Production in the rap industry is nothing short of impressive. While it takes a strong rapper to drive a song home, the beat behind the vocals can be just as important. After listening to King Louie’s hit song “Live Or Die In Chicago” our TapSongz Team wanted to look further into what made the song so special. We contacted producer iAmSmylez to learn more about his production career and path to the music industry.
He was 11 years old when he began rapping verses. “My older brothers had a rap group. I would hang out with them so much and they would freestyle,” iAmSmylez said. After rapping with his brother, he decided to go to the studio and began to look at the production side of things. Being friends with Young Choppa, iAmSmylez went to the studio in Chicago and decided to take production seriously. “My computer was old from my dad’s basement, but I put it together and started producing,” he told our TapSongz Team.
It seemed like the perfect opportunity. Knowing a lot of people in the Chicago area, iAmSmylez was ready to make a run at production for his career. Chicago has so many up and coming rappers including Chance The Rapper, King Louie, Vic Mensa, and Chief Keef. “I was working with an artist and King Louie did a remix of the song and I got introduced to him,” iAmSmylez said. He was able to link up with King Louie and work on a project together. “King Louie came through the studio and wanted me to send him some songs. I sent him 10-15 songs and the beat for ‘Live Or Die In Chicago’ wasn’t even my favorite song but he loved it.”
“Live Or Die In Chicago” has grown to over two million plays on YouTube. For the remainder of the year, iAmSmylez hopes to come out with some new hit songs with his group “League Boy”. He also hopes to work with some of his favorite artists including Migos, Rich Homie and Young Thug. Be sure to keep an eye out for iAmSmylez as we believe this won’t be the last time you hear about his production! Here at TapSongz, we thank you for reading this feature article as we continue finding tomorrow’s greatest music today!
He was 11 years old when he began rapping verses. “My older brothers had a rap group. I would hang out with them so much and they would freestyle,” iAmSmylez said. After rapping with his brother, he decided to go to the studio and began to look at the production side of things. Being friends with Young Choppa, iAmSmylez went to the studio in Chicago and decided to take production seriously. “My computer was old from my dad’s basement, but I put it together and started producing,” he told our TapSongz Team.
It seemed like the perfect opportunity. Knowing a lot of people in the Chicago area, iAmSmylez was ready to make a run at production for his career. Chicago has so many up and coming rappers including Chance The Rapper, King Louie, Vic Mensa, and Chief Keef. “I was working with an artist and King Louie did a remix of the song and I got introduced to him,” iAmSmylez said. He was able to link up with King Louie and work on a project together. “King Louie came through the studio and wanted me to send him some songs. I sent him 10-15 songs and the beat for ‘Live Or Die In Chicago’ wasn’t even my favorite song but he loved it.”
“Live Or Die In Chicago” has grown to over two million plays on YouTube. For the remainder of the year, iAmSmylez hopes to come out with some new hit songs with his group “League Boy”. He also hopes to work with some of his favorite artists including Migos, Rich Homie and Young Thug. Be sure to keep an eye out for iAmSmylez as we believe this won’t be the last time you hear about his production! Here at TapSongz, we thank you for reading this feature article as we continue finding tomorrow’s greatest music today!
