Sonny Digital

Early life

Sonny, of Nigerian Igbo descent, was born on March 5, 1991, in Saginaw, Michigan and quickly moved to Atlanta, Georgia while still an infant. He has been involved in making music since an early age. At first he started rapping while at school, but found it hard to get instrumentals to rap over. When he was 13, he was influenced by his older cousin to start making beats. Aside from school, Sonny didn't have other hobbies like playing sports or video games, so he dedicated a large amount of his free time to creating music. Sonny was inspired by famous producers Shawty Redd and Drumma Boy and initially tried to copy their sound while learning to make beats. Eventually his production transformed into his own style.

Career

2011–2013: First charting singles and success

When he was 16, he joined a hip-hop group as a producer and was also producing mixtapes for other local artists. In 2011, YC used one of his beats for the single "Racks", which went to become a national hit, peaking at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified Gold by RIAA. The song was also featured in the Billboard 2011 Year-end Rap songs and R&B/Hip-hop songs charts.

Sonny released his first official mixtape Digital History on May 9, 2011. The tape, hosted by DJ 1Hunnit, is a collection of songs Sonny had produced between 2010 and 2011. It features many rappers, such as Plies, Wale, 2 Chainz and Future. It has been viewed over 70,000 times on LiveMixtapes.

Sonny produced six songs on Gorilla Zoe's album King Kong released in June. Sonny's second mixtape Behind the Muzik was released on September 8, 2011. It is a collaboration with fellow producer Will A Fool, where each produced half of the songs.

In late 2011, Sonny produced Future's hit single "Same Damn Time", which was initially featured on Future's mixtape Streetz Calling. Following the song's success, in 2012 Future released a new version of "Same Damn Time" as the third official single from his debut album Pluto. It peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100. A music video for the single was released on April 4, 2012. Sonny Digital also produced the official remix of "Same Damn Time" featuring rappers Diddy and Ludacris, which was released on May 17, 2012. The remix was featured on Future's re-release of Pluto, titled Pluto 3D.

In March 2012, Sonny produced Gorilla Zoe's mixtape Gorilla Zoe World. The tape was certified bronze for being downloaded over 25,000 times on popular mixtape site DatPiff. In early 2012 Sonny also worked on Gucci Mane's mixtapes Trap Back and I'm Up. On June 8, 2012, Sonny Digital released his debut rap single, "Business Man", featuring rapper Que. The song was produced by BWheezy.

Sonny produced 2 Chainz' single "Birthday Song", which was released on July 24, 2012. Sonny created the original beat, which was later modified by a number of GOOD Music producers – Kanye West, BWheezy, Anthony Kilhoffer, Lifted and Mike Dean. The single peaked at number 49 on the US Hot 100, and also entered top 10 of the R&B and Rap charts. The official music video was released on August 30, 2012, and became a viral success, gaining over 30 million views on YouTube.

Later in 2012, Sonny produced the track "Don't Get Me Started", which was featured on the deluxe version of DJ Khaled's album Kiss the Ring, as well as on Ace Hood's mixtape Body Bag 2. The official video for the promo single was released on August 17, 2012, on Ace Hood's YouTube channel. Sonny was featured on Jo FloWroshus' single "Attention" from his 900° album. In an interview with BET Sonny stated he was working with artists B.o.B, Ace Hood and Wiz Khalifa, and making a new mixtape with fellow producer Drumma Boy. He also wants to work with a famous pop singer like Justin Bieber.

In March 2013, Sonny released a collaboration mixtape with rapper Que, titled Forbes Atlanta.

2014–present: ''Billboard'' top 10 and more projects

In 2014, Sonny produced the track "Tuesday" by ILoveMakonnen and Drake. The song peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100.

In August 2018, Sonny produced the Travis Scott song "Stargazing", which peaked at number eight on the Hot 100 and earned Sonny his highest charting single.

In 2019, Sonny announced a follow-up collaboration project with Black Boe, the album to be titled Black Goat II, after 2017's Black Goat.

Other ventures

In 2011, Sonny founded his own self-titled record label.

Artistry

Sonny uses the music production software FL Studio along with custom plug-ins to make his beats. He seeks inspiration in listening to other producers' tracks, music in general and watching movies.

Discography

Mixtapes

• 2011 – Digital History, hosted by DJ 1Hunnit
• 2011 – Behind the Muzik (with Will A Fool), hosted by DJ Iceberg & DJ Pretty Boy Tank
• 2012 – Gorilla Zoe World (with Gorilla Zoe), hosted by Trap-A-Holics, DJ Smallz & DJ Nando
• 2013 – Forbes Atlanta (with Que), hosted by DJ Scream & DJ Spinz
• 2016 – MadeInDigital (with MadeinTYO)
• 2017 – Black G.O.A.T (with Black Boe)

Singles

• 2012 – "Business Man" (feat. Que), prod. by BWheezy
• 2018 – "I Got" (feat. Lil Xan & $teven Cannon), prod. by DJFU
• 2019 – "Work", prod. by Nebu Kiniza

Production discography

Charted songs

Production credits

2011

Gorilla Zoe – King Kong

• 03 – Crazy (featuring Gucci Mane) (with Jesse "Corporal" Wilson)
• 04 – Nasty (featuring Yo Gotti)
• 05 – At All (featuring Ray Dinero)
• 06 – What's Goin On
• 08 – Your Bitch
• 09 – My Shawty

Wiz Khalifa – Cabin Fever

• 08 – WTF (with Lex Luger)

YC – NBA Live 2005 Exclusive

• 01 – Racks (featuring Future)

Juicy J – Rubba Band Business 2

• 04 – You
• 13 – Bought Some Guns Yesterday

Roscoe Dash – J.U.I.C.E.

• 06 – Very First Time
• 07 – Awesome

Kevin Gates – "Drug Dealer Potential"

• 01 – Drug Dealer Potential

Ace Hood – Blood, Sweat & Tears

• 06 – Memory Lane (featuring Kevin Cossom)

Wale – The Eleven One Eleven Theory

• 09 – Passive Agrees-Her

Juicy J – Blue Dream & Lean

• 03 – Juicy J Can't
• 08 – Geeked Up On Them Bars
• 17 – You Want Deez Rackz (with Lex Luger)
• 23 – Been Gettin' Money

Future – Streetz Calling

• 02 – Same Damn Time

Yung Joc – Ready To Fly

• 02 – Deuces (Feat. Tity Boi)

2 Chainz – UNKNOWN

• 00 – 10 Summaz Feat. Rick Ross

Kid Ink – Wheels Up

• 06 – Never Change

Ilovemakkonnen side by side

2012

Jody Breeze – Airplane Mode

• "Hood Shit" (feat. Big Gee)
• "Aliens" (ft. Raven Ramone)
• "Sprint" (feat. Cash Out)

Future – Astronaut Status

• 08 – Jordan Diddy (featuring Gucci Mane)

Gorilla Zoe – Gorilla Zoe World

• All songs

Gucci Mane – Trap Back

• 02 – Back in 95

SPOT – The Price Iz Right

• 02 – Young N!ggaz Gettin $ (featuring Sonny Digital)

Gucci Mane – I'm Up

• 09 – Drink Mud

Future – Pluto

• 11 – Same Damn Time

Young Lace – Above Average

• 05 – Sold Out (featuring Dubb & Cashout Kidd)
• 06 – Ball (featuring Cashout Kidd & Mann)
• 12 – Money In (featuring Kid Ink)
• 14 – How We Ball (Feat. T.I. & Don)

Juicy J – Blue Dream & Lean (Bonus Tracks)

• 05 – Money Mane (Remix)
• 06 – These Hands

Chevy Woods – Gang Land

• 15 – M'Fer (featuring Wiz Khalifa)

Waka Flocka Flame – Triple F Life

• 18 – Everything I Love (featuring Future & Trouble) (with Southside)

Jackie Chain – Bruce Lean Chronicles

• 04 – Numbers

2 Chainz – Based on a T.R.U. Story

• 05 – Birthday Song (featuring Kanye West) (with Kanye West (co.), BWheezy (co.), Anthony Kilhoffer (add.), Lifted (add.) and Mike Dean (add.))

DJ Khaled – Kiss the Ring

• 13 – Don't Get Me Started (featuring Ace Hood)

Ace Hood – Body Bag 2

• 07 – Don't Get Me Started
• 10 – Lottery (featuring Kevin Cossom)

Trae Tha Truth – Tha Blackprint

• 03 – Choppa Talk (featuring Young Jeezy & Yo Gotti)

Diamond – The Young Life

• 03 – Reality Check
• 09 – The Thirst

Rocko – Wordplay

• 01 – Re (with Hollywood J)

Roscoe Dash – Roscoe 2.0

• 10 – No Days Off

Reese – Reese Vs. The World 2

• 06 – Again (featuring Curtis Williams)

B.o.B – Fuck 'Em We Ball

• 13 – Greedy Love

Young Lace – Bipolar

• 03 – Papered Up
• 06 – Pick it Up

Future – Pluto 3D

• 03 – First Class Flights
• 07 – My
• 08 – Same Damn Time (Remix) (featuring Diddy & Ludacris)

Frank Whyte – 1728

• 03 – I'm Smashin' (featuring MopTop)

2013

Sonny Digital & Que – Forbes Atlanta

• 01 – Forbes Atlanta Intro
• 02 – Young Nigga
• 03 – DJ Ray G Speaks
• 17 – Never Goin Broke

Chief Keef – Bang Pt. 2

• 00 – Where He Get It (with 808 Mafia & Metro Boomin)

Ace Hood – Trials & Tribulations

• 04 – Before The Rollie (featuring Meek Mill)
• 10 – Pray For Me (with 808 Mafia & Metro Boomin)

2014

Young Money – Young Money: Rise of an Empire

• 03 – "Bang" (featuring Lil Twist, Euro, and Cory Gunz)

Wiz Khalifa – 28 Grams

• 12 – "Jim Brown"
• 17 – "Banger" (featuring Ty Dolla $ign)
• 24 – "OUY"

Wiz Khalifa – Blacc Hollywood

• 17 – "Word On the Town" (produced with Juicy J)

B.o.B – No Genre Pt. 2

• 07 – "Get Right" (featuring Mike Fresh)

ILoveMakonnen – ILoveMakonnen

• 03 – "Tuesday" (featuring Drake) (produced with Metro Boomin)
• 02 – "I Don't Sell Molly No More (Featuring Wiz Khalifa)

2015

Kourtney Money – The Return Of Money (Zone 6 Edition)

• "Tell 'Em Again" (ft. Young Nudy)

Future – DS2

• "Groupies" (produced with Metro Boomin & Southside)
• "Blow a Bag" (produced with Metro Boomin & Southside)

Travis Scott – Rodeo

• "Pornography" (produced with Metro Boomin)
• "Ok/Alright" ft. Schoolboy Q" (produced with Metro Boomin & Mike Dean)
• "Never Catch Me" (produced with Allen Ritter & WondaGurl)

Juicy J – 100% Juice

• 03 - Beans And Lean
• 04 - Shut Da Fuc Up
• 06 - You Knew
• 07 - Scrape (ft. Wiz Khalifa & Project Pat)
• 15 – "Touch Da Sky First" (produced with Metro Boomin, Southside, Lex Luger, and Crazy Mike)

Chief Keef – Finally Rollin 2

• 3. "Black Ops"
• 17. "Jumanji" (produced with Metro Boomin)

Chief Keef – Back From The Dead 3/Cabinet Fever

• 0. Beethoven (produced with TM88 and Zaytoven)
• 0. Drag Racin
• 0. BIH
• 0. Tweaker
• 0. Stand
• 0. Straight to the Bank

Wiz Khalifa – Cabin Fever 3

• "Prequel" ft. Curren$y
• "No Worries" ft. Chevy Woods
• "Finish Line" ft Project Pat
• "Left" ft. Yo Gotti
• "Move On" ft. Kevin Gates
• "Gangster 101" ft. King Los

50 Cent – The Kanan Tape

• I'm The Man"

Juicy J – OS To Oscar

• "Intro"
• "Durdy" (produced with Metro Boomin & Southside)
• "Curve Dat"

Migos & Rich The Kid – Streets on Lock 4

• "Richer Than Rappers"

Young Buck – 10 Pints

• "Ok"

YFN Lucci – Wish Me Well

• "So What" (ft. Johnny Cinco)

Pnb Rock – RNB 3 : Philadelphia

• "Alone"
• "Aftermath"
• "Fall N Luv"
• "Band$ on You"

Young Thug – Slime Season

• "Quarterback" (ft. Migos & Peewee Longway)

Jeezy – Gangsta Party

• "Pot Life"

Que – I Am Que

• "Gucci Said"

Lil Uzi Vert – Luv is Rage

• "Right Now"

Ty Dolla Sign – Airplane Mode

• "Do Thangs" (produced with Ty Dolla Sign)

Que – Lost Dawg

• "Back"

Key! - Screaming Dreams : The Prelude

• "50 Round Drums" ft. 21 Savage (produced with Metro Boomin and TM88)
• "Raise Hell" (produced with Zaytoven)
• "Hell Yeah"

21 Savage – Free Guwop

• "12AM"
• "Twenty1"
• "H2O" (produced with Zaytoven)
• "1 Foot"
• "Red Opps"
• "Supply" (produced with Metro Boomin & Southside)

21 Savage – Slaughter King

• "Wow"

SD – Just The Beginning

• "Fascinated"

Ace Hood – Starvation 4

• "954"

Key!

• "Store Run"

Zuse – Trap Zuse

• "Percy Miller"

OJ Juiceman – 6 Rings 3

• "Space Jam"

Lil Uzi Vert – The Wraith, The Uzi Vert

• "So Hit"

Jeezy – CITS

• "No Other Way"

2016

Landstrip Chip – Cruising Control

• 2. "On My Cross"
• 8. "Bells" (feat. Droffe)

G.O.A.T

• "Don't Play" (feat. Young Sizzle and Juicy J)

Meek Mill – DC4

• 5. "Froze" (featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Nicki Minaj)
• 6. "The Difference" (featuring Quavo)

2017

Machine Gun Kelly – Bloom

• 7. "Trap Paris" (featuring Quavo & Ty Dolla $ign) Smokepurpp
• "Nobody" (featuring Lil Peep) (produced with Metro Boomin & Southside)

2018

Big Cat & PFTCommenter

• "Drink Paint" (featuring Tyler I Am)

Travis Scott – Astroworld

• 1. "Stargazing" (produced with B Wheezy, Bkorn and 30 Roc)

2019

Beyoncé – Homecoming: The Live Album

• 10 – "I Been On"

Big Cat & PFTCommenter

• "Chonk (It's Chonk)" (featuring Tyler I am)

2020

Don Toliver – Heaven or Hell

• 3. Cardigan (produced with Frank Dukes, Cvre, Mido, & Mike Dean
• 4. After Party (produced with Mike Dean, Travis Scott, Cubeatz, & Nils)
• 10. Spaceship (featuring Sheck Wes) (produced with Frank Dukes & Mike Dean)

Pap Chanel & Future

• "Gucci Bucket Hat" (produced with Rio Leyva & Project X)

2021

Don Toliver – Life of a Don

• 3. Way Bigger (produced with Bryvn, FrankieXY, & Sir Dylan)

Notes

References

References

1. [http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sonny-corey-uwaezuoke-mn0002698847/ Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke Credits] AllMusic.com, Rovi Inc.
2. [https://archive.today/20121225211629/http://vk.com/sonny_digital Sonny Digital] VK.com
3. [http://www.hiphopweekly.com/2011/07/02/hhw-exclusive-behind-the-beats-with-sonny-digital/ HHW exclusive: behind the beats with Sonny Digital] {{Webarchive. link. (January 2, 2012 Hip Hop Weekly)
4. [http://www.thesource.com/articles/219504/Behind-The-Boards%3A-Sonny-Digital/ Behind The Boards: Sonny Digital] {{Webarchive. link. (December 7, 2012 The Source)
5. [http://www.discogs.com/artist/Sonny+Digital Sonny Digital] Discogs.com
6. (April 9, 2018). "Sonny Digital talks break from producing and not getting the respect he deserves".
7. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc9RjIi1-TQ South Side, TM88, & Sonny Digital Studio Session] YouTube – 808 Mafia TV
8. [http://www.theboombox.com/2012/08/14/sonny-digital-kanye-west/ Sonny Digital Shares Conversations With Kanye West, Working With Wiz Khalifa, DJ Khaled] The Boombox
9. [{{BillboardURLbyName
10. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121129041203/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2011/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs "2011 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs"] Billboard
11. [https://archive.today/20120719181502/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2011/hot-rap-songs "2011 Year End Charts – Rap Songs"] Billboard
12. [http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/13800/sonny_digital_digital_history.html Mixtapes › DJs › DJ 1Hunnit › Sonny Digital – Digital History] LiveMixtapes.com
13. [http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/14616/sonny_digital_x_will_a_fool_behind_the_music.html Mixtapes › DJs › DJ Iceberg, DJ Pretty Boy Tank › Sonny Digital x Will A Fool – Behind The Music] LiveMixtapes.com
14. [{{BillboardURLbyName
15. [http://www.vibe.com/article/future-set-re-release-pluto-3d-new-songs Future Set To Re-Release 'Pluto 3d' With New Songs] Vibe
16. [http://www.datpiff.com/Gorilla-Zoe-Gorilla-Zoe-World-mixtape.320956.html Gorilla Zoe – Gorilla Zoe World] {{Webarchive. link. (October 7, 2012 DatPiff.com)
17. [https://www.amazon.com/Business-Man-Album-Version-Explicit/dp/B008ARZQJA Business Man Album Version] Amazon
18. [http://www.thatretailchick.me/press-play-power/producer-sonnydigital-preps-new-single-business-man/#.UIxdSMXMjko Producer @SonnyDigital Releases New Single 'Business Man'] ThatRetailChick
19. [http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/08/sonny-digital-explains-origins-of-2-chainz-and-kanye-wests-birthday-song/ Sonny Digital Explains Origins of 2 Chainz and Kanye West's "Birthday Song"] XXL Magazine
20. [http://www.sweetpotion.com/albums/2012/33/ 2 Chainz – Based On A T.R.U. Story] SweetPotion.com
21. [https://www.bet.com/article/v7pple/producer-sonny-digital-praises-kanye-s-helping-hand Producer Sonny Digital Praises Kanye's Helping Hand] BET.com
22. "Behind the Beat". Full Blast Magazine.
23. "Sonny Digital & Que – Forbes Atlanta".
24. (August 13, 2019). "Sonny Digital Is Quietly Becoming One of Hip-Hop's Next Moguls".
25. (January 16, 2020). "Sonny Digital Teams With Black Boe For 'Black Goat 2' EP".
26. [https://www.instagram.com/p/BzPiitSnGy2/] {{dead link. (April 2020)
27. {{cite certification
28. [http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/mixtape/id.1470/title.wale-the-eleven-one-eleven-theory Wale The Eleven One Eleven Theory > Tracklist] HipHopDX.com
29. [http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/15290/juicy_j_blue_dream_lean.html Juicy J – Blue Dream & Lean] LiveMixtapes.com
30. [http://www.datpiff.com/Kid-Ink-Wheels-Up-mixtape.263019.html Kid Ink – Wheels Up] DatPiff
31. (May 24, 2012). "Jody Breeze – Airplane Mode". Livemixtapes.
32. [http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/18133/young_lace_above_average.html DJ Mustard › Young Lace – Above Average] LiveMixtapes.com
33. [http://www.freeonsmash.com/news/2012/08/28/diamond-the-young-life-mixtape/ Diamond – The Young Life [Mixtape]] {{webarchive. link. (October 28, 2012 [[OnSmash]])
34. [http://www.datpiff.com/BoB-Fuck-Em-We-Ball-mixtape.415029.html B.o.B Fuck Em We Ball] DatPiff, retrieved November 16, 2012
35. (February 20, 2015). "Kourtney Money – The Return Of Money (Zone 6 Edition)". Livemixtapes.