That inescapable hit you hear everywhere you go probably hinged on one smartly placed loop, or sample, or hook. So, yeah, a quality beat is still a vital ingredient in the hit-making process. And in 2012, several producers -- new and old -- kept our ears fresh with an array of hits. Here are the 10 producers that stood out to me in 2012.
10. Big K.R.I.T.
9. Kanye West
8. T-Minus
7. Harry Fraud
6. The Alchemist
5. Sounwave
4. El-P
3. No I.D.
2. Hit-Boy
1. Mike WiLL Made It
Comments
How out of touch I suddenly feel when I’ve never heard of No.1…
wait… you really put El-P that far down?
…this list has changed… now my comment looks stupid
@Dan: Mike WiLL produced songs like Bandz That Make Her Dance, No Lie, Tupac Back, Mercy, and Turn on the Lights. Honestly, I only know that cuz I googled it and I can’t say I like a single song listed there. Wish DJ Premier was producing more songs…..
im glad you didnt miss Harry Fraud, you can add araabmuzik to that list too
Arel – You’re the man. Thanks for pointing out the El-P thing. I had him at #4 in my original list.
Oh yeah, while on the subject of producers, take a gander at this other list: http://therapup.net/2012/12/beats-by-tru-the-10-greatest-producers-of-2012/
clams casino knows what’s up
@Mike: He’s one of my favorite new-school producers too, but even though he released a new collection of instrumentals in 2012 most of the tracks they belong to where produced and released already in 2011. His productivity probably wasn’t high enough in the given timeframe to be considered for a list like this.
@Jon: I don’t like most of those songs either but that has more to do with the rappers on ‘em. Those Mike Will beats do knock though.
Jaap – Exactly.
@Jaap: Yeah, I’ll give you that. I’ll have to find competent freestyles over his beats I guess. 2 Chainz does have a knack of wasting good beats to me.
@Henry: Is there gonna be a top 10 mixtapes too or were there not enough good mixtapes in 2012?
Where is Apollo Brown?
Great list! Too many good producers to name recently. Hoping Apollo Brown makes the list next year.
I thought NO I.D. should’ve been in the top spot. Especially with the greatness he displayed laying out tracks for Nas on Life is Good.
APOLLO BROWN
ALCHEMIST
T MINUS
JAKE ONE
NO ID
KANYE WEST
HIT BOY AND REST