15 Best Hip Hop Producers
Now that I've listed the top 10 rappers from the Mid West, South, West, and East, it's time to list the 15 Hip Hop producers period! If you don't see your favourite producer on this list, don't take it as a slight. Just know that that producer is either 16 and lower or is objectively THE WORST! Now let's get into it.
Producer/Rank:
#15- Don Cannon
Best Beat:
Jeezy- "Circulate"
Special Ingredient:
The drums of a Don Cannon beat always provide a distinctive knock that I always appreciate. Yes he can shop up soul samples with he best of them, but it's the way he programs his drums that really makes him stick out to me.
Producer/Rank:
#14- RZA
Best Beat:
Wu-Tang- "Triumph"
Special Ingredient:
In addition to his engaging personality, RZA's incorporation of Kung Fu film samples is what gives him his edge. Get it? Because his name is Razor but like if the record was scratched! Seriously though, RZA's production always stands out as cinematic even without the actual dialogue clips.
Producer/Rank:
#13- DJ Toomp
Best Beat:
T.I.- "U Don't Know Me"
Special Ingredient:
I know there are other producers associated with 808s but I'm a big fan of the way DJ Toomp incorporates his 808s into his music. He's also not just anchored to T.I. He's been able to deliver a career defining hit for Kanye in addition to working with the likes of JAY-Z, Rick Ross, Jeezy, and The Game!
Producer/Rank:
#12- Organized Noize
Best Beat:
Outkast (ft. Raekwon)- "Skew It on the Bar-B"
Special Ingredient:
Organized Noise created a whole new soundscape for the likes of Goodie Mob and Outkast to flow over. Anytime you hear one of their beats you know it must be them because it'll take you back to the DNA of the aforementioned groups. Though they sample like everyone else, there was a futuristic psycadellic tinge to their music that makes their music still feel fresh.
Producer/Rank:
#11- Cool & Dre
Best Beat:
Fat Joe- "So Much More"
Special Ingredient:
For lack of a better term, the beats by Cool & Dre always sounded, well, COOL! There's a smoothness to them, an air of effortlessness while, at the same time, feeling full bodied and well thought out. Even their 2016 banger "All The Way Up" was the sound bed of Fat Joe and JAY-Z squashing their beef.
Producer/Rank:
#10- 9th Wonder
Best Beat:
Little Brother (ft. Elzhi)- "Hiding Place"
Special Ingredient:
The gritty and raw quality of 9th's production is what I appreciate. There's something to be said about having a beat that doesn't sound over produced and polished. 9th evokes a certain nostalgia with his beats and that is always going to be a good thing.
Producer/Rank:
#9- The Neptunes
Best Beat:
N.E.R.D.- "Rock Star"
Special Ingredient:
If Organized Noise felt ahead of its time, The Neptunes were in a different millennium in a new galaxy. Their use of the keyboard defined an era. Tell me you didn't like mimicking the sounds Hugo and Williams created!
Producer/Rank:
#8- Timbaland
Best Beat:
Timbaland & Magoo (ft. Petey Pablo)- "Baby Bubba"
Special Ingredient:
Timbaland could freak a sample so well, people used to think he didn't actually sample. That's Timothy's gift. Re working sounds and creating great percussion throughout made it so we all listened to Bubba Sparxxx and Petey Pablo. To say nothing of his legendary work with, but not limited to, JAY-Z, Missy, and Ludacris.
Producer/Rank:
#7- Swizz Beatz
Best Beat:
DMX- "Ruff Ryder's Anthem"
Special Ingredient:
Swizz also benefited from his sound seeming to depend less on soul loops than other producers at the time he burst on the scene. However, as he aged it became more common to hear Mr. Alicia Keys on the actual beat hyping the listener, and probably the rapper, up in the process. The real special ingredient for Swizz Beatz is his adlibs!
Producer/Rank:
#6- Just Blaze
Best Beat:
JAY-Z (ft. M.O.P.)- "U Don't Know (Remix)"
Special Ingredient:
There is an intricacy to a lot of Just Blaze drums and that's because he actually can get down on the drums and play it out. I've also seen him conduct an orchestra for a song like Fabolous' "Rerturn of the Hustle" off From Nothin' To Somethin'. The diversity found in Justin's music comes from his actual know how with music. Plus he knows how to work a sample like no one's business.
Producer/Rank:
#5- Dr. Dre
Best Beat:
2Pac (ft. Dr. Dre)- "California Love"
Special Ingredient:
It should be known that "Straight Outta Compton" is also a right answer for Dr. Dre's best beat but California Love" represents the sound that we have come to embrace from Andre Young. The richness to the sounds he produces mixed with the immediacy his production makes Dr. Dre an undeniable legend.
Producer/Rank:
#4- The Hitmen
Best Beat:
JAY-Z- "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)"
Special Ingredient:
I could have probably filled 10 of the slots with producers from this illustrious crew so I cheated and put them under one banner. As such, I can't really point out one special ingredient. I just need to respect that there are probably 10 people on this list who were influenced by this crew! Do your googles to see how far Puffy's boys spread their sound.
Producer/Rank:
#3- Kanye West
Best Beat:
Beanie Sigel (ft. Kurupt)- "Gangsta, Gangsta"
Special Ingredient:
Yes Kanye can do some creative stuff, but my favourite Kanye is when he re works sample loops and creates something that feels fresh. Like how he turned "I Want You Back" into "Izzo!" No matter how crazy Kanye seems, I trust he'll make music that I'll enjoy listening to and that is important.
Producer/Rank:
#2- DJ Premier
Best Beat:
Gang Starr- "Battle"
Special Ingredient:
There is something about the way Preme scratches and chops up samples that makes all of his beat sound instantly classic. If I am thinking of the golden age of Hip Hop, it's a beat by or trying to sound like DJ Premier.
Producer/Rank:
#1- No I.D.
Best Beat:
DMX (ft. Cam'Ron)- "We Go Hard"
Special Ingredient:
The fact that No I.D. was Kanye's mentor should tell you how great he is. That means he knows how to sample soul music well and has beats with a dope knock. I respect that No I.D. actually has a history in Hip Hop but is part of moving forward in Hip Hop, word to him producing all of 4:44.
-YG