Hit-Boy

Chauncey Hollis Jr. (born May 21, 1987) better known by his stage name Hit-Boy is an American record producer and hip hop recording artist from Fontana, California. In May 2011, Hollis had signed a deal with Kanye West's GOOD Music production wing, known as Very G.O.O.D. Beats and left the label after his contract expired in June 2013. In December 2012, it was revealed he had signed a recording contract with Interscope Records, and subsequently founded his own record label imprint, Hits Since '87. He is perhaps best known for his production catalog, which includes "Niggas in Paris" by Jay-Z and Kanye West, "Drop the World" by Lil Wayne and Eminem, and the GOOD Music single "Clique", all of which have been certified platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Career

Hollis got his start on Myspace when he received a message from Polow Da Don stating simply "Let’s get this paper." He has produced for big-name artists such as Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Eminem, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, Selena Gomez and several others. The California native is one of the founding members of the collective brand Surf Club (along with fellow beat makers Chase N.Cashe, BCarr, and Chili Chill). Surf Club has become a team to host a number of artists as well as songwriters and other producers. Surf Club originated in southern California. They got their start in the industry in 2007, after linking with Polow Da Don's Zone 4 (record label), an imprint of Interscope Records. He began his work with Kanye West when he produced his GOOD Friday track, "Christmas in Harlem",Big Sean, Pusha T, Musiq Soulchild and Cyhi Da Prynce. On May 2, 2011 he signed to Kanye West’s GOOD Music Label, produced the single "Niggas in Paris", on the collaborative "Watch the Throne" album created by Kanye West and Jay-Z, and produced the singles "Goldie" and "1 Train" for ASAP Rocky.

Ciara (album)

Ciara is the eponymously titled fifth studio album by American recording artist Ciara, which was released on July 9, 2013, by Sony Music Entertainment. This album is the artist's first release under Epic, since publicly asking the now-defunct Jive Records to release her from her contractual obligations. The singer cited a lack of label support and financial funding for her previous albums Fantasy Ride (2009) and Basic Instinct (2010). On this fifth studio album, Ciara is reunited with her long-term mentor and friend L.A. Reid, chairman of Epic Records. Reid is credited with discovering Ciara in 2003 along with signing her to his LaFace Records label and executive-producing her debut studio album, Goodies (2004).

On Ciara, the singer is reunited with music producers Rodney Jerkins and Jasper Cameron, who have respectively worked on previous Ciara singles and albums. The duo were joined by The Underdogs, Soundz, D'Mile, Oligee, Josh Abraham and Mike Will Made It, amongst others. Writing contributions come from the likes of singer-songwriters: Wynter Gordon, Livvi Franc and Ali Tamposi, along with a number of contributions from Ciara herself. Rappers Future and Nicki Minaj respectively have guest vocals on the album, whilst Ciara herself is listed as a featured artist on the song "Super Turnt Up", a record where she raps and takes credit for co-producing the song.