Boi-1da

Boi-1da
Joshua Shah · CC0 · source
Name	Boi-1da
Birth name	Matthew Jehu Samuels
Birth date	12 October 1986
Birth place	Kingston, Jamaica
Origin	Toronto
Genres	Hip hop, R&B, Dancehall
Occupation	Record producer, songwriter
Years active	2004–present
Labels	OVO Sound, Universal Music Group
Associated acts	Drake, Eminem, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Kanye West

Boi-1da (born Matthew Jehu Samuels; October 12, 1986) is a Jamaican-Canadian record producer and songwriter known for crafting influential hip hop and R&B records. He rose to prominence through collaborations with major artists and producers across Toronto and international music scenes, contributing to chart-topping albums and award-winning singles.

Early life and education

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he moved with his family to Toronto where he was raised in a community shaped by Caribbean and North American influences. As a teenager he studied music production using FL Studio software while attending local schools in Scarborough and participating in community programs linked to Toronto District School Board initiatives. Early mentors and peers included local DJs and producers tied to scenes around Yonge Street and venues such as The Danforth Music Hall, which connected him indirectly to touring acts from Dancehall and Reggae circuits. He developed early contacts with artists on Toronto labels and independent collectives, leading to sessions with regional rappers and singers who frequented studios near Queen Street West.

Career

He began producing for underground and independent artists before breaking into mainstream visibility through production placements on mixtapes and label projects associated with EMI Group Limited and independent imprints. A key career milestone was work with emerging stars from Toronto, later expanding to collaborations with internationally renowned performers attached to Def Jam Recordings, Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cash Money Records. Over time he contributed to albums released by major labels including Republic Records, Interscope Records, Island Records, and Columbia Records. He has worked alongside producers and executives connected to Young Money Entertainment, Maybach Music Group, Aftermath Entertainment, and G.O.O.D. Music, and he has been credited on projects involving producers such as No I.D., Timbaland, Noel "Detail" Fisher, and S1 (Symbolyc One). His career includes production for singles played on networks like MTV, BET, BBC Radio 1, and streaming platforms owned by Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.

Production style and influences

His production style blends sparse, percussive drum programming, heavy sub-bass, and chopped melodic samples influenced by Dancehall, Reggae, soul, and funk traditions. Influences cited by peers include producers affiliated with Bad Boy Records, Death Row Records, and innovators from Jamaica's sound system culture. His drum sound draws lineage from iconic figures associated with Motown Records and Stax Records sessions, while his sampling techniques reflect approaches used by producers working with artists from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five–era hip hop to contemporary producers connected to Top Dawg Entertainment. Collaborations and mentorship links place him in networks that include veteran producers from Los Angeles, New York City, and London. He often merges elements characteristic of tracks from MTV Unplugged-era performances and modern studio layering practices favored by engineers affiliated with Concord Music Group.

Notable collaborations and discography

He is best known for production credits on projects by Drake, including tracks that appeared on albums released through OVO Sound and Young Money Entertainment. His discography spans work with Rihanna, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, The Weeknd, Future, Travis Scott, J. Cole, A$AP Rocky, Chris Brown, SZA, Cardi B, Post Malone, Doja Cat, Migos, Meek Mill, Dr. Dre, XXXTentacion, Chance the Rapper, J. Balvin, Bad Bunny, Ariana Grande, Sam Smith, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Bruno Mars, Calvin Harris, Diplo, Major Lazer, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliott, Lil Nas X, Khalid, Halsey, Lizzo, Stromae, Shawn Mendes, Ellie Goulding, Imagine Dragons, Rita Ora, Zayn Malik, Rita Marley, Sean Paul, Shaggy, Becky G, DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Public Enemy, Run-DMC, Nas, Method Man, Redman, Ghostface Killah and others. His credits include singles, album tracks, and collaborations across international charts and festivals such as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Glastonbury Festival, and SXSW.

Awards and recognition

He has received multiple nominations and awards tied to major ceremonies run by institutions including the Grammy Awards, Juno Awards, and industry bodies such as ASCAP and BMI. His productions have contributed to projects honored at the Brit Awards and recognized by publications like Rolling Stone and Pitchfork. He has been listed in year-end producer rankings from outlets connected to Billboard and Complex.

Business ventures and media appearances

Beyond studio work he has been involved in publishing and production partnerships with entities linked to Universal Music Publishing Group and philanthropic or mentorship initiatives related to arts organizations in Toronto and Kingston, Jamaica. He has appeared in documentary segments, interviews, and panels hosted by outlets such as BET, MTV, Complex, Hot 97, and BBC Radio 1Xtra, and at conferences organized by SXSW and MIDEM. He has engaged in branded collaborations with technology and audio companies associated with Native Instruments, Avid Technology, and consumer platforms tied to Apple Inc. and Google LLC.

Category:Canadian record producers Category:Jamaican record producers Category:People from Kingston, Jamaica