Cubeatz

Career

In 2008, Cubeatz earned their first record with German rapper Vega, initially relying heavily on unlicensed samples, a practice they later said was possible only because their songs stayed relatively unnoticed. They began producing for other German rappers such as Fard and PA Sports, and through Fard they connected with Haftbefehl, producing the song "An alle Bloxx" on his 2012 album Kanackiş. Gaining attention in the German gangsta rap scene, they worked with Summer Cem, KC Rebell, and Farid Bang, eventually signing a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing in Germany.

As their popularity grew, they stopped using samples and began playing all melodies themselves, positioning themselves as producers rather than beatmakers. In late 2014, a friend sent one of their compositions to American record producer Vinylz, which led to the 2015 song "R.I.C.O." by Meek Mill featuring Drake, with additional production by Allen Ritter. This placement opened doors, connecting them with producer Cardo and later with Metro Boomin, Boi-1da, Tay Keith, Murda Beatz, and others, leading to high-profile collaborations with Drake, Travis Scott, Future, 21 Savage, and Don Toliver.

Since 2014, their work has mostly consisted of composing original melodies that they send to other producers to sample. In 2016, they co-produced charting hits including "Summer Sixteen" by Drake, "That Part" by Schoolboy Q featuring Kanye West, "No Shopping" by French Montana featuring Drake, and "No Heart" by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin. In 2017, they co-produced singles such as "Tunnel Vision" by Kodak Black, "No Frauds" by Nicki Minaj, Drake and Lil Wayne, "MotorSport" by Migos, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, and "A Ghetto Christmas Carol" by XXXTentacion.

Awards and nominations

Cubeatz have been nominated for seven BET Awards and won once. Their nominations include Album of the Year for Black Panther (Kendrick Lamar), Culture II (Migos), Invasion of Privacy (Cardi B), Astroworld (Travis Scott), Championships (Meek Mill), and Donda (Kanye West), as well as the Coca-Cola Viewers' Choice Award for "MotorSport" (Migos with Nicki Minaj and Cardi B) and "Sicko Mode" (Travis Scott), and Best Collaboration for "Sicko Mode." At the Grammy Awards, they have been nominated ten times and won once.

Nominations include Album of the Year for Views (Drake) and Donda (Kanye West); Best Rap Album for Views, Blank Face LP (Schoolboy Q), Invasion of Privacy, Astroworld, I Am > I Was (21 Savage), Revenge of the Dreamers III (Dreamville), Championships (Meek Mill), and Donda; and Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for "Sicko Mode," as well as Best Rap Performance for "Clout" (Offset featuring Cardi B).