Long before he transformed into a multiplatinum producer and member of powerhouse collective Internet Money, JR Hitmaker started hustling beats online by his sophomore year of high school. However, the Dayton, OH native didn’t start crafting music for the platinum plaques or awards

“I just wanted money to eat the good lunch everybody else was eating,” he laughs. “I was stuck eating the school lunch, so I had to figure out how to make some money. When I realized people would buy my beats in bulk, I raised the price. But at first—it was just for lunch!”

Music felt predestined for the budding talent even before he made his first upload. Inspired by his drummer dad, JR picked up the drums at just seven-years-old and developed an innate sense of rhythm. In seventh grade, he progressed so much on the instrument that he earned a spot in the high school marching band. As a result, “instead of being in the streets during the summertime, [he would] be out on the marching band and drill team.” 

Discovering Frooty Loops at fourteen-years-old, he immersed himself in the art of beat-making. Constantly churning out music, his discography stretches back to a high school-era placement for a cut featuring Roscoe Dash before moving on to tracks boasting spots by 21 Savage and Kevin Gates. 2013 saw him rise to prominence on Soundclick, generating a rapidly growing buzz. Soon, he could quit his day job at Burger King and focus on music full-time.

After meeting Internet Money founder Taz Taylor on Twitter, he signed to the production team. During 2017, he achieved a major placement, cooking up the sonic framework for Gucci Mane’s 'Tone It Down' [feat. Chris Brown] from the gold-certified chart-topping Mr. Davis. Building a profile as an in-demand presence in the studio, his production fueled the multiplatinum mega-smash 'Plug Walk' for Rich The Kid, 'Freestyle' for Lil Baby, 'Tell My Haters' for Lil Skies, 'I’ll Be Fine' for Juice WRLD, and more. Along the way, he introduced a slick and simmering style punctuated by a wide palette that encompasses everything from sweeping melodies to guitar samples.

In the end, JR Hitmaker’s style maintains the purity he first approached music with way back at the beginning.

“I take a lot of pride in my melodies,” he leaves off. “A beat can do so much. When you hear it, it can make you feel a certain type of way. I want to share that.”