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No I.D.

American music producer (born 1971)


American music producer (born 1971)

FieldValue
nameNo I.D.
imageNo I.D.jpg
captionNo I.D. in 2008
birth_nameErnest Dion Wilson
alias
birth_date
birth_placeChicago, Illinois, U.S.
discographyNo I.D. production discography
genre
occupation
years_active1987–present
label
current_member_of{{flatlist
  • Cocaine 80s}}

Ernest Dion Wilson (born June 23, 1971), known professionally as No I.D. (formerly Immenslope), is an American record producer, DJ and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his early work with Chicago-based rapper Common, as well as his career mentorship of rappers Kanye West, J. Cole and Logic. Wilson first gained success for his role as an in-house producer for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings—leading to largely uncredited work on Dupri's productions "My Boo" by Usher, "Outta My System" and "Let Me Hold You" by Bow Wow—before reaching commercial success with his solo productions. He worked with Jay-Z to produce his singles "Run This Town" and "Holy Grail," West to produce "Heartless," and Drake to produce "Find Your Love" and "Nonstop"; each have peaked within the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Nicknamed "the Godfather of Chicago hip hop," Wilson is also a former recording artist and signed with Relativity Records to release his only studio album, Accept Your Own and Be Yourself (The Black Album) (1997). He served as president of West's record label GOOD Music from 2008 to 2011, and thereafter formed his own label, ARTium Records as an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. The label has signed artists including Vince Staples, Jhené Aiko and Snoh Aalegra. Also in 2011, Wilson formed the supergroup Cocaine 80s with Common, Aiko, and James Fauntleroy, and was named Executive Vice President of A&R for Def Jam Recordings. In 2018, he was appointed as Executive Vice President of Capitol Music Group.

Musical career

In 1996, Wilson released an album under the pseudonym No I.D., titled Accept Your Own and Be Yourself (The Black Album). The moniker No I.D. is a play on the backwards spelling of his birth name, Dion. He also released a beat tape, titled Invisible Beats. In Wilson's early career he was working as a co-producer for Jermaine Dupri. No I.D. went on to work on hit singles such as "My Boo" by Usher and Alicia Keys and "Let Me Hold You" by Bow Wow featuring Omarion, as well as "Resurrection" and the ode to hip hop "I Used to Love H.E.R.", which garnered Chicago-based rapper Common his early fame. Wilson also introduced Chicago-based rapper Kanye West to hip hop production, inviting him to his sessions with Common, when West was only beginning. He also introduced West to a long-time friend named Kyambo "Hip Hop" Joshua, who was A&R for Roc-A-Fella Records, who eventually signed West to his imprint Hip Hop Since 1978, which launched West's career as an artist and into stardom. West cites Wilson as his mentor on "Last Call," the outro to his highly acclaimed debut album The College Dropout (2004). West also referenced Wilson's mentorship on songs such as "Big Brother" and "Made in America." Wilson's second official release was with Dug Infinite, a two-album package titled The Sampler, vol. 1 (2002).

In 2007, he was the focus of significant attention for producing two songs from Jay-Z's album American Gangster. At the time he worked with artists such as Jay-Z, Rhymefest, Plies, Big Sean, Killer Mike, Rick Ross, Drake (Thank Me Later) and Kanye West (808's & Heartbreak, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy), Young Jeezy, and Rihanna on their then-upcoming albums. Wilson produced "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)", the first single for Jay-Z's eleventh studio album The Blueprint 3 (2009), as well as the second single "Run This Town", which features Kanye West and Rihanna. He once again teamed up with Common for the first time since 1997, when he handled the production for his ninth album The Dreamer/The Believer (2011). In June 2011, Wilson formed Cocaine 80s, a musical ensemble composed of several musicians, including Common, James Fauntleroy II, Kevin Randolph, Makeba Riddick, Rob "The Mixer" Kinelski, Steve Wyreman, Free Bass, Keys of Coke and Sam Lewis, among several others.

After resigning as President of Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music record company, in August 2011, it was announced No I.D. was appointed Executive Vice President of A&R for Def Jam Recordings. In addition, Def Jam has signed an exclusive joint venture label deal for No I.D.'s Artium Recordings. The announcements were made by Barry Weiss, Chairman and CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown and Karen Kwak, EVP / Head of A&R, Island Def Jam Music Group. In 2012, Wilson was an executive producer on New York City-based rapper Nas' critically acclaimed eleventh album Life Is Good, producing five songs, including the twice Grammy Award-nominated single "Daughters", as well as "Loco-Motive" and "Accident Murderers".In April 2013, it was revealed Wilson signed up-and-coming rapper Logic, to Def Jam. In 2013, Wilson served as the primary producer of G.O.O.D. Music recording artist Big Sean's second album Hall of Fame. In an August 2013 interview with Complex, Wilson said he was currently working on Jhene Aiko and Logic's upcoming respective debut albums. Since the inception of Artium, Wilson has signed Common, Los Angeles-based singer Jhené Aiko and singer Elijah Blake. On June 30, 2017, Wilson was credited as the primary producer on 4:44 - a new album released via Tidal by Jay-Z. The album has been met with widespread acclaim from music reviews and is notable for the personal account of Jay-Z's alleged infidelity on the title track. 4:44 was the latest installment in an extensive professional relationship between the two, as No I.D. has produced more tracks for Jay-Z than anyone else other than Just Blaze and Timbaland.

ARTium Recordings

ARTium Recordings is an American record label imprint, founded by No I.D. In August 2011, it was announced No I.D. was appointed Executive Vice President of A&R for Def Jam Recordings. In addition, Def Jam has signed an exclusive joint venture label deal for No I.D.'s ARTium Recordings. The announcements were made by Barry Weiss, Chairman and CEO of Universal Republic and Island Def Jam Motown and Karen Kwak, EVP / Head of A&R, Island Def Jam Music Group. No I.D. would report directly to Mr. Weiss and Ms. Kwak. In 2012, No I.D. signed American neo-soul singer Jhené Aiko. By September 2013, No I.D. had signed up-and-coming American R&B singers Elijah Blake and Snoh Aalegra On June 4, 2014, it was announced No I.D.'s longtime collaborator and Chicago-bred rapper Common, signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings and ARTium Recordings.

Artists (past and present)

  • Cocaine 80s
  • Common
  • Jhené Aiko
  • Jordan Ward
  • Snoh Aalegra
  • Vince Staples
  • DJ Dahi
  • Mark Battles
  • Ogi

Discography

ArtistAlbumDetails
Jhené AikoSail Out (EP)
CommonNobody's Smiling
Jhené AikoSouled Out
Elijah BlakeDrift (EP)
Vince StaplesHell Can Wait (EP)
Elijah BlakeShadows & Diamonds
Vince StaplesSummertime '06
TWENTY88TWENTY88 (EP)
(released with GOOD)
Snoh AalegraDon't Explain (EP)
Vince StaplesPrima Donna (EP)
CommonBlack America Again
Jhené AikoTrip
Snoh AalegraFeels
Snoh Aalegra- Ugh, those feels again
Jhené AikoChilombo
Snoh AalegraTemporary Highs in the Violet Skies

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsUS
R&B/HHAccept Your Own and Be Yourself (The Black Album)The Sampler, vol. 1
(with Dug Infinite)From the Private Collection of Saba and No I.D.
(with Saba)
94
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbumUSUS
R&BUS
Rap"Sky's the Limit"
1997Accept Your Own and Be Yourself (The Black Album)
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

TitleYearOther artist(s)Album"Two Scoops of Raisins""In My Own World (Check the Method)""When You Hot You Hot""America"
1992CommonCan I Borrow a Dollar?
1994Resurrection
1998DJ Honda, Dug Infiniteh II
2017Logic, Chuck D, Black Thought, Big LenboEverybody

Production discography

Main article: No I.D. production discography

Singles produced

TitleYearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbumUSUS
R&BUS
RapCANGERNLDNZSWESWIUK"Take It EZ"
(Common Sense)"Breaker 1/9"
(Common Sense)"Soul by the Pound"
(Common Sense)"I Used to Love H.E.R."
(Common Sense)"Resurrection"
(Common Sense)"Retrospect for Life"
(Common featuring Lauryn Hill)"Smile"
(G-Unit)"Let Me Hold You"
(Bow Wow featuring Omarion)"Ooh Wee"
(Majic Massey)"Outta My System"
(Bow Wow featuring T-Pain and Johntá Austin)"Put It on Ya"
(Plies featuring Chris J)"Heartless"
(Kanye West)"D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)"
(Jay-Z)"Run This Town"
(Jay-Z featuring Kanye West and Rihanna)"Find Your Love"
(Drake)"Mr. Rager"
(Kid Cudi)"Ready Set Go"
(Killer Mike featuring T.I.)"My Last"
(featuring Chris Brown)"Ghetto Dreams"
(Common featuring Nas)"Blue Sky"
(Common)"Sweet"
(Common)"Celebrate"
(Common)"This Time"
(Melanie Fiona featuring J. Cole)"Daughters"
(Nas)"Accident Murderers"
(Nas featuring Rick Ross)"Pain"
(Pusha T featuring Future)"Switch Up"
(Big Sean featuring Common)"Black Skinhead"
(Kanye West)"Holy Grail"
(Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake)"Control"
(Big Sean featuring Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica)"Bound 2""Satellites"
(Tassho Pearce featuring Kid Cudi)"Kingdom"
(Common featuring Vince Staples)"To Love & Die"
(Jhené Aiko featuring Cocaine 80s)"Speak My Piece"
(Common)"Diamonds"
(Common featuring Big Sean)"The Story of O.J."
(Jay-Z)"4:44"
(Jay-Z)"Bam"
(Jay-Z featuring Damian Marley)"New Light"
(John Mayer)
19925Can I Borrow a Dollar?
10710
19931087
19949131Resurrection
1028822
1997One Day It'll All Make Sense
200472Beg for Mercy
200542127Wanted
2006221222The Price of Fame
20083186Da REAList
241837316174610808s & Heartbreak
200924431579The Blueprint 3
231618309891
201053108524Thank Me Later
77Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager
110PL3DGE
20113041Finally Famous
The Dreamer/The Believer
95
201289The MF Life
78Life Is Good
My Name Is My Name
201350Hall of Fame
6921156634Yeezus
4211324832415247Magna Carta Holy Grail
11143rowspan="1"
12337455Yeezus
2014G.O.O.D. Company
Nobody's Smiling
4672Souled Out
Nobody's Smiling
2017231075328RIAA: Gold4:44
3515116973
47211693
2018Sob Rock
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

|- |"Run This Town" | |- |"D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" | |- |"Daughters" | |- |"Holy Grail" | |- |"Bound 2" | |- | |- |Record of the Year | |- |"4:44" |Song of the Year | |- |"4:44" |Album of the Year | |- |Himself |Producer of the Year, Non-Classical |

References

References

  1. Johnson, Fatim. (August 7, 2012). "Respect Your Elders: Common — "Two Scoops of Raisins" : RESPECT". Respect-mag.com.
  2. "Immenslope | Credits". AllMusic.
  3. (November 28, 2017). "Artist: No I.D.". Recording Academy.
  4. "No I.D. profile". Hot New Hip Hop.
  5. (January 17, 2014). "Logic Says No I.D. Is Like Yoda".
  6. (July 25, 2012). "No I.D.". BET.com.
  7. Ahmed, Insanul. "Interview: No I.D. Talks Def Jam, Kanye West, & How He Affected "Watch The Throne"". Complex.
  8. Barker, Andrew. (2018-01-24). "Capitol Records' Dion 'No I.D.' Wilson on Producing Jay-Z's '4:44' and Finding Diamonds in the Rough".
  9. (September 2, 1997). "Accept Your Own & Be Yourself (The Black Album) - No I.D. | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic.
  10. "No I.D. - Invisible Beats (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  11. "The Original Hip-Hop (Rap) Lyrics Archive". Ohhla.com.
  12. (February 25, 2001). "Cocaine 80s". Hotnewhiphop.com.
  13. (June 24, 2011). "News in Brief: Cocaine 80s (No I.D. and Common), Marianne Faithfull, Kaiser Chiefs, Big Business | News". Pitchfork.
  14. (June 22, 2011). "No I.D. Links With Common for 'Cocaine 80s' Side Project". Complex.
  15. "GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING HIP HOP PRODUCER NO I.D. APPOINTED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF A&R FOR DEF JAM RECORDINGS". Universalmusic.com.
  16. (August 29, 2011). "No ID Appointed Vice President Of Def Jam". Hip-Hop Wired.
  17. Mlynar, Phillip. "Logic on Working with No I.D., Signing to Def Jam and Sleeping on Couches". MTV Hive.
  18. Nguyen, Michael. (May 17, 2013). "Logic Details Aligning With No I.D. & Def Jam While Maintaining His Lyrical Approach | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop". HipHop DX.
  19. (August 28, 2013). "No I.D. Control Interview". Complex.
  20. (October 20, 2018). "Dissecting No I.D.'s Production Masterclass on "4:44" - CentralSauce". CentralSauce.
  21. (September 23, 2013). "Kanye West's Mentor No I.D. Stacks ARTium Recordings with 3 R&B Artists". Singersroom.
  22. (June 4, 2014). "Common Signs to No I.D.'s Artium/Def Jam Label". Billboard.
  23. "Common Signs To Def Jam, Announces "Nobody's Smiling" Release Date". Slumz.boxden.com.
  24. "Jhené Aiko – Chart history: Billboard 200". [[Prometheus Global Media]].
  25. {{cite certification
  26. "Common – Chart history: Billboard 200". [[Prometheus Global Media]].
  27. "Vince Staples – Chart history: Billboard 200". [[Prometheus Global Media]].
  28. "Twenty88 – Chart history: Billboard 200". [[Prometheus Global Media]].
  29. "Feels by Snoh Aalegra".
  30. (August 16, 2019). "- Ugh, those feels again by Snoh Aalegra".
  31. Aroesti, Rachel. (July 9, 2021). "Snoh Aalegra: Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies review – inventive R&B with retro charm".
  32. "From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID by Saba & No ID".
  33. (1997). "No I.D. - Sky's The Limit/Jump On It (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com.
  34. (August 2, 2005). "iTunes - Music - Ooh Wee - Single by Majic Massey". [[iTunes]].
  35. "Kanye West "Heartless" {{!}} IFPI".
  36. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Kanye West; 'Heartless')".
  37. "Italian single certifications – Kanye West – Heartless - Richiedi targhetta".
  38. (2011-08-31). "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles - RadioScope New Zealand".
  39. "British single certifications – Kanye West – Heartless".
  40. "American single certifications – Kanye West – Heartless".
  41. "American ringtone certifications – Kanye West – Heartless".
  42. "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope.
  43. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Jay-Z feat. Rihanna & Kanye West; 'Run This Town') (in German)".
  44. "American single certifications – Drake – Find Your Love".
  45. (December 7, 2010). "iTunes - Music - Ready Set Go (feat. T.I.) by Killer Mike". [[iTunes]].
  46. "American certifications – Sean, Big". [[Recording Industry Association of America]].
  47. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 23 September 2013". [[Recorded Music NZ]].
  48. "Gold & Platinum".
  49. (April 15, 2014). "Satellites (feat. Kid Cudi) – Single by Tassho Pearce". [[Apple Inc..
  50. Hardy, Jasmine. (March 17, 2014). "Tassho Pearce f. Kid Cudi - "Satellites [Prod. No I.D.]"". Cheri Media Group.
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