Welcome back to another edition of Undiscovered Gems, our way of keeping you up to speed with artists and producers alike who have earned our attention. We always aim to keep it short and simple, elaborating where necessary and giving you all the facts you need to know. There’s a lot of crazy shit going on around us right now, regardless of where you are. We hope all of y’all are staying safe and are making the most out of your respective situation. With that being said, what better way is there to occupy your time at home than catching up with the best music emerging from the underground? Today, we’re gonna introduce you to some of the best producers around. Chances are you might not be familiar with them (or at least their names), but hey, that’s a good thing.
A quick note before we get to it: if you’re a producer and you’re reading this, you should try to keep an easily accessible record of your work for people to see. Whether it’s SoundCloud or another means, you should definitely try to make your work more apparent to your audience. A lot of producers have plenty of tracks out with notable names, along with up-and-comers who are paving their own path. You’ll limit your ability to grow a fanbase, in a time where you’re already limited in the industry. Make it easy for fans and blogs like Chiefers to get to know your art.
Wallis Lane
Although you’re definitely familiar with one of the countless smash hits they’ve been a part of, Wallis Lane is still a name that many may not recognize. The production duo has been a foundational piece in releases from Trippie Redd, Drake, Travis Scott, Post Malone, IDK, Killy, and Wifisfuneral (along with many more). They are a shining example of producers who haven’t gotten the full recognition they deserve. Instagram isn’t the sole factor in determining the buzz around an act, but it is telling. They are sitting at around seven thousand followers right now, which is a lot of people- yet still nowhere near where the number of listeners they have reached. While most of their vocal collaborators enjoy a constant stream of the limelight, Wallis Lane has remained in the shadows. If anything, that makes them all the more interesting. This is part of why Undiscovered Gems is so great- while most music consumers are convinced they know “everything” about their favorite artists and songs, many haven’t scratched the surface. Wallis Lane is a name that everybody should be familiar with by now, but their relatively low amount of recognition is symbolic of a bigger issue in music. Producers are the unsung heroes of your favorite music, and we’re aiming to do everything we can to give credits to music-makers like Wallis Lane. They’re sitting in a great spot right now with Electric Feel Management and Frank Dukes serving as their administrative advisement, and a stream of great music constantly emerging from them. Check out one of my favorites from Wallis Lane below!
ICYTWAT
Arguably the best upcoming producer out of Chicago is ICYTWAT. With complex depth to his brand and a long trail of released music behind him, ICYTWAT is just waiting for you to fall in love with his music (and him as an artist). I remember seeing a social media post from him where he alluded to his thought-process while making music- he said he aims to create music that would be made years and years ahead from now. This cutting-edge approach is part of what makes him such a magnificent artist. He is rumored to have a collaborative project with A$AP Mob affiliate THOTO in the works, supposedly titled ICYTHOT. In addition, his remixes of Playboi Carti and A$AP Ant‘s music have amassed millions of streams on Carti and A$AP Rocky‘s YouTube pages. He also dropped a collaboration EP with popular Infantry producer Lord Fubu a couple of years ago. Clearly, his A$AP Mob and Marino Infantry ties run deep. He’s even shown that he’s not too shy to rap either: he dropped an entire project of self-produced bangers, titled MILK, and every track is gas. He is said to have synesthesia, a condition characterized by a simultaneous interpretation of stimuli through one’s senses. When he hears music, he sees corresponding colors. This is another notable element of the Chicago producer’s ever-unique sound. If I was to explain the full scope of ICYTWAT‘s ability and mystique in this piece, you’d be scrolling down for hours. He is surely somebody special emerging from the underground at full speed. Take my word for it, and take a deeper look into ICYTWAT yourself. Start with his remix of A$AP Ant‘s song, “Set Dat Bitch Off”, which premiered on A$AP Rocky‘s YouTube channel. The link is featured below.
Ricci Riera
Another producer who has paved a path of greatness is named Ricci Riera. He has been involved in some of the best Hip-Hop records that have dropped in recent years, possessing a very long list of frequent collaborators who are at superstar status. His apparent humility and legendary beat-making ability are two big factors of why he’s accumulated so much success. He’s worked alongside Drake, Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar and many more stars for their respective projects, altogether forming a ridiculous catalog of releases. One thing that struck me about Ricci Riera was this: not only has he worked with many of our generation’s favorite artists, but he’s also had a hand in creating some of the best records of our time. We don’t say that lightly here, and it is completely true for this production legend. Ricci is another example of an essential creator within the modern music scene, whose name isn’t as big as the massive records he’s been a part of. Most people may not realize yet that they’re just as much of a Ricci Riera fan as they are of Kendrick or Rocky. His role in their processes of forging unforgettable music is just as pertinent. Take a listen to one of the many classic tracks that Ricci Riera has worked to put together, “Clubhouse” by Mac Miller.
Pharaoh Vice
Next on the list is Internet Money producer Pharaoh Vice. This upcoming music-maker is rapidly ascending in the Hip-Hop scene, especially after his involvement in major drops from Lil Skies, Yung Pinch, Iann Dior, Adamn Killa, Yung Bambi, and more rising talents. When Internet Money endorses a producer, you know that they’ve got unbelievable ability. The amount of platinum and gold records that the company has been a part of is a clear indicator of their quality taste for music and artists, and Pharaoh Vice is no exception. He shares their habit of working with great artists, big or small. While browsing SoundCloud looking through his work, I could see numbers ranging from thousands to millions. This is definitely a sign that he’s diversified his beat sales between major artists like Lil Skies and Iann Dior, to more underground acts such as Yung Bambi and Lucus. No matter the artist he chooses to collaborate with, the result is a hot record. His consistency and impressive ability have earned him a slot on this week’s Undiscovered Gems. Linked below is a heater from Pharaoh Vice, Yung Bambi, and ZOTiYAC titled “FOCUS”.
Dougie On The Beat
It seems that Philadelphia artists always manage to find a way onto our pages, and today is another one of those days. One of the city’s top producers goes by the name Dougie On The Beat and is only twenty-three years old. Dougie is ahead of almost all of his contemporaries, with an impressive list of credits and a remarkable ability to make beats. While starting out as an artist at a young age, he ended up transitioning to a role as a producer. He gradually perfected his craft and caught the attention of Dream Chasers, whom he signed to shortly thereafter. I’m sure you’re familiar with his discography, like “1942 Flows”, “Issues”, and “Save Me” with Meek Mill, and “Florida Boy” with Rick Ross, Kodak Black, and T-Pain. He’s also had tracks released with G Herbo and Kash Doll, plus unreleased records with Calboy, Fivio Foreign, Smoove’L, 42 Dugg, Yung Bleu, and Lil Durk. This young-gun is paving his way to success, and he deserves it all. You definitely should take a look at his whole discography, it’s a statement in itself. Listen to all his music, and you’ll be even more impressed. Here’s “Florida Boy”, his track with Rick Ross, Kodak Black, and T-Pain.
