A low-budget deal with Phresher turned into a career-changing moment for Illa da Producer, who landed a spot on Eminem’s “Revival” album.
Sharing a photo of the RIAA certification card for Eminem’s “Revival” album, Illa took to Instagram to reflect on how one low-budget decision helped change everything.
“Story time”, he began. “This was the first Eminem album I worked on”.
At the time, Illa was charging around $2,000 to $3,000 per beat. But when Jay Andino and Brooklyn rapper Phresher came to him with limited funds, he agreed to a much lower rate — just $500 per track — because he saw himself in them. “Spending my youth in Brooklyn gave me a soft spot for any nigga from Brooklyn trying to make a way out by doing music”, he explained.
They bought four beats. One of them became “Wait a Minute”, a breakout track that took off, getting radio play, remixes from everyone (including 50 Cent), and eventually catching the attention of Royce da 5’9. When Eminem heard Royce’s version, he liked what he heard, both the beat and Phresher’s voice, and reached out.
“Long story shortened, he wanted Phresh on his upcoming album Revival and wanted some beats from me”, Illa wrote. That led to his contribution to the track “Offended”.
Illa ended his story with a message to up-and-comers: “Don’t be greedy. Trust the process. Follow God’s lead and the rest will follow”.
Phresher, who would also go on to work with Eminem on the “Chloraseptic” remix, was one of the first to comment on the story by saying:
“Thanks again my brother for trusting me … sh*t changed my life”.
Not a bad return on an investment for both of them.
