Grind Music Radio recently caught up with the legendary Pete Rock to break down his top five favorite producers. Listing beatsmiths like DJ Premier, the Alchemist, J Dilla, Madlib and Nottz, the Choclate Boy Wonder explains why each producer made his list and why he had to extend the list to six to include Dr. Dre.
“The Alchemist, with the LOX record [‘We Gon Make It],” he explained. “He put the stamp down. DJ Premier for all the classics…Nottz for the R. Kelly joint [Snoop Dogg’s ‘That’s That Shit’]…that was hard. That was crazy…[J] Dilla, for just [being] that new dude that came up from Mars that landed on Earth and just blasted everyone with his talent and left us. Madlib for all of the underground illness that he does, when he incorporates the excerpts that he uses and the funny stuff that he does. [That] makes me gravitate toward what he does…I had to throw [Dr.] Dre in their because The Chronic changed my life…so I got to say Dr. Dre, and hopefully one day we’ll get to collab.”
In related news, Pete Rock recently re-released a expanded and limited 10th anniversary edition of his 2001 instrumental project PeteStrumentals. The re-release of the project is a part of Beat Generation’s 10th anniversary celebration. Pete Rock is also currently preparing the release of a collaborative project with DJ Premier.
The full interview can be seen below.
so humble. pete rock is the man. very great man. i got the chance to get his autograph when he did rock the bells in toronto. dude is mad cool. living legend
thats a really respectable list. so much respect for pete rock. my favorite producer of all time.
You better go get that Pete Rock Camp Lo joint. 80 Blocks From Tiffanys.
Straight fire.
Fuck is RZA?
now this is a list i can get behind!
Where Lex Luger?
You Kidding Right? His Style Is Way Too Young, Nigga a Smedium when It come to Beats fam, Pete Rock Talking about real deal Hip Hop Cats, not no “same melody and drum pattern every song fresh to the game”, Baby Droppings Ya heard…REAL SHIT.
Thats Some Real Spit XP.
hahaha you must be 15-16! Do your homework son.
This was a joke… pete rock pretty much named my top 5 list if you put him in Nottz place.
One of the best of all time. I absolutely love his albums with CL Smooth, it was real hip hop music. His list is good too, many styles covered with this one.
What about Boi1da, Drumma Boy, Shawty Redd and Mannie Fresh!
Real talk – Pete Rock is washed up, and all the producers he listed are either too old or over the hill.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. ur a joke.. They’re too old? To old for what? Too old to make cheap generic shit? Too old to make the same kinda beat that everyone can make?
We’re talking HIP HOP producers…
Not Hip POP..
Dudes nowdays ain’t shit.. It’s rare when you see someone have their own style when it comes to makin a hip hop beat..
Choke urself lil nicca, too old, over the hill, this aint sports.?!?!? WTF?!?
Lex Luger and soulja boi are the hottest producers in the game
Trey Gunz…bro get real. None of those producers you name cannot see Pete Rock. Now thats your opinion of course but get real. Those producer lack creativity, innovation, and its pretty clear they make thier music for radio and clubs. Pete Rock, Premier, Q-Tip make music from the heart.
You want to bring current new fresh producers ok..J Dilla, Hi-Tek, Havoc, Kanye, Just Blaze, Madlib, Black Milk, etc. would crush those producers you named easily when it comes to making music. Those producers won’t even be mention in 20 yrs like Pete Rock, Q-Tip, Premier has been. J Dilla is no longer here and is still talked about because he made classics. Your producer didn’t. They don’t know how.
Age dont matter in Hip-Hop… the one think about the old school producers is that they understood music in general not just how to sit in front of a computer and put sounds together. They knew how to create melodies. These new producers make hits but the old school producers make classics. Your probably too young to understand.
Trey,
Please leave this site, you obviously have no clue what REAL hip hop is.
Too Old, maybe your too young for this debate…lol
That’s a good list… It’s hard to come up with a list like that when you gotta break it down to 5..
Pete Rock
Premier
Dre
Dilla
RZA
Alchemist
Mad Lib
9th Wonder
No ID
Kanye (C’Mon.. He makes some dope beats)
Buckwild
Evil Dee
That list can go on for ages..
Quik
Pete Rock
Primo
Mannie Fresh (yeah i said it)
Primo
Q-tip
Large Pro
Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Tribe)
DJ Quik
Prince Paul
De La Soul (each of them make alot of their own beats for the group)
Scott La Rock
The Beatnuts (again.. made alot of their own beats)
MF Doom
Jam Master Jay
Trackmasters
Erik Sermon
Da Beat Minerz
DJ Muggs
Organized Noise
Hi Tek
Diamond D
Havoc
I forgot about DJ Muggs! He’s ill.
1. DJ Premier
2. J Dilla
3. Dr. Dre
4. Pete Rock
5. Madlib
6. Q-Tip
7. Marley Marl
8. 9th Wonder
9. Madlib
10. The Beatnuts
11. Organized Noise
12. Erick Serman
13. RZA
14. Hi-Tek
15. Alchemist
16. Havoc
17. Large Professor
18. KRS-One
19. The Bomb Squad
20. DJ Quik
This is in no order but I must say Premo is the best ever. Then Dilla. But this is in no order. There are other producers I know that I’m forgetting…..KNOTTZ is dope!
Yup, i’d agree with your choices here but not the order. Peopel tend to forget T-Ray
Don’t forget Old Kanye, I still listen to that Guerrilla Monsoon Rap
Yes! The old Kanye was one of the dopest, loved his beats back then. Get By is great too.
Everybody can always miss out on producers or mc’s on those lists, the thing is youre listing 20 of great producers no doubt, but how can you overlook questlove who produced nearly everything by The Roots who’se music arguably have he smoothest and most constant sound over the past 15 years!
no one cares about your fucking lists, do not post your top 5 list, this is PETE ROCKS LIST, just HIS OPINION. so we dont need to hear yours
So my top 5 list is:
J Dilla
DJ Premier
Pete Rock
The Alchemist
MadLib
I just compared some Pete Rock beats to Lex Luger. I prefer Lex Luger, he got that huge 808 kick drum in every song that makes that shit bang, Pete Rock beats sound like elevator music, way too soft.
So your standard for a good beat is one that has a 808 in it… Your either from the south, white, or underage… or all three
^^ hahahah true
HAHAHAH kill yourself
^^Seriously
Don’t klick on a site that’s about hip hop EVER again.
All of Pete’s beats aren’t soft. Look up his remix to Jeru the Damaja’s “You Can’t Stop the Prophet” or AZ’s “Gimme Yours” or even Deda’s “Baby Pa”.
On a side note, I hope you’re just saying that to get attention. Lex Luger, really?
Nice list. NOTTZ is way slept on. His drums remind me of Dilla’s. Heres my top 5 and why.
DJ Premier – the MOST classics period. Dre & RZA dont come close…maybe RZA. Look at all these producers who BITE Prems style with their scratch chorus’ now.
RZA – brought that grimey / raw sound that was missing in the early 90’s.
DJ MUGGS – There would be no RZA or Alchemist without MUGGS. See early Cypress Hill, House Of Pain etc… RZA’s sound has MUGGS all over it with teh grimeyness. RZA just made it sound more RAW first take shit. MUGGS is part of the reason why i started paying attention to production back in ’91…..SOUL ASSASSINS BITCH!!!!!!
Jay Dee – James brought that soulfulness to Hip Hop. He single handedly created an entire movement (NEO SOUL)
Pete Rock – Dude and Premier are always up there for me. Theyre like the Magic Johnson & Michael Jordan of Hip Hop Producers.
Slept on Producers
T-Ray- Artifacts
E-Swift- The Liks
Buckwild- DITC
Beatnuts- BEST dual producers
Exile- See Blu Below the heavens
YES!! my dude you mentioned my man E-Swift from da LIKS Yes totally slept on!!
Yeah man, E-Swift is totally slept-on
I agree with ur list @Rick, I would also like to mention Erick Sermon up on there too from EPMD, Redman and Keith plus alot of people did not even know he did the 4,3,2,1 beat for LL
wat do i care?
1. DJ Premier
2. J Dilla
3. Dr.Dre
4. RZA
5. Kanye (as a producer not rapper) West or Bink
If you are a real hip hop head your list must include
Premo
Pete Rock
J.Dilla
RZA
Madlib
Dr.Dre
Alchemist
Havoc
Nottz
Old Kanye West
Just Blaze
DJ Quik
9th Wonder
Erick Sermon
Large Pro
Marley Marl
Da Beatminerz
Diamond D
Muggs
Hi Tek
Mannie Fresh
I was a huge CMR fan back then. But I pick Organized Noise over Mannie Fresh. Their sound is more soulful and relies on the typical 808 sound that’s common in the south.
Yeah the south is hot now I’m from the south and live in the south but no way any of these new producers should be mentioned with the Premo’s and Pete Rock’s of the beat game only Mannie can be included
I would include Organized Noize
Man how can u hav a list w/o the neptunes
JDilla or Neprune
Promo
Pete Rock
The Alchemist
9th wonder
Hi-tek
Organized Noise
Erick Sermon
Large Pro
Q-tip
newer produce
black milk
justice league
nicolay
lets see. the fact anybody can name top 5 anything is retarded. cuz theres always gonna be other artists. besides who are you? noone cares til your famous. thats why i dont beleive in lists. i believe in results. i love certain rappers and producers and shit even radio stations. it just depends on the day cuz i will rock Slaughterhouse today then wanna listen to nicki minaj(hate welcome) my list changes daily. but hey if your on your death bed then i think you can do a list. cuz you wont live to see anything or hear anything better [:
Timbo The King!!!
RZA-Premo-Dilla-Neptunes-Kanye West
Special mention : Madlib,Havoc,Dr.Dre
Up and coming interesting producers : Big K.R.I.T-Tyler the Creator- Left Brain
Premo, Dilla, RZA, Dre, 9th Wonder, Xtra P, Hi-Tek, Kanye, Alchemist, Scratch – Early Busta Shit.
I doubt Punks these days don’t even know who produce they fav. songs anyways.
Beatnuts Forever!!
Who Comin’ wit Da Shit NA?!
Kanye, everybody want to work dude.
Top 5 no specific order RZA, DJ Premier, Pete Rock, J Dilla & DJ Muggs. Honorable mention includes Havoc, Marley Marl, Q-Tip, Easy Mo Bee, Dr. Dre, Da Beatminerz (It’s a group of producers led by DJ Evil Dee).
We need the newer generation to realize beats make up 1/3 of the song the rest is lyrics and flow. The beats for newer songs just don’t have the same impact like before. Producers are the most underrated in hip hop.
well said
fuck Lex Luger
the beat makes up like 3/4 of an rap song. Why u think kids nowadays love these wack ass rappers. The beat grabs them. Lil B – enough said.
evil dee wouldnt have shit if it wasnt for mr. walt. and salutes to baby paul your production is fiya
Uh yeah can’t sleep on Ad-Rock
Hello Nasty!
I decided to put this in after reading all the comments, Easy Mo Bee easily the most underrated he produced basically everything in New York hip hop from about 1990 to about ’94. All the great producers listed came up around ’93 and ’94 and didn’t really start dominating the scene until around ’95 so they just took the spot of Easy Mo Bee. He worked with Biggie & Tupac and some of Wu-Tang members before 36 Chambers.
he worked w/ the gza/genius on words from the genius. that was about the only wu record to drop before thirty six chambers. and wow that is waaaaaay to much credit to give easy mo bee. even though we all know that “Mo Bee got beats!” – Biggie. but everything from 90-94. you are discrediting:
the beatnuts
diamond d
lord finesse
buckwild
showbiz
da beatminerz
large professor
marley marl
and coutnless countless other amazing beatsmith’s. just look at those names on the list they are all nothing short of legends, and they all dropped albums in the window of time you mentioned, along w/ so many other dope names, too many to mention. you are a clown man. you just watch a vh1 special smart boy?
pretty good top 5.. i want a pete rock and lloyd banks collab!!!!!!!
I’m sure he wouldn’t…he know that would just downgrade Pete’s legacy.
GTFO! Not even on a remix. It’s better for them when they stick to their poppy and souless 08/15 beats.
I swear, on every article or song, I see someone mentioning Lloyd Banks. Lloyd was dope back in 04, but now he’s just plain annoying with his nasally ass.
the past had good beats and good lyrics. Now the mainstream has garbage beats and garbage lyrics (for the most part). But still hiphop’s popularity continues to rise in the mainstream. Makes no sense. Underground has got it all and this isnt even from a biased perspective. Beats and lyrics take talent. I see none in the mainstream.
fav producers:
j dilla
premier
rza
kno
stoupe the enemy of mankind
questlove
apollo brown
madlib
exile
Nice list FOR SURE (Love the Kno/Stoupe/apollo brown/exile shout out for the underground especially those first 2).
But I would HAVE TO ADD DR. DRE for all his ish from 88-2003! Yes he’s become repetitive since then, but come on now.
Also Large Professor, Pete Rock, Diamond D, Q-Tip, and Buckwild
– Incise
– DJ Stoupe aka ‘The Enemy Of Mankind’
– Illmind
– Ro BLVD
Checc ’em out 😐
DJ Stoupe ummm never heard him called that before. and incise… really? what has that cat even done outside a couple of wu-affiliate beats, like that kevlaar7 joint he had?
RZA all day. Premier and other producers might have more good tracks, but the best RZA beats kill any of Premier’s or other producer’s best beats.
ya rza murdered any producers beats for sure.
Gotta put Mantronik in here somewhere
the original King of the Beats
pete is def the truth!!!
Dope list, but Necro’s ill too.
yessir!!!! necro def. a top five all time producer
El-P
Premo
Quincy Jones
John Williams
Stevie Wonder
Now if we’re just talking Hip Hop, then it would be:
Premo
Kanye
J Dilla
Rza
Pete Rock
this nigga said stevie wonder yall
EL-P before Q and Stevie Wonder…..you must be nuts. The true producers (outside Hip Hop):
James Brown
Gamble & Huff (The Philadelphia Sound)
Quincy Jones
Stevie Wonder
Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards – Chic(Because of Rapper’s Delight)
Hip Hop:
Marley Marl (Because of Rakim & early LL)
Primo
Pete Rock
Teddy Riley (Produced Doug E. Fresh’s The Show)
Dr. Dre
@ Neil- That wasn’t in no particular order. Those are just the people I had listed.
@ This Nigga – Yes, Stevie Wonder you fucking idiot. Check Stevie’s catalog, most of the songs he wrote, he produced, including such songs as Ribbon in the Sky, That’s What Friends Are For, All I Do, Superstition, and I Just Called To Say I Love You. Maybe you should obtain more knowledge before you say stupid shit.
(Outside of Hip Hop)People love to forget that Barry White was a composer/producer before he graced the mic & lets not forget Donny Hathaway either!
9 wonder ?
1. organize noize ( outkast, goodie mob )
2. dr.dre ( 2 classics under the belt )
2. dj. toomp ( t.i. what you know about that
3. kanye west
4. mannie fresh
5. p. diddy “he picks the music to sample”
your list is suspect son
Here’s mine:
1. Premo
2. Pete Rock
3. Large Professor
4. RZA
5. sorry about the tie but I HAD to name both: Marley Marl and 45 King
My top 5 underappreciated:
1. Erick Sermon
2. DJ Quik (Keepin’ it funky, I don’t even know dude’s catalog like that but I respect what he brought to the table. Plus, to me, dude is the 45 King of the west coast, didn’t get the shine he deserved because he got overshadowed by a more prolific and popular cat.)
3. Speaking of which, 45 King
4. Ced Gee (Only one classic to his name but it’s a monster.)
5. No ID (Drops classics with Common for years, no one notices. One song with Hov, everyone knows him.)
@Neil
Real music heads know what time it is. Great “outside Hip-Hop” list.
if u like that real.. 1.db!! the wax fiend. 2.dr.eamz. 3. eamz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4NKZwU5mG8
here’s my list
drumma boy
zaytoven
lex luger
pure farts
Is Pete Rock for real? This dude loves Wu w/ a passion. He wont release anything w/out a Wu member on it. Yet, RZA didnt make his list. I wonder who inspired his beat for Raekwon’s “Sneakers” and many other beats he’s made. Whatever dude!
“Sneakers” was the livest shit on Immobilarity next to that song with Masta Killa
1. dr dre
2. organize noize
3. dj toomp
4. justice league
5. kanye west
Weird, the lack of cats mentioning the Bomb Squad…
AND Organized Noise…
Top 5 Producers in my opinion:
1. J Dilla
2. DJ Premier
3. Pete Rock
4. Dr. Dre
5. 9th Wonder (Questionable)
Top 5 up & coming producers:
1. Black Milk
2. M-Phazes
3. Madlib
4. Khrysis
5. !llmind
The best list I’ve seen on this site, but I would add Madlib, Havoc, DOOM, RZA and maybe Statik Selektah or J. Rawls.
hahaha Madlib, Up & coming? hhahaa do your homework man. Dudes been around for nearly 20 years!!!
1. souja boi
2. nick cannon
3. vanilla ice
4. rza
5. fushinickens
greatest rappers ever
I think ppl are overlooking newer producers in favor of the older ones from their youth…
in no particular order,Tyler, Leftbrain, Kanye West, RZA, Organized Noise and i’d like to add The Neptunes
you seriously add dudes from OF from the list? god people need to get off their dicks. they are good but they aren’t that good.
I swear both Premo and Pete Rock never give RZA any props, but they always show love to the rest of the clan (especially Ghostface).
yeah,true… I think that there’s a bit jealousy… because they were running the east coast at the time so each of them thinks that he is the best one… I still think that no one of them two reached the RZA’s musical heights and soundscapes.
same thought
RZA’s too smart for them.That’s the truth!
1. J Dilla
2. Madlib
3. 9th Wonder
1.dr.dre (doggystyle to chronic 2001 years)
2.premo
3.dilla
4.your mom
Nujabes is up there….for me
R.I.P
1. Da beatminerz (enta da stage, da shinin’)
2. DJ Muggs
3. RZA
4. Premo
5. Dr. Dre
does anyone even know who Ant is?? I mean seriously
yeah he sucks along with Slug
In no particular order…
Timberland
Beatnuts
Dr.Dre
DJ Premier
DJ Quik
Mine are
Rza
Mathmantics- wu dude sounds a lot like rza
Jdilla
Kanye west
Bangladsh -when I Hurd that stuff he was doing 4 pusha t
Alchemist
fav producers
kanye west
!llmind
Just blaze
timbaland (when he make hip hop records)
rza
jay electronica
just blaze should be really first…
My top 5 would be:
Exile
Premo
9th Wonder
J Dilla
Nottz
In no particular order.
rza dre sermon my top 3 rza don’t move from the first place…
1 the alchemist 2 the alchemist 3 the alchemist 4 the alchemist 5 the alchemist my other 4 are dilla,premo,dre and ….all the jedi mind tricks producers!! peace
The RZA should be on everyones top 5.. I consider him the greatest beat crafter of all time
Word!
Dilla
Alchemist
Dre
Premo
RZA
Man nobody has kno in their top five? Any of you listen to death is silent or ontology?
1. Premo
2. RZA
3. Apollo Brown
4. STatik Selektah
5. Kno, Jake One, Necro
mm interesting list’s heres mine in no particular order Erick sermon,j.dilla Blackmilk,Madlib,Large-Proffesor,Nujabes DJ Honda, DJ-Muggs,DA-Beatminerz,Rza,Q-tip,Rock wilder, DJ-scratch,Buck-wild,Stoupe the enemy of mankind,The-Beatnuts,Mf doom,DJ shadow,DJ krush,Track-masters,Rjd2,lord Finesse,Organized noize,Easy Moe Bee,Just Blaze,The alchemist,9th wonder,hi tek Diamond-d,DJ-quick,Havoc,Prince-paul,Rick Rubin,The bomb squad,Marly Marl, Dr Dre, Pete rock, DJ premier,no id,Kayne west, DJ jazzy jeff,Danger-mouse,DJ-toomp,eric b,4th disciple,Battlecat,Allah-mathematics,Scott- Storch,ski beatz,illmind,flying lotus,QD III ?estlove Anyone want to add to this list?
u might as well throw Tru Master into the mix. That ‘Heaterz’ beat was to ill!
p.s obviously its not my top five its just a random list of producers i like.
Man, these young fools need lessons in Hip-Hop.
The REAL Top 5:
1. DJ Premier
2. Pete Rock
3. Dr. Dre
4. The RZA
5. The Alchemist
Big shout outs to The Ummah and The Soulquarians. They are a group of producers, not just one. If you got knowledge, then you know who are in those production teams. If you don’t, Google is your friend.