(ed. note: This article is a repost from 09/10 on 1Revent.com.)
The Top Ten Producers to Watch Out For in 2011 and Beyond
But now its time for a new generation of beatmakers to take control of the game. The fresh influx of rap producers have been injecting the game with their own dope creations, and it won’t be long until they go mainstream. Over the last few months, a slew of up and coming beat makers have been giving the $100K a track cats a run for their money, in the lab and on the streets. It is my pleasure to present to you the newest, freshest soundboys in the game. I present to you, the
Top Ten Producers to Look out for in 2011 and Beyond.
1. Johnny Juliano
Hip Hop music lives and dies in the streets and the clubs. Of all the producers mentioned in this piece, Johnny Juliano is the one most likely to keep the club on smash. He’s already making a name for himself there, producing tracks for Gucci and 3’6 Mafia, among other artists known to keep the club on fire.
Sounds Like: Scott Storch at his best.
Listen to Johnny Juliano Beats
follow @johnnyjuliano
2. Eric G
When great producers like 9th Wonder wrap their arms around you, its no denying that you got talent. This west coast beatsmith has worked closely with Skyzoo and has a sound that revolves around beats that go boom bap. Definite head nodders.
Sounds like: 9th Wonder
3. BoonDoc
The next one to lock himself in the room doing 5 beats a day for three summers. Bluesy, Rocky, futuristic, his tunes definitely have groovey all up in them. Somewhere between No ID and Havoc, this producer out of CO, is bringing that rocky mountain sound down to the masses.
Sounds Like: No ID
follow @booniemayfield
4. Lee Bannon
You want a head nodding beat with some funky slick ass instrumentation, Lee’s your man. You would think this was the kid Alchemist, the way he takes flutes and strings and blesses the beats. Peep he and Willie the Kids combo on Itunes for evidence.
Sounds Like: The Alchemist x Dilla
follow @bannon916
5.Teebs
My personal favorite, west coast beat maker Teebs is more than a beat producer. He’s an artist. No, really. Outside of putting together dope arrangements, he makes his own art and produces his own videos. How can you deny someone as talented as this from being what they want to be. Impossible.
Sounds Like: Hi-Tek and Flying Lotus
follow @teebsio
6. Alex Goose
His biggest claim to fame thus far has been a critically acclaimed set of joints that were submitted to Jay Z for last years BP3 EP. Though none were picked up, after hearing the tape, you start to wonder if maybe Hov left a 5 mic classic in the studio and put the complete package out with the wrong sound. Yeah, they are that good. So good, you doubt Hov’s judgement.
Sounds Like: Just Blaze
follow @alexgoose
7.Tae Beast
If Top Dawg Entertainment is the next label to get it going out of L.A, then Tae Beast is like Dre was to death row. His soundscape is lush to the limit. If you’ve heard an AbSoul or Kendrick Lamar cut that you liked, chances are he was on the track.
Sounds Like: DJ Premier meets Pete Rock
follow @taebeast
8. J. Rhodes
The Dallas beatsmith by the name of J.Rhodes has been coming on strong as of late. His sound is original. Each beat stands on its own. Its impossible to put the talented Mr. Rhodes into a box.
Sounds Like: Kanye West x DJ Muggs
follow @j_rhodes
9. Symbolyc One
If you are one of the many people still sleeping on the Strange Fruit Project, and unaware of the extensive catalog of work S1 has contributed to the game over the last few years, there is no denying his presence now. Those in the know aren’t awestruck by his magically delicious co-creation (we all know what that means) with Kanye West “Power”, because those in the know have been listening to S1 kill many a track before.
Sounds Like: Organized Noize x Dr. Dre
follow @symbolycone
10. Flying Lotus
Flying Lotus’s soundscapes are lounge music at its best. His style is timeless, yet avant garde at the same time. If you don’t like Lotus, you might need Prozac.
Sounds Like: Neptunes X A Tribe Called Quest
follow @flyinglotus
(ed. note: List is not ranked in order. The artist “Sound Like” is the closest I can give you, but really these guys are all so original you might just discount my correlation, and that is acceptable. If you differ, please comment. If you think I’ve missed a beatmaker of note, please link me to their music. Thanks for reading.)
— Ryan Mega
