You may not know them by name, but if you’re a fan of rap, you’ve probably listened to dozens of songs produced by Internet Money. One of the most in demand production collectives, Internet Money has made a name for themselves by producing songs for some of the most prominent hip-hop artists. Now, after making hits for everyone from Post Malone to Young Thug, they’ve ventured into uncharted territory and are finally producing their own music, starting with their debut album “B4 the Storm.”

The road to releasing “B4 the Storm” was a long one. What started as a casual collective of producers selling “type beats” three years ago, has now turned into a full-fledged collective of platinum selling artists and producers. Led by founder Taz Taylor, Internet Money has been credited for pulling artists from relative obscurity and turning them into mega stars. Along with artists signed directly to Internet Money, the collective has helped develope artists like Juice Wrld, Lil Tecca and more. 

Internet Money partnered with 10K Projects last summer, signing them  to the label as an artist. In a unique move for a production collective, Taylor and his team of producers decided to conquer a new challenge: releasing an album of their own.

While other producers have released their own compilation albums before, Internet Money refuses to label their project as such. 

“The fact that so many people were involved, it’s more meticulous than just a compilation album … Internet Money is an artist,” Taylor said. 

The album is star-studded with features from industry powerhouses like Future, Juice Wrld and Trippie Redd,  up-and-coming artists like The Kid Laroi, Iann Dior and 24kGoldn, and Internet Money signees like Ty Fontaine and Lil Spirit. While the verses from these rappers are reason enough to listen to the album, the stellar production is what truly makes the project special. 

Made possible by picking up songs other artists didn’t want on their own albums, Internet Money’s production throughout “B4 the Storm” is meticulous. The collective completely reworked these throwaway tracks by stripping their vocals, changing the key and tempo, and remixing and rearranging them. This results in beats that push the boundaries of what we’ve come to expect from industry mainstays and are futuristic, yet classic, at the same time.

Internet Money’s superior production is evident from the moment you hit play on the album’s opening song “Message” featuring Internet Money signee Ty Fontaine. The track begins with a quick a cappella bar followed by an unexpected burst of pulsating synths and racing electronic fanfare. For those only familiar with Internet Money’s “type beats,” this intro may be a shock; however, it signifies how the collective plans to reimagine their reputation with the album.

“Message” is followed by the heavy-hitting “Really Redd,” featuring Trippie Redd, Lil Nudy and Lil Keed. Produced by the leader of the collective, Nick Mira, the song was made on a Twitch livestream in front of thousands of fans, giving viewers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes process of producing music. 

“Lost Me,” the project’s third track, is the long-awaited collab of Lil Mosey, Iann Dior and Lil Skies. Originally leaked months ago under the title “Kobe,” the song’s name was changed after the basketball legend’s death. Although the track isn’t as groundbreaking as others on the album, it is nevertheless a strong showing from some of today’s hottest young rappers.

The middle of the album, though, leaves a lot to be desired with its string of mediocre tracks, including the Swae Lee/Future collab “Thrusting” that looks a lot better on paper than it sounds.

Luckily, the album picks up speed on its second half, starting with “Speak,” featuring Kid Laroi. The 17-year-old Laroi’s confidence is evident on the song as he raps about his rockstar lifestyle over an eerie beat. Mentored by Juice Wrld, this is just the beginning of Laroi’s career, and feature songs like this are evidence of the success that is to come for the young rapper.

The album further improves with the Juice Wrld/Trippie Redd hit “Blastoff.” The track is nothing short of perfection, from the duo’s chemistry to the delicate Spanish guitar and Mira’s production. Given how close Mira and Juice Wrld were, the track serves as a testament to the success they achieved together and the incomparable legacy Juice has left on the world.

The project concludes with the summer anthem “Lemonade,” featuring Don Toliver, Nav and Gunna. Already making huge waves on TikTok, the album’s lead single is anchored by Toliver’s memorable hook and a melodic guitar melody from artist and producer Alec Wigdahl. 

“B4 the Storm” is a strong debut album as Internet Money starts their journey to becoming producer-artists. Despite a few forgettable tracks, overall, the project shines thanks to the futuristic and modern production supporting some of the hottest artists of 2020. “B4 the Storm” sparks lightning and is just the beginning of Internet Money taking the music industry by storm.