Southside on the Track: The Atlanta Producer Is Behind Some of Trap Music’s Biggest Hits
Southside on the Track's reign in the rap game is far from over. Read for more on his rise to fame and long list of chart-topping producer credits.
By Zaniah BoykinDec. 29 2023, Published 12:55 p.m. ET
If you are a fan of Future’s or Drake’s music, nine times out of ten, you are familiar with Southside on the Track's work. The producer (real name Joshua Luellen) was born and raised in Atlanta.
Before the fame, he often collaborated with his friend, fellow Atlanta native Waka Flocka Flame, which led to both of them being signed to Gucci Mane’s 1017 Brick Squad Records. Together, the label changed the sound of the 2010s.
Read on for more details on the Southside's rise to prominence and his impressive list of producer credits.
Southside attends the 2022 BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards on September 07, 2022 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Details On Southside’s Rise To Fame
Southside cofounded his production collective, 808 Mafia, with Atlanta beatmaker Lex Luger. Now that streaming services and social media have made trap music more accessible to the masses, his music has only become more popular.
Southside explained to Forbes: “ We went through a drought. wW went from an age where you couldn't really sell records. It's crazy right now."
"If it wasn't for technology and the Internet, we wouldn't be able to do none of this stuff," he added.
Check out the bangers that Southside produced below!
"Illest Motherf--ker Alive” — Kanye West and Jay Z
US music producer Southside arrives for the Mercedes-Benz exclusive WILL.I.AMG. concept car reveal party at the Mercedes-AMG Brand Center Experience in Miami, Florida, on May 5, 2022.
Back in 2011, Southside scored the highly desired production slot on Kanye West and Jay Z's RIAA platinum-certified joint album, Watch The Throne.
According to Southside, co-producing "Illest Motherf--ker Alive" alongside Kanye was a one-of-a-kind experience.
“Kanye added mostly all the synths. I did the drums, the snares, the hi-hat, and the breakdowns. Basically, I added the 808, the new 808, and he put his Kanye classical, musical space-synth stuff to it," he told Respect Mag.
“I Get the Bag" — Gucci Mane and Migos
Back in 2017, Southside produced one of the Migos' top hits. "I Get the Bag" peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is ranked No. 4 on the list of Migos' Biggest Billboard Hot 100 hits.
“Clout” — Offset featuring Cardi B
The catchy piano drift played by Southside made Offset and Cardi B's "Clout" one of the duo’s biggest hits together. The song gained popularity Cardi and Offset performed the single at the 2019 BET Awards.
“F--k Up Some Commas” — Future
In 2015, Southside produced one of Future’s most popular songs.
He previously revealed that "F--k Up Some Commas" was produced two days before Monster was released. According to Southside, Future instantly knew the record that Southside produced was a hit.
“It’s the vibe everything has to flow. The beats and the drums have to flow, the snare has to flow, the high hat has to be at the same pace as how he raps," Southside said of his collab with Future in an interview with Complex. "His cadences have to be at the same pace as the sound of the beat. If all that s--t flows the right way that s--t is a hit.”
Southside had grown popular over the years and has mastered his craft showing no signs of slowing down his production of hits!
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