BEATMAKING FROM THE ’BURBS
Ajax
Local star producers Boi-1da and T-Minus might as well list the Billboard rap chart as a second residence. The former has been behind a bevy of hits for Drake (including “Best I Ever Had,” “0 to 100” and “Headlines”) plus Eminem’s “Not Afraid,” Lil Wayne’s “Believe Me” and Kendrick Lamar’s “The Blacker the Berry.” T-Minus’s mammoth resumé includes Nicki Minaj’s “Moment 4 Life,” Drake’s “The Motto” and Kendrick Lamar’s downcast classic “Swimming Pools (Drank).” He’s sometimes collaborated with fellow Ajax producer Nikhil.
Brampton
This ’burb blossomed with the emergence of WondaGurl, the phenom behind Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money,” Jay Z’s “Crown” and Drake and Lil Wayne’s “Used To.” She follows in the local footsteps of Moss, whose credits include Ghostface Killah’s “Kilo” and Obie Trice’s “8 Mile.” And producer-rapper Raz Fresco made the beats for Mac Miller’s “Trippin Out” and Tyga’s “Heaven or Hell.”
Mississauga
PartyNextDoor seems destined for fame as a featured artist, but he’s still put together an impressive resumé of production credits including Drake’s “Legend” and Big Sean’s “Deserve It.” Meanwhile, Mikhail has created beats for Freddie Gibbs (including “Pronto”), while Rich Kidd has woven tunes for Talib Kweli, DMX and Drake. Nick Patch