AyoAA

AyoAA (born Aswad Asif) is an American artist, rapper, record producer and songwriter known for his work in hip hop, drill, and trap music. He emerged in the early 2020s as a prominent figure within New York drill, gaining international recognition for his contributions to Kanye West’s 2021 album Donda, including production on the track “Off the Grid.” He later co-produced the 2022 single “City of Gods” by Fivio Foreign, Kanye West, and Alicia Keys. AyoAA is widely regarded as one of the producers responsible for bridging New York drill with mainstream American hip hop audiences.

Early life and background

Born and raised in Queens, New York City. He has produced for artists such as Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, and Fivio Foreign, among others. He is best known for his production on Kanye West's platinum-selling single "Off the Grid", Kanye West - 'Donda' (Production Credits) Fivio Foreign, Kanye West, and Alicia Keys' "City of Gods" in addition to many of the songs on Fivio Foreign's B.I.B.L.E., Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign's album Vultures 1 and Vultures 2, and Kanye West's demo tapes Donda and Donda 2. His musical style is characterized by a broad range of influences, including 1990s hip hop, trance, electronic music, pop punk, and metal, resulting in a highly versatile and distinctive sound.

A skilled multi-instrumentalist, he began playing drums at age eight and later expanded his proficiency to guitar and bass and played piano self taught by himself. A defining moment came at age 11 when his older brother, Shaun Enzo, introduced him to digital audio workstations GarageBand and Logic Pro X, igniting his passion for music production. He cites key inspirations from renowned producers such as Southside of 808 Mafia, Kanye West, Lex Luger, Havoc, Harry Fraud, and DJ Premier. AyoAA’s sound reflects the rich hip hop culture of Queens, having been influenced by prominent artists from the same borough, including 50 Cent, Stack Bundles, and Chinx.

Career

Early career and industry entry

Before achieving mainstream success, AyoAA worked primarily behind the scenes, producing beats for independent artists and circulating instrumental tracks online. During this period, his work reflected an increasing interest in drill music, particularly the rhythmic patterns and bass structures associated with UK drill. He began adapting these elements to an American context, blending them with New York–style rap and trap sensibilities.

His early industry entry was characterized by incremental placements rather than immediate commercial breakthroughs. These initial credits laid the foundation for his later work, helping him establish relationships with artists and other producers in the New York drill scene.

Breakthrough with Donda

AyoAA’s career reached a turning point in 2021 when he contributed production to Kanye West’s tenth studio album, Donda. He is credited as one of the producers on the song "Off the Grid," which features Fivio Foreign and Playboi Carti. The track stood out for its drill-influenced production, marking one of the earliest instances of New York drill aesthetics appearing prominently on a globally anticipated mainstream hip hop album.

"Off the Grid" received widespread attention from critics and listeners, charting internationally and becoming one of the most discussed tracks on Donda. The song’s success introduced AyoAA’s production to a global audience and positioned him as a producer capable of operating at the highest level of mainstream hip hop.

Collaboration with Fivio Foreign and City of Gods

Following the success of Donda, AyoAA developed a close working relationship with rapper Fivio Foreign. Their collaboration became a defining aspect of both artists’ careers during the early 2020s. In 2022, AyoAA co-produced “City of Gods,” a high-profile collaboration between Fivio Foreign, Kanye West, and Alicia Keys.

The song served as a lead single for Fivio Foreign’s debut studio album B.I.B.L.E. and was notable for its fusion of drill rhythms with orchestral and cinematic elements. “City of Gods” further established AyoAA as a key producer within the New York drill movement and demonstrated his ability to craft production suitable for large-scale, mainstream releases.

Throughout this period, AyoAA continued to contribute production and songwriting to multiple Fivio Foreign tracks, becoming widely regarded as one of the rapper’s primary producers. His work during these years helped solidify New York drill as a commercially viable genre beyond regional boundaries.

Contributions during the Vultures era

During 2023–2024, AyoAA was involved in recording and production sessions for the collaborative ¥$ project between Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign, which resulted in the albums Vultures 1 and Vultures 2. His contributions included production and songwriting work developed throughout the extended Vultures sessions, which emphasized a minimalist, aggressive, and experimental sound palette. The project drew influence from drill, industrial hip hop, and avant-garde rap, with a focus on stripped-down arrangements, distorted textures, and heavy rhythmic emphasis.

AyoAA participated in multiple Vultures recording sessions held in Italy, where significant portions of the albums were developed and refined. These sessions contributed to the overall sonic direction of the project, prioritizing raw energy, unconventional song structures, and an emphasis on vocal presence. His work during this era reflected an evolution toward more abrasive and atmospheric production, aligning with the creative direction of both Vultures 1 and Vultures 2. The Vultures era further positioned AyoAA within high-profile international recording environments and expanded his involvement in large-scale collaborative projects.

Donda 2 era

AyoAA contributed production work during the recording period of Donda 2, a project noted for its experimental development process and unconventional release strategy. The sessions prioritized evolving compositions, minimal instrumentation, and emotionally driven performances, with tracks frequently undergoing revision throughout production. His contributions aligned with the project’s cinematic and atmospheric aesthetic, incorporating dark tonal palettes and restrained rhythmic frameworks.

The Donda 2 recording period represented one of Kanye West’s most experimental phases, focusing on mood, texture, and open-ended creative development rather than traditional album structure. AyoAA’s involvement during this time demonstrated his adaptability as a producer and his ability to work within fluid, nontraditional creative environments. His work on Donda 2 further reinforced his role within West’s extended creative circle during a pivotal stage of the artist’s career.

Upcoming projects

555

Beginning in 2025, AyoAA began publicly teasing a solo project titled 555, stylized as “⁵⁵⁵AyoAA.” The project is expected to mark his debut full‑length release as a lead artist, following years of work primarily as a producer and songwriter for other artists. As of early 2026, an exact release date has not been officially announced, and details regarding the tracklist and featured artists have not been disclosed. The project is currently scheduled for release sometime in 2026. In addition to the music, AyoAA has indicated that the release of 555 will coincide with the launch of an accompanying merchandise brand, further expanding his presence as a solo artist beyond production.

Production discography

2020

• Fivio Foreign – Baddie On My Wish List

2021

• Lil Tjay, Fivio Foreign & Kay Flock – Not In The Mood
• Kanye West – Off the Grid (feat. Fivio Foreign & Playboi Carti)
• Fivio Foreign – Story Time

2022

• Fivio Foreign, Kanye West & Alicia Keys – City of Gods
• Fivio Foreign – Confidence (feat. A$AP Rocky)
• Fivio Foreign – Slime Them
• Fivio Foreign – Squeeze
• Fivio Foreign – Hello (feat. KayCyy & Chlöe)
• Fivio Foreign – B.I.B.L.E. Talk (feat. DJ Khaled)
• Fivio Foreign & Queen Najia – What's My Name
• Rowdy Rebel – Paid Off (feat. Fivio Foreign)

2023

• Fivio Foreign & 41 – Get Deady

2024

• ¥$ (Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign) – Back to Me
• ¥$ (Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign) – Fuk Sumn
• ¥$ (Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign) – Field Trip
• ¥$ (Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign) – PROMOTION
• ¥$ (Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign) – River
• ¥$ (Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign) – Slide
• ¥$ (Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign) – Time Moving Slow

2025

• Kanye West – Mr. Miyagi (feat. Future & Playboi Carti)
• Ty Dolla $ign – MIXED EMOTIONS (feat. Leon Thomas)

Accolades

See also

• Fivio Foreign
• Kanye West
• Donda
• Donda 2
• B.I.B.L.E.
• Vultures 1
• Vultures 2

References

• "AyoAA Production Discography". Muso.AI. Muso.AI. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
• "RapTV Interview with AyoAA". YouTube (Interview). RapTV. Retrieved 2026-01-02.
• "I'm AyoAA — Producer for Kanye West, Fivio Foreign — AMA". Reddit. Reddit. Retrieved 2026-01-02.