2012 Top 50 Hip Hop Music Producers Year End List

I know I've been missing in action this year. I did want to close out the year with the annual Hip Hop Music Producers list for 2012. Have a safe and pleasant New Year. Hope to see everyone in 2013!

1. Hit-Boy 
Kendrick Lamar - Backseat Freestyle
Kid Cudi ft. Hit-Boy - Old School Caddy
Hit-Boy with Kanye West
G.O.O.D. Music ft. Kanye West, Big Sean & Jay-Z - Clique
2. T-Minus 
Kendrick Lamar - Swimming Pools (Drank)
T.I. - Go Get It
Slaughterhouse - Frat House
3. Mike WiLL 
Juicy J ft. Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz - Bandz A Her Dance
Future - Neva End
Chief Keef - No Tomorrow Young Jeezy ft. Trey Songz - Tonight
4. Cardiak 
T.I. ft. Meek Mill - G Season
DJ Drama ft. Young Jeezy, Jadakiss, Cee-Lo Green & Nipsey Husle - Never Die Meek Mill - Polo & Shell Tops Rick Ross ft. Wale and Drake - Diced Pineapples Lloyd Banks - Live It Up
5. Sounwave 
Kendrick Lamar - Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe
Kendrick Lamar ft. MC Eiht - m.A.A.d. city
6. Harry Fraud
Smoke DZA - Rugby Thompson (album)
Maybach Music ft. Wale, Omarion, Stalley and Rick Ross - The Zenith
7. Lifted
G.O.O.D. Music ft. Kanye West, Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz - Mercy
8. Ryan Lewis
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - The Heist (album)
9. Jake One
The Game ft. Jamie Foxx - Halleujah
Rick Ross ft. Dr. Dre & Jay-Z - 3 Kings
Freeway ft. Peedi Crak,Neef Buck, Young Chris, Memphis Bleek - Roc Re-loaded
Brother Ali - Mourning In America (album)
10. The Alchemist
Sean Price - The Genesis of Omega
Sean Price - Bar-barian
Action Bronson - Rare Chandeliers (album)
The Alchemist - Russian Roulette (album)
11. Statik Seletah
Sean Price ft. Freddie Gibbs - Remember
Joey Bada$$ - Don't Front
Strong Arm Steady - Stereo Type (album)
12. Salaam Remi
B.o.B ft. Andre 3000 - Play The Guitar
Nas - A Queen's Story
Nas ft. Amy Winehouse - Cherry Wine
Miguel - How Many Drinks?
13. No I.D.
Nas - Daughters
T.I. ft. A$AP Rocky - Wildside
Slaughterhouse - Get Up
14. Kanye West
G.O.O.D. Music - Cruel Summer (album)
15. Big K.R.I.T.
Big K.R.I.T. - Live From The Underground (album)
Curren$y ft. Big K.R.I.T. and Wiz Khalifa - Jet Life
16. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Rick Ross ft. Ne-Yo - Maybach Music IV
Curren$y ft. Marsha Ambrosius - Take You There
Slaughterhouse - The Other Side
17. Jahlil Beats
Styles P - I Know
Meek Mill ft. Kirko Bangz - Young & Gettin' It
18. Sonny Digital
Future - Same Damn Time
Sonny Digital with Kanye West
2 Chainz ft. Kanye West - Birthday Song
19. AraabMuzik
Styles P - Araab Styles
Slaughterhouse - Hammer Dance
20. Clams Casino
A$AP Rock - Lord$ Never Worry
21. Boi-1da
The Game ft. Kendrick Lamar - See No Evil
Slaughterhouse - Goodbye
Meek Mill - Traumatized
Meek Mill - Tony Story (Pt. 2)
22. Flying Lotus
Flying Lotus - Until Quiet Comes (album)
23. Oh No with The Alchemist
Gangrene - Vodka & Ayahuasca (album)
24. S1
The Game - Blood Diamonds
50 Cent ft. Eminem & Adam Levine - My Life
Talib Kweli ft. Curren$y & Kendrick Lamar - Push Thru
25. Noah "40" Shebib with Omen
Usher - What Happen To U?
26. Rico Love
T.I. - Ball Rick
Ross ft. Usher - Touch N You
Trey Songz - Heart Attack
27. J. Cole
J. Cole - Miss America
28. Madlib
MadGibbs (Madlib and Freddie Gibbs) EP
29. KeY Wane
Big Sean ft. J. Cole - 24k of Gold
KeY Wane and Young Chop
Big Sean - Guap
30. 9th Wonder
MURS & 9th Wonder - The Final Adventure (album)
9th Wonder & Buckshot - Solution (album)
Sean Price - Straight Music
31. Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin
Chiddy Bang - Breakfast (album)
32. Pop Wansel
Miguel - Where's The Fun In Forever?
33. 1500 or Nothin'
T.I. - The Way We Ride
Lupe Fiasco - ITAL (Roses)
34. The Neptunes
Frank Ocean - Sweet Life
T.I. ft. Cee-lo Green - Hello
Curren$y - Chasin' Paper
35. Stargate
Rihanna - Diamonds
Ne-Yo - Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)
36. Scoop Deville
Kendrick Lamar ft. Drake - Poetic Justice
Kendrick Lamar ft. Dr. Dre - The Recipe
37. Anthony Lee
French Montana ft. Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne - Pop That
38. Doc McKinney & Illangelo
The Weeknd - Trilogy (album)
39. Young Chop
Chief Keef - Love Sosa
40. Black Metaphor
Meek Mill - In God We Trust
Young Jeezy - Get Right
41. Benny Blanco with Stargate
Wiz Khalifa - Work Hard, Play Hard
42. The Runners Lupe Fiasco ft. Poo Bear - Braveheart
DJ Khaled ft. Wale, Tyga, Mack Maine & Kirko Bangz - Don't Pay For It
43. Seven
Tech N9ne - Boiling Point - E.B.A.H. (Eps)
44. The Smeezingtons
Bruno Mars - Unorthodox Jukebox (album)
45. Swizz Beatz with Dr. Dre
Alicia Keys - Brand New Day
46. Apollo Brown
Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson - Dice Game (album)
47. StreetRunner
Slaughterhouse ft. Cee-Lo Green - My Life
48. !llmind Skyzoo ft. DJ Prince - Give It Up
49. Alex Da Kid
Slaughterhouse ft. Eminem and Skylar Grey - Our House
50. DJ Premier with J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
DJ Khaled ft. Scarface, Nas & DJ Premier - Hip Hop

Hooked On That's 2011 Top 100 Music Producers Year End List

2011 was a hot year in hip hop with plenty of music producer placements for the newcomers, the vets and the darlings of hip hop beat makers. Whether they’re firing up FL Studio, an MPC, Maschine, or Open Labs system or going top notch with an SSL or Neve console, all of the producers on the list deserve some type of acclaim for all their hard work this year.

See if your favorite music producer is on the list.

1. No I.D.
Common 'The Dreamer, The Believer' album
J.Cole - Never Told
Big Sean - So Much More
Big Sean ft. Chris Brown - My Last

2. Kanye West with a variety of producers
Jay-Z & Kanye West 'Watch The Throne' album
Kanye West with Jeff Bhasker & Beyonce
Beyonce ft. Kanye West & Andre 3000 - Party

3. T-Minus
Wale - Ambition
Lil Wayne ft. Drake - She Will
T-Minus with Noah "40" Shabib
Drake - Under Ground Kings
T-Minus with Noah "40" Shabib & Nikhil "Kromatik" Seetharam
DJ Khaled ft. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne - I'm On One

4. Noah "40" Shebib
Drake - Marvin's Room
Noah "40" Shebib with Drake
Drake ft. Lil Wayne & Andre 3000 - The Real Her

5. J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar - HiiiPoWer
J.Cole with additional production by Elite, The University, Canei Finch, Ron Gilmore, Brian Kidd, L&X Music, The Commission, StreetRunner & No I.D.
J. Cole ' Cole World - The Sideline Story' album

6. J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Young Jeezy ft. Jill Scott - Trapped
Young Jeezy ft. T.I. - F.A.M.E.
Tech N9ne - Strangeland
Jay Rock ft. Kendrick Lamar - Hood Gone Love It
Yelawolf ft. Mona Moua - Write Your Name
Freddie Gibbs ft. B.J. The Chicago Kid - Barely Made
Freddie Gibbs - 187 Proof

7. Lil Lody
Wale ft. Meek Mill, Pill & Rick Ross - By Any Means
Young Jeezy ft. Lil Wayne - Ballin
Young Jeezy ft. Jadakiss & Fabolous - O.J.
Yo Gotti ft. Rick Ross - Harder
Yo Gotti ft. Stuey Rock - Single

8. Hit Boy
Pusha T - My God
Jay-Z & Kanye West - N***** In Paris
The Game - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

9. Diplo
Wale ft. Big Sean - Slight Work
Diplo with Switch, The-Dream, Shea Taylor and Beyonce
Beyonce - Run The World (Girls)
Diplo with Afrojack & Free School
Chris Brown ft. Busta Rhymes - Look At Me Now

10. Battle Roy with Eminem & The Smeezingtons
Bad Meets Evil ft. Bruno Mars - Lighters

11. Tyler, The Creator with a variety of producers
Tyler, The Creator 'Goblins' album

12. Drumma Boy
Gucci Mane ft. Wale - Pretty B*tches
Young Jeezy - What I Do (Just Like That)
Waka Flocka Flame ft. Roscoe Dash & Wale - No Hands
Gorilla Zoe - King Kong

13. Big K.R.I.T.
Freddie Gibbs - Cold Day In Hell
Smoke DZA - Rolling Stoned
Smoke DZA ft.Bun B & Big K.R.I.T. - On The Corner

14. Kane Beatz
Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On
Roscoe Dash - Good, Good Night
Kane Beatz with J Mike
Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

15. Just Blaze
Drake ft. Rick Ross - Lord Knows
Mac Miller - Best Day Ever
Maybach Music Group - Self Made

16. Cardiak
Wale ft. Jadakiss & Rick Ross - 600 Benz
Lloyd Banks ft. Red Café & Fabolous - The Realist
Fabolous ft. Red Café - Y'all Don't Hear Me Tho
Ace Hood - Letter To My Ex's

17. 9th Wonder
9th Wonder 'The Wonder Years' album
Lil B ft. Jean Grae & Phonte - Base For Your Face
Phonte ft. Evidence & Big K.R.I.T. - The Life of Kings

18. Noel "Detail" Fisher
Lil Wayne - How To Love

19. Swizz Beatz
Swizz Beatz ft. Eve - Everyday (Coolin')
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Welcome To The Jungle

20. Statik Seletah
Statik Seletah 'Population Control' album
Statik Seletah & Action Bronson 'Well Done' album

21. Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys 'Hot Sauce Committee pt 2' album

22. Tricky Stewart
Frank Ocean - Novacane
Tricky Stewart with The-Dream
Beyonce - 1 + 1

23. Lex Luger
Ace Hood - Go N Get It
Wale ft. Jeremih & Rick Ross - That Way
Snoop Dogg ft. R.Kelly - Platinum

24. Madlib
Madlib & Frank Nitti ft. MED - What Can You Tell Me
Roc C ft. Rapper Big Pooh & Blu - Styllions
Freddie Gibbs - Thuggin'

25. Childish Gambino (Donald Glover)
Childish Gambino 'Camp' album

26. Bangladesh
Bad Meets Evil - A Kiss

27. Salaam Remi
Nas - Nasty
B.o.B ft. Andre 3000 - Play The Guitar

28. Noah "Xaphoon Jones" Beresin
Big Sean ft. Wiz Khalifa & Chiddy Bang - High
Chiddy Bang 'Peanut Butter and Swelly' mixtape

29. The Renegades
Ace Hood ft. Rick Ross - Realist Livin'
The Renegades with DJ Nasty & LVM
DJ Khaled ft. Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne & T-Pain - Welcome To My Hood

30. Ski Beatz
Ski Beatz '24 Hour Karate School 2' album
Murs 'Love and Rockets, v.1 The Transformation' album
Jean Grae ft. Talib Kweli & Styles P - R.I.P.

31. The Alchemist
Curren$y - Blood Sweat & Gears
Royce da 5' 9" - I Ain't Coming Down
Evidence ft. Aloe Blacc - The Liner Notes
Evidence ft. Raekwon & Ras Kass - The Red Carpet
Raekwon - Ferry Boat Killaz
The Alchemist with Havoc
Mobb Deep ft. Nas - Dog Sh*t

32. DJ Quik
DJ Quik 'The Book Of David' album

33. Tha Bizness
T-Pain - You Copying Me
Pusha T ft. Kevin Cossum - Feeling Myself
Chris Brown - No BullSh**
Jay Rock ft. Chris Brown - Westside
Glasses Malone - Dope

34. Black Milk
Random Axe (Sean Price, Guilty Simpson & Black Milk) project album
Black Milk & Danny Brown 'Black and Brown' EP

35. Young Fyre
T-Pain ft. Joey Galaxy - Booty Wurk (One Cheek At A Time)
Ace Hood ft. T-Pain - Blood, Sweat & Tears
Ace Hood ft. T-Pain - King of the Streets

36. Pop Wansel & Mike Dean
Big Sean ft. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash - Marvin & Chardonnay

37. Ant
Atmosphere 'The Family Sign' album

38. Exile
Blu 'Give Me My Flowers While I Can Smell Them' album

39. Terrace Martin
Jay Rock ft. J. Black - M.O.N.E.Y.
Glasses Malone ft. Latoya Willams - Feel Good Muzik

40. Harry Fraud
French Montana - Shot Caller
Grafh ft. Chinx Drugz - The Plot Thickens
Juicy J ft. Wiz Khalifa - Stoners Night Pt. 2

41. AraabMuzik
Cam'ron & Vado - Put A Bird Up
Cam'ron - Motivation
Styles P - Ryde On Da Regular

42. Alex Da Kid
Machine Gun Kelly ft. Ester Dean - Invincible
Lupe Fiasco ft. Skylar Grey - Words I Never Said

43. Sonny Digital
Ace Hood ft. Kevin Cossum - Memory Lane
Roscoe Dash - Very First Time
Roscoe Dash - Awesome
Gorilla Zoe ft. Yo Gotti - Nasty
Gorilla Zoe - What's Goin' On

44. Polow Da Don
Lloyd ft. Trey Songz & Young Jeezy - Be The One
Akon ft. Chris Brown - Take It Down Low
Polow Da Don with Rob Holladay
Lil Wayne ft. Rick Ross - John

45. Don Cannon
Estelle ft. Rick Ross - Break My Heart
DJ Drama ft. French Montana & Pusha T - Everything That Glitters

46. Mr. Porter
Bad Meets Evil - I'm On Everything
Royce da 5' 9" - Security
Snoop Dogg ft. Mr. Porter - My Own Way

47. Seven
Tech N9ne ft. Lil Wayne and T-Pain - F*ck Food
Tech N9ne ft. Yelawolf, Busta Rhymes, Twista - Worldwide Choppers

48. DJ Khalil
The Game ft. Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre - Drug Test
Self Scientific ft. Big K.R.I.T. - War Stories
50 Cent - Shootin' Guns
Strong Arm Steady ft. Marsha Ambrosius - When Darkness Falls
Snoop Dogg ft. Devin The Dude & Kobe - I Don't Need No Bitch
Raekwon ft. Ghostface Killah, Jim Jones & Kobe - Rock N Roll

49. S1 with Babyface, Beyonce and others
Beyonce - Best Thing I Never Had

50. DJ Premier
Royce da 5' 9" - Second Place
Evidence - You
The Game - Born In The Trap

51. The Soundkillers (Phoenix, Diome & REO)
Lil Wayne ft. Bruno Mars - Mirror
Noel Gourdin - Not Around, Only You
Donnis ft. XV - Move On
Ghostwridah ft. Billy Blue & Jase - So Alive

52. The Runners
Birdman ft. Lil Wayne Mack Maine & T-Pain - I Get Money
Ace Hood ft. Kevin Cossum - Beautiful
The Runners with The Monarch
DJ Khaled ft. Kevin Rudolf, Tyga, Mack Maine, Jae Millz & Cory Gunz - A Million Lights

53. Sean C & LV
The Roots ft. Greg Porn - Stomp
Raekwon ft. Nas - Rich & Black

54. StreetRunner
Crooked I - Everyday
Royce da 5' 9" - Where My Money At

55. Calvin Harris
Rihanna - We Found Love

56. Ahmir 'Questlove' Thompson with a variety of producers
The Roots 'Undun' album

57. Doc McKinney & Illangelo
The Weeknd ft. Drake - The Zone
The Weeknd ft. Drake - Thursday
Drake 'Take Care' production contributions

58. The Olympicks
ASAP Rocky - Out of this World
Freddie Gibbs - Let 'Em Burn

59. Oh No
Talib Kweli ft. Jean Grae - Uh Oh
Raekwon ft. Method Man - Every Soldier In the Hood

60. Mike WILL
Meek Mill - Tupac Back

61. ID Labs
Chevy Woods ft. Wiz Khalifa - The Cookout
Mac Miller - Blue Slide Park

62. Shawty Redd
Pusha T ft. Young Jeezy & Kanye West - Amen

63. The Neptunes
Pusha T ft. Tyler, The Creator - Trouble On My Mind

64. Supa Dups with Eminem
Bad Meets Evil - Fast Lane

65. J.R. Hutson
Jill Scott ft. Eve - Shame

66. WillPower
Yelawolf ft. Eminem & Gansta Boo - Throw It Up

67. Focus
Rapper Big Pooh Ft. Kenrick Lamar & Ab-Soul - RapperPooh-a-lude
Jay Rock - Bout That

68. David Guetta
David Guetta 'Nothing But The Beat' album

69. Stargate
Wiz Khalifa - Roll Up
Tinie Tempah ft. Wiz Khalifa - Till I'm Gone
Jennifer Lopez ft. Lil Wayne - I'm Into You

70. Flying Lotus
Blu ft. Jack Davey - Everything's OK

71. Nottz
Pusha T - Open Your Eyes
Royce da 5' 9" - Merry Go Round

72. Rick Rubin
Adele '21' album

73. Marsha Ambrosius with additional production by Rich Harrison, Dre & Vidal, Canei Finch, Just Blaze, Focus & Syience
Marsha Ambrosius 'Late Nights & Early Mornings' album

74. Jim Jonsin
Kelly Rowland - Motivation
Yelawolf - Radio
Jim Jonsin with Rico Love
Mary J. Blige ft. Drake - Mr. Wrong
Finatic & Zac with Jim Jonsin
Wax - Two Wheels

75. M-Phazes
Pharoahe Monch ft. Jean Grae & Royce da 5' 9" - Assassins
Talib Kweli - Gutter Rainbows

76. Travis Barker
Travis Barker 'Give The Drummer Some' album

77. Dr. Luke
B.o.B ft Lil Wayne - Strange Clouds
Dr. Luke with Avicii
Flo Rida - Good Feeling

78. Cool & Dre
The Game ft. Lil Wayne - Red Nation
The Game ft. Kendrick Lamar - The City

79. RedOne
Pitbull - Rain Over Me
Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull - On The Floor
RedOne with Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga - Judas
RedOne with BeatGeek and Geo Slam
Jason Derulo - Fight For You

80. Pete Rock
'Monumental' album with Smif N Wessin

81. Da Internz
Big Sean ft. Nicki Minaj - Dance A$$

82. M16
Young Jeezy ft. Jay-Z & Andre 3000 - I Do

83. Jess Jackson
Tyga ft. Chris Richardson - Far Away

84. Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis with Arden "Keyz" Altino
Musiq Soulchild ft. Swizz Beatz - Anything
Mary J. Blige ft. Nas - Feel Inside

85. Marco Polo
Pharoahe Monch ft. Immortal Technique & Vernon Reid - W.A.R.

86. Scram Jones
Raekwon - Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
Raekwon ft. Busta Rhymes - Crane Style

87. Khrysis
The Away Team 'Scars and Stripes' album
Mac Miller - She Said

88. The Smeezingtons
Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa ft. Bruno Mars - Young, Wild & Free

89. Benny Blanco
Gym Class Heroes ft. Adam Levine - Stereo Hearts

90. Sneak Beatz
Wale ft. Miguel - Lotus Flower Bomb

91. T-Pain
T-Pain ft. Lily Allen & Wiz Khalifa - 5 O'Clock

92. DJ Frank E
Akon ft. Ludacris - Drop Down
Pitbull ft. Akon - Mr. Right Now

93. Omen
XV ft. Vado, Cyhi Da Prynce and Erin Christine - All For Me

94. Hallway Productionz
WC - That's What I'm Talking About
WC ft. Ice Cube & Malay - You Know Me

95. Havoc
Mobb Deep ft. Nas - Get It Forever

96. Jay Electronica
Mobb Deep - Call of Duty (Modern Warfare)

97. The Underdogs (Harvey Mason & Damon Thomas)
Chris Brown - Up 2 You
Mary J. Blige - Living Proof

98. Brandon "Bam" Alexander
Tyrese - Stay

99. Jake One
Snoop Dogg ft. Pilot - Gangbang Rookie
Snoop Dogg ft. Bootsy Collins - Toyz N Da Hood
Undergods (Keith Murray & Cannibus) - Undergods Roll

100. 1500 or Nothin'
The Game ft. Lil Wayne & Tyler, The Creator - Martians vs Goblins

(main photo courtesy of Sonic Scoop)

Olympicks: Producers Behind 'The Beats That Didn't Make Teflon Don'

An interesting concept, to take the beats that didn't make the record Rick Ross' Teflon Don and hear those instrumentals. For fans of music production and the Olympicks alike.

To download the project, go HERE

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League At iStandard's ‘Behind The Rhymes’ Music Panel In Atlanta

J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League delivers some insight to how they work together in the studio at the recent iStandard panel in Atlanta.

Producers Cool & Dre Interview

Get caught up with music producers Cool & Dre talking about their newly inked deal with Interscope, working with The Game on the upcoming Red Album and more.

(video courtesy of NBC Nightside Nightcap Miami / Halo Media Entertainment)

Music Producers Roundtable With Ari Levine, RedOne And Alex Da Kid

Above photo courtesy of the L.A Times

This past Saturday (January 15th), I had the privilege attending a music producers roundtable presented by the L.A.Times - The Envelope at the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live downtown. Ari Levine of the Smeezingtons, RedOne and Alex Da Kid were on hand with L.A. Times' Ann Powers as moderator, brought together in honor of the upcoming Grammy Awards in February.

All of the producers on hand presented their latest works to the sold out audience. Ann Powers was especially smitten with the Bruno Mars hook in the Smeezingtons' written song B.o.B's "Nothing On You" ("They might say hi and I might say hey").

The overall encompassing phrase of what it means to be a music producer in the 21st century is "Global Music". Moroccan born and schooled in Sweden RedOne echoed that phase often during the panel, as did his other music producer counterparts.

Ari Levine described the Smeezingtons' creative writing process as a jam session that eventually turns into a song. With drums, keyboards and other equipment around where everybody can jump in and add musical parts.

Alex Da Kid wrote Nicki Minaj's “Massive Attack” on a London subway on his laptop, while drawing inspiration from the electronica group by the same name. He also mentioned that Eminem / Rihanna's "Love The Way You Lie" was written with a $100 acoustic guitar.

Equipment each producer could not live without:
Alex Da Kid - Logic and Waves plug-ins.
Ari Levine - Akai MPC
RedOne - Guitar

None did reveal their secrets, but each producer did say something about upcoming projects they're working on.

Alex Da Kid is working with his new artist Skyler Grey (who is currently heard on the Diddy: Dirty Money's song "Coming Home" and soon to be heard Lupe Fiasco's 2nd single)

RedOne is working with new artist Porcelain who has an upcoming song with a Lil Wayne feature. Zander Black a self described cross between Jim Morrison and Bono and new artist Mohambi, all coming through his new label 2101 Records via Universal Music.

and Ari Levine kept his lips sealed.

Advice to artists out there who want to make it in the music business:

Alex Da Kid:
If you are meeting with someone (industry person) research them. The internet is a great tool, use it.
Judge the competition and do better, out do them.

RedOne:
Learn to write and play an instrument.

All the producers:
They like to work with an artist with their own true musical vision.
Have faith in what you do.
Make yourself stand out.

Although no technical aspects of producing music were bought up, we got a true sense of what it means to be in the music producer drivers' seat, driving pop culture. This being the first music producers panel sponsored by the L.A. Times, judging by the response and turnout, I think there will be more planned in the very new future.

Read the Los Angeles Times account from the event HERE

Producers L & X Music On Crafting The J. Cole 'In The Morning' Beat

via crate kings

Brooklyn production duo L & X Music share their thoughts and experiences on crafting the beat for J. Cole 'In The Morning' featuring Drake on the Friday Night Lights mixtape. What are their thoughts on music programs, FL Studios, Logic and gear like the AKAI MPC, Yamaha Motif, Open Labs Neko, using live instrumentation and more.

The Runners Sign With Warner/Chappell Music To Worldwide Administration Agreement

via the press release

Warner/Chappell Music, the global music publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp., announced it has signed a worldwide administration agreement with The Runners, the hit production team comprised of Jermaine “Mayne” Jackson and Andrew “Dru Brett” Harr. As part of the agreement, Warner/Chappell will administer both Jackson’s and Harr’s interests in all of their future works and select catalog titles.

The Runners have built a solid reputation as a leading hip-hop production team and have also achieved critical and commercial successes in both Pop and R&B. They work across an expanding range of musical styles and collaborated on hit songs for a number of popular songwriters and producers, including Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber, Rihanna, T.I., Trey Songz, Rick Ross, Usher, Chris Brown, Akon, Keyshia Cole, Fabolous, Ludacris and Mary J. Blige.

Mayne and Dru are extraordinarily talented songwriters who started out with great success in the hip-hop world. To see them expand the scope of that success into a broader range of musical genres like pop and R&B is especially exciting. We are proud to have them join the Warner/Chappell family and look forward to opening new doors for them.
- Scott Francis, President, Warner/Chappell Music, and Chairman and CEO, Warner/Chappell Music U.S.

We are excited about creating lots of smashes together.
- Jermaine “Mayne” Jackson

It is gratifying to be in business with a publishing company that has the resources and talent to allow us to have continued success.
- Andrew “Dru Brett” Harr

Pimp C 'The Naked Soul Of Sweet Jones' Tracklist, Features And Producer Credits

Pimp C The Naked Soul Of Sweet Jones on Rap-A-Lot arrives October 5th.

Tracklist below.

01. Down 4 Mine
Produced by Cory Mo for C-Mozart Muzik
Idea created by Scarface

02. What Up? ft. Drake & Bun B
Produced by Boi-1da for Boi1da Productions LLC & Nick Bongers
Original Production by DJ B-Do for 808 Boyz Productions / Team Double Dose

03. Love 2 Ball ft. Chamillionaire
Produced by Steve Below for Below Productions / Team Double Dose

04. Fly Lady ft. Jazze Pha
Produced by Jazze Pha for Noontime Productions

05. Since the 90’s ft. The Gator Man & E-40
Produced by Big E for Big E Beats / Team Double Dose

06. Dickies ft. Bun B & Young Jeezy
Produced by DJ B-Do for 808 Boyz Productions / Team Double Dose

07. Made 4 ft. Too $hort
Produced by Big E for Big E Beats / Team Double Dose & Mike Dean for Dean’s List Production

08. Midnight ft. Rick Ross & Slim Thug
Produced by David Banner

09. Believe In Me ft. Ivory P, Cory Mo, Hezeleo, BankRoll Jones, Bub, & The Underdawgz
Produced by Cory Mo for C-Mozart Muzik

10. Hit the Parking Lot ft. Webbie & Lil’ Boosie
Produced by Mouse for Trill Productions

11. Colors ft. Da Underdawgz
Produced by DJ B-Do for 808 Boyz Productions / Team Double Dose

12. Go 2 War ft. Bun B & J-Dawg
Produced by Steve Below for Below Productions / Team Double Dose

13. Massacre
Produced by VMan Productions for All City Music / Team Dose

(source)

1500 Or Nothin' Productions Reveal A Laundry List Of Songwriters, Artists & Producers Under Their Helm

I first became aware of LA Based 1500 or Nothin' Productions from the Game cut 'Dope Boys' ft. Travis Barker off of the L.A.X. Album.

The main proprietors of 1500 J Black, Larrance Dopson and Walt are interviewed here and provide insight to how the creative musical minds work in Los Angeles, California.

Here are some of the people - songwriters, artists, producers - mentioned who 1500 works with:
Lupe Fiasco
Y.G.
T.I.
B.o.B.
Bobby Valentino
Busta Rhymes
Uncle Chucc
Jordin Sparks
James Fauntleroy II
and any of your favortite rappers.

For more info, go to their website
1500 Or Nothin

video courtesy of iStandard

David Banner & 9th Wonder Team Up For 'Death Of A Pop Star'

via the press release

(May 6, 2010 - Los Angeles, CA) Grammy Award winners David Banner and 9th Wonder, two of hip-hop's heavyweights, are teaming up for the collaborative album Death of a Pop Star slated to be released this summer on Big Face Entertainment. Serving as the artists' first collaborative work together, Death Of A Pop Star offers fans of both David Banner and 9th Wonder a fresh and unique perspective on the music industry.

9th Wonder has a history of teaming with legendary emcees and crafting dream projects that have resulted in both critical and commercial success. With top-selling hit maker David Banner at his side, it's obvious that the respected producer's winning streak isn't slowing down. David Banner's most recent successes include writing, producing, and arranging (with guidance from Jimmy Smith and The G Team at Chalt Day) the new non-hip hop Gatorade theme song "Evolve," performed by Kermit Quinn. To some, pairing with Banner, who is also a celebrated producer in his own right, having produced smash hits like T.I.'s "Rubberband Man," might seem like an odd thing for 9th Wonder to do but this project was a wholly mutual vision between both artists.

The duo's driving creative force for the album stems from shared feelings about the state of the music industry and the de-valuing of music. Concerned that listener's today exist in a world where style wins over substance to the detriment of both the music industry, and the arts, the pair decided to take action. "We first were going to make it a free mixtape release, but then we realized it was bigger than that," explains Banner on their intentions. The duo set out to create a set that would help bring the focus back to music; not image.

While their project began in earnest with their eye on the state of hip-hop, a mutual respect for each other's artistry helped drive the partnership. "9th Wonder is probably one of the most soulful cats in our generation," says Banner, praising the North Carolina producer know for his work with Little Brother, Jay-Z, Beyonce, and more. "Death Of A Pop Star is needed for a balance in the music landscape right now, just like 2 Live Crew and A Tribe Called Quest were once needed at the same time."

9th Wonder adds, "David Banner and I both share the same views on topics such as manhood, being black in America in present day, and the state of black music in general. David and I hash out a lot of options before we actually do a song. Once we get past all the options, the end result is always clear." For fans looking toward the summer release, this David Banner and 9th Wonder collaboration may serve as only a beginning, rather than the pinnacle, for the Death Of A Pop Star concept. Visualized as an ongoing concept, the duo is keeping their options open. Satiating fans, Banner says, "Who knows what concept Death Of A Pop Star may be in the future, next year it might be Lil Wayne and Pete Rock. 9th Wonder and I would still oversee it, but we don't know what it's gonna be." He continues, "This concept is bigger than hip-hop music. It shows us that young people do have soul."

K-Salaam and Beatnick: Music Producers Recent Activities

via the press release

STB Music Publishing writers and production duo extraordinaire K-Salaam and Beatnick have kept busy in the past few months. They have remixed and produced an impressive amount of music and have worked with some of the top artists in the game. The team recently produced the official remix for multiplatinum rock band Keane’s new single “Stop For A Minute” ft. K’naan which was released on April 13th on Interscope Records.

Throwing their hat into the mixtape arena, they produced songs on mixtapes for Lil Wayne, Bun B, Talib Kweli, K’naan and many more. They recently produced a single for 50 Cent’s new album coming out in September. K-Salaam and Beatnick has also had a hand in up and coming artist like rising hip hop and film star Metis for whom they produced his new single “Walk The Walk” on upcoming album called “The Path.” Not stopping there, be on the lookout for their production on Reggae artist Collie Buddz’s new album and Rhymefest’s new album “El Che.”

The lucrative video game market has also been stamped by K-Salaam and Beatnick. They produced the music for a new DJ video game called "Scratch Battle" for the iPhone. From Rock, Hip Hop to video games, K-Salaam and Beatnick do not set boundaries for the various genres or industries they work with. Keep your ears and eyes tuned in to these two talented producers because they have much more to come.

Phil Ramone and Pharrell Williams: Keynote Session At The International MEIEA Conference

Phil Ramone and Pharrell Williams Keynote Session at the 2010 International MEIEA Conference hosted by the University of Miami and held in Coral Gables, Florida, on Friday March 26th, 2010.

Photos:
Phil Ramone and Pharrell Williams

SXSW 2010 Beat Society Showcase Austin, TX This Saturday!

Featured producers: DJ Babu, Marco Polo, Oddisee, Kev Brown, and The Are.

Performers: Dice Raw, Diamond District, and Torae

Hosts: DJ Rhettmatic and Peter Rosenberg

Beat Society
Saturday, March 20th
Doors Open @ 1PM/ Event Starts 3PM
Free Admission

Submerged
333 East 2nd Street
Austin, TX

Cool & Dre Interview

Urswurve caught up with the critically acclaimed production team Cool & Dre in the American Airlines Arena StarBox at the Heat vs Bobcats game in Miami. Dre talks about their work on Lil Wayne Rebirth album and upcoming Baby & Lil Wayne album Like Father Like Son 2.

Relapse 2: Alchemist Spills The Beans On Eminem Working With DJ Khalil

DJ Khalil seems like the preeminent music producer that Eminem would go to. The LA based Khalil is on a hot streak + he's a in-house Aftermath producer, it only makes sense.

via XXL

Off the heels of his Grammy performance of “Forever” with Eminem, Lil Wayne, Drake and Travis Barker, XXLMag.com had the chance to chop it up with The Alchemist about Em’s highly anticipated new disc, Relapse 2.

While the disc does not have a release date as of press time, ALC says Em is hard at work in the studio with DJ Khalil. The West Coast beatsmith has had a big year, producing standout joints for Drake (“Fear”), Clipse (“Kinda Like a Big Deal”) and Slaughterhouse (“Cuckoo”).

“Khalil—who I think is like the best producer right now to me—he had been sending records to Em for a while that wasn’t like, they weren’t like clicking in,” Alchemist told XXL. “Em knew he was dope but they haven’t found the right one. And I think they found a couple joints now… the joints they have are crazy. I can’t say 100 percent [that he made the album], but I have heard at least two joints Khalil did and they’re fuckin’ stupid.”

Al, who serves as the Detroit lyricist’s tour DJ, revealed that he has yet to score a beat on Em’s project. “I’m starting to be around Em and the camp more,” he said, “especially finishing these albums. Factor in Em’s sober now, it’s like that’s my man, we chop it up a lot more now…it’s like little by little I’m figuring out what I have to do to create a sound that would be Alchemist/Eminem. I didn’t get it yet.”

One person that Em has been working a lot with is Just Blaze. Al gave XXL insight into their chemistry: “He clicked with Em,” he said. “It was really amazing, too. They really vibed and made some music, beyond like Just just sending him beats, it was nothing like that…I think it’s a perfect meshing of the two…If you could imagine what they could bring to the table at this point, it’s pretty close and maybe a little more.”

In fact, in ALC’s opinion, the whole album is a level above the first Relapse. “He’s doing things lyrically on this album that he hasn’t done before,” he shared. “The punchline game is really back.”

Chris Blackwell: Island Records, Bob Marley Music Producer Honored During Grammy Week

via Pro Sound

As part of its 2010 Grammy Week Event, The Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing celebrated the music of Island Records’ founder Chris Blackwell last night at The Village Studios, West Los Angeles.

Catch a Fire honored the label’s consistent excellence in music and sound, as well as the many recording professionals that worked behind the scenes to create its landmark sessions.

Blackwell’s vision and commitment brought to the world the music of such time-honored artists such as Desmond Dekker and the Aces, Nick Drake, Melissa Etheridge, Grace Jones, Bob Marley, Roxy Music, Cat Stevens, Toots and the Maytals, U2 and Steve Winwood. The event was named for the title of Bob Marley’s first album, which last year was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame; co-hosts were musician/producers Jimmy Jam and Daniel Lanois, who also played a musical tribute to Blackwell.

In addition to the evening’s presenting partners, West LA Music/Westlake Audio and The Village Studios, other sponsors included Avid, Shure, PMC, Prism Sound, Harman brands AKG, JBL and Lexicon, Monster Cable, Melodyne, Korg, Native Instruments, MXL, KRK Systems and Sennheiser.

“We were proud to celebrate the innovative and lasting music of Island Records and its venerable founder,” stated Maureen Droney, P&E Wing senior executive director. “To have had so many great companies partner with us was truly an honor.” Special guest DJ for the evening was producer/remixer/sound supervisor Jason Bentley, who also serves as KCRW-FM’s music director.

Photos from the event:
Film Magic