One of the most powerful
positions in music has always been the producer. Without the craftsmen who put
sounds with an artist’s wordplay we wouldn’t have the hip-hop genre at all so
let’s take a look at the hottest producers who are wrecking the game right now.
By: Trevor Patterson (@livelovetp)
10. Will-A-Fool (@WillAFool)
Tag: “WiWiWi, Williammmm”Breakthrough Record: Tony Montana (Future ft Drake)
Distinguishing sound: A breed of Fast and/or Heavy percussion
Willie Byrd aka Will-A-Fool is one of Atlanta’s hottest producers period. The young producer is responsible for majority of Future’s club banging catalog including the 1st single from his debut album Pluto ft Drake. The craftsman behind Future’s “Astronaut Sound” is rapidly spreading and building onto his explosion on the scene.
9. DJ Spinz (@SpinzHoodrich)
Tag: “Turn it Uppp”
Breakthrough Record(s): Cash Out – Cashin Out, 2 Chainz – Riot
Distinguishing Sound: Very unique instrumental melting pots, heavy keyboarding, and strong percussion
His music feels more cinematic than most producers, which translates into the way he structures and uses instruments (such as his keyboards). Spinz started off as a club and mixtape DJ in Atlanta, which explains his endless placements with Atlanta’s hottest talent such as Travis Porter, Future, 2 Chainz, and Cash Out. You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard Spinz and Cash Out tearing up the airwaves with his lead single “Cashing Out” at this point. With a billboard #1 already under his belt the young Spinz is only getting started.
8. Harry Fraud (@HarryFraud)
Tag: “La Musica de Harry Fraud”
Breakthrough Record: Shot Caller (French Montana), Cigarette Boats EP w/ Curren$y
Distinguishing Sound: Layered Soulful Samples, enveloping percussion and powerful horns/strings
Simply put, Harry Fraud makes the coolest music you will ever hear. Period. After producing French Montana’s lead single “Shot Caller” luring Diddy and Rick Ross on the remix the Brooklyn musician has seen nothing but success. His deep samples and slow percussion mixed with powerful horns instantly captivates any listener. Not only is he capable of capturing radio waves with records for French Montana, Rick Ross, DJ Scream, Wiz Khalifa and Juicy J Fraud has taken over the underground with the masterpiece “Cigarette Boats” a five track EP with Curren$y.
7. Sonny Digital (@SonnyDigital)
Tag: “Sonny Digital!”
Breakthrough Record: Racks (YC ft. Future), Same Damn Time (Future)
Distinguishing Sound: High Energy enveloping percussion
Sonny Digital is the life of the party and his music is the blood flowing through the club’s veins. Breaking out with “Racks” Sonny continues to produce high energy music that makes it impossible to sit down and just listen without feeling restless. Even the poetic Wale couldn’t tame the beast with his steamy smash record “Passive Agress-her”. Among others Sonny Digital has delivered powerhouse records with Future, Wale, 2 Chainz, Rick Ross, Soulja Boy, and Juicy J.
6. Mike-Will-Made-It (@mikewillmadeit)
Breakthrough Record: No Lie (2 Chainz ft Drake – No Lie)
Distinguishing Sound: Abstract Spacey sounds, Deep percussion w/ subtle keyboards and intricate layering
MikeWillMadeIt is the go to guy in Atlanta. His records sound like they were inspired by soundtracks to sci-fi horror movies because the sounds are so abstract. The usage of abstract sounds with deep percussion has helped Mike Will get to where he is now. With singles for 2 Chainz, Future and Young Jeezy along with records for Gucci Mane, B.O.B., Mac Miller, SchoolboyQ, and Juicy J if it’s on the radio chances are MikeWillMadeIt.
5. Clams Casino (@clammyclams)
Tag: N/A
Breakthrough Record: Plethora of records for Lil B and A$AP Rocky
Distinguishing Sound: Angelic-sounding vocal samples, powerful bass and quick snares
Micchele Volpe, aka Clams Casino, is one of the most powerful niche producers right now. The New Jersey native producer’s music demonstrates the rare capacity to completely control the tone and mood of the listener. His impressive track record which is comprised of Lil B, A$AP Rocky, Mac Miller and The Weeknd grants him a very unique and sought after sound.
4. Lex Luger (@smokedoutluger)
Tag: “Dat Nigga Lex Luger”, Reeling Sound
Breakthrough Record: H.A.M (Kanye West & Jay-Z)
Distinguishing Sound: Movie-Reel build up, heavy percussion and loud horns.
Virginia native Lexus Lewis is the new king of the “trap beat” sound. After producing nearly all of Waka Flocka Flame’s debut album, he exploded onto scene with records for Rick Ross, Kanye West and Jay-Z, Ace Hood, Wale, Big Sean, Juicy J, and Wiz Khalifa among others. With his “trap” sound, Lex Luger has taken hip-hop by storm.
3. Hit-Boy (@hit_boy)
Breakthrough Record(s): Drop the world (Lil Wayne ft Emenim)
Christmas In Harlem (Kanye West ft Various Artists) Niggas In Paris (Kanye West and Jay-Z) I wish you would (Kanye West ft DJ Khaled and Rick Ross) Cold (Kanye West ft DJ Khaled and DJ Pharris)
The California native Chauncey Hollis is aptly named “Hit-Boy” because this boy makes HITS! With a discography reaching as far back as 2007, Hit-Boy was recently signed with GOOD music and hit been nothing but hit after hit since then. Starting with “Niggas in Paris” and following up with “Clique” (Kanye West ft Big Sean and Jay-Z), Hit-Boy is the new “industry sound” picking up where greats like Boi-1da, Swizz Beats, JUSTICE League and Just Blaze have slacked.
2. 40 (@ovo40)
Breakthrough Record(s): Drake’s So Far Gone mixtape
Distinguishing Sound: Universally ambient production, completely captivating
If you’ve ever heard any of Drake’s best records, you’ve heard Noah “40” Shebib. 40’s music almost attacks your mood switching it to the tone of the record. From the somber “Marvin’s Room” to the upbeat “Headlines” 40 and Drake are an untouchable duo, and just like 40 overcomes his daily battle with the disease MS, he helps Drake overcome talks from the critics. With records for Trey Songz, Nas, Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keyz, Lloyd, DJ Khaled, Tyga, Usher and even the late Aaliyah, 40 without a doubt one of the greatest.
1. Kanye West (@KanyeWest)
Breakthrough Record(s): Izzo [H.O.V.A] (Jay-Z), His Own Catalog.
Distinguishing Sound: The God of Sampling.
Kanye West is the hottest producer in the game. End quote. Entirely capable of producing his own grammy-winning and chart topping music Kanye recently has been putting the “finishing touches” on a lot of music. While some producers may not like it majority of them welcome Kanye’s midas touch. Having the greatest hip-hop production of all time with “All of the Lights” defines his mastery of layering and how to add so much to a record without overloading it. If you turn on your radio at any given time you might hear 2 Chainz and Sonny Digital’s “Birthday Song”, Chief Keef, GOOD Music and Young Chop’s “I Don’t Like” and maybe even Kanye’s own “Mercy” all with him on the production.
- Trevor Patterson (@livelovetp)
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