Production Credit: Sonny Digital Talks “Same Damn Time,” Working With Future & Making Hits

2012 XXL Freshman Future has torn up charts and clubs alike with hits like “Racks,” “Jordan, Diddy" and his current smash “Same Damn Time.” But, while the ATLien’s extraterrestrial flow is a major part of his success, some credit is due to Sonny Digital, the 21-year-old wunderkind who produced all three tracks and others. In spite of his young age, Sonny has already racked up credits for Rick Ross, 2 Chainz and Gorilla Zoe. XXLMag.com got up with the Atlanta beatsmith to talk about “Same Damn Time,” his chemistry with Future and why he doesn’t try to make hits—they just happen. —Calvin Stovall (@CalvinStovall)

XXLMag.com: What did you think of the “Same Damn Time” beat as you were making it?

Sonny Digital: I don’t really remember making the beat. I make a whole bunch of beats. I remember it wasn’t a real serious beat to me. I didn’t really like it, though. Kind of like the “Racks” situation.

So are you surprised that it turned out to be a hit?

I’m not the type of person to call a hit. You never know what’s going to be a hit. You really can’t call it at all so I don’t really like saying something’s going to be a hit and it turns out not to be a hit. Or saying, “That ain't a hit,” and it turns out not to be a hit. I just throw it up in the air and [see] if they catch it.

What about when you heard the version with Future’s vocals on it?

When I first heard it, I didn’t like it. I’m not even going to lie to you. But it started growing on me, though. Cause [of] everybody else. When I heard it in the club and started seeing [how] people reacted to it. It started growing on me…Future's a type of artist where you got to grow into ‘em. You ain’t going to like him off the rip.

You and Future have great chemistry. Why is it that every time y’all work together it’s a hit?

I don’t know what it is, but we always make some good ass songs. Everybody always be fucking with the songs we make. We got another one, “Jordan, Diddy” with Gucci Mane on it. It’s banging, it’s goin' crazy in Atlanta. Everything that we do, in Atlanta it’s always doing something; it’s always getting played in the club. It’s funny 'cause I ain’t never been in the studio while he made a song to one of my beats. So I guess it’s just natural. I’m guessing it’s just there. Like when it comes to one of my beats, when I send it to him, when I get it back it just be a hit.

Paint the picture of what it’s like when “Same Damn Time” drops in the club. I know you’ve seen it first hand.

In the regular club, them kids go crazy. That shit got to get played at least one time [per night]. And [in the strip club] you might go broke fucking around with that song. Them girls be doing all kinds of crazy shit. I seen a girl last night [at Onyx] hanging from the ceiling with one leg, man! Shit was crazy.