Robert Vincent Hughes, best known as Vincent and formerly known as XVII, is a Canadian music producer of trap, electronic, bass music and hip hop. He debuted in 2015 with remixes of Meek Mill & Drake's "R.I.C.O." and Alison Wonderland's "U Don't Know." [1] [2] Since 2020 Robert Hughes is also a part of electronic music duo known as Tiger Drool, alongside a fellow record producer, Quix.
Robert Hughes grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba and began playing the piano at the age of 4. Being trained in piano through his childhood and high school years, his musical taste evolved into digital production with the introduction of new technology. He was raised and is fully bilingual - speaking English and French - as his mother is of French Canadian descent. [3]
According to a Twitch live stream on the night of Tuesday January 21, 2020, Hughes explained that XVII was an alias he'd produced under but was unsatisfied with. Over time, he searched for a new stage name and opted to use his middle name, Vincent. [4]
Matthew Jehu Samuels, known professionally as Boi-1da is a Canadian record producer and songwriter based in Toronto, Ontario.
Aubrey Drake Graham is a Canadian rapper, singer, and actor. An influential figure in popular music, he has been credited with popularizing R&B sensibilities in hip-hop artists. Gaining recognition by starring as Jimmy Brooks in the CTV teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001–2008), Drake began his recording career in 2006 with the release of his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement (2006). He followed up with the mixtapes Comeback Season (2007) and So Far Gone (2009) before signing with Young Money Entertainment.
Robert Rihmeek Williams, known professionally as Meek Mill, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he embarked on his music career as a battle rapper, and later formed a short-lived rap group, The Bloodhoundz. He signed with T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records as a solo act in 2008, although he departed by 2011 and released no albums with the label. He then signed with Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group (MMG) that same year, and rose to mainstream recognition following his performances on the label's Self Made Vol. 1 (2011) compilation album; his song "Tupac Back" served as the album's lead single, while its follow-up, "Ima Boss" entered the Billboard Hot 100.
Nayvadius DeMun Cash, known professionally as Future, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. Known for his mumble-styled vocals and prolific output, Future is considered a pioneer of the use of Auto-Tuned melodies in trap music. Due to the sustained popularity of this musical style, he is commonly regarded as one of the most influential rappers of his generation.
"Amen" is a song by American rapper Meek Mill from his debut studio album, Dreams and Nightmares (2012). Featuring Canadian rapper Drake, the song includes background vocals from Jeremih. It was produced by Key Wane and Jahlil Beats, with the first serving as a songwriter alongside the vocalists. Due to the interpolation of the Doobie Brothers' "Minute by Minute", written by Lester Abrams and Michael McDonald, they also received songwriting credits. The song was thought of by Key Wane in New York's Times Square, after he prayed when experiencing failure. On June 19, 2012, it was released for digital download and streaming as the album's lead single by Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records. At the time of release, Philadelphia reverend Jomo K. Johnson encouraged boycotting the song over alleged usage of the church for sinful activities, leading to the two debating publicly on Hot 107.9. Mill eventually apologized for any offense and Johnson called off the boycott, forgiving him. A hip hop number with pop and R&B elements, the song relies on a gospel beat, with lyrics focused on sexual exploitation and wealth.
Dreams and Nightmares is the debut studio album by American rapper Meek Mill, released on October 30, 2012, by Maybach Music Group and Warner Bros. Records. Mill intended for it to be authentic and more cohesive than his mixtapes, having a stronger connection through both vocals and beats. The album features guest appearances from Kirko Bangz, Rick Ross, Nas, John Legend, Drake, Wale, and Mary J. Blige, among others. Production was primarily handled by Jahlil Beats and Boi-1da, alongside the likes of Tone the Beat Bully and Key Wane. The recording took place from January to September 2012, including sessions in a studio bus on the Club Paradise Tour. Sessions were also held in Los Angeles and Miami, and multiple recordings were included on Mill's ninth mixtape, Dreamchasers 2 (2012). The dreams represent Mill making money as a performer, while the nightmares are based on coming up from his neighbourhood.
"Started from the Bottom" is a song by Canadian hip hop recording artist Drake, released as the first single from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same. The song was written by Drake, Michael Coleman, and Noah "40" Shebib, and it was produced by Coleman under his stage name Mike Zombie, with additional production by Shebib. It features a sample of the ambient piece "Ambessence Piano & Drones 1" by Bruno Sanfilippo. "Started from the Bottom" peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
Dwane Marshall Weir II is an American hip hop/R&B producer and songwriter, professionally known as Key Wane. Wane has produced for artists such as Big Sean, Jazmine Sullivan, Beyoncé, Drake, Jhene Aiko, Wale, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Juicy J, Ariana Grande, Logic, Ty Dolla Sign and Meek Mill among others. He is best known for producing Drake's "All Me", Beyoncé's "Partition", Jazmine Sullivan's "Let It Burn" & "Insecure", Meek Mill's "Amen", Big Sean's "Guap", "Beware", "IDFWU" and an extensive amount of his albums including Hall of Fame, Dark Sky Paradise, and Twenty 88.
Anthony Joseph Tucker, better known as The Beat Bully or Tone Beats, is an American record producer and songwriter from Chester, Pennsylvania. His older brother Orlando Tucker, is also a notable record producer under the name, Jahlil Beats. He is also a member of the production team Da Night Rydas. The Beat Bully has produced for rappers such as Meek Mill, French Montana, Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, Bow Wow, and The Game among others. He is best known for producing Rick Ross' "Stay Schemin'" and Meek Mill's "House Party".
"Versace" is the debut single by American hip hop group Migos. It was released in July 2013, by Quality Control Music. The track, which was included on their mixtape Y.R.N. (2013), was produced by Zaytoven. Following a remix by Canadian rapper Drake, the song became popular and peaked at number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Drake performed it at the 2013 iHeartRadio Music Festival. The song is ranked as one of the 100 songs that defined the 2010s decade by Billboard.
Anderson Hernandez, professionally known as Vinylz, is an American record producer from Washington Heights, New York City. He is known for his work with Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Rick Ross, Drake, J. Cole, Nicki Minaj, Jeremih and Tinashe.
Dreams Worth More Than Money is the second studio album by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on June 29, 2015, by Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. It was initially scheduled for release on September 9, 2014, however, it has been delayed few times due to Meek Mill's revoking of his probation on July 11, 2014, thus sentencing him to jail for 3 to 6 months. The album made its entry at number one on the US Billboard 200; and sold 246,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, with 215,000 coming from traditional album sales, marking as Meek's first number-one album on the chart. Due to the change in the tracking week by Nielsen Music SoundScan, its first week sales were counted towards its second week on the charts. At the 2016's Billboard Music Awards, the album won an award for Top Rap Album.
"R.I.C.O." is a song by American hip hop recording artist Meek Mill, released as the third single from his second studio album Dreams Worth More Than Money, on June 29, 2015. The song features Canadian rapper Drake. The song was produced by Vinylz, Allen Ritter and Cubeatz. The song's title refers to the "Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations" Act.
"Back to Back" is a diss track by Canadian rapper Drake directed at American rapper Meek Mill during their 2015 feud. Released on July 29, 2015, it was the second diss track released by Drake in the feud, following "Charged Up". The song was described as a "bouncier freestyle" than the latter track.
"Charged Up" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake. It is the first of two diss tracks aimed at American rapper Meek Mill by Drake. At OVO Fest 2015, Drake performed this song and "Back to Back" live.
Carl-Mikael Göran "Micke" Berlander, known professionally as Gud, is a Swedish DJ, music producer and rapper best known as a member of rapper Yung Lean's Stockholm-based group Sad Boys. He began producing at the age of twelve, making psychedelic trance music, which heavily influenced his sonic palette. His production as a part of Sad Boys has been well received.
"Litty" is a song by American rapper Meek Mill featuring Tory Lanez. It was sent to urban contemporary radio on February 14, 2017, as the lead single from Mill's eleventh mixtape DC4 (2016). It's about both rappers talking about their luxurious lifestyles and taking shots at Drake. "Litty" debuted and peaked at number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached numbers 14 and 18 on the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts respectively. It was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting sales of over a million units in the United States. The track also charted in Canada, peaking at number 54 on the Canadian Hot 100. An accompanying music video for the single, released on Mill's 30th birthday, features both artists as part of a crew of young hustlers committing credit card scams.
Wins & Losses is the third studio album by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on July 21, 2017, by Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records Group. It is the follow-up to Meek Mill's second album Dreams Worth More Than Money (2015) and his Meekend Music EP series. It includes guest appearances from Rick Ross, Future, Quavo, Young Thug, Lil Uzi Vert, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla Sign, Yo Gotti, The-Dream, Teyana Taylor, and Verse Simmonds. Production derives from Meek Mill's first signed Dreamchaser producer Papamitrou, Streetrunner, DJ Mustard, Street Symphony, Wheezy, Maaly Raw, Dougie On The Beat and Honorable C.N.O.T.E.
Championships is the fourth studio album by American rapper Meek Mill. It was released on November 30, 2018, by Atlantic Records and Maybach Music Group. The album features guest appearances from Fabolous, Anuel AA, Cardi B, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Future, Roddy Ricch, Young Thug, Drake, Kodak Black, Ella Mai, 21 Savage, Melii, Jeremih, and PnB Rock. Meanwhile, production was handled by Bangladesh, Cardo, Cubeatz, C-Sick, Don Cannon, Hit-Boy, Hitmaka, Prince Chrishan, Tay Keith, and Wheezy, among others. It was supported by the singles "Dangerous" "Going Bad", and "24/7".
Tavoris Javon Hollins Jr., known professionally as Vory, is an American singer, rapper, and songwriter. Raised in Louisville, Kentucky, he won a Grammy Award for his work on The Carters' album Everything Is Love (2018), and co-wrote hometown native Bryson Tiller's 2015 single "Don't". The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, along with Drake's 2018 single "Mob Ties", which he also co-wrote. He is best known as the frequent collaborator of Chicago native Lil Durk. His further songwriting credits led him to wider recognition as he pursued his recording career, which he first began in 2015. Hollins signed a recording contract with Capitol Records and Electric Feel Entertainment in 2018, which entered a joint venture with Meek Mill's record label, Dream Chasers Records in 2020.