins, Ty Dolla $ign, and the producers, as well as different interpolative-credited artists, varying for each respective version.
Pia Mia Perez is an American singer, actress, and model. She began her career posting song covers on YouTube, after which she was discovered by Babyface in 2010. Three years later, she signed with Interscope Records and worked closely with record producer Nic Nac to release her debut extended play (EP), The Gift (2013), which gained popularity from and included her cover of Drake's 2013 single, "Hold On, We're Going Home".
"Ayo" is a song by American singer Chris Brown and American rapper Tyga, released as the lead single from their collaboration album Fan of a Fan: The Album. It was produced by Nic Nac and Mark Kragen, whom the former Brown previously worked with on "Loyal".
The Gift is the debut extended play (EP) by American recording artist Pia Mia. First released independently on December 23, 2013 as a free download by her record label Wolfpack, the EP was later reissued on iTunes on February 25, 2014, after she was signed to Interscope Records. Produced by Nic Nac Beats, The Gift is musically a pop and R&B record that is influenced by hip hop and trap music.
"Do It Again" is a song by Guamanian singer Pia Mia featuring Chris Brown and Tyga. It was released on May 4, 2015, through Wolfpack and Interscope Records. Mia recorded "Do It Again" in 2013, when she decided to interpolate J Boog's 2011 song "Let's Do It Again" after attending his concert in Guam. Brown and Tyga asked Mia to be included on the song when it was played in a studio session in 2014. It was written by Mia and Tyga alongside George Veikoso, Marc Griffin, and producer Nic Nac. "Do It Again" is a pop and R&B song, with a mix of hip hop and electronic dance music genres. The lyrics include references to Guamanian culture such as Two Lovers Point. Music critics described it as a "summer song".
"I'm Up" is a song by American recording artist Omarion, originally intended as the lead single for his upcoming sixth studio album Passport (2020). The track features verses by American rappers French Montana and Kid Ink. Production is handled by American record producer Nic Nac.
Robert Clifton Brackins III is an American rapper, record producer, and songwriter. Born in Berkeley and raised in East Oakland, California, he is best known as a credited songwriter for the 2014 singles "2 On" by Tinashe and "Loyal" by Chris Brown. As a recording artist, he is known for his guest feature on Ray J's 2013 single "I Hit It First", which peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Anthony Jermaine White, 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.
^ 6. Starting Six: East Bay group on path to dream | The Broadview