EMPIRE TAPS HITMAKA AS VP OF A&R

Multiplatinum producer, artist and executive Hitmaka has joined EMPIRE as VP of A&R. He's also dropped a new single, "Quickie," featuring Ty Dolla $ign & Queen Naija, via his freshly minted EMPIRE imprint, Makasound.

Hitmaka will be working on key projects for EMPIRE, including those by Yung Bleu, Tink and Rotimi, and will report to CEO/Founder Ghazi and SVP of A&R Tina Davis.

Hitmaka said, “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! A perfect example is Yung Bleu’s 'Baddest,' which is one of the songs of the summer.”

“Hitmaka is one of the best in the game," said Ghazi. "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.”

Hitmaka has worked with chart-toppers Drake, Big Sean (the quintuple-platinum "Bounce Back"), Meek Mill, Usher, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Gucci Mane, G-Eazy, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and more.

In honor of Ghazi's latest move, we're going to smoke a bowl and watch the best Star Wars movie, The Empire Strikes Back. Don't @ us.