Hubbry Logo
Harry FraudHarry FraudMain
Open search
Harry Fraud
Community hub
Harry Fraud
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Harry Fraud
Harry Fraud
Harry Fraud
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Key Information

Rory William Quigley (born January 26, 1987), known professionally as Harry Fraud, is an American record producer.[1] Primarily a hip hop producer, Fraud began producing at an early age and began interning at a recording studio after graduating from high school.[2] First discovered by French Montana during a recording session in New York's Chinatown in early 2009,[3] Fraud has since worked on each of his releases and become a fixture in the New York underground hip hop scene. He was credited on Montana's 2012 single, "Shot Caller", which became one of the most added tracks on urban contemporary radio during 2011–2012.[4]

Fraud has produced collaborative records with various rappers, such as Wiz Khalifa before projects such as Flight 2011 (2011) with Chinx Drugz; Rugby Thompson (2012) with Smoke DZA; Cigarette Boats (2012) with Curren$y, which was awarded XXL's "2012 EP of the Year"; Saaab Stories (2013) with Action Bronson, which served as the latter's major-label debut, and The Appetizer (2014) with French Montana. On March 8, 2013, he released his debut mixtape Adrift. That same year, Fraud teamed up with car-maker Scion to produce the compilation EP Scion A/V Presents: High Tide released on May 7, and on May 10 released his instrumental EP Royal Palm. In April 2014, he released his instrumental EP Blue/Green. Fraud has done production for various high-profile artists such as Rick Ross, Prodigy, Pusha T, Playboi Carti and Talib Kweli, among others. He has also worked on production for the International Emmy Awards.

Career

[edit]

Early life and career

[edit]

Harry Fraud comes from a musical family background, where his parents performed in a band together. His father is a guitar player, while his mother is a singer.[2][5] His father was in the concert business, which gave Fraud access to instruments and recording equipment at an early age.[5] He received his first turntables on Christmas, and the next year had gotten what he describes as a "piece of shit sampler". It's after acquiring his first MPC that he began seriously working on beat production.[5]

Upon graduating from high school, Fraud began interning at a recording studio, which became his first exposure to Pro Tools.[2] He was also influenced by Fafu of BlesteNation, who was a producer at the same building.[2] After getting into college, he acquired Pro Tools for himself, quickly immersing himself in front of the computer and becoming his main distraction, "I didn't do any [school] work. I wouldn't even go to class. It was terrible," claimed Fraud in an interview with Nah Right.[2] During his time in college, he met his friend Red Walrus – now the musical director of the band which Fraud works with – where the two bonded over digging through crates and buying vinyl records from places such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army.[2] His musical composition has been used by the International Emmy Awards, which Fraud credits his father for getting through to its producers.[6] Fraud's composition work would go on to be praised by Simon Cowell, who, at the 2010 Emmy Awards ceremony took notice of Fraud's walk up music, even requesting it be replayed briefly during his speech.[6][7]

French Montana and the Coke Boys

[edit]

Harry Fraud rose to prominence through his collaboration with French Montana on the song "New York Minute", featuring Jadakiss, off of French's fifth mixtape Mac Wit Da Cheese released on April 19, 2009. In a 2013 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Harry Fraud revealed first meeting close friend and artist French Montana during a recording session at a studio in Chinatown.[3] Fraud recalls recording a song for someone which French happened to have a guest feature on. In an unusual turn of events, the building was raided by police after a tip-off that there were counterfeit Gucci and Louis Vuitton purses being manufactured at the same building.[3] Having lost his studio spot, Fraud went on to form his own studio in Brooklyn, where the two "met and formed a bond".[3]

Following the release of "New York Minute", the two artists would go on to record "We Playin In The Wind" off of French Montana's sixth mixtape The Laundry Man 2, released on June 29, 2009. An extended version of the song would be included on French's seventh mixtape Cocaine Konvicts released on September 25. Since then, Harry Fraud's production has been a staple among French's music, becoming Fraud's gateway to working with other high-profile artists since then. With the success of "New York Minute", rapper Ma$e had approached French Montana to hop on the remix,[8] released on French's eighth mixtape Coke Wave 2 in November that year. Fraud would go on to produce several tracks off of French's ninth mixtape Mac & Cheese 2 released on May 6, 2010, and French's tenth mixtape Coke Boys released on September 15, collaborating with Coke Boys rappers Chinx Drugz, Cheeze, Flip and Brock.

He gained mainstream attention when his track with French Montana "Shot Caller" became one of the most added tracks on urban contemporary radio in 2011–2012.[4] The song which was re-released as a single on January 10, 2012, was originally off of French's eleventh mixtape Mister 16: Casino Life released on February 15, 2011. Harry Fraud executive produced the overall mixtape, and his subsequent twelfth mixtape Coke Boys 2 released on August 19 of that same year.[5] Through French, Fraud was introduced to his fellow Coke Boy rapper Chinx Drugz. The two would go on to work on their collaborative mixtape Flight 2011 which was released on March 11, 2011, and several tracks off of his subsequent Cocaine Riot mixtape released on April 19 that year. Fraud's production would also be included in French's collaborative mixtape with Juicy J and Project Pat Cocaine Mafia released on December 20, 2011. By 2012, with the popularity of "Shot Caller", a remix was released featuring rappers Rick Ross and Diddy.

2012–present: Cigarette Boats, Adrift and Saaab Stories

[edit]

On July 10, 2012, Fraud and rapper Currensy released a collaborative EP mixtape titled Cigarette Boats, which XXL would go on to award its "2012 EP of the Year."[9] On March 8, 2013, Fraud released his debut mixtape titled Adrift, that has 115,000 downloads as of April 21, 2013, on DatPiff.[10] The mixtape features guest appearances from Action Bronson, Bun B, Slim Thug, Rick Ross, French Montana, Prodigy, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, Kool G Rap, Trae tha Truth, Mac Miller, Chinx Drugz, Currensy, Chevy Woods, Danny Brown and Pusha T among many others. The mixtape is entirely self-produced and does not include any vocals of his.[11]

On April 8, 2013, Fraud and rapper Eddie B released a collaborative EP mixtape titled Horsepower through Man Bites Dog Records.[12] Fraud also released an EP through Scion AV on May 7, 2013, titled Scion A/V Presents: High Tide. The free EP features guest appearances by Earl Sweatshirt, Tech N9ne, French Montana, Action Bronson, Riff Raff, Mistah F.A.B., Troy Ave, Smoke DZA and Chinx Drugz.[13] On the same day he released an EP on iTunes of instrumentals all produced by himself titled Royal Ralm.[14] On June 11, 2013, Fraud released his collaboration project with Action Bronson titled, Saaab Stories. The project featured collaborations with Raekwon, Wiz Khalifa and Prodigy. It debuted at #63 on the Billboard 200.

On July 22, 2013, it was announced that Fraud's Surf School record label signed to the new Priority Records which operates under Capitol Music Group.[15] He has promised a project with French Montana to be released after Montana's album Excuse My French (2013).[16] He also revealed plans to release a collaboration mixtape with Riff Raff and his debut album in late 2013.[6][17] Fraud and Eddie B also announced they would release a full-length album titled Paper, Piff & Polo during 2013.[18] On October 6, 2013, Smoke DZA announced he would release a collaboration EP with Currensy, entirely produced by Harry Fraud.[19] He has said he wants to work with New York rappers Jay-Z and Cam'ron in the future.[11] Fraud has called The Alchemist as his favorite producer.[20]

Production style

[edit]

Harry Fraud's production has been described as "New York tinged, sample heavy, foggy music."[21] Fraud's production leans heavily on samples, and he's become known for turning obscure tracks into hard-knocking beats.[17] In an interview with HipHopDX Fraud described his style saying, "What's most important to me with production is that I'm just always trying to do something unique. If I approach a production—whether it be sample-based or starting with something that originates in my head—I always try to do it in a way that is not typical at all. So if it's something that I feel where I might be going down a path that sounds too much like what's going on now, I'll make sure to try and take a left turn and do something that's my own. I try not to have a style, so to speak."[22] He went on to describe the use of drums on his beats stating, "I'm more about trying to have a strong drum presence—whether the drum is a big, huge snare or a little, tiny rimshot—I wanna make sure that the presence of the drums is felt no matter what."[22] Fraud's signature tag at the beginning of his productions consists of singer Fanesha Fabre saying "La musica de Harry Fraud".[6]

Surf School Recordings

[edit]

In 2012, Harry Fraud founded his own record label "Surf School Recordings", the name a tribute to Max B and Fraud's own passion for surfing.[5] His father, who was a frequent traveler, was a surfer who would often take Fraud on trips with him where he discovered his passion for surfing.[6] In 2013, Fraud signed a deal making it an imprint under Priority Records.[23] In a 2014 interview with Life+Times he noted,

The SRFSCHL label comes from the concept of what Max B brought to the light with "the wave" and his philosophy and what me and French have been carrying on. It also kind of came out of me being into surfing. I feel like people get a lot of influence off of the stuff we do. We're teaching people how to ride the wave anyway, just off of them listening to our music. I'm a deeply philosophical person, so SRFSCHL has since taken on many different meanings.[5]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Harry Fraud production discography

Albums

[edit]

Studio albums

EPs

Mixtapes

[edit]

LPs

  • B4 (with Various of BlesteNation) (2009)[37]
  • Flight 2011 (with Chinx Drugz) (2011)[38]
  • One Way Out (with Star Bred) (2011)[39]
  • Rob Zombie (with Isaiah Toothtaker & Rapewolf) (2012)[40]
  • Adrift (with various artists) (2013)
  • Horsepower (with Eddie B) (2013)
  • The Johnny Utah Story (with Eddie B) (2013)
  • M.I.N.K.S. (with Daytona) (2015)
  • Rogues Playlist Vol.1 (compilation) (2015)[41]
  • Rogues Playlist Vol.2 (compilation) (2016)[42]
  • The Coast (with various artists) (2017)[43]

EPs

  • The Lucky 7 (with Eddie B) (2011)[44]
  • Scion A/V Presents: High Tide (with various artists) (2013)
  • The Stage (with Smoke DZA & Curren$y) (2013)
  • Projection (with Adrian Lau) (2014)[45]
  • Blue / Green (instrumental album) (2015)[46]
  • Visionary (with Haze) (2015)[47]
  • Mac & Cheese: The Appetizer (with French Montana) (2014)[48]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Harry Fraud

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Harry Fraud, born Rory William Quigley on January 26, 1987, in , New York, is an American hip hop record producer renowned for his sample-heavy, cinematic production style that blends soulful loops, trap elements, and East Coast influences. His signature sound, often marked by the tag "La musica de Harry Fraud," has defined collaborations with prominent artists including , , , and . Raised in a musical household—his father a and his mother a singer—Quigley began producing beats in high school around 2003, initially using DJ decks and an MPC sampler gifted by his parents. He gained early recognition in 2009 with the track "New York Minute," featuring and , which showcased his ear for talent and polished instrumentation. By 2011, Fraud's production on 's "Shot Caller" marked a breakthrough, propelling him into the mainstream hip hop scene during the mixtape era. Fraud's career has been prolific, with dozens of projects including EPs like with (2013) and full-length albums such as Vices with (2023) and The Bricktionary with (2024), alongside work with artists like , , and . He founded the independent label Surf School (SRFSCHL) in 2012, releasing his debut Adrift in 2013, and has expanded into composing for television and film. Signed to publishing deals with Sony/ATV and , Fraud continues to influence contemporary hip hop through his versatile, non-regional beats that pay homage to New York's roots while innovating with live instrumentation and experimental samples.

Early life and career beginnings

Childhood and family background

Harry Fraud was born Rory William Quigley on January 26, 1987, in New York City and raised in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn. Quigley grew up in a highly musical household, where his parents performed together in a band—his mother as the lead singer and his father as a guitarist who also worked as a concert promoter and band manager. This environment constantly featured music, fostering a creative atmosphere that encouraged artistic expression from an early age; his parents supported his development by enrolling him in private schools with robust music programs and providing access to instruments like a home piano. Through his father's industry connections, young Quigley gained unique early exposure to live music and performers, including hanging out in Tina Turner's trailer, sitting backstage with , and waiting for to take the stage. He began strumming a guitar as a and later received classical training in music theory, learning to play the and , which deepened his foundational appreciation for music amid the diverse sounds playing in his home during the late and . This upbringing in a record-rich, performance-oriented family sparked his initial fascination with hip-hop and the art of sampling, as he explored the era's burgeoning rap scene through family-curated collections of vinyl and cassettes.

Entry into music production

Harry Fraud's entry into music production was influenced by his family's musical heritage, where his mother pursued singing and his father played guitar, providing an early environment rich in creative inspiration. Beginning in his youth, he transitioned from DJing on turntables to crafting beats using accessible hardware, including four-track recorders, drum machines inherited from his father's collection, and the Akai MPC 2000 sampler, which became central to his workflow. Largely self-taught, Fraud honed his sampling techniques through hands-on experimentation, drawing inspiration from New York hip-hop producers known for their innovative curation, such as Havoc of [Mobb Deep](/page/Mobb Deep) and The Alchemist. His initial productions emphasized layering unusual samples with classic drum breaks, as seen in his first beat tape, which incorporated audio from the film A Clockwork Orange. This experimental approach extended to his adoption of the signature vocal tag "La música de Harry Fraud," derived from a playful studio skit featuring singer Fanesha Fabre, which he began incorporating into tracks during this formative period. In the late 2000s, operating under the Harry Fraud moniker, he contributed to various underground mixtapes and freestyles that circulated in New York's nascent hip-hop scenes. These early efforts gained modest traction through influential blogs like NahRight, helping to establish his presence among local tastemakers. Through persistent networking in and Manhattan's underground circles—such as selling beats and mixtapes on streets like 14th Street—Fraud secured minor placements with emerging rappers by 2008 and 2009, laying the groundwork for broader recognition without yet venturing into major label affiliations.

Professional career

Association with French Montana and Coke Boys

Harry Fraud first connected with in 2009, marking the beginning of a pivotal partnership that propelled both into the spotlight. Their initial collaboration emerged during the production of tracks for Montana's 2010 Mac & Cheese 2, where Fraud provided beats for several key songs, including "Go Hard," "" featuring Cheeze, and the "New York Minute (Remix)" with and . These early contributions showcased Fraud's emerging sample-heavy style, laying the groundwork for their ongoing synergy. Fraud played a central role in the formation of the Coke Boys collective, a crew centered around Montana that blended street-oriented rap with polished production. Starting in 2011, he supplied beats for the inaugural Coke Boys mixtape and subsequent volumes, such as Coke Boys 2, where he produced multiple tracks including "Ya Mean" featuring , "It's Just Me," and others like "Red Light." His involvement helped solidify the group's roster and aesthetic, drawing from his self-taught production roots honed on drum machines and 4-track recorders without formal training. A defining moment came with Fraud's production of the 2011 single "Shot Caller" for Montana's Mister 16: Casino Life. Built around a sample from Thomas Bell Orchestra's "A Theme for L.A.'s Team," the track's bouncy, hypnotic rhythm captured New York street energy and quickly went viral through online platforms and radio play, amassing millions of streams and views. This breakthrough generated major label buzz, ultimately contributing to Montana's signing with and elevating Fraud's profile as a go-to producer. Fraud's influence extended to Montana's major-label debut album Excuse My French in 2013, where he handled production on standout tracks like "Ghetto Prayer" featuring Mavado, infusing the project with his signature atmospheric layers. During the 2010–2012 period, Fraud's work reshaped the Coke Boys sound by merging trap's hard-hitting percussion and 808 basslines with his sample-based flips of obscure sources, such as indie and records, creating a wavy, immersive vibe that distinguished the crew's mixtapes from mainstream trap contemporaries. This fusion not only amplified the collective's commercial appeal but also cemented Fraud's reputation for innovative, genre-blending beats.

Breakthrough projects (2012–2018)

Harry Fraud's association with and the Coke Boys collective served as a key catalyst for his rising profile in the early , opening doors to high-profile collaborations that showcased his production prowess. In 2012, Fraud teamed up with for the EP Cigarette Boats, a five-track project blending lush, sample-driven beats with the rapper's laid-back flows, which earned widespread acclaim including XXL Magazine's designation as the "2012 EP of the Year." The release highlighted Fraud's ability to craft atmospheric soundscapes, drawing from and influences to complement Curren$y's lyrical style. That same year, his independent label Surf School Recordings (SRFSCHL) became a platform for his productions. The following year, 2013, marked further breakthroughs with the collaborative album Saaab Stories alongside , where Fraud handled all production on the seven-track EP, incorporating orchestral samples and boom-bap rhythms; it featured notable guest appearances from veteran and Mobb Deep's Prodigy on the track "Seven Series Triplets." Fraud also released his debut solo mixtape Adrift in March 2013, a 23-track compilation of unreleased beats featuring artists such as , , and , renowned for its diverse sampling—from on "Cassette Deck" to on "Garbage Bag Money Freestyle"—which underscored his eclectic approach to hip-hop production. These efforts were bolstered by milestones like a deal with Scion A/V, leading to the May 2013 EP High Tide with contributions from and , and a distribution partnership for Surf School with the relaunched in July 2013, enabling broader reach for his roster. Fraud's momentum continued into the mid-2010s with key productions on French Montana's 2016 mixtape Wave Gods, including the intro track featuring Chris Brown, where his rock-soul hybrid beats set a wavy tone for the project. In 2017, he contributed to Action Bronson's Blue Chips 7000, producing standout cuts like "9-24-7000" with Rick Ross, blending shimmering melodies and hard-hitting drums to elevate Bronson's vivid storytelling. These works solidified Fraud's reputation as a versatile producer bridging underground grit with mainstream appeal during this pivotal period.

Recent collaborations and developments (2019–present)

In the period following his earlier breakthrough works, Harry Fraud continued to solidify his reputation through a series of full-length collaborative albums, often handling complete production duties. In 2021, he produced The Fraud Department in its entirety for , a project blending soulful samples with introspective lyricism that highlighted their long-standing chemistry. That same year, Fraud delivered full production on HOFFA with , an effort featuring guest spots from artists like and , emphasizing gritty narratives over booming beats. Also in 2021, Regatta with emerged as a concise EP of laid-back, nautical-themed tracks, entirely produced by Fraud and including contributions from and . Building on this momentum, 2022 saw the release of Montega with , another fully Fraud-produced album that reunited the pair after years apart, incorporating features from , , and to explore themes of legacy and street survival. The collaboration extended into 2023 with Vices alongside , a nine-track project marked by Fraud's signature hazy, sample-driven soundscapes and appearances from and Rome Streetz. In 2024, The Bricktionary with arrived, fully produced by Fraud and praised for its narrative depth in depicting street chronicles through coolly delivered bars and busier, orchestral production elements. Fraud's output accelerated in 2025, with Never Catch Us dropping in March as a collaboration featuring Premo Rice and , showcasing Fraud's polished, atmospheric beats across 12 tracks. May brought EGONOMICS with Valee, a trap-infused nine-song set produced entirely by Fraud and including and . October's Made By Dope with Bruiser Wolf further exemplified this prolific pace, a 11-track with guests like and , distributed independently through Fraud's Surf School Recordings imprint. This era reflects Fraud's shift toward greater independence via his Surf School Recordings imprint, founded in 2012 but increasingly central to his operations since 2019, enabling a focus on full-album productions and streamlined digital distribution platforms like and . His ties to the Griselda collective persisted, as evidenced by his production on "GORO" from Westside Gunn's HEELS HAVE EYES EP in April 2025, a track infused with Fraud's orchestral flair amid Gunn's signature flygod bravado.

Musical style and influences

Production techniques

Harry Fraud's production process centers on sampling as the foundational element, drawing heavily from , and obscure records to create layered, atmospheric beats. He begins by sourcing material from thrift store CDs, vinyl collections, or collaborator-suggested folders, listening through dozens of tracks to identify those with potential for manipulation. Once selected, samples are chopped into loops or individual hits, often pitch-shifted to align keys and evoke a desired mood, while preserving harmonic theory to ensure cohesion. This method allows for the construction of melodic beds that form the emotional core of his tracks, with layering of effects to add depth and a hazy, immersive quality. In programming drums, Fraud draws from 1990s East Coast hip-hop traditions, emphasizing punchy snares and kicks derived from breakbeats or drum machines to maintain a boom-bap influence, though he frequently incorporates sub-bass elements for modern weight. He uses hardware like the MPC 2000XL to sequence and blend these elements, starting with loops before refining patterns to complement the sample's rhythm. Basslines are added next, often via software manipulation to lock into the groove, followed by adjustments for lyrical flow, such as tweaks or creation around the beat's accents. This iterative approach ensures the final product feels organic and adaptable for rappers. Fraud primarily employs as his central for editing, layering melodies, and applying effects, complemented by hardware samplers for tactile control over sample integration. Early in his career, his work was predominantly digital and sample-based, relying on software for experimentation with unconventional sources like or ambient sounds captured via apps such as Shazam. By the early 2010s, his techniques evolved to include live , such as horns, keyboards, and recordings from his family's musical background, blended with samples to add warmth and variability without abandoning his core sampling ethos. This shift enhances the atmospheric layers, creating a more dynamic sound while retaining the foggy, emotive essence of his production.

Signature sound and evolution

Harry Fraud's production is characterized by a foggy, sample-heavy aesthetic that evokes a sense of New York nostalgia through lush, cinematic loops drawn from soul, jazz, and sources. His beats often feature muffled samples layered with reverb-drenched keys, creating an atmospheric, mid-tempo groove that blends trap percussion with boom-bap rhythms, as heard in tracks like French Montana's "New York Minute" from 2011. This signature sound draws heavily from influential producers whose sample-flipping techniques Fraud integrates into a modern hip-hop framework, emphasizing emotional textures and whimsical arrangements over rigid structures. He frequently incorporates unusual samples from or ‘70s , resulting in spa-like trap beats with cascading strings and warm basslines that prioritize melodic opulence. Over time, Fraud's style has evolved from the raw, underground vibes of his early 2010s work with Coke Boys artists, where fog-shrouded sampling dominated mixtape tracks like "Shot Caller," to more polished, collaborative full-length albums in the 2020s. This progression includes a shift toward live instrumentation and genre-blending experimentation, moving beyond strict sample purism to boundary-free productions that retain his core atmospheric essence, as exemplified in the 2024 album The Bricktionary with Boldy James and continued in 2025 projects such as Never Catch Us with Curren$y and Made by Dope with Bruiser Wolf. Fraud demonstrates versatility by adapting his sound to complement individual artists, crafting luxurious, jazzy beats with smooth instrumentation for Curren$y's laid-back lifestyle rap on projects like Vices (2023) and Never Catch Us (2025), while delivering grittier, entropy-infused arrangements for Boldy James's street narratives on The Bricktionary.

Surf School Recordings

Founding and label operations

Surf School Recordings was established by Harry Fraud in 2012 in , drawing inspiration from rapper Max B's influential "wave" and "surf" persona, which emphasized a laid-back, coastal lifestyle, as well as Fraud's personal passion for surfing and coastal aesthetics. The label emerged as Fraud's independent venture to cultivate hip-hop talent aligned with his production vision, operating initially from a in Brooklyn's Gowanus neighborhood. In , Surf School signed a distribution partnership with the relaunched under , enabling wider reach for its releases while Fraud retained full creative and operational control over the label's output. This deal supported the label's early focus on artist and repertoire (A&R) scouting for rappers with strong individuality and , in-house production primarily handled by Fraud to craft signature sounds, and digital-first distribution through platforms like for mixtape-style projects. By the late and into the , Surf School's evolved toward full-length releases and direct-to-consumer sales on platforms like , prioritizing long-term artist development in underground hip-hop over pursuits in mainstream pop. This shift reflected a commitment to nurturing talent through collaborative, old-school label practices amid the challenges of indie distribution in the streaming-dominated era, where smaller operations must compete with major platforms for visibility and revenue up to 2025.

Key artists and releases

Surf School Recordings' core roster features longstanding collaborators and emerging talents, beginning with rapper as an early signee in 2013, who contributed to foundational projects like the collaborative track "Legends in the Making (Ashtray Pt. 2)" with and [Curreny](/page/Currensy).Curreny](/page/Currensy). Curreny stands out as a frequent collaborator, with multiple joint albums underscoring their enduring partnership, including releases that highlight Fraud's production across various EPs and LPs. Jay Worthy has become a key figure through shared projects that blend West Coast influences with Fraud's signature sound, while emerging artist Bruiser Wolf represents the label's investment in fresh voices from the underground rap scene. The label has spotlighted several notable releases that demonstrate its commitment to high-profile collaborations and full productions helmed by Fraud. In 2021, with marked a pivotal EP, recorded at Surf School Studios and emphasizing gritty street narratives over Fraud's layered beats. This was followed by Vices with in 2023, a nine-track released under Surf School (SRFSCHL017-LP) that explored themes of indulgence with guest appearances and vinyl editions highlighting the label's focus. That same year, Fraud took on full production duties for THE AM3RICAN DREAM, a collaborative effort with Jay Worthy and , blending soulful samples and laid-back flows across nine tracks to capture rap's essence. Continuing its momentum, Surf School issued The Bricktionary with in 2024 (SRFSCHL019-LP), a 12-track project that aided the rapper's rebound after a near-fatal car accident in late 2023, featuring denser production to complement James' concise lyricism. By 2025, the label released Made By Dope with Bruiser Wolf (SRFSCHL), an 11-song album praised for elevating Wolf's eccentric delivery through Fraud's dope-infused instrumentation and features from artists like and . In the 2020s, Surf School has grown its output, releasing multiple projects annually—often exceeding 10, as seen in discographies spanning East Coast lyricists like and Southern-leaning acts like and —while prioritizing rappers from those regions to build a cohesive catalog of street-oriented hip-hop, with the latest releases as of October 2025. This expansion has amplified the label's impact, providing platforms for artists to rebound and innovate within Fraud's wavy, sample-driven aesthetic, inspired briefly by Max B's influential slang during its founding.

Discography

Solo mixtapes and albums

Harry Fraud's debut mixtape, Adrift, released in March 2013, served as a comprehensive showcase of his production prowess, compiling 23 tracks he had crafted over the preceding year and a half. Offered as a free digital download via , the project featured guest appearances from artists such as , , and , highlighting Fraud's ability to blend hazy, sample-driven beats with diverse vocal styles. Critics praised Adrift for its atmospheric depth and innovative sampling, positioning it as a pivotal release that influenced a generation of independent hip-hop producers seeking lush, cinematic soundscapes. In addition to Adrift, Fraud has released several instrumental EPs that underscore his beatmaker identity, including Royal Palm: An Instrumental EP in May 2013, a five-track collection emphasizing orchestral loops and subtle percussion. Another notable solo effort, the Blue/Green EP from April 3, 2015, further explored moody, color-themed s across nine tracks, allowing listeners to appreciate his layered production techniques without lyrical overlays. These works exemplify Fraud's focus on instrumental innovation, often incorporating flipped soul samples and reverb-heavy arrangements to evoke a sense of drift and luxury. Fraud's release strategy for his solo output has centered on through his Surf School Recordings imprint, ensuring wide accessibility, while limited-edition vinyl pressings became more prominent post-2020 to cater to collectors. This approach aligns with his evolution toward tangible formats for archival projects, maintaining a balance between online immediacy and physical rarity.

Collaborative projects

Harry Fraud's collaborative projects span a diverse array of joint albums and EPs with prominent hip-hop artists, showcasing his production prowess across various styles and eras. His early partnerships established a foundation for his reputation in underground rap circles. In 2012, Fraud teamed up with for the EP Cigarette Boats, a 5-track project released on July 10 that blended nautical themes with laid-back flows over Fraud's sample-driven beats. The following year, he produced the full EP with , released on June 11, 2013, featuring 7 tracks that highlighted Bronson's vivid lyricism against Fraud's orchestral, boom-bap-infused soundscapes. Fraud's contributions to the Coke Boys mixtape series in 2011 and 2012 included key productions for and associates, such as beats on standout tracks that helped propel the collective's street-oriented aesthetic. Entering the mid-2010s and beyond, Fraud continued building on these foundations with deeper explorations. In 2021, he reunited with for Regatta, an 8-track EP released on October 29, entirely produced by Fraud and featuring guests like and , evoking high-seas luxury and hustler narratives. That same year, on July 30, Fraud provided full production for Dave East's album HOFFA, a 14-track effort drawing parallels to the infamous labor leader's life through gritty, cinematic tracks with features from and . More recent collaborations reflect Fraud's ongoing evolution and label ties. In 2023, he and released Vices, a 9-track EP on June 30 distributed via Surf School Recordings, delving into vice-laden tales with contributions from and . In 2024, Fraud produced The Bricktionary with , a 12-track released on November 22, emphasizing dense wordplay and raw street vignettes with guests like and . Extending into 2025, Fraud collaborated with on Never Catch Us, a 12-track project released March 14 featuring and DRAM, capturing themes of evasion and excess. Later that year, on May 16, he produced EGONOMICS with Valee, a 9-track incorporating trap elements and features from and Bruiser Wolf. In October 2025, Fraud released Made By Dope, an 11-track collaborative with Bruiser Wolf, featuring guests including and . By 2025, Fraud had amassed over 20 collaborative projects, including additional EPs and albums with artists like (Montega, 2022) and (The Fraud Department, 2021), many distributed through his Surf School Recordings imprint, underscoring his role as a pivotal figure in independent hip-hop production.

References

  1. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/profile/harry-fraud
  2. https://tidal.com/artist/4919652
  3. https://music.apple.com/us/artist/harry-fraud/450805135
  4. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/693395-harry-fraud-hip-hop-producer-defining-generation
  5. https://audibletreats.com/harry-fraud/
  6. https://www.vice.com/en/article/behind-the-boards-with-harry-fraud/
  7. https://genius.com/artists/Harry-fraud/albums
  8. https://getondown.com/collections/harry-fraud
  9. https://www.bornglorious.com/person/?pi=14905835
  10. https://www.thefader.com/2012/06/29/beat-construction-harry-fraud
  11. https://lifeandtimes.com/check-the-credits-harry-fraud-speaks-on-his-sound-producing-for-french-montana-new-label
  12. https://www.thefader.com/2012/03/05/beat-construction-harry-fraud
  13. https://hypebeast.com/2024/7/harry-fraud-exclusive-interview-dave-east-blog-french-montana
  14. https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2017/08/harry-fraud-interview/
  15. https://djbooth.net/features/meet-fanesha-fabre/
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/3743443-French-Montana-Mac-Cheese-2
  17. https://genius.com/albums/French-montana-and-coke-boys/Coke-boys-2
  18. https://www.okayplayer.com/behind-the-beat-french-montana-harry-fraud-birthed-a-timeless-nyc-classic-with-shot-caller/530077
  19. https://www.gq.com/story/french-montana-harry-fraud-montega-interview
  20. https://www.discogs.com/release/7148951-French-Montana-Excuse-My-French
  21. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/42673-behind-the-beat-harry-fraud-news
  22. https://www.xxlmag.com/watch-currensy-accepts-his-xxl-award-for-2012-ep-of-the-year/
  23. https://genius.com/albums/Action-bronson/Saaab-stories
  24. https://www.xxlmag.com/harry-fraud-talks-sampling-adrift-mixtape-download/
  25. https://consequence.net/2013/05/download-harry-frauds-high-tide-ep-featuring-action-bronson-earl-sweatshirt/
  26. https://www.xxlmag.com/harry-frauds-surf-school-label-signs-to-re-launched-priority-records/
  27. https://www.discogs.com/release/8679314-French-Montana-Hosted-By-Max-B-Wave-Gods
  28. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/action-bronson-blue-chips-7000/
  29. https://music.apple.com/us/album/hoffa/1573999951
  30. https://music.apple.com/us/album/regatta/1592427387
  31. https://music.apple.com/us/album/montega/1628421418
  32. https://music.apple.com/us/album/vices/1694384063
  33. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/boldy-james-harry-fraud-the-bricktionary/
  34. https://music.apple.com/us/album/never-catch-us/1798280996
  35. https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/bruiser-wolf-made-by-dope/
  36. https://getondown.com/products/the-bricktionary-marbled-gold-colored-lp
  37. https://www.passionweiss.com/2021/03/18/revisiting-memorable-harry-fraud-collaborations/
  38. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-old-fashioned-values-of-producer-harry-fraud-232335/
  39. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/894086-currensy-harry-fraud-never-catch-us-stream
  40. https://music.apple.com/us/album/made-by-dope/1842030922
  41. https://www.xxlmag.com/rappers-signature-producers/
  42. https://rapradar.com/2013/07/23/harry-fraud-launches-label-on-priority/
  43. https://bandcamp.com/discover/harry-fraud
  44. https://www.discogs.com/artist/2226573-Harry-Fraud
  45. https://www.discogs.com/label/488912-Surf-School
  46. https://www.discogs.com/release/21125179-Benny-The-Butcher-Harry-Fraud-The-Plugs-I-Met-II
  47. https://www.discogs.com/release/28865152-Curreny-Harry-Fraud-Vices
  48. https://www.discogs.com/release/29945647-Jay-Worthy-Kamaiyah-Harry-Fraud-The-Am3rican-Dream
  49. https://open.spotify.com/album/2xBItDzZvDaihgU9xYnzXO
  50. https://www.discogs.com/release/32402220-Boldy-James-Harry-Fraud-The-Bricktionary
  51. https://www.thefader.com/2023/11/17/boldy-james-discusses-near-fatal-car-accident-in-brand-new-chanel-kicks
  52. https://hiphopdx.com/news/harry-fraud-adrift-mixtape-download-stream/
  53. https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/7627-harry-fraud-adrift-mixtape
  54. https://www.discogs.com/release/4556141-Harry-Fraud-Royal-Palm-An-Instrumental-EP
  55. https://genius.com/albums/Curren-y-and-harry-fraud/Cigarette-boats
  56. https://genius.com/albums/Curren-y-and-harry-fraud/Regatta
  57. https://genius.com/albums/Dave-east-and-harry-fraud/Hoffa
  58. https://genius.com/albums/Curren-y-and-harry-fraud/Vices
  59. https://genius.com/albums/Boldy-james-and-harry-fraud/The-bricktionary
  60. https://genius.com/albums/Curren-y-and-harry-fraud/Never-catch-us
  61. https://genius.com/albums/Valee-and-harry-fraud/Egonomics
  62. https://music.apple.com/bs/album/made-by-dope/1842030922
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.