Top 25 Producers Of The 2000s

    The 2000s were filled with one hit wonders and jingly songs about Air Force One’s, but it was also stuffed with great production. As Hip Hop slowly moved from sample-based boom bap into the wide open air of Pro Tools and Fruity Loops things got a little bit hectic. It’s a good thing, then, that these 25 beatsmiths managed to stand out above the rest.

    DJ Paul & Juicy J

    DJ Paul and Juicy J will forever be known as the sonic backbone to Three 6 Mafia and possibly anything Hypnotized Mindz related. Let hardcore Southern Hip Hop enthusiasts say anything, they’re the reason why Atlanta’s crunk movement really had any legs. Helps that both became the second Hip Hop act to win an Oscar after Eminem for “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp” on the Hustle & Flow soundtrack. Adding the cherry on top was everything from When the Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 to Most Known Unknown which could be considered pivotal classics in some circles.

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    Kanye West

    Turning one’s breakout moment on Jay Z’s The Blueprint to being possibly of Hip Hop’s most successful rapper/producer of all time couldn’t have been an easy task. Yet, Mr. Kanye West managed to not only deliver some of the greatest productions of that decade but, albums as well. Even as Ye built G.O.O.D. Music, he helped revitalize the career of Common and put John Legend on the map. Chicago’s crowned king managed to be a part of nearly every Hip Hop conversation imaginable during the 2000s and has yet to let up yet.  

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    Just Blaze

    While many tend to focus on Ye’s work on The Blueprint, the other story of Hov’s seminal work is Mr. Megatron Don himself Just Blaze. The anthemic evolution of boom bap was scarcely in the hands of the New Jersey native. He even produced Hip Hop’s biggest almost savior through “Exhibit C” with Jay Electronica. Then there are tracks that run the gambit from lyrical classics like Fabulous’ “Breath” to T.I.’s “Live Your Life” featuring Rihanna.

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    Bangladesh

    Even before Bangladesh, the guy who looks like he wears sunglasses to take showers finally got paid by Brian “Birdman” Williams he was an acerbic production deity. His work is filled with all the bells and whistles, and when he’s on it feels like Thanksgiving dinner, simultaneously clumsy and annoying and transcendent. You may have heard of a little track called “A Milli” or maybe you’d danced to Gucci Mane’s “Lemonade” (arguably his best song ever) or you went lost your virginity to Ludacris’s “What’s Your Fantasy.” Whatever the case, all of that is Bangladesh.

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    Dr. Dre

    It’s strange to believe how long the world waited for the eventually discarded Detox project. Thankfully, Dr. Dre used his newfound leverage with Apple to drop the flat-out phenomenal Compton album on the heels of the highly successful N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton. There’s a level of musical mastery and depth presented on the album that’s sonically unparalleled; especially from a mixing perspective.  

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    The Neptunes

    Pharrell and Chad Hugo crafted a slick sound that was pop, rock and a whole lot of Hip Hop. The way both explored the music realm with their synth-based production has become the stuff of legends. Let’s forget about their production for Britney Spears or N’SYNC for a moment. The Neptunes’ work with The Clipse, more specifically coke rap classic Hell Hath No Fury made them one of the best rap groups of the decade. Then there’s their hitmaking work with Snoop Dogg and Hov himself.  

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    Timbaland

    Timbaland could be considered an important figure who fused R&B and Hip Hop sonically to futuristic loops. Despite creating hits for Hov and Snoop Dogg among others, his greatest work is obviously with Missy Elliot. Supa Dupa Fly, Miss E So Addictive and Under Construction are commercial giants and critical classics still manage to sound beyond the sounds of today.  

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    DJ Premier

    Considering how ridiculously good Premo’s 90s were, it’s hard to believe he had almost just as good a 2000s. He worked with everyone from Christina Aguilera to M.O.P during the decade and he continued to show his ability to dominate with a sound that is his signature.

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    Mannie Fresh

    Mannie Fresh’s rise through New Orleans’ Hip Hop scene actually stretches to around the early 80s. By the time he made his way to Cash Money, he was already a local legend. The house that Baby and Slim built became dependent on Fresh’s production through the label’s highly successful first generation. Juvenile, B.G. Turk, Baby and even a young Lil Wayne were able to murder his beats like no other.

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    Organized Noize

    The bouncy funk of Organized Noize didn’t just carry OutKast to the musical promise land but the entire Dungeon Family. For at least half a decade, Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Sleepy Brown carried the Atlanta on their backs in terms of Hip Hop. And to think, all this started from the basement of Wade. While many in the early days of Atlanta’s rap movement tried desperately hard to emulate the East Coast, Organized Noize continued to curate their own sounds and everyone took notice.

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    Salaam Remi

    Once the dust had settled after Nas dropped his scathing Jay Z diss “Either,” his comeback album Stillmatic revealed that the Queensbridge emcee wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. For his follow-up God’s Son, he utilized Salaam Remi for hit singles  “Made You Look” and “I Can.” To this day, there isn’t an emcee alive who hasn’t tried their hand at the “Made You Look” instrumental. Then there’s the classic material he also created with Amy Winehouse’s albums Frank and Back To Black proving his versatility.  

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    J.U.S.T.I.C.E. Leauge 

    We’ve all heard the random woman who says Justice L.E.A.G.U.E. at least one time in our lives. While Rick Ross gained a reputation for cherry picking beats, the Florida-based production team gave the Miami emcee some of the best beats of his career. Most importantly, they kicked off Rozay’s “Maybach Music” series which would eventually inspire the name of his label.

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    Scott Storch

    Shame Scott Storch spent much of his million dollar fortune on drugs and other high priced luxuries as he’s responsible for some of the biggest hits the 2000s had to offer. 50 Cent, Lil Kim, Christina Aguilera and Beyonce all earned platinum plaques from the Long Island native. Then there’s his biggest single to date in Fat Joe’s “Lean Back.”

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    Lil Jon

    For the 2000s’ later half, Lil Jon managed to control Atlanta with an iron fist production wise. All by finding inspiration from a sound originated by Memphis outlet Three 6 Mafia. While starting specifically in the south by churning out hits with The Ying Yang Twinz and Youngbloods, his reign was solidified through anything involving The Eastside Boys. Kings Of Crunk and Crunk Juice gave the world “Get Low” and “Real Nigga Roll Call.” Taking things further, he was even instrumental in E-40’s late-year success.   

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    Madlib

    Madlib may never have a radio single under his belt but, what he represents is something far more important. When he wasn’t producing and rapping under his Quasimoto, he’s responsible from some of Stones Throw Records greatest production. Of course, one included arguably one of the greatest albums of the decade with MF Doom through Madvillainy.  

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    9th Wonder

    9th Wonder introduction to Hip Hop’s consciousness through Little Brother. Those who’ve followed the North Carolina producer know he may subversively be one of Hip Hop’s most diverse beat makers. While many try to stay far away from sampling, he’s one of the few who embraces it wholeheartedly. That’s, of course, helped him land outstanding tracks including Jay Z, Murs, and Jean Grae. Thankfully through his Jamla imprint, he’s given the world high-class spitters ranging from Rapsody to Big Remo.

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    Hi-Tek

    What Hi-Tek and Talib Kweli did as Eternal Reflection on Train Of Thought was nothing short of amazing. On his own, his days producing tracks for Rawkus Records’ Soundbombing series is some of the best underground Hip Hop productions one will hear. Then again, he’s also had some successful commercial fair with 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, and The Game.    

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    RZA

    One of Hip Hop’s most lauded producers created some of the best Wu moments of the aughts. Supreme Clientele’s “Buck 50” and Ol’ Dirty’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” But over the years he’s worked with some key collaborators. Yeezy on both Watch The Throne and MBDTF as well Earl Sweatshirt on Doris.

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    J Dilla

    One of our favorite Dilla productions is off Slum Village’s Fantastic Vol. 2. “Untitled/Fantastic” felt like watching the earthrise from the surface of the moon. At his best, Dilla was inspirational in his way of making a sample sound as though he found the secret to making the original sound like just one part of the orchestra in his celestial creations. From Ruff Draft  to Welcome To Detroit as well as Jaylib, Dilla went out much, much too soon.

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    Exile

    Everyone knows about Blu & Exile’s Below The Heavens, but the producer has done far more than that. His work with Blu aside, he’s been integral to the careers of the likes of Fashawn. Plus, let’s not forget the sheer amazingness of his own work, even as Aloe Blacc went his own way after the 90s.

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    El-P

    What more can you say about El-P? His resume reads like a “best of” for underground albums in the 2000s. Cannibal Ox’s The Cold Vein, Aesop Rock’s Daylight, his own work like Deep Space 9mm and Fantastic Damage. Then there’s The Weatherman, and, well, El-P might be the best “underground” producer of the aughts.

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    Jim Jonsin

    Did “Lollipop” help you bag that candy lipped shorty in your English class? Did “Whatever You Like” allow you to do that thug two-step at your end of year dance? Thank Jim Jonsin. The man formerly known as DJ Jealous J has been the soundtrack to some of Hip Hop’s best moments in the aughts.

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    Swizz Beatz

    A lot of folks say Swizzy’s been making the same beat since his Ruff Ryder days. We say he’s been building a brand that you can hear a million miles away. He’s been a part of almost every major East Coast album since 2000 and if he can bring DMX back, then he’d have cemented his place in the Hip Hop imagination for all-time.

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    The Alchemist

    Alchemist may not have a thousand Billboard 100 records, but it’s better that way. He excels in the album minutiae known affectionately as the choice cuts. Sure he’s created hood classics like Jada’s “We Gonna Make It” and Styles P’s “Black Magic,” but it’s his trippy production style and flawless technique that really separates him from the pack.

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    Andre Grant is an NYC native turned L.A. transplant that has contributed to a few different properties on the web and is now the Features Editor for HipHopDX. He’s also trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Follow him on Twitter @drejones.

    Ural Garrett is a Los Angeles-based journalist and HipHopDX’s Senior Features Writer. When not covering music, video games, films and the community at large, he’s in the kitchen baking like Anita. Follow him on Twitter @Uralg.

    58 thoughts on “Top 25 Producers Of The 2000s

    1. The staff at HHDX is straight up tripping Yall must be high on some South African Ass Crack,no freaking NOTTZ on the list,no freaking COOL AND DRE,no DJ Khalil……this list is straight up Gay shit

      1. This is just a tough list. I feel like you did well, but it’s tough to fit so much goodness in a list of 25. Pete Rock and Nicolay are a must for me though. People hating on Exile have never listened to Below the Heavens from start to finish. It’s a masterpiece for sure.

      2. Yo, y’all were on point with this shit! I can’t think of one other producer you left out. Everyone you named (except Exile) should be on that list. Amazingly accurate list.

      3. exile definitely deserves to be on this list. you’re crazy. emanon, BTH, dirty science, days chasing days, and boy meets world?!?! consistent as it gets for a decade

    2. The Alchemist could be replaced with literally any producer out there – my choice would be Apollo Brown.

      1. Either y’all hate alchemists or you don’t really listen to real hip hop cause I would never replace alchemists for anyone. He got beats for years. Came out with dope projects from Willie the kid., fa Shawn, action Bronson, etc he deserves to be on the list

      2. Alc picks out nice samples here and there, but he what he needs some new drum kits – not trap, but something actually dope. That’s a fact, don’t blame me that you don’t have any ear for beats. And Premo is also light years ahead of him. You guys probably also love Mustard like you love Alc. Haha.

      1. this is the 2000’s you effin hipster. ok he produced for kendrick and mac miller in like 2011 lol. dudes like you everywhere just trying to complain some rookie isn’t on the list cause you love his music.

    3. For heaven sake Cool n Dre is a must on this list, top 5 to me…It’s such an obvious miss, Y’all need to fix this

    4. Three six mafia? Really? They haven’t made nothing relevant since hustle and flow. Juicy j has been the only one from the group with any buzz. When was the last time Scott storch had a hit?

    5. Puffy and the hittmen

      Shynes album, black robs album, g deps album, loon. 112. Mary.

      Bad boy had some big records.

    6. Excellent list! Basically just aBout everyone I woulda put on here. FUCK ALL of these other mentally challenged DIPSHITS who literally no nothing and/or have complete shit taste and/or lack of hip hop knowledge. Fuckin retards, I swear. This list is dead on.

      1. EXILE and DILLA are far thee best that under ground will ever have. All you little baby hip hop boomers need to listen. They’ve done beats for artist that would make you slap yourself. This list was dead on. Good ear to who ever made this list! Now for an underground artist list… this will be interesting… hope ya’all are digging in the crates♡

    7. I’m glad yall didnt fuck up this time and put DJ mustard on.
      Dope list… Though Dr Dre’s “beat ghostwriter” Dj Khalil would be there too, but nonetheless. Dope list. #WhoTheFuckisMadlib??

      1. hahahahahahahahaha, who? get your nerdy ass the FOH. And yes, i do know who PUTS are. they’re wack and so are you.

    8. Did you guys seriously just write that ODB’s Shimmy Shimmy Ya came out in the 2000s?

      That was 1995 you fuckin idiots

      1. Havoc is great. Best of all if you ask me, a hardcore mobb deep fan. He did his best in 95-99 though. Looks like exactly when it turned 2000 he had changed his whole production techniques.

    9. Where the hell is Same Grease at? If it wasn’t for Grease there would be no Swizz Beats. And for the record Dame Grease is responsible for most of DMX success.

    10. They said 9th Wonder had a “diverse” sound. He’s the most one dimensional producer on here besides Swizz Beatz. And the most boring

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