Axlfolie

Career

 

Early Work with THC: Morgan began his career as part of the producer duo THC (with partner Ricardo “Rick” Bracks), through which he gained early recognition. THC produced “Fuck Your Ethnicity,” the opening track of Kendrick Lamar’s 2011 album Section.80 . Morgan is credited as a co-writer on that song , exemplifying the duo’s close work with Lamar during his formative years. In this early period, Morgan and THC also contributed to ScHoolboy Q’s independent album Habits & Contradictions (2012), producing tracks like “Sex Drive” and “Oxy Music,” and collaborated with artists in Los Angeles’s underground scene. These placements established AxlFolie as a rising producer in the burgeoning TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment) camp and greater L.A. hip-hop community.

 

Breakthrough with Mainstream Hip-Hop: AxlFolie’s mainstream breakthrough came in 2013 with ScHoolboy Q’s hit single “Collard Greens” (featuring Kendrick Lamar). Morgan co-produced the track, which became Q’s first Platinum-certified single and was later certified 4× Platinum by the RIAA  . The song’s success on the charts elevated Morgan’s profile beyond the West Coast. In 2012, he had contributed production to Lamar’s major-label debut Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, co-producing the album’s centerpiece track “m.A.A.d city” (featuring MC Eiht) . That song, produced by THC (Morgan and Bracks) alongside Sounwave, became an anthem of the album and peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 . Morgan’s work on Good Kid, M.A.A.D City earned him recognition as part of a Grammy-nominated project (as the album was a critical and commercial smash) .

 

Following these successes, Morgan split from the THC partnership and operated under the solo moniker AxlFolie. He continued landing high-profile production credits mid-decade. In 2015, he worked on A$AP Rocky’s sophomore album At.Long.Last.A$AP, co-producing the tracks “Electric Body” (featuring ScHoolboy Q) and “Fine Whine” . This signaled AxlFolie’s reach beyond the West Coast, contributing to a New York artist’s album that debuted at #1. In 2016, AxlFolie co-produced the song “U With Me?” on Drake’s fourth album Views . Views was a global chart-topping album and earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, further cementing Morgan’s status as a sought-after producer on blockbuster projects . Around the same time, he also collaborated with British rapper Little Simz, illustrating his international versatility .

 

Continued Success and Collaborations: AxlFolie remained a steady behind-the-scenes force in hip-hop through the late 2010s. Notably, he contributed multiple tracks to Nipsey Hussle’s debut studio album Victory Lap (2018), which was released via Atlantic after years of mixtapes. Morgan co-produced “Dedication” (featuring Kendrick Lamar) on Victory Lap , among other songs, crafting the soulful, triumphant sound that defined the album. Victory Lap was met with critical acclaim and later earned a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards , giving Morgan another credit on an award-recognized project. He also provided additional vocals on Hussle’s track “Double Up,” highlighting his multifaceted contributions beyond beat-making . In 2018–2019, AxlFolie co-produced the song “Monster” by 21 Savage featuring Childish Gambino, a single from 21’s album I Am > I Was . That track, produced in tandem with DJ Dahi, showcased Morgan’s ability to craft hits for the Southern trap scene as well.

 

In 2017, Morgan played a pivotal role in an unusual collaboration between Nipsey Hussle and Kendrick Lamar. He co-produced Lamar’s surprise single “The Heart Part 4” (released just before the DAMN. album) and, according to Hussle, AxlFolie was the one who secretly passed the song’s instrumental to Kendrick against Nipsey’s initial wishes . When Hussle heard Lamar’s recorded verses, he acknowledged that Morgan’s initiative paid off, saying Kendrick “killed it” on the track . This anecdote illustrates AxlFolie’s behind-the-scenes influence in bringing top artists together. By the end of the 2010s, AxlFolie had amassed a production discography spanning underground mixtapes to multi-platinum singles, while often flying under the radar publicly. Industry publications noted that for a producer with such a strong catalogue, he maintained a relatively low profile in the public eye .

 

Expansion into R&B: In the 2020s, AxlFolie expanded his repertoire by working extensively in R&B. In 2022, he began a close collaboration with singer-songwriter Leon Thomas (also known as actor Leon Thomas III). This partnership would lead AxlFolie into an executive producer role on Thomas’s projects, marking a new chapter in his career (detailed in the section below). Even as he branched into R&B, Morgan continued producing hip-hop tracks; for example, he is credited on Jay Rock’s song “Road To Redemption” in 2023 and other hip-hop releases. However, his work with Thomas demonstrated his versatility and ability to shape the sound of a full album in a genre-blending context.

 

Discography (Production Highlights)

 

Selected production credits:

    •    Kendrick Lamar – “Fuck Your Ethnicity” (from Section.80, 2011) ; “Tammy’s Song (Her Evils)” and “Chapter Ten” (from Section.80, 2011) ; “m.A.A.d city” (co-producer, from Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, 2012) .

    •    ScHoolboy Q – “Sex Drive” (feat. Jhené Aiko) and “Oxy Music” (from Habits & Contradictions, 2012) ; “Collard Greens” (feat. Kendrick Lamar, lead single from Oxymoron, 2013) .

    •    Nipsey Hussle – “Between Us” (feat. K. Camp, 2014) ; “Stay Loyal” (2014) ; “Dedication” (feat. Kendrick Lamar, from Victory Lap, 2018) ; “Young Nigga” (feat. Puff Daddy, Victory Lap, 2018) ; “Double Up” (feat. Belly & Dom Kennedy, Victory Lap, 2018) .

    •    Drake – “U With Me?” (from Views, 2016) .

    •    A$AP Rocky – “Fine Whine” (feat. Future, M.I.A.) and “Electric Body” (feat. ScHoolboy Q) – both from At.Long.Last.A$AP, 2015 .

    •    21 Savage – “Monster” (feat. Childish Gambino, from I Am > I Was, 2018) .

    •    Jay Rock – “Road To Redemption” (co-producer, 2018) – and contributed to “King’s Dead” (feat. Kendrick Lamar, Future & James Blake) from Black Panther: The Album, 2018 .

    •    OverDoz – Multiple tracks including “Kush and Red Wine,” “F*** Yo DJ,” and “District” (from Boom, 2009)  .

    •    Casey Veggies – “Love=Hate” (from Life Changes, 2013) .

    •    Buddy & Kent Jamz – “She Think” (from Janktape Vol. 1, 2020) .

    •    Leon Thomas – “Love Jones” (feat. Ty Dolla $ign, 2022 single) ; “X-Rated” (feat. Benny the Butcher, 2023) ; multiple tracks on Electric Dusk (2023) and Mutt (2024) – [See below].

 

(Note: The above is a selection of AxlFolie’s major production credits. He has produced additional songs and album tracks for artists such as J. Cole, Lil Simz, Reason, and others not listed here.)

 

Collaborations with Leon Thomas

 

In the early 2020s, AxlFolie formed a creative partnership with R&B artist Leon Thomas. Thomas, known for his acting on Nickelodeon’s Victorious and his songwriting for other stars, signed with Ty Dolla $ign’s EZMNY/Motown label in 2022 to launch his solo music career . Seeking a distinctive sound for his debut album, Thomas enlisted AxlFolie as a key collaborator. In an interview, Thomas revealed that he unofficially considered AxlFolie the executive producer of his album Electric Dusk (2023) because of the producer’s extensive involvement . The two met in Los Angeles and immediately clicked: Thomas, eager to impress, wrote the song “Fade to Black” on the spot during their first meeting to showcase his talent to AxlFolie . The strategy worked—AxlFolie “took a liking” to Thomas, and they spent the next several months working intensively out of a basement studio in Silver Lake, crafting the songs that would become Electric Dusk . During these sessions, they co-created tracks like “Love Jones” and “X-Rated,” developing a chemistry that Thomas credits for shaping the album’s sound .

 

Electric Dusk, released in August 2023, marked Leon Thomas’s full-length debut and showcased AxlFolie’s influence throughout the project. AxlFolie co-produced multiple songs on the album, including the slow-jam single “Love Jones” (featuring Ty Dolla $ign)  and the sultry track “X-Rated” (featuring Benny the Butcher) . Critics noted the album’s rich production and genre-blending style; ThisIsRnB’s review highlighted the “weaving of artificial and natural instrumentation” and incorporation of psychedelic rock and jazz elements into R&B  . Thomas’s thematic songwriting was complemented by AxlFolie’s eclectic soundscapes, resulting in an R&B album that felt “cinematic” in scope . The single “Love Jones” in particular garnered media praise from outlets like Teen Vogue and REVOLT, which cited the track’s lush, nostalgic production and Thomas’s distorted vocals . Thomas himself stated that AxlFolie was by his side “the entire time” during the making of Electric Dusk, underscoring how integral the producer was to the album’s creative process . Electric Dusk ultimately received positive reviews for its ambition and was seen as a strong launch for Thomas’s music career, with AxlFolie’s contributions widely acknowledged in the album’s reception.

 

Following the success of Electric Dusk, Leon Thomas wasted no time in creating a follow-up. He and AxlFolie continued their collaboration on Thomas’s second album, Mutt, released in September 2024. AxlFolie once again contributed as a producer on the project. Notably, he is credited as a featured artist on the track “Sooner or Later” from Mutt  – an uncommon move that suggests he may have provided additional vocals or an interlude on the song, beyond production. This album saw Thomas exploring new themes and sounds (inspired by personal experiences and even his pet dog, per Thomas’s interviews), while retaining the core R&B/hip-hop fusion ethos established with AxlFolie on the previous record. Mutt featured guests like Ty Dolla $ign and Wale, with AxlFolie helping to unify the production across various styles (from soulful ballads to up-tempo tracks). The album received a modest commercial reception, peaking at 161 on the Billboard 200 , and continued to build Thomas’s credibility as an R&B artist. For AxlFolie, the Electric Dusk and Mutt projects displayed his ability to step into an album producer role – shaping not just singles but the entire sonic arc of an artist’s vision. Their partnership has been highlighted as a model of effective artist-producer synergy in modern R&B.

 

Awards and Recognition

 

AxlFolie’s production work has been associated with numerous awards and accolades in the music industry. As a member of THC, he contributed to Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), which earned seven nominations at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, including a nod for Album of the Year . This early achievement put Morgan in the orbit of a critically acclaimed, generation-defining album. In 2016, Drake’s blockbuster album Views – featuring the AxlFolie-produced track “U With Me?” – was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys as well . Although these nominations were for the artists and albums as a whole, Morgan’s contributions to those projects underscore his presence in Grammy-recognized works.

 

In 2019, a song connected to AxlFolie earned one of the Recording Academy’s top honors. “King’s Dead,” a track from the Black Panther soundtrack (also appearing on Jay Rock’s album Redemption), won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance at the 61st Grammys . AxlFolie was one of the producers who had involvement in “King’s Dead,” alongside Mike Will Made-It, Teddy Walton, and others (the song was a multi-producer effort for which Morgan provided contributions) . This win marked a significant milestone – associating AxlFolie’s name with a Grammy-winning single. The same year, Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap, containing multiple AxlFolie productions, was nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys , reflecting the album’s impact and further solidifying Morgan’s track record with acclaimed hip-hop projects.

 

Beyond Grammys, AxlFolie’s work has achieved commercial milestones. Several songs he produced or co-produced have been certified Gold or Platinum. Most prominently, ScHoolboy Q’s “Collard Greens” – AxlFolie’s breakout hit – has been certified 4× Platinum in the United States , signifying over four million units in sales. Other tracks like Nipsey Hussle’s “Dedication” and “Double Up” attained Gold status or higher, and Drake’s Views (which includes “U With Me?”) was certified multi-Platinum, contributing to Morgan’s “multi-platinum” credentials.

 

Within the industry, AxlFolie is respected as a behind-the-scenes talent who has consistently delivered quality production. His role in shaping the sound of West Coast hip-hop’s 2010s renaissance (through TDE and Nipsey’s projects) earned him recognition among peers, even if he is not a household name to the general public. Publications like DJBooth have pointed out that for a producer with such a robust résumé, he remains relatively low-key, letting the music speak for itself . Nonetheless, those in the know have come to acknowledge “Grammy-nominated producer AxlFolie” as a notable credit on any project , and artists continue to seek him out for his proven track record of crafting hits and critically acclaimed songs.

 

Influence and Style

 

AxlFolie’s influence on contemporary hip-hop and R&B production is evident in the sonic imprint he has left on several pivotal projects. Coming up alongside the TDE camp, Morgan was part of a cohort of Los Angeles producers (including Sounwave, Terrace Martin, and others) that melded classic West Coast elements with new-era experimentation. In tracks like Kendrick Lamar’s “m.A.A.d city” and ScHoolboy Q’s “Collard Greens,” one can hear AxlFolie’s knack for G-funk inspired synth lines and groovy bass meshed with modern drum programming, helping to refresh the West Coast sound for a new generation  . His beats often balance atmospheric melodies with knocking percussion, providing rappers a cinematic backdrop for storytelling. This approach contributed to the cohesive, story-driven feel of albums like Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, where production played a narrative role.

 

Morgan’s style is characterized by versatility and adaptability. He has shown an ability to move seamlessly between different subgenres of hip-hop – from soulful, sample-based compositions to minimalist trap bangers. For instance, his work with Nipsey Hussle leaned into soulful “California” vibes (horns, piano loops, gospel influences on tracks like “Dedication” ), whereas his production for 21 Savage’s “Monster” incorporated darker 808s and sparse arrangements fitting the Atlanta trap sound. This range has allowed AxlFolie to influence artists across the hip-hop spectrum, tailoring his sound to elevate each artist’s unique voice.

 

AxlFolie’s foray into R&B with Leon Thomas further showcased his innovative production techniques. On Electric Dusk, he helped blend genres by infusing R&B songs with unconventional elements like psychedelic rock guitar riffs, ambient textures, and jazz-inspired instrumentation . The result was an R&B album that felt modern and genre-bending without losing its soulful core. Critics noted that the album managed to “excite” listeners by sounding familiar and fresh at the same time  – a testament to AxlFolie’s ability to synthesize influences. His background in hip-hop brought a rhythmic backbone and edge to Thomas’s music, while he also embraced live instruments and lush arrangements that are hallmarks of R&B. This cross-pollination of styles is a signature of AxlFolie’s production ethos, making his work stand out in an era where genre lines are increasingly blurred.

 

In terms of technique, AxlFolie is known for paying attention to song structure and dynamics. He often collaborates closely with artists in the studio (as seen with Leon Thomas and previously with rappers), preferring to build a track organically to suit the performer’s narrative. Thomas has praised AxlFolie for fostering an environment of experimentation – for example, switching up tempos mid-song or incorporating “halftime” outros to mirror emotional arcs . Morgan’s willingness to experiment has influenced other producers and artists to be more adventurous in their sound. Additionally, his ear for melody has made many of the songs he’s worked on notably catchy despite complex arrangements.

 

AxlFolie’s behind-the-scenes role has also been influential in bridging artists together. The story of how he facilitated Kendrick Lamar and Nipsey Hussle’s collaboration on “The Heart Pt. 4” (by surreptitiously sharing the track with Kendrick) is now part of hip-hop lore, and it exemplifies how producers can influence the course of artistic collaborations . By trusting his instincts in that moment, Morgan indirectly shaped the prelude to Lamar’s DAMN. album rollout, showing the power a producer can wield in the creative process beyond just making beats.

 

Overall, AxlFolie’s style is often described as genre-fluid, soulful, and innovative, and his influence is seen in the way West Coast hip-hop production evolved in the 2010s – incorporating more eclectic sounds while maintaining streetwise authenticity. Young producers coming up in Los Angeles and beyond have looked to figures like AxlFolie (even if quietly) as examples of how to craft music that can be commercially successful and artistically rich at once. By working across both hip-hop and R&B, he has helped blur the lines between the genres, contributing to the broader trend of hip-hop’s production techniques (like heavy 808s, hi-hat rolls, and sampling) becoming commonplace in R&B music, and vice versa. As of mid-2020s, AxlFolie remains a respected architect of sound whose past work continues to resonate, and whose future projects are anticipated by those who recognize his influential touch in modern music.

 

References

    1.    Grand Cru Entertainment – Artist profile for AxlFolie (Axel Morgan), stating he is a “Multi-Platinum, GRAMMY-nominated Producer” formerly half of THC .

    2.    HipHopDX – Marisa Mendez (Jan 4, 2024): “ScHoolboy Q Scores String Of Platinum & Gold Plaques Ahead Of 2024 Comeback.” Reports that “Collard Greens” (2013) featuring Kendrick Lamar is certified 4× Platinum .

    3.    Wikipedia – Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (retrieved 2023): Noted the album earned seven nominations at the 2014 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year .

    4.    Wikipedia – Drake’s Views (album)* (retrieved 2023): Listed among its accolades a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year at the 2017 Grammy Awards .

    5.    The FADER – Jordan Darville (Feb 10, 2019): “Jay Rock’s ‘King’s Dead’ and Anderson .Paak’s ‘Bubblin’’ tie for Best Rap Performance at the 2019 Grammys.” Confirms “King’s Dead” (Jay Rock/Kendrick Lamar/Future/James Blake) won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance .

    6.    Wikipedia – Nipsey Hussle’s Victory Lap (album)* (retrieved 2023): Notes the album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards .

    7.    DJBooth – Yoh (May 2, 2016): “All 71 People Credited on Drake’s ‘VIEWS’ Album.” Identifies Axel Morgan as the real name of producer AxlFolie, with credits on ScHoolboy Q’s Oxymoron and A$AP Rocky’s At.Long.Last.ASAP, describing him as “surprisingly flying under the radar” for a producer with that résumé .

    8.    MusicBrainz – Kendrick Lamar Section.80 credits: Shows production of “Fuck Your Ethnicity” by THC (Axl Folie and Rick Bricks) and songwriting credit to Axel Morgan .

    9.    GQ – Rob Kenner (May 2022): “How Kendrick Lamar and Nipsey Hussle’s Yearslong Friendship Informed ‘The Heart Part 5’.” Includes anecdote from Nipsey Hussle about AxlFolie co-producing “The Heart Pt. 4” and secretly giving the beat to Kendrick Lamar, leading to their collaboration .

    10.    ThisIsRnB – Flisadam Pointer (Aug 25, 2023): “Review: Leon Thomas’ ‘Electric Dusk’ Is a Beautifully Flawed Cinema…” Praises the album’s production for blending R&B with psychedelic rock and jazz, noting “Produced by Axl Folie…” on the track “X-Rated”  .

    11.    The Hype Magazine – MuzikScribe (Sep 5, 2022): “Leon Thomas Unveils Music Video For ‘Love Jones’ ft. Ty Dolla $ign.” Announces Thomas’s single co-produced by Axl Folie and Ali Prawl, and mentions AxlFolie’s credits with Drake and Kendrick Lamar .

    12.    EnVi Media – (Aug 2023): “Leon Thomas Shares the Soundtrack of His Life, ‘Electric Dusk’.” Interview with Leon Thomas where he discusses working with AxlFolie (deemed the unofficial executive producer of Electric Dusk) and their songwriting process in the studio  .

    13.    Wikipedia – “Dedication” (Nipsey Hussle song)* (retrieved 2023): States the song was produced by Mike & Keys, Rance & Mars (1500 or Nothin’), Ralo Stylez and Axl Folie , illustrating AxlFolie’s role in that notable track.

    14.    Wikipedia – Leon Thomas Mutt (album)* (retrieved 2024): Track listing shows “Sooner or Later” featuring AxlFolie with Axel Morgan credited as co-writer and co-producer , signifying his featured contribution on the album.