Music producer Hitkidd talks new single, album
Memphis music producer Hitkidd has dropped his newest single. Titled "Secluded," the brand-new song features Atlanta rapper Lil Gotit.
"I had really made the beat... sometime last year, [but] Lil Gotit did the song like right away," said Hitkidd of the song which dropped Friday, April 12. "As far as the sound of the song, it's just laid back and very melodic."
"Secluded" is only the beginning of what Hitkidd has planned for this year. His next full-length album, "Hitkidd For President," is coming in June.
"It's going to be like, super crazy," he said. "For the most part, it's probably like 80% Memphis vibe, like the tone of the project, because I want [it] to sound cohesive. What I'm trying to do, despite whatever genre it is, it's going to sound good top to bottom."
Hitkidd wasn't quite ready to reveal who he's collaborating with for the album, only saying that he's working with "a couple A-listers."
In a February news release which announced "Hitkidd for President," the artist said his next project "represents myself being the perfect example of Memphis, embodying the culture." He elaborated on that vision during an interview with The Commercial Appeal.
"If you're from Memphis, you know that we have a certain style and sound when it comes to [our] music," he said. "I feel like I'm one of those who should be able to showcase that properly."
It's not just Memphis rap that he wants to feature on the album — there are other genres featured as well, all with a "Memphis flavor" to them. Hitkidd said the project will have range, while still keeping a cohesive vision.
"I have pop songs on there, R&B, and you can tell the soul of the song came from Memphis," he said.
Hitkidd has produced numerous rap hits in recent years. "Shabooya," a 2022 single featuring Gloss Up, K Carbon, Slimeroni and Alexa, was the breakout song for the four rappers, and garnered 55 million streams and 40 million views.
The Memphis producer is likely best known for his 2022 anthem with Glorilla, “F.N.F (Let's Go)." "F.N.F." reached No. 1 on Urban Radio, and achieved platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America
(RIAA). The track received multiple major nominations, including "Best Rap Performance" at the Grammy Awards, "Song of the Year" at the BET Awards and Pitchfork, and "Hip-hop Song of the Year" at iheart Radio's awards.
Since then, Hitkidd has worked with numerous other high-profile rappers like Megan Thee Stallion, A$AP Rocky, Key Glock and Duke Deuce, who Hitkidd said has been his favorite artist to
work with. The two have collaborated on numerous hits like "Chosen," "Work" and "No Smoke."
"There's always a lot of energy, and we always have the same thought pattern when it comes to making music," he said. "We understand each other without even having to talk."
While Hitkidd is primarily a producer, he has released multiple albums as the primary artist, including "Hitkidd for President 2020," "Set the
Tone," "Renegade" and the upcoming "Hitkidd for President." He said working as both producer and artist comes naturally.
"I'm [heavily] involved in the songs that I do, and I really like working like that," he said. "Being able to be artist led on the song, there's really a lot that comes with it, but it's natural though."
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at jacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com .