Another MadTheory Breakdown: The Top Ten Hip-Hop Producers!
Sep 14 '03
The Bottom Line If you heard a beat and it was wack, odds are one of these guys did not make it.
It doesn’t seem like that long ago that there were no producers in Hip-Hop music. Any emcee wanting to rap merely had their deejay to make a beat or loop a break, and that was that. My how times have changed. Now, the names behind the beats are almost, if not more popular than the names performing the lead vocals, thanks to the new greater emphasis placed on beats. That being said, I thought it might be time to drop another Top Ten list on the community at large, this one ranking the Top Ten Producers in Hip-Hop Music. Please note that this is not a “Greatest of all Time” list, but a rundown of the best beatmakers making moves in the commercial and underground scenes today.
10. Kanye West
Though still technically a relative newcomer compared to a lot of beatmakers dominating the rap industry, Rocafella producer Kanye West has had a significant impact on the direction of Hip-Hop production over the past few years. The musical genius behind Jay-Z’s “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “The Takeover,” in addition to Talib Kweli’s smash “Get By,” West’s ability to uniquely infuse older compositions and other genres with Hip-Hop’s breath-of-life displays a musical aptitude that is far above and beyond the mediocre keyboard plinkers dominating commercial airwaves today.
- sound check -
Kanye West - College Dropout (release TBA 2003)
9. The Neptunes
If there’s anyone who knows how to construct a rap track with mass appeal, it’s the Neptunes. For the past few years, the production duo of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams has almost completely dominated the urban radio waves, much to the lament of many Hip-Hop purists (including me). Despite their annoying propensity for churning out bubble-gum rap tracks, the unique way they integrate rock, R&B, and soul into their work is generally solid and remarkably easy to get into.
- sound check -
N.E.R.D. - In Search Of
The Neptunes - Clones
8. J. Rawls
One half of the highly respected groups Lone Catalysts and 3582, it didn’t take long for J. Rawls to become a respected name in underground rap production. His uncanny ability to marry mellow jazz grooves with sharply arranged accompaniment makes his music easy for emcees to rhyme over and impossible for fans to ignore. You may not hear any of his joints on the radio anytime soon, but once his tunes hit your inner ear, you’ll be hooked.
- sound check -
Lone Catalysts - Hip-Hop
J Rawls - Histories Greatest Battles, Campaigns & Topics
7. Dr. Dre
It’s just impossible to make a Top Ten Producers list without mentioning this man. Though his stranglehold on the rap (and R&B for that matter) industry is not what it once was, he still manages to diverge from his successful formula of funk-based melodies and ‘gangsta march’ quarter notes, and put together something enough to reminds us he can still keep our heads ringin’. Plus, given the popularity of 50 Cent and Fiddy’s “favorite white boy” Eminem, Dre is almost certain to continue to make his presence felt for years to come.
- sound check -
Dr. Dre - The Chronic
Dr. Dre - Chronic 2001
6. J-Zone
At the rate he’s currently going, it won’t be long before J-Zone becomes one of the more recognizable names in rap production. His unique musical methodology makes the samples he uses as integral to his compositions as the beats or the rhymes themselves, and guarantees a completely unique and original composition for whoever will be performing over the track. Fans need look no further than the critical acclaim his solo efforts have garnered for proof of the NY beatmaker’s skill, and the fact that he’s nice on the mic too doesn’t hurt his resume any either.
- sound check -
J-Zone - Pimps Don’t Pay Taxes
J-Zone - $ick of Bein Rich
5. DJ Premier - Why is Primo so low on this list you ask? Sure, the legendary Gangstarr producer has had a long and storied career making classic beats for some of Hip-Hop’s most elite emcees. The thing is, for the last few years or so, Primo has been just remaking the same beat over and over again. It’s an easily recognizable formula, with his sound typified by string crescendos leading into a brass or orchestral hit. Sure the beats are banging nine times out of ten, but his proclivity for revisiting musical paths already traveled knocks him down a few notches on the list. Still, when DJ Premier is on his game, he’s on his game - his laundry list of hits is proof enough of that.
- sound check -
GangStarr - The Moment of Truth
GangStarr - The Ownerz
4. Pete Rock
The Soul Brother is definitely one of the most consistent producers in Hip-Hop. For well over a decade, Pete Rock has shown an unswerving aptitude for blending together addictive reggae, and soul-infused beats that manage to stir something in the listener that makes them need to hear more. It’s a shame that he and C.L. are not together anymore; the two complemented each other extremely well (Grand Agent would be an exceptional replacement in my opinion), but even without one signature emcee blessing all of his tracks, Pete Rock’s music will still unquestionably stand the test of time.
- sound check -
Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth - The Main Ingredient
Pete Rock - Petestrumentals
3. Prince Paul
Prince Paul is perhaps one of the most creative and versatile producers in the game, period. With a catalogue of styles that range from the ‘black hippie’ stylings behind De La Soul’s debut Three Feet High and Rising, to the ominous, brooding tones of the Wu-affiliate Gravediggaz, to the tribal sounds pounding behind much of Dead Prez’ first joint Let’s Get Free, Paul has consistently proven that he can lace anyone with any kind of beat and make it one of the tightest tracks you’ve ever heard.
- sound check -
De La Soul - Three Feet High and Rising
Prince Paul - Politics of the Business
2. Jay Dee aka J.Dilla
Once one-third of the legendary “Ummah” production camp responsible for much of A Tribe Called Quest’s best work, Jay Dee has demonstrated an unshakable ability for crafting smooth, soul-blessed music that’s warm and swaddling like your favorite blankie. Any producer that can take two average rhymers (and one good one) and turn them into a reasonable facsimilie of ATCQ (Slum Village) definitely deserves notice. Now working independently and as a member of the Soulquarian camp, Dilla's just work can be heard flowing around any number of today's hottest rap and R&B acts. Anytime you see his initials on something, check it out - just make sure you’re not getting him confused with that other wack little dude.
- sound check -
Slum Village - Past, Present, and Future
Jay Dee - Welcome 2 Detroit
1. Madlib
Whether you’ve heard of him or not, Madlib is one of the illest names behind the boards right now. The prolific Lootpack producer already has an impressive catalogue behind him that he continues to increase with the passage of time. His beat work for Dudley Perkins’ recent debut A Lil Light, has already garnered critical acclaim this year, an another of his efforts, Shades of Blue, sees him taking on the daunting challenge of reinventing the music of the legendary Blue Note label in his own image. His next project, Jaylib, finds him collaborating with J.Dilla in creating doubtlessly one of the most musical Hip-Hop projects you’ll hear this year. When buying any of this cat’s music at the mall, head down to Brookstone and cop that Universal Neck Massager too. Trust me, you’re gonna need it.
- sound check -
Dudley Perkins - A Lil Light
Madlib - Shades of Blue
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