Hitmaka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hitmaka
Ward in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Christian J. Ward
Also known as	Iceberg Yung Berg
Born	(1986-09-09) September 9, 1986 (age 38) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop R&B
Occupations	Record producer rapper songwriter disc jockey record executive
Years active	2001–2010 (rapper) 2010–present (producer)
Labels	Yung Fly Movement Atlantic Epic Bloodline Poe Boy Sony BMG E1 Slip-n-Slide Young Boss
Children	3

Christian J. Ward (born September 9, 1986), known as Hitmaka, is an American music producer. He used to be a rapper.

Ward started rapping as Iceberg in 2001 when he was 14. His early music career was paused when he went to a military-style boarding school. Six years later, he signed with Epic Records. He then used the name Yung Berg.

..... It reached number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His next song, "The Business" (2008), reached number 33. ..... These songs came before his first and only album as a rapper, Look What You Made Me (2008). The album reached number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart.

After releasing more songs that did not become big hits, he decided to focus on making music for other artists. By 2014, he became a full-time music producer.

Hitmaka has had great success producing and writing songs. Since 2010, he has worked on many popular songs. These include "Bounce Back" by Big Sean and "Party" by Chris Brown. He also worked on "Look Back at It" by A Boogie wit da Hoodie and "Dangerous" by Meek Mill. In 2019, he became an important executive at Atlantic Records. A year later, he took on a similar role at Empire Distribution.

Early Life and Education

Christian J. Ward was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 9, 1986. He attended Chicago Vocational High School and Curie Metropolitan High School. He later earned his GED in 2003. After that, he moved to Los Angeles, California.

Music Career

2001–2005: Early Days and Boarding School

In January 2001, Ward signed with rapper DMX's music company, Bloodline Records. He first appeared on the soundtrack for the movie Exit Wounds. He performed the song "Dog 4 Life" under the name Iceberg.

After some difficult experiences, Ward's family decided to send him to a special school. In July 2001, he was sent to Spring Creek Lodge Academy. This was a military-style boarding school in Thompson Falls, Montana. He struggled at first but improved over time. He was released from the school in late 2002.

In 2005, Ward worked as a hype man and recording helper for Shawnna. She was a fellow artist from Chicago.

2007–2010: Rap Career as Yung Berg

Ward in 2007

..... It featured R&B singer Junior. The song became popular on Los Angeles radio. ..... Many record labels wanted to sign him, and he chose Epic Records.

..... Later that year, he appeared in the music video for Kat DeLuna's song "Whine Up".

..... His first song for his album was "Do That There" (featuring Dude 'n Nem). This was followed by "The Business" (featuring Casha Darjean). "The Business" reached number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On August 12, 2008, Ward released his first and only album as a rapper, Look What You Made Me. It reached number 20 on the Billboard 200 chart. It also reached number two on the Top Rap Albums chart.

Hitmaka in 2008

In 2009, Ward started a music production group called the Dream Team. He formed it with his older brother, K-Young, and producer Rob Holladay.

2010–Present: Becoming Hitmaka, the Producer

In 2010, Ward quietly stopped his rap career. He began to focus more on producing and writing songs for other artists. His first big success as a producer was in 2011. He helped produce Lil Wayne's song "John", which featured Rick Ross.

He then produced or co-wrote other songs. These included Driicky Graham's "Snapbacks & Tattoos" (2012) and Tamar Braxton's "The One" (2013).

In mid-2014, Ward officially changed his name to Hitmaka. This new name showed his new focus as a full-time music producer. His first work as Hitmaka was on Nicki Minaj's album, The Pinkprint, released in December 2014. He helped produce three songs on that album.

Later in 2014, Ward appeared on the TV show Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood. This show followed parts of his personal life. He later left the show.

Over the next five years, he focused on producing. He worked with many artists like Jeremih, Chris Brown, and Big Sean. He produced Chris Brown's "Party" and Big Sean's "Bounce Back". He also produced A Boogie wit da Hoodie's "Look Back at It" and Meek Mill's "Dangerous".

In August 2019, Ward became an executive at Atlantic Records. In late 2020, he was the main producer for rapper T.I.'s album, The L.I.B.R.A.. That same year, he co-produced Trey Songz and Summer Walker's song "Back Home". This song reached number twelve on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.

On February 11, 2021, Ward released a joint album with singer-songwriter Eric Bellinger, called 1-(800)-HIT-EAZY. They released a second album, Line 2, on February 16, 2023.

In 2021, he produced many songs for singer/rapper Tink. He also worked with OG Parker to produce Yung Bleu's song "Baddest". In September 2021, he became a vice president at Empire Distribution. In October 2022, he won a BET Hip Hop Award for Producer of the Year.

In 2023, Ward continued to produce for various artists. These included Chloe Bailey ("How Does It Feel") and Chris Brown ("Angel Numbers / Ten Toes"). He also worked with Bow Wow on "Use Me" in 2025.

Personal Life

Financial Matters

In 2015, Ward had a financial disagreement regarding child support. He was ordered to pay money for his child. In 2017, he was listed as a parent who had not paid child support.

Robbery Incident

On August 23, 2008, Ward was a victim of a robbery. Some of his jewelry was stolen. He later explained that the stolen chain was not very important to him. In 2011, Ward said he was done wearing very flashy jewelry. He felt it was part of his past as Yung Berg. He decided to wear more common and upscale jewelry instead.

Discography

• Look What You Made Me (as Yung Berg) (2008)

Collaborative Albums

• 1-800-HIT-EAZY (with Eric Bellinger) (2021)
• 1-800-HIT-EAZY: Line 2 (with Eric Bellinger) (2023)

Filmography

Television

Images for kids

• 

  Ward in 2024

See also

In Spanish: Hitmaka para niños