The World According to Deez: Producers in ‘08
Anyone who doesn’t know Sean Deez is a columnist over at Kevin Nottingham’s site, Remot & EOM’s manager, the founder of a secret invite only hip hop trivia contest, and a good friend. So I decided that Vinyl Meltdown could use a little more Deez. Without further ado, Sean Deez’s top 10 producers of 2008.*
10. Jake One
- White Van Music proved that Jake could make an album of his own. Albeit, it wasn’t as spectacular as could’ve been, but it certainly delivered when it was necessary. He has a respectable collection of other freelance work including joints on Caltroit, T.O.S, Not For Sale, and Million Dollar Backpack. Jake will undoubtedly continue to be a force in hip hop.
Our Exclusive Interview with Jake One
9. Alchemist
- His work with Prodigy on H.N.I.C Part II probably wouldn’t of been enough to get him on here, but throw on a huge spot on The Carter 3 and his work on the Layover EP and he’s a shoe in. Alchemist has delivered in 2008 and will continue to deliver in 2009, consistently (as always).
Producer Spotlight on The Alchemist
8. 9th Wonder
- I’d love to apply the quality over quantity product here, but I can’t. It’s too hard. 9th put out a ton of material this year, so he was due for a few joints to hit hard. Sweet Lord was, in typical Murs & 9th fashion, great, while The Formula had a few knockers. He contributed, arguably, the best 3 beats on Murs For President and arguably, delivered one of the best beats of the year with Badu’s “Honey.” He showed an interesting side with his remix of “Success” on the Viva La Hova mixtape, and delivered another beauty on the DJ KO album. He should always have plenty of material out there; he’s got heat when he wants to bare down and deliver the goods.
Producer Spotlight on 9th Wonder
7. Khrysis
- 2007 was the year of Khrysis. Everybody placed him ahead of 9th Wonder and expected nothing but big things from him. He cooled off a bit in 2008, but still had plenty of steam to remain on this list. His beats in 2008 have clearly been of the premium brand. Both beats on D.I.R.T are arguably the best on the album (and call for a Sean P/Khrysis album), as well as his joint on the Torae and plenty of J League affiliates. Who could forget about his gem, “For Whom The Bell Tolls.”
6. Illmind
- A strong first quarter highlighted by his four unreal joints on the Akrobatik LP already made Illmind a mainstay for this list. The list of work he’s done may not be as lengthy as someone like 9th Wonder, but its quality is top notch. His work on D.I.R.T and even on the Diamond D album was spectacular. Even though he’s more underground based, he’s a heavy hitter. People will eventually come knocking by the hundreds to get a piece of Illmind if he keeps making hits like he did in 2008.
5. Nottz
- He’s had a busy year, but it’s paid off. Gathering up big name credits with Game and Snoop, he also managed to consistent hit the underground with Termanology and Murs. He even dabbled in the not so underground with Kardinall and Bishop, while giving two bangers to Scarface for his farewell album. Come to think of it, Nottz was all over the place in 2008, so you have undoubtedly heard something from him.
Our Exclusive Interview with Nottz
4. Nicolay
- Aside from the number one producer on this list, no one here has evolved their music quite like Nicolay did. He did two great projects: Time:Line with Kay, and Leave It All Behind with Phonte. It is in these two pieces that we see the musical expansion of Nic. Using a huge variety of sounds, instruments and techniques; Nicolay has clearly elevated his game. He didn’t forget about the gritty, raw hip hop though. “EMC (What It’s Stand For)” is a contender for beat of the year (I don’t think I’ll be doing that list) and his joint with J-Live is the most perfect closing beat for an album of that caliber. He’ll continue to grow…that’s the scary part.
Producer Spotlight on Nicolay | Nicolay Production Podcast
3. DJ Premier
- It’s a little unfair to have premier here, but he’s pretty much a perennial candidate on this list every year. It’s just a matter of where he will land. 2008 has been a strong year for the legend, but a quietly strong and busy year. Handling a majority of production for the Big Shug album and dealing a lot with Blaq Poet, Preemo still found time to drop bombs on us like “That White” and “Society is Brainwashed.” His joint with Kool G Rap was long overdue and “M.V.P” with Ludacris is easily the album’s standout. He reconnected with KRS One to re-up “Criminal Minded” (for that whole Smirnoff campaign) and dropped another stand out on the remarkable Reks album. The catalog keeps growing for him, as he added two more remixes to his resume (Maroon 5, Mark Ronson).
Producer Spotlight on DJ Premier | Exclusive Preemo Mixes: Vol 1 – Vol 2 – Vol 3
2. Statik Selektah
- He could be considered somewhat of a Premier-disciple. The similarities are there and Statik shows flashes of Premier in him, more so than other producers of this modern era. With his debut album in 2007, he left his mark on hip hop, but with Stick 2 the Script, Statik has officially been written in with a permanent marker. The sophomore LP is one of 2008’s best and gives some of the most consistent production of 2008. He also handled just about everything on Reks’ Grey Hairs. He has a few free lance tracks here and there, including the lone bright spot on the dreadful Foxy Brown release. He’ll stay on the mixtape scene as a DJ, but he certainly has all the credibility and skill needed to over see an album as a producer.
Stick 2 The Script Album Review
1. Black Milk
- This was sincerely a no-brainer. Handling a large amount from the first quarter release of his release with Bishop Lamont, Caltroit, and The Set Up with Fat Ray, we were only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Then they came, one after the others: Elzhi’s The Preface and Black Milk’s Tronic. It was deadly. He connected with legend, godfather, master, Gza for “7 Pounds” and hooked up Guilty Simpson with 3 ridiculous tracks for Ode to the Ghetto. Ranging from acts like Torae to Kidz in the Hall to DJ KO to Buff1, Black was all over the map. His production is as tight as ever and he seems to be a student of the game, constantly willing to do whatever it takes to elevate his sound. He took notice with his emceeing and took an even greater notice with his production. A year that he will never forget and probably the year that made everyone know the name of Black Milk for good.
Tronic Album Review | The Preface Album Review
Honorable Mentions
- DJ Toomp
- Kanye West
- Charles Hamilton
- Scott Storch
- Polow Da Don
- Ant
- Focus
- M-Phazes
*Sean Deez’s views are not necessarily reflective of the views of Vinyl Meltdown. But he does have good taste. And we like him.
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