No I.D.

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No I.D.
Wilson in 2008
Wilson in 2008
Background information
Birth nameErnest Dion Wilson
Also known as
Born (1971-06-23) June 23, 1971 (age 50)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • A&R representative
  • disc jockey
  • music arranger
  • rapper
  • record executive
  • record producer
  • songwriter[3]
Instruments
Years active1987–present
Labels
Associated acts

Ernest Dion Wilson (born June 23, 1971),[4] professionally known as No I.D. (formerly Immenslope),[5] is an American hip hop and R&B record producer from Chicago, Illinois. Wilson is also a disc jockey (DJ), music arranger and rapper, having released an album in 1997, titled Accept Your Own and Be Yourself (The Black Album), under Relativity Records. He is perhaps best known for his early work with Chicago-based rapper Common. He has since become a heavily sought-out and high-profile producer, producing hit singles such as "Smile" by G-Unit, "Outta My System" and "Let Me Hold You" by Bow Wow, "Heartless" by Kanye West, "D.O.A." by Jay-Z, "My Last" by Big Sean, and “New Light” by John Mayer.

Wilson, who has served as a musical mentor for several artists such as Kanye West and J. Cole, is considered "The Godfather of Chicago hip hop".[6][7] Wilson was once president of West's G.O.O.D. Music record company, and although he would resign from that position, he stayed contracted as an in-house producer. In June 2011, Wilson announced he formed the supergroup Cocaine 80s, alongside Common and several other artists. In August 2011, Wilson became the Executive Vice President of A&R for Def Jam Recordings. He subsequently launched his own record label imprint, ARTium Recordings. He is currently the Executive Vice President at 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).[8] The moniker No I.D. is a half-palindrome of his birth name, Dion. He also released a beat tape, titled Invisible Beats.[9] 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).[10] 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).

No I.D. in a recording studio (left) with Kanye West (middle) and former G.O.O.D. Music A&R Greg "Olskool Ice-Gre" Lewis (right)

In 2007, he was the focus of perhaps the most attention of his career 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.[11][12][13]

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.[14][15] 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.[16][17] 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.[3] 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.[18]

ARTium Recordings[]

ARTium Recordings
Parent companyUniversal Music Group
Founded2011; 10 years ago (2011)
FounderNo I.D.
Distributor(s)
Genre
Country of originUnited States
LocationChicago, Illinois

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.[14] 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[19] 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.[20][21]

Artists (past and present)[]

Discography[]

Artist Album Details
Jhené Aiko Sail Out (EP)
Common Nobody's Smiling
  • Released: July 22, 2014
  • Chart position: #6 U.S.[24]
Jhené Aiko Souled Out
  • Released: September 9, 2014
  • Chart position: #3 U.S.[22]
Elijah Blake Drift (EP)
  • Released: September 30, 2014
  • Chart position: —
Vince Staples Hell Can Wait (EP)
  • Released: October 7, 2014
  • Chart position: #90 U.S.[25]
Elijah Blake Shadows & Diamonds
  • Released: June 23, 2015
  • Chart position: —
Vince Staples Summertime '06
  • Released: June 30, 2015
  • Chart position: #39 U.S.[25]
TWENTY88 TWENTY88 (EP)
(released with GOOD)
  • Released: April 1, 2016
  • Chart position: #5 U.S.[26]
Snoh Aalegra Don't Explain (EP)
  • Released: April 8, 2016
  • Chart position: —
Vince Staples Prima Donna (EP)
  • Released: August 26, 2016
  • Chart position: #50 U.S.[25]
Common Black America Again
  • Released: November 4, 2016
  • Chart position: #25 U.S.[24]
Vince Staples Big Fish Theory[citation needed]
  • Released: June 23, 2017
  • Chart position: #16 U.S.[25]
Jhené Aiko Trip
  • Released: September 22, 2017
  • Chart position: #5 U.S.[22]
Snoh Aalegra Feels
  • Released: October 20, 2017[27]
  • Chart position: —
Snoh Aalegra - Ugh, those feels again
  • Released: August 16, 2019[28]
  • Chart position: #73 U.S.
Jhené Aiko Chilombo
  • Released: March 6, 2020
  • Chart position: #5 U.S.[22]
Snoh Aalegra TEMPORARY HIGH IN THE VIOLET SKIES
  • Released: July 9, 2021[29]
  • Chart position: #24 U.S.

Discography[]

See also: Cocaine 80s discography

Studio albums[]

List of albums, with selected chart positions and sales figures
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
R&B/HH
Accept Your Own and Be Yourself (The Black Album) 94
The Sampler, vol. 1
(with Dug Infinite)
  • Released: 2002 (US)
  • Label: All Natural Inc.
  • Formats: CD, digital download
 —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles[]

List of singles as featured performer, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US US
R&B 		US
Rap
"Sky's The Limit"[30] 1997 — — — Accept Your Own and Be Yourself (The Black Album)
"—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances[]

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Two Scoops of Raisins" 1992 Common Can I Borrow a Dollar?
"In My Own World (Check the Method)" 1994 Resurrection
"When You Hot You Hot" 1998 DJ Honda, Dug Infinite h II
"America" 2017 Logic, Chuck D, Black Thought, Big Lenbo Everybody

Production discography[]

Main article: No I.D. production discography

Singles produced[]

List of singles as either producer or co-producer, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released, performing artists and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US US
R&B 		US
Rap 		CAN GER NLD NZ SWE SWI UK
"Take It EZ"
(Common Sense) 		1992 — — 5 — — — — — — — Can I Borrow a Dollar?
"Breaker 1/9"
(Common Sense) 		— 107 10 — — — — — — —
"Soul by the Pound"
(Common Sense) 		1993 — 108 7 — — — — — — —
"I Used to Love H.E.R."
(Common Sense) 		1994 — 91 31 — — — — — — — Resurrection
"Resurrection"
(Common Sense) 		102 88 22 — — — — — — —
"Retrospect for Life"
(Common featuring Lauryn Hill) 		1997 — — — — — — — — — — One Day It'll All Make Sense
"Smile"
(G-Unit) 		2004 — 72 — — — — — — — — Beg for Mercy
"Let Me Hold You"
(Bow Wow featuring Omarion) 		2005 4 2 1 — — — — — — 27 Wanted
"Ooh Wee"[31]
(Majic Massey) 		— — — — — — — — — — N/A
"Outta My System"
(Bow Wow featuring T-Pain and Johntá Austin) 		2006 22 12 2 — — — 2 — — —
  • RIAA: Platinum
 The Price of Fame
"Put It on Ya"
(Plies featuring Chris J) 		2008 31 8 6 — — — — — — — Da REAList
"Heartless"
(Kanye West) 		2 4 1 8 37 31 6 17 46 10
  • RIAA: 4× Platinum
  • BPI: Silver
 808s & Heartbreak
"D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)"
(Jay-Z) 		2009 24 43 15 — — — — — — 79 The Blueprint 3
"Run This Town"
(Jay-Z featuring Kanye West and Rihanna) 		2 3 1 6 18 30 9 8 9 1
"Find Your Love"
(Drake) 		2010 5 3 — 10 — 85 — — — 24
  • RIAA: Platinum
 Thank Me Later
"Mr. Rager"
(Kid Cudi) 		77 — — — — — — — — — Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager
"Ready Set Go"[34]
(Killer Mike featuring T.I.) 		— 110 — — — — — — — — PL3DGE
"My Last"
(featuring Chris Brown) 		2011 30 4 1 — — — — — — — Finally Famous
"Ghetto Dreams"
(Common featuring Nas) 		— — — — — — — — — — The Dreamer/The Believer
"Blue Sky"
(Common) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Sweet"
(Common) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Celebrate"
(Common) 		— 95 — — — — — — — —
"This Time"
(Melanie Fiona featuring J. Cole) 		2012 — 89 — — — — — — — — The MF Life
"Daughters"
(Nas) 		— 78 — — — — — — — — Life Is Good
"Accident Murderers"
(Nas featuring Rick Ross) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"Pain"
(Pusha T featuring Future) 		— — — — — — — — — — My Name Is My Name
"Switch Up"
(Big Sean featuring Common) 		2013 — 50 — — — — — — — — Hall of Fame
"Black Skinhead"
(Kanye West) 		69 21 15 66 — — — — — 34 Yeezus
"Holy Grail"
(Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake) 		4 2 1 13 24 83 24 15 24 7
  • RIAA: 3× Platinum
  • BPI: Silver
  • RMNZ: Gold[35]
 Magna Carta Holy Grail
"Control"
(Big Sean featuring Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica) 		111 43 — — — — — — — — N/A
"Bound 2" 12 3 3 74 — — — — — 55 Yeezus
"Satellites"[36]
(Tassho Pearce featuring Kid Cudi) 		2014 — — — — — — — — — — G.O.O.D. Company[37]
"Kingdom"
(Common featuring Vince Staples) 		— — — — — — — — — — Nobody's Smiling
"To Love & Die"
(Jhené Aiko featuring Cocaine 80s) 		— 46 — — — — — — — 72 Souled Out
"Speak My Piece"
(Common) 		— — — — — — — — — — Nobody's Smiling
"Diamonds"
(Common featuring Big Sean) 		— — — — — — — — — —
"The Story of O.J."
(Jay-Z) 		2017 23 10 7 53 — — — — — 28 4:44
"4:44"
(Jay-Z) 		35 15 11 69 — — — — — 73
"Bam"
(Jay-Z featuring Damian Marley) 		47 21 16 — — — — — — 93
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations[]

Grammy Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 "Run This Town" Best Rap Song Won
"D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" Nominated
2013 "Daughters" Nominated
2014 "Holy Grail" Nominated
2015 "Bound 2" Nominated
2018 "The Story of O.J." Nominated
Record of the Year Nominated
"4:44" Song of the Year Nominated
"4:44" Album of the Year Nominated
Himself Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Nominated

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Johnson, Fatim. "Respect Your Elders: Common — "Two Scoops of Raisins" : RESPECT". Respect-mag.com. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  2. ^ "Immenslope | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "No I.D. Control Interview". Complex. August 28, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  4. ^ "No I.D.| About". grammy.com. Recording Academy. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
  5. ^ "No I.D. profile". hotnewhiphop.com. Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  6. ^ "No I.D." BET.com. July 25, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  7. ^ Ahmed, Insanul. "Interview: No I.D. Talks Def Jam, Kanye West, & How He Affected "Watch The Throne"". Complex. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  8. ^ "Accept Your Own & Be Yourself (The Black Album) - No I.D. | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. September 2, 1997. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  9. ^ "No I.D. - Invisible Beats (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  10. ^ "The Original Hip-Hop (Rap) Lyrics Archive". Ohhla.com. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  11. ^ "Cocaine 80s". Hotnewhiphop.com. February 25, 2001. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  12. ^ "News in Brief: Cocaine 80s (No I.D. and Common), Marianne Faithfull, Kaiser Chiefs, Big Business | News". Pitchfork. June 24, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  13. ^ "No I.D. Links With Common for 'Cocaine 80s' Side Project". Complex. June 22, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING HIP HOP PRODUCER NO I.D. APPOINTED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF A&R FOR DEF JAM RECORDINGS". Universalmusic.com. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  15. ^ "No ID Appointed Vice President Of Def Jam". Hip-Hop Wired. August 29, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  16. ^ Mlynar, Phillip. "Logic on Working with No I.D., Signing to Def Jam and Sleeping on Couches". MTV Hive. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  17. ^ 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. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  18. ^ "Dissecting No I.D.'s Production Masterclass on "4:44" - CentralSauce". CentralSauce. October 20, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  19. ^ "Kanye West's Mentor No I.D. Stacks ARTium Recordings with 3 R&B Artists". Singersroom. September 23, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  20. ^ "Common Signs to No I.D.'s Artium/Def Jam Label". Billboard. June 4, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  21. ^ "Common Signs To Def Jam, Announces "Nobody's Smiling" Release Date". Slumz.boxden.com. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  22. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Jhené Aiko – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  23. ^ "American certifications – Jhené Aiko". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "Common – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Vince Staples – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  26. ^ "Twenty88 – Chart history: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  27. ^ "Feels by Snoh Aalegra". Apple iTunes. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  28. ^ "- Ugh, those feels again by Snoh Aalegra". Apple iTunes. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
  29. ^ Aroesti, Rachel (July 9, 2021). "Snoh Aalegra: Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies review – inventive R&B with retro charm". The Guardian. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  30. ^ "No I.D. - Sky's The Limit/Jump On It (CD) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  31. ^ "iTunes - Music - Ooh Wee - Single by Majic Massey". Itunes.apple.com. August 2, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b "American certifications – Sean, Big". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  33. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Singles". RadioScope. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  34. ^ "iTunes - Music - Ready Set Go (feat. T.I.) by Killer Mike". Itunes.apple.com. December 7, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  35. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart – 23 September 2013". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  36. ^ "Satellites (feat. Kid Cudi) – Single by Tassho Pearce". iTunes Store. Apple. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
  37. ^ Hardy, Jasmine (March 17, 2014). "Tassho Pearce f. Kid Cudi - "Satellites [Prod. No I.D.]"". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved March 17, 2014.

External links[]

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