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TMRO LiveAuthor: tmro
Welcome To BACKTRAK! Hosted by the renowned producer and music executive Don Cannon, BackTrak recreates Hip-Hops greatest hits from t h e s a m e location where each song was originally made. BackTrak is not just a show, its a journey through the heart of hip-hop, chronicling how a track is b o r and evolves into a classic. Language: en Genres: Astronomy, Earth Sciences, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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No I.D: The Producer Behind Kanye, Jay-Z & Common | BackTrak
Episode 27
Friday, 26 December, 2025
No I.D. isn’t just a producer—he’s the quiet architect behind some of the most important careers and sounds in hip-hop. In this special episode of BackTrak, we sit down with the legendary Chicago native to talk legacy, growth, silence, structure, and why true creativity takes time. Known for shaping artists like Common, Kanye West, J. Cole, and executive producing for Jay-Z, No I.D. reveals the philosophies that have guided his multi-decade career. He reflects on building from intention, not clout—on letting the music age well—and on the lessons he's still learning every day. He also gives us a rare look into the DNA of “I Used to Love H.E.R.”, remaking it live in the studio—but that’s just one page of a much deeper book. 0:00 Intro 4:52 The Rise of House Music & DJ Dion Wilson 9:46 1988: The Apex of Influence (Criminal Minded & Paid in Full) 11:24 Learning to Dig for Jazz Samples with The Beat Nuts 13:14 The Pursuit of Dopeness vs. Commercial Success 15:47 The South: Getting Pennies Thrown at FAMU 17:23 Character Building: Opening for KRS-One in Jersey 19:17 Moving to Atlanta: Seeking Jermaine Dupri’s Infrastructure 21:19 Songwriting Lessons: Learning the Artist Side of Producing 23:35 Mentoring Kanye West: Watching Him Break the Rules 26:11 The Jesus Piece vs. Buying Equipment 30:16 The "Diamond Era": Street Rap & The Shift to Big Money 36:44 Long-term Career Strategy: The Rick Rubin & Quincy Jones Model 37:54 What do you need all that money for? 41:30 The 5-to-7 Year Artist-Producer Relationship Cycle 45:47 Staying Sharp: Why Value Trumps Loyalty 48:37 Debunking the Jay-Z "Rock the World" Production Myth 54:15 Dealing with Industry Calamity & Storytelling 57:04 List Culture: Being Offended by "Top 50" Producers 1:04:13 Legacy Beyond Music: Photography & Writing 1:07:21 The "Vintage Chair" Philosophy 1:10:00 Reconnecting with Kanye after the Loss of His Mother 1:12:15 The Hawaii Sessions: Treating the Studio Like a Band 1:14:33 Technical Breakdown: Producing "I Used to Love H.E.R." 1:21:56 Recreating the Sample & Bassline in Ableton 1:31:27 Realizing the Legacy: When Resurrection Became a Classic 1:34:51 Final Reflections: Doing it for the Love Follow No I.D. 📸 / cubansoze Follow us for more insights into hip hop history and music production: 📸 / tmronetwork 📸 / doncannon 🎽 Merch: https://shoptmro.com/ #common #jayz #kanye
