My Top 5 Hip Hop Producers |
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You constantly see these lists of the best rappers, best producers, best songs, shared a lot. Most of it is click-bait, strategically done to drive views and engagement. But the reality of music consumption, and any art consumption for that matter, is that it is all subjective.
Depending on personality, life experiences, family background and many other factors, something that resonates with me, may not resonate with you. A piece of art that resonates with me may not even resonate with someone who is actually close to me and who might have had a similar life journey as myself.
When I look at creating a list like this, obviously it is from my very specific perspective and I share it because it’s a small part of my musical enjoyment that I want you to connect with and... shit yeah I want to know what your choices are so I can judge too.
I have toiled over a list as such for some time and sometimes its changes, meld depending on my mood or what I’ve listened to recently. A name might pop up and make a guest appearance when speaking on the topic and honourable mentions to Pete Rock, Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, 9th Wonder and Cookin' Soul. All dope producers who I listen to on a regular basis but if I had to choose, like if I had a gun to my head, these are my top 5 Hip Hop Producers… (in no particular order...).
Damu The Fudgemunk
It is always a good day when you discover some crazy dope music and such was the day when I discovered Damu The Fudgemunk and his Redefinition Records label.
Listening to Damu's beats, with the way the drums and snares hit and the crackling from the vinyl samples, you are teleported to another time, the 90s specifically, and it is hard to believe that this producer has only really been active the past two decades.
A rapper and a producer, Damu’s earthy sounds and throwback vibes is enough to draw in any 90s boom bap fan. With many producers leaning towards the new wave sound of trap and electronic sounding Hip Hop, and now grime too, Damu was a choice find for a Hip Hop traditionalist (though don’t get me wrong I love a party track on occasion too!).
His unmistakable sound and production abilities is the reason why rappers of a high calibre work with him. His collaborators include Blu, Insight The Truncator, KAAN, just to name a few. And his beat tapes are iconic demonstrating the depth of his artistry and skill. Not surprisingly, Damu’s parents are classically trained. Whilst Damu’s sound is very much planted in the throwback boom bap, he is committed to progressing Hip Hop.
Depending on personality, life experiences, family background and many other factors, something that resonates with me, may not resonate with you. A piece of art that resonates with me may not even resonate with someone who is actually close to me and who might have had a similar life journey as myself.
When I look at creating a list like this, obviously it is from my very specific perspective and I share it because it’s a small part of my musical enjoyment that I want you to connect with and... shit yeah I want to know what your choices are so I can judge too.
I have toiled over a list as such for some time and sometimes its changes, meld depending on my mood or what I’ve listened to recently. A name might pop up and make a guest appearance when speaking on the topic and honourable mentions to Pete Rock, Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, 9th Wonder and Cookin' Soul. All dope producers who I listen to on a regular basis but if I had to choose, like if I had a gun to my head, these are my top 5 Hip Hop Producers… (in no particular order...).
Damu The Fudgemunk
It is always a good day when you discover some crazy dope music and such was the day when I discovered Damu The Fudgemunk and his Redefinition Records label.
Listening to Damu's beats, with the way the drums and snares hit and the crackling from the vinyl samples, you are teleported to another time, the 90s specifically, and it is hard to believe that this producer has only really been active the past two decades.
A rapper and a producer, Damu’s earthy sounds and throwback vibes is enough to draw in any 90s boom bap fan. With many producers leaning towards the new wave sound of trap and electronic sounding Hip Hop, and now grime too, Damu was a choice find for a Hip Hop traditionalist (though don’t get me wrong I love a party track on occasion too!).
His unmistakable sound and production abilities is the reason why rappers of a high calibre work with him. His collaborators include Blu, Insight The Truncator, KAAN, just to name a few. And his beat tapes are iconic demonstrating the depth of his artistry and skill. Not surprisingly, Damu’s parents are classically trained. Whilst Damu’s sound is very much planted in the throwback boom bap, he is committed to progressing Hip Hop.
The Alchemist
The Alchemist has the craziest story, especially because he was a white Jewish kid from Beverly Hills. Not that Hip Hop is exclusive to people of colour only but because of the scene and time he grew up in and essentially evolved from.
If you don’t know, Al’s story, a very short recap! At 16 years old, him and actor Scott Caan (yes famous Hollywood actor James Caan’s son) joined as rap duo The Whooliganz the Soul Assassins (you know Cypress Hill and that), they toured with the collective, The Whooliganz eventually broke up but Al was taken under DJ Muggs’ wing and moulded into a producer who worked with Dilated Peoples and many West Coast Hip Hop artists. Al eventually moved to New York and started working with Mobb Deep who put him on to other New York rappers and the rest is history.
The Alchemist (birth name Alan Maman) perhaps has more celebrity now thanks to DJing for Eminem and starring in Action Bronson’s TV show but he has been on the Hip Hop scene since the mid-90s and has worked with the likes of Nas, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent.
Historically The Alchemist has produced beats that were in the boom bap space, more recently and due to the evolving scene and sound of Hip Hop, he has delved into my esoteric beats. His ability to work with obscure samples and create unusual soundscapes is the reason why some many of the new age rappers (people such as Action Bronson of course, Roc Marciano, Curren$y, Earl Sweatshirt, Smoke DZA) want to fuck with his beats. It is also why he is one of my favourite and top producers. You never know what you’re going to get on an Alchemist project, he keeps it interesting and exciting.
The Alchemist has the craziest story, especially because he was a white Jewish kid from Beverly Hills. Not that Hip Hop is exclusive to people of colour only but because of the scene and time he grew up in and essentially evolved from.
If you don’t know, Al’s story, a very short recap! At 16 years old, him and actor Scott Caan (yes famous Hollywood actor James Caan’s son) joined as rap duo The Whooliganz the Soul Assassins (you know Cypress Hill and that), they toured with the collective, The Whooliganz eventually broke up but Al was taken under DJ Muggs’ wing and moulded into a producer who worked with Dilated Peoples and many West Coast Hip Hop artists. Al eventually moved to New York and started working with Mobb Deep who put him on to other New York rappers and the rest is history.
The Alchemist (birth name Alan Maman) perhaps has more celebrity now thanks to DJing for Eminem and starring in Action Bronson’s TV show but he has been on the Hip Hop scene since the mid-90s and has worked with the likes of Nas, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent.
Historically The Alchemist has produced beats that were in the boom bap space, more recently and due to the evolving scene and sound of Hip Hop, he has delved into my esoteric beats. His ability to work with obscure samples and create unusual soundscapes is the reason why some many of the new age rappers (people such as Action Bronson of course, Roc Marciano, Curren$y, Earl Sweatshirt, Smoke DZA) want to fuck with his beats. It is also why he is one of my favourite and top producers. You never know what you’re going to get on an Alchemist project, he keeps it interesting and exciting.
Q-Tip
I gotta be straight up, Q-Tip (now known as Kamaal Ibn John Fareed) is solely on this list for his work with A Tribe Called Quest. Q has a ridiculous back catalogue, including One Love for Nas and Vivrant Thing was a bop. But those Tribe beats…. Damn! Scenario could be my favourite Hip Hop songs of ALL TIME. And I usually don’t like to commit myself to such statements but every time I have put that track on in the past 15+ years.. The energy, mental.
Q-Tip’s smooth, jazz-influenced production style was unique and innovative in the early 90s and is the blueprint for the now popular lo-fi jazzy Hip Hop style. In most instances, Q’s style was raw and homey and he tended to shy away from using samples that were easily recognisable by avid listeners, perhaps understanding that that technique can sometimes overshadow the overall track.
Q’s Tribe beats, though catchy and infectious, still allowed room and space for the rapper’s lyrics and cheeky punchlines to stand out. An important characteristic when you’ve got the seminal Phife Dawg spitting flows over your beats. His ability to create beats that were in the pocket with the accompaniment of rappers is phenomenal too.
Q’s exponential consistency and growth is evident throughout the first ATCQ albums, culminating in what many consider one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time, Midnight Marauders.
I gotta be straight up, Q-Tip (now known as Kamaal Ibn John Fareed) is solely on this list for his work with A Tribe Called Quest. Q has a ridiculous back catalogue, including One Love for Nas and Vivrant Thing was a bop. But those Tribe beats…. Damn! Scenario could be my favourite Hip Hop songs of ALL TIME. And I usually don’t like to commit myself to such statements but every time I have put that track on in the past 15+ years.. The energy, mental.
Q-Tip’s smooth, jazz-influenced production style was unique and innovative in the early 90s and is the blueprint for the now popular lo-fi jazzy Hip Hop style. In most instances, Q’s style was raw and homey and he tended to shy away from using samples that were easily recognisable by avid listeners, perhaps understanding that that technique can sometimes overshadow the overall track.
Q’s Tribe beats, though catchy and infectious, still allowed room and space for the rapper’s lyrics and cheeky punchlines to stand out. An important characteristic when you’ve got the seminal Phife Dawg spitting flows over your beats. His ability to create beats that were in the pocket with the accompaniment of rappers is phenomenal too.
Q’s exponential consistency and growth is evident throughout the first ATCQ albums, culminating in what many consider one of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time, Midnight Marauders.
Apollo Brown
The city of Detroit Michigan, is renowned for being the birthplace of many, many, many, many, many ridiculously talented artists and Apollo Brown is one such artist (hint, there will be another in this top 5 list!).
Interestingly Apollo Brown has been active in the Hip Hop scene since the early 90s but didn’t get any shine or recognition until around 2007. Personally I discovered Apollo in 2010, thanks to the Gas Mask album which he produced with DJ Soko & Journalist 103 as the group The Left. Ever since then I have followed his moves closely and have enjoyed every single one.
Apollo’s beats have a distinct and recognizable style. He loves hard hitting, big drums and a soulful vocal sample, sometimes edited and pitched up and sometimes left in its natural state. Though don’t get me wrong his portfolio of music is versatile too. His strong style is popular amongst a particular type of rapper and he has worked with many serious rap dudes including Guilty Simpson, O.C. Ghostface Killah, Planet Asia, Rass Kass and Skyzoo.
Apollo also has a knack for creating epic beat tapes which feature many of, what I think, are his best beats. Perhaps he too thinks they are his best beats and therefore doesn’t want any rappers to smother the beauty of his musical landscape.
The city of Detroit Michigan, is renowned for being the birthplace of many, many, many, many, many ridiculously talented artists and Apollo Brown is one such artist (hint, there will be another in this top 5 list!).
Interestingly Apollo Brown has been active in the Hip Hop scene since the early 90s but didn’t get any shine or recognition until around 2007. Personally I discovered Apollo in 2010, thanks to the Gas Mask album which he produced with DJ Soko & Journalist 103 as the group The Left. Ever since then I have followed his moves closely and have enjoyed every single one.
Apollo’s beats have a distinct and recognizable style. He loves hard hitting, big drums and a soulful vocal sample, sometimes edited and pitched up and sometimes left in its natural state. Though don’t get me wrong his portfolio of music is versatile too. His strong style is popular amongst a particular type of rapper and he has worked with many serious rap dudes including Guilty Simpson, O.C. Ghostface Killah, Planet Asia, Rass Kass and Skyzoo.
Apollo also has a knack for creating epic beat tapes which feature many of, what I think, are his best beats. Perhaps he too thinks they are his best beats and therefore doesn’t want any rappers to smother the beauty of his musical landscape.
J Dilla
You probably expected Dilla’s name to pop up on this list. He appears on a lot of the best, top, dopest, most talented lists. You can’t deny greatness. There is something about Dilla’s music, the way he cuts his samples and creates these beats that just hit my heart and soul.
It is known that Dilla worked on the MPC like no other, hence why his MPC is currently housed in the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Amp Fiddler, one of those ridiculously talented musicians from Detroit I had mentioned earlier, was the man who put Dilla onto the MPC. Dilla had previously been making beats on a tape deck, a process that would be completely unheard of now and in today’s digital age seems quite archaic.
His knack to choose very specific samples, from his tediously, alphabetically sorted record collection, for just a fleeting split-second sample, resulted in beats that are rich and sonically pleasing soundscapes. Not only did his trademark technique of not quantising his beats colour his creations so beautifully but so did his own instrumentation, with Dilla often picking up a guitar or hammering some chords to complement his production.
Dilla is the producer’s producer. The first time Q-Tip heard a Dilla beat, he knew he had to collaborate with him. For whatever reason, Dilla never gained the deserved, mainstream success during his limited time on earth but his magnum opus Donuts and the constant praise from his peers is proof as to why he is one of the best and one of my favourites. RIP.
You probably expected Dilla’s name to pop up on this list. He appears on a lot of the best, top, dopest, most talented lists. You can’t deny greatness. There is something about Dilla’s music, the way he cuts his samples and creates these beats that just hit my heart and soul.
It is known that Dilla worked on the MPC like no other, hence why his MPC is currently housed in the National Museum of African American History & Culture. Amp Fiddler, one of those ridiculously talented musicians from Detroit I had mentioned earlier, was the man who put Dilla onto the MPC. Dilla had previously been making beats on a tape deck, a process that would be completely unheard of now and in today’s digital age seems quite archaic.
His knack to choose very specific samples, from his tediously, alphabetically sorted record collection, for just a fleeting split-second sample, resulted in beats that are rich and sonically pleasing soundscapes. Not only did his trademark technique of not quantising his beats colour his creations so beautifully but so did his own instrumentation, with Dilla often picking up a guitar or hammering some chords to complement his production.
Dilla is the producer’s producer. The first time Q-Tip heard a Dilla beat, he knew he had to collaborate with him. For whatever reason, Dilla never gained the deserved, mainstream success during his limited time on earth but his magnum opus Donuts and the constant praise from his peers is proof as to why he is one of the best and one of my favourites. RIP.
Written by Lee Vixen.
Check out the post on the Rappfox Facebook and Instagram and tell us who your favourite Hip Hop producers are and why.
Check out the post on the Rappfox Facebook and Instagram and tell us who your favourite Hip Hop producers are and why.