Canadian hip-hop producer Murda Beatz went from teaching himself music programming to making beats for Gucci Mane and Drake. He was born Shane Lindstrom in 1994. Growing up in Fort Erie, Ontario, Lindstrom played drums from an early age and would often jam with his family, being encouraged by his rock music enthusiast father to pursue music. At age 17 he began teaching himself production, making beats in his bedroom and selling his rock equipment to buy music production gear. He quickly found placements for his beats and ravenously pursued rappers with his material, contacting Atlanta rappers Migos before their rise to fame. Socially energetic and always networking, Lindstrom connected with many rappers, eventually working with names as big as Drake, PartyNextDoor, French Montana, and Gucci Mane. Along with producing for some of the biggest names in rap, Murda Beatz released solo material as well, beginning with his 2016 mixtape Keep God First, featuring guest spots from 2 Chainz, Playboi Carti, Offset, and many other top-shelf MCs. Bless Yo Trap, a collaborative mixtape with Smokepurpp, arrived in April of 2018, and included guest features from Lil Yachty and A$AP Ferg. ~ Fred Thomas