Ghazi Shami’s boutique one-stop EMPIRE has a new cheat code: Hitmaka. The Chicago native has been appointed Vice President of A&R at the independently run company, reporting to Shami, the founder, and Tina Davis, the Senior Vice President of A&R.
“Hitmaka is one of the best in the game,” Shami said in a release. “We’re lucky to have him on the home team at EMPIRE inspiring and creating with our artists and delivering top-quality music of his own. We’re already off to the races—several of Hit’s records are charting—and have more on the way.”
Sharing those exact sentiments, Hitmaka echoed, “Partnering with EMPIRE and Ghazi has given me the freedom to create with global talent. Being wholly independent allows us to make great music and lets the fans enjoy it without any hurdles or restrictions—we strike while the iron is hot!”
Hitmaka, who recently released his new single “Quickie” alongside Queen Naija and Ty Dolla $ign, worked in a similar role at Atlantic Records. He resigned in spring 2021, after joining the label in 2017. His time spent there was focused on a mix of artists, including R&B stars such as K. Michelle, Tank, and Trey Songz.
At EMPIRE, which now houses his own imprint Makasound, Hitmaka is scheduled to lock in work with Yung Bleu, Tink, and Rotimi, the last two of which he had in hand in their recent projects.
Apart from his considerably enormous multi-platinum success with diverse hip-hop artists (Nicki Minaj, Big Sean), Hitmaka has a lengthy track record with R&B acts, including Chris Brown, Tamar Braxton, Justine Skye, Teyana Taylor, Eric Bellinger, and more.
https://x.com/EMPIRE/status/1440750400773103622?s=20
Welcome @_Hitmaka to the EMPIRE family as our new VP of A&R pic.twitter.com/duPiGgbjxI
— EMPIRE (@EMPIRE) September 22, 2021
