Top$ide is a Detroit-based producer who has carved out a distinct sound for his city. Collaborating with some of Detroit’s hottest names, he has helped define what is now known as the “New Detroit” sound.
I first discovered Top$ide through Daemoney’s track “Scotty PPls (feat. LUCKI).” Since then, he has remained consistent, dropping several projects entirely produced by him. His latest beat tape, 90’s Video Game Sound, offers another glimpse into the unique and innovative sounds that define Top$ide’s style.
Check out our conversation below to learn more about the creative force behind “New Detroit.”
1.Where are you from?
I was born in Monroe, Louisiana. In 1998, I moved to Oklahoma for a year before relocating to Michigan in 1999. Since then, I’ve been bouncing back and forth between Michigan, Louisiana, and Atlanta my entire life.
2. When did you start producing or making beats?
I began making beats in October 2018 and started sending beats to Veeze in December 2018. That same month, he made “Itself,” and it’s been up ever since.
3. How did you get your producer name or tag?
I got my producer tag from George Blaha, the Pistons announcer. He always says “topside,” and one day, it just clicked. I’ve always been known for delivering good product, so I felt like “Top$ide” was a perfect name for me in the music industry. Originally, I went by “Fresh,” which is why the tag on “Itself” says, “Fresh, step into my office, nigga.” But I felt like “Top$ide” sounded more polished and unique.
4. Would you consider yourself a producer or a beat maker?
I’m a producer. There’s nothing wrong with just being a beat maker, but I believe I qualify as a producer.
5. What’s the difference between a producer and a beat maker, in your opinion?
A producer does more than just make beats—they’re like a coach to an artist. A producer can create an entire album and help build a unique sound for an artist.
6. From the outside looking in, you, Babyface Ray, Dae Money, and others seem to have created a new sound for Detroit. Would you agree?
Yes, I agree. My beats are unique and stand out—not just in Detroit but worldwide.
7. Is there a name for this sound?
Top$ide-type beats, or “New Detroit,” as my guy Lelo says.
8. How would you describe your sound as a producer or beat maker?
Dark and nostalgic.
9. Who are your musical influences?
I’m influenced by 90s R&B, neo-soul, the mixtape/blog era, 90s rap, underground Detroit sounds, Japanese jazz, West Coast vibes, the Neptunes—pretty much everything.
10. What’s your favorite beat or song you’ve produced?
Honestly, I don’t have a favorite. I was just looking through my producer playlist on Apple yesterday, and I love all my beats and songs equally.
11. Can you walk us through your process for creating a beat or producing a song?
I either search YouTube for unique samples that haven’t been used or open an old plugin in FL Studio. Then, I go through sounds I grew up with and try to create something completely new.
12. Have any artists or producers you’ve worked with helped shape your sound?
I haven’t collaborated with any other producers yet because I’m still learning and refining my own sound. However, every artist I’ve worked with has helped me shape my style. Each collaboration is different, but it still carries my unique sound.
13. If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
2Pac and Kendrick.
14. What challenges or lessons have you faced in your career, and how have they shaped you as a producer?
The biggest challenge so far has been getting paid by labels—they move like street dudes. Not getting paid has motivated me to release more music as an artist and focus on building relationships with independent artists instead of chasing major-label artists.
15. Tell us about your new tape, 90s Video Game Sound.
90s Video Game Sound was inspired by creating beats as if I were composing music for a video game released in the 1990s.
16. What are your goals for 2025?
My goals for 2025 are to sign artists and producers, further separate myself from other producers, and become one of the biggest independent artist-producers in the world.
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