Christian J. Ward (born September 9, 1985), known professionally as Hitmaka, is an American record producer and former rapper. Ward began rapping under the stage name Iceberg in 2001, at the age of 14. His career was cut short, due to his time at a military-based boarding school. Six years later, he signed with

Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), cong ...

and adopted the stage name Yung Berg. His 2007 debut single, " Sexy Lady", peaked at number 18 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, while its 2008 follow-up, " The Business", peaked at number 33. He was featured on

Ray J William Ray Norwood Jr. (born January 17, 1981), known professionally as Ray J, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, television presenter, and actor. Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Carson, California, he is the younger brother o ...

's single, " Sexy Can I", that same year; the song peaked within the chart's top five; all of which preceded the release of his debut studio album, '' Look What You Made Me'' (2008), his only studio album to be released during his tenure as a rapper. Despite unfavorable critical reception, it peaked at number 20 on the ''Billboard'' 200. After releasing several follow-up mixtapes and singles that failed to chart, he transitioned from recording in favor of a career in

music production A record producer or music producer is a music creating project's overall supervisor whose responsibilities can involve a range of creative and technical leadership roles. Typically the job involves hands-on oversight of recording sessions; ensu ...

by 2014. Ward's production and songwriting work was commercially successful. Since the 2010s, he has been credited on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100-top 40 singles " Bounce Back" by

Big Sean Sean Michael Leonard Anderson (born March 25, 1988), known professionally as Big Sean, is an American rapper. He met Kanye West as a teenager, and signed with his record label GOOD Music, an imprint of Def Jam Recordings in 2007. He gained popul ...

, "

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

" by

Lil Wayne Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born September27, 1982), known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He is often regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, as well as one of the greatest rappers of all ...

, "

Party A party is a gathering of people who have been invited by a Hospitality, host for the purposes of socializing, conversation, recreation, or as part of a festival or other commemoration or celebration of a special occasion. A party will oft ...

" by

Chris Brown Christopher Maurice Brown (born May 5, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. A Pop music, pop and hip-hop-influenced contemporary R&B, R&B musician who works in a variety of genres, he has been called the "Honorific nic ...

, " Look Back at It" by A Boogie wit da Hoodie, " Dangerous" by

Meek Mill Robert Rihmeek Williams (born May 6, 1987), known professionally as Meek Mill, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he embarked on his career as a battle rapper, and later formed a short-lived rap group the Blo ...

, and " Plan B" by

Megan Thee Stallion Megan Jovon Ruth Pete (born February 15, 1995), known professionally as Megan Thee Stallion, is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. Megan initially gained recognition when videos of her freestyling began to circulate widely on social me ...

. In 2019, he was appointed the executive vice president of A&R at

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over the course of its first two decades, starting from the release of its first recor ...

. A year later, he was given the same position for

Empire Distribution Empire Distribution, Records and Publishing Inc. (stylized as EMPIRE) is an independent American record label, distribution and publishing company founded in 2010 by Ghazi Shami. Based in San Francisco, EMPIRE has offices in New York, London, ...

Early life

Ward was born on September 9, 1985 in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

Career

2001–2005: Career beginnings and boarding school

In January 2001, Ward signed to rapper DMX's imprint,

Bloodline Records Bloodline Records was an American hip hop record label, founded by rapper DMX. Bloodline was founded in early 2001 and was under a distribution deal with Def Jam Recordings. In 2006, DMX parted ways with Def Jam and Bloodline became an indepen ...

. He made his debut on the

soundtrack A soundtrack is a recorded audio signal accompanying and synchronised to the images of a book, drama, motion picture, radio program, television show, television program, or video game; colloquially, a commercially released soundtrack album of m ...

to the film, '' Exit Wounds'', on the song, "Dog 4 Life" under the alias, Iceberg. In the next few months, his experiences with DMX became concerning including

sexual intercourse Sexual intercourse (also coitus or copulation) is a sexual activity typically involving the insertion of the Erection, erect male Human penis, penis inside the female vagina and followed by Pelvic thrust, thrusting motions for sexual pleasure ...

, drug addiction and heavy

cannabis ''Cannabis'' () is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae that is widely accepted as being indigenous to and originating from the continent of Asia. However, the number of species is disputed, with as many as three species be ...

alcohol Alcohol may refer to: Common uses * Alcohol (chemistry), a class of compounds * Ethanol, one of several alcohols, commonly known as alcohol in everyday life ** Alcohol (drug), intoxicant found in alcoholic beverages ** Alcoholic beverage, an alco ...

usage, pertaining in a lack of guidance. Ward, despite the falling out, was gifted a puppy by the rapper. After he failed to receive support from DMX, he remained a signed artist on Bloodline, but moved from a studio in

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

to Edgewater, New Jersey, to self-produce a planned studio album for the label, while working with other producers (including his former mentors, Boogz da Beast and

Tricky Stewart Christopher Alan "Tricky" Stewart (born January 4, 1974) is an American record producer, record executive, songwriter, and music publisher. Stewart, a five-time Grammy Award recipient, began producing music in 1992 and has contributed to unit s ...

). Ward would then receive pager messages from his now-estranged mother, demanding that he meet her at a Red Lobster in Chicago. At the time, he was in a studio session with the then-unknown LEP Bogus Boys and later at a shopping mall, buying clothing and jewelry. Upon visiting his mother at Red Lobster, he was tricked into being sent away in a van and shifted from Chicago's

O'Hare International Airport Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States, located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately northwest of the Chicago Loop, Loop business district. The airport is ope ...

to Spring Creek Lodge Academy, a now-closed military boarding school in Thompson Falls,

Montana Montana ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota to the east, South Dakota to the southeast, Wyoming to the south, an ...

in July 2001. His father, who is no longer in contact with Ward, then demanded DMX to release him from his Bloodline imprint, out of concern that Ward's association would incite a controversial hip-hop criminal lifestyle, considering DMX's own legal issues. He initially failed the first test while at Spring Creek, but later improved a year and half later, before being released from the school in late 2002. He moved to

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...

, after earning his GED in 2003; he previously attended Chicago Vocational High School and Curie Metropolitan High School. In 2005, Ward worked as a

hype man A hype man, typically in hip hop music, is a backing vocalist who supports the primary performer with exclamations, interjections, or ad-libs in an attempt to increase an audience's excitement or engagement. Origins Early hype men included Keef C ...

and recording assistant for former

Disturbing tha Peace Disturbing tha Peace Records (or DTP) is an American record label founded by rapper Ludacris, Ludacris' manager Chaka Zulu, and Chaka Zulu's brother Jeff Dixon in 1998. History Beginnings Disturbing tha Peace was founded in 1998 by Christ ...

member and fellow

Chicagoan The demographics of Chicago show that it is a very large, and Multiculturalism, ethnically and culturally diverse metropolis. It is the List of United States cities by population, third largest city and List of United States metropolitan areas, ...

Shawnna Rashawnna Guy (born January 3, 1978), better known by her stage name Shawnna, is an American rapper and singer from Chicago, Illinois. She is best known for her guest appearances on Ludacris' 2000 single " What's Your Fantasy", as well as his 2 ...

2007–2010: Rap career

Released on April 3, 2007, Ward's debut single, " Sexy Lady", which featured R&B singer Junior, became a hit on Los Angeles urban radio. "Sexy Lady" peaked at number 18 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Among many labels that approached him, he signed with

. Ward's six-track EP, '' Almost Famous: The Sexy Lady EP'', was released on July 24, 2007. Later that year, Ward made a cameo in the music video for singer

Kat DeLuna Kathleen Emperatriz DeLuna (born November 26, 1987) is an American singer. DeLuna began pursuing a career as a singer when she was a teenager and later signed with Epic Records. Her debut single, " Whine Up", released in 2007, went on to become ...

's debut single " Whine Up". Ward recorded a song with

and Brisco titled "Bitch Please", which was released in November 2007. In December 2007, Ward released another single " Sexy Can I", a collaboration with singer

. The first single for his debut album, " Do That There" (featuring Dude 'n Nem), was followed by " The Business" (featuring R&B artist Casha Darjean), which peaked at number 33 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. On August 12, 2008, Ward released his debut studio album and his only album as a rapper to date, '' Look What You Made Me''. It would chart at number 20 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and at number two on the

Top Rap Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a music chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine that ranks R&B and hip-hop albums based on sales in the United States and is compiled by Luminate. The chart debuted as Hot R&B LPs in the issue dated January 30, ...

chart.

In December 2008, Ward began casting black women of certain skin tones "to showcase beauty of all races" for a potential reality show that he would host. The potentially-titled ''Back to Business'' was never released as planned. In 2009, Ward formed the production group, the Dream Team with his older brother, K-Young, and producer Rob Holladay.

2010–present: Transition to production and success

In 2010, Ward quietly ended his rap career and focused more on producing and writing songs for other artists. His major placement was in 2011, when he was credited (alongside Rob Holladay and Polow da Don) as the co-producer for rapper Lil Wayne's single, "

", featuring

Rick Ross William Leonard Roberts II (born January 28, 1976), known professionally as Rick Ross, is an American rapper. An influential figure in modern Hip-hop, hip hop music, Rick Ross has become known for his "Wiktionary:booming, booming" vocal perfor ...

. He was later credited as producer or co-composer on other singles that followed: Driicky Graham's " Snapbacks & Tattoos" (2012), Tamar Braxton (sister of

Toni Braxton Toni Michele Braxton (born October 7, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. Braxton has won seven ...

) with " The One" (2013), and DJ Infamous' "Double Cup" (2014). In mid-2014, Ward officially changed his alias to Hitmaka, referencing his revamp as a full-time music producer. His first outing under the Hitmaka alias was for

Nicki Minaj Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (born December 8, 1982), known professionally as Nicki Minaj ( ), is a Trinidadian rapper, singer, and songwriter. Regarded as the "Queen of Rap" and one of the most influential rappers of all time, she is noted for her ...

's third studio album, '' The Pinkprint'', which was released on December 15, 2014. Ward is credited as co-producer on the tracks "Want Some More", "Buy a Heart", and "Shanghai". Later that year, Ward appeared on the first season of the

VH1 VH1 (originally an initialism for Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network that launched on January 1, 1985, and is currently owned by the MTV Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global's networks division based in New Y ...

reality series, '' Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood'', a

spinoff of the ''Love & Hip Hop'' franchise. The series loosely followed events in his personal life. On November 9, 2014, it was announced by VH1 that they had fired Ward from ''Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood'', due to him being arrested for allegedly assaulting his fellow castmate and former girlfriend, Masika Kalysha. Throughout the five-year span, he focused more on production throughout, producing and composing for

Jeremih Jeremy Phillip Felton (born July 17, 1987), known professionally as Jeremih ( ), is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B singer. He embarked on a musical career after meeting record producer Mick Schultz in 2008, and signed a recording contract wi ...

("Giv No Fuks", "Worthy" and "I Think of You"),

"),

K. Michelle Kimberly Michelle Pate (born March 4, 1982) is an American Country, Contemporary R&B, R&B singer, and television personality. She was a regular cast member on the VH1 reality television series ''Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta'' during its first two sea ...

Ain't You "Ain't You" is a song by American R&B singer K. Michelle. It was released on February 12, 2016, as the second single from her third studio album, ''More Issues Than Vogue'' (2016). Critical reception The song received positive reviews from music ...

"),

(" Bounce Back"), Kid Ink ("Nasty" and " F with U"),

Ty Dolla Sign Tyrone William Griffin Jr. (born April 13, 1982), known professionally as Ty Dolla Sign (stylized as Ty Dolla $ign or Ty$), is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Griffin gai ...

("Ex" and "Pineapple"), A Boogie wit da Hoodie (" Look Back at It"),

(" Dangerous") and

2 Chainz Tauheed K. Epps (born September 12, 1977), known professionally as 2 Chainz (formerly Tity Boi), is an American rapper and actor. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, he gained recognition as one-half of the Southern hip-hop duo Playaz Ci ...

(" Rule the World"). He also produced a single, "Thot Box", featuring A Boogie wit da Hoodie, 2 Chainz,

Tyga Micheal Ray StevensonMicheal Ray Stevenson

, YBN Nahmir and Meek Mill. In August 2019, Ward was given the position of executive vice president of urban A&R at

. In late 2020, Ward helmed the executive production duties for rapper T.I.'s eleventh album, '' The L.I.B.R.A.'', upon its release that October. That same year, he (along with Cardiak) co-produced

Trey Songz Tremaine Aldon Neverson (born November 28, 1984), known professionally as Trey Songz, is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B singer and songwriter. After being discovered by record producer Troy Taylor (record producer), Troy Taylor in 2003, Songz ...

and Summer Walker's "Back Home", a title track from the former's eighth studio album, ''Back Home'', which charted at number twelve on the ''Billboard'' Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. On February 11, 2021, Ward released a collaborative album with singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger, ''1-(800)-HIT-EAZY'', which would be followed two years later by a sequel, ''Line 2'', released on February 16, 2023. Throughout 2021, he produced numerous tracks for singer/rapper Tink and collaborated with OG Parker to produce Yung Bleu's single, " Baddest". That September, he was appointed the vice president of A&R at

. Within this position, he reports to founder Ghazi Shami and president (Chris Brown's former manager) Tina Davis. In October 2022, he won a BET Hip Hop Award for Producer of the Year. In 2023, Ward continued producing for various artists including Chloe Bailey (" How Does It Feel"), 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne (" Transparency"), Chris Brown (" Angel Numbers / Ten Toes") and in 2025, Bow Wow ("Use Me").

Personal life

Legal issues

In October 2015, Ward was ordered to pay $100,000 in back child support for his child with Brandy Flint. The ruling was part of a

default judgement Default may refer to: Law * Default (law), the failure to do something required by law ** Default (finance), failure to satisfy the terms of a loan obligation or failure to pay back a loan ** Default judgment, a binding judgment in favor of ...

after he failed to appear in an Illinois court to respond to charges. In December 2017, Ward was considered a delinquent parent by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, which has published information on Ward's failure to pay child support. At the time, Ward's amount owed in past-due child support is $104,962 for one child.

Robbery victim

On August 23, 2008, it was reported that Ward had been ambushed in a robbery, which his signature "''

Transformers ''Transformers'' is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Tomy, Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two Extraterrestrials in fiction, alien robot fac ...

'' chain" was stolen. On December 16, 2011, Ward explained the altercation, saying "I was like 30 deep, I went in the club and I went to the back because I had the number one record at the time". Ward later claimed that the chain was not important to him.Langhorne, Cyrus (October 4, 2010
Yung Berg Breaks Silence On Batman Chain Jacking
sohh.com On March 20, 2011, during an interview, Ward announced that he was done with wearing flashy jewelry stating,

Discography

* '' Look What You Made Me'' (as Yung Berg) (2008)

Collaborative albums

* ''1-800-HIT-EAZY'' (with Eric Bellinger) (2021) * ''1-800-HIT-EAZY: Line 2'' (with Eric Bellinger) (2023)

Filmography

Television

References

External links

*
Yung Berg
on

Myspace Myspace (formerly stylized as MySpace, currently myspace; and sometimes my␣, with an elongated Whitespace character#Substitute images, open box symbol) is a social networking service based in the United States. Launched on August 1, 2003, it w ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hitmaka 1985 births Living people African-American male rappers 21st-century American male rappers African-American record producers American hip-hop record producers Chicago Vocational High School alumni MNRK Music Group artists Epic Records artists Pop rappers Rappers from Chicago Songwriters from Illinois American dance musicians Participants in American reality television series 21st-century American rappers Record producers from Illinois 21st-century American male musicians American music industry executives American trap musicians African-American songwriters 21st-century African-American musicians 20th-century African-American people American male songwriters