Sonny Corey Uwaezuoke (born March 5, 1991), VK.com better known by his stage name Sonny Digital, is an American record producer, rapper, and DJ.HHW exclusive: behind the beats with Sonny Digital Hip Hop Weekly He first saw recognition for his production work on YC's 2011 single "Racks", which peaked within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Throughout the following decade, he was credited on a string of commercially successful hip hop and trap singles, including ILoveMakonnen's "Tuesday", Future's "Same Damn Time", 50 Cent's "I'm the Man", 2 Chainz's "Birthday Song", and Travis Scott's "Stargazing". Uwaezuoke has also produced for XXL Magazine's Freshman Hip Hop Cyphers in 2017 and 2018, and pursued a career as a recording artist.Behind The Boards: Sonny Digital The SourceSonny Digital Discogs.com
Early in their respective careers, he discovered and worked in tandem with Metro Boomin, 808 Mafia, Southside, and TM88 for his productions.South Side, TM88, & Sonny Digital Studio Session YouTube – 808 Mafia TV He signed with Universal Music Publishing Group in 2014.
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.Sonny Digital Shares Conversations With Kanye West, Working With Wiz Khalifa, DJ Khaled The Boombox
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[ "YC Album & Song Chart History"] Billboard 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."2011 Year End Charts – Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs" Billboard Billboard
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.Mixtapes › DJs › DJ 1Hunnit › Sonny Digital – Digital History LiveMixtapes.com
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.Mixtapes › DJs › DJ Iceberg, DJ Pretty Boy Tank › Sonny Digital x Will A Fool – Behind The Music LiveMixtapes.com
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.[ Future > Chart History] Billboard 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.Future Set To Re-Release 'Pluto 3d' With New Songs Vibe
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.Gorilla Zoe – Gorilla Zoe World DatPiff.com 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.Business Man Album Version AmazonProducer @SonnyDigital Releases New Single 'Business Man' ThatRetailChick
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.Sonny Digital Explains Origins of 2 Chainz and Kanye West's "Birthday Song" XXL Magazine2 Chainz – Based On A T.R.U. Story SweetPotion.com 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.Producer Sonny Digital Praises Kanye's Helping Hand BET.com 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 Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US USR&B/HH USRap AUS CAN UK "Racks"2011 42 6 4——— RIAA: Gold Rack Nation "Same Damn Time"2012 92 12 16——— Pluto "Birthday Song" 47 10 8——— RIAA: 2× Platinum Based on a T.R.U. Story "Tuesday"2014 12 2 ——58165 RIAA: PlatinumILoveMakonnen "Up Like Trump"2015—4215——— RIAA: GoldSremmLife "Blow a Bag"952622——— RIAA: PlatinumDS2 "I'm the Man"—46———— RIAA: Gold BPI: SilverThe Kanan Tape "Red Opps"2016743125——— RIAA: PlatinumFree Guwop "Froze"682821—94—DC4 "Regrets"2017————98—Bloom "Stargazing"201887710715 RIAA: PlatinumAstroworld "Cardigan"202090—————Heaven or Hell "After Party"572320—35—
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"Wale The Eleven One Eleven Theory > Tracklist HipHopDX.com
Juicy J – Blue Dream & LeanJuicy J – Blue Dream & Lean LiveMixtapes.com 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" (featuring Tity Boi)
2 Chainz – UNKNOWN 00 – "10 Summaz" (featuring Rick Ross)
Kid Ink – Wheels UpKid Ink – Wheels Up DatPiff 06 – "Never Change"
2012 Jody Breeze – Airplane Mode 04 – "Hood Shit" (featuring Big Gee) 11 – "Aliens" (featuring Raven Ramone) 14 – "Sprint" (featuring 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 AverageDJ Mustard › Young Lace – Above Average LiveMixtapes.com 05 – "Sold Out" (featuring Dubb & Cashout Kidd) 06 – "Ball" (featuring Cashout Kidd & Mann) 12 – "Money In" (featuring Kid Ink) 14 – "How We Ball" (featuring 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 LifeDiamond – The Young Life [Mixtape] OnSmash 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 BallB.o.B Fuck Em We Ball DatPiff, retrieved November 16, 2012 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 "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 02 – "I Don't Sell Molly No More" (featuring Wiz Khalifa) 03 – "Tuesday" (featuring Drake) (produced with Metro Boomin)
2015