Here is a list of my favourite 10 producers of all time. It inclues people who I think influenced the music industry the most, invented new thing, mastered the genre, or I just like their sound. I would like to say, that the list is only my opinion at this moment. The artists are not lined-up worst to best, or best to worst, the is random.
1. Kanye West
I think that everyone can agree on the fact, that not including Kanye on this list would be a crime. Even though at the time I am writing this Kanye is mostly associated with his controversial and scandalous statements, he is definitely one of the GOATs. He is a rapper-producer legend and he has been influencing the music game for a long time. His versatility and creativity can be seen just on the genre differences of his albums, from the anthem-like Graduation to his emotional 808s and Heartbreak which basically brought the 808 sound to the spotlight where it is now, to the sound experimental Yeezus.
2. Nujabes
I hope that anyone who likes lo-fi style music has heard the name Nujabes. This japanese artist basically created the genre by sampling jazz and soul records and flipping them into his emotional and flowing-like beats. Unfortunately I feel like he does not get as much recognition as he deserves to by the public, which is probably caused by a car accident in which he died at the age of 36.
3. The Alchemist
Alan Daniel Maman a.k.a. The Alchemist is in my opinion a excellent producer of the more alternative and more artsy and creative form of hip-hop. His beats are usually unique and contain great sample and sound selection. All his carreer he’s been working with less mainstream or underground artists, which puts him aside from the most known mainstream rap producers at the time. My favourite album he ever made is called Alfredo which he made with Freddie Gibbs, it is an awesome example of not only his production skills, but also the collaboration selection.
4. Kenny Beats
Kenny Beats with his signature „WOAH KENNY“ producer tag is a very versatile beatmaker. You may know him from the 2020 Denzel Curry album called Unlocked which was a collaboration between these two. Kenny also has a YouTube serie called The Cave in which he makes beats for musicians and then record a freestyle or a short song to that beat. I personally think, that the concept of the videos is genius because it shows the working process of a skilled musician.
5. MF DOOM
MF DOOM is no doubt one of the best producer-rappers to ever live. His poetic, complex and cartoonish bars sound unbeatable mixed with his incredible beats. His sample selection is really interesting and he definitely knew how to flip them into an awesome beat. Somehow he didn’t really get mainstream and always stayed kinda underground which honestly fitted him way more.
6. RZA
Everyone familiar with the legendary oldschool rap group Wu-Tang Clan have listened to RZA’s production. As a Wu-Tang member he produced their albums and also the member’s solo albums. Even though he was one of the pioneers in sampling he really mastered the technique.
7. JPEGMAFIA
JPEGMAFIA is another rapper-producer on this list. If you like the more alternative and experimental side of rap, then his self-produced records will surely give you what you are looking for. JPEGMAFIA is a master at sampling random and usually really weird things, from ASMR videos to video games audio which is what probably makes is production so unique.
8. Dr. Dre
I’d say that Dr. Dre is definitely one of the most known producers and it has its reason. At his young age he was a producer in the legendary oldschool group N.W.A. After the crew broke up he made his own label called Death Row Records. He then signed and put on the map some of the rappers we consider the GOATs now, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem or 50 Cent.
9. J Dilla
J Dilla is definitely a sampling god. Listening to his jazz and soul based tracks feels literally heavenly. His instrumental album Donuts is in my opinion really close to how the peak of sampling skills should look.
10. Madlib
Last but not least is Madlib. Madlib is guilty of creating some of the best alternative hip-hop albums of all time. Starting with Madvillainy to Piñata to Bad Neigborhood or Bandana. Everyone interested in this genre definitely has to listen to these album, because they are no doubt one of the best ever made. His sampling game is insane and his beats sound insanely well.