.ScottishHead
09-29-2007, 04:41 PM
I'll compose a list consisting of 10 MC/Producers who are above average in both aspects. A basic summary of the reasons I chose them.
1. RZA
There's not much I need to say about RZA except for a few things, one being that he's one of the greatest, most innovative hip hop proudcers of all time. Without him nobody would be talking about Wu Tang today, we wouldn't have classics like 36 Chambers, Tical, Liquid Swords, Only Built, Return to the 36 Chambers etc. He is renowned for his work on the boards, but infact he's skilled on the mic too as some may know. His solo LPs weren't as exceptional as some of the other Wu releases but still remarkable nonetheless.
2. Daniel Dumile
Some say Dumile is acquired taste, however I think you need to listen to all his albums, several times to truly appreciate his music and realize that it is quality. He's a quirky character who's both excellent on the microphone and in the beat-making department. His rhymes are enclosed in wit, his off beat flow is unique, and his husky voice is recognizable. The masterpiece he self produced "Operation: Doomsday" has some of his best beats while he's made numerous Instrumental LPs, and more than a few great beats for Ghostface.
3. Lord Finesse
Lord Finesse from Diggin' In the Crates was one of the most skilled MCs in the 90s and just as good at making beats. Arguably the first ever rapper to use punchlines which would influence Big L, but he is more versatile and his smooth flow sound great over his own funky beats. "Funky Technician" is an undeniable classic, and even though it had none of his own beats, he spit some of his best rhymes on that album. He produced a portion of L's debut classic and his third album "The Awakening".
4. Nerco
Necro is definetly somebody that is acquired taste, and the reason being some people just can't look past his narrow subject matter of sex and death, and realize that his rhymes are just as complex as some of the MCs many people praise. His multies are incredible. He's not worth listening to if you are a "concious hip hop only head" because his music is too hardcore and brutal for those type of people. Most people that don't like his raps know how good he is on the boards, his beats are amazing.
5. Havoc
Havoc is a legend beat creator, everyone knows it. He has produced some of greatest hardcore, head nodding hip hop beats of all time, and had a part to play in making three classic LPs. He's in the shadows of Prodigy when it comes to rapping mainly because he was more concentrated on producing, but he was better than average on the mic. Apart from the recent selling out, he stayed consistent over the years and still to this day makes some decent beats.
6. Erick Sermon
Sermon is an innovator, originator and trendsetter at the highest tier when it comes to beats. Influenced many producers today, was a member of the legendary duo EPMD, and is immense at sampling. He produced many classics, my favourite being "Muddy Waters" , and more importantly introduced heads to Redman. On the mic piece he is better than average too, his voice and flow are immediately recognizable.
7. Madlib
My favourite producer at the moment has so many great works it's unbelievable and he's still got a lot of years ahead of himself. A master at sampling and an excellent musician as he plays more than a few instruments. He's creative all of the time, always new ideas on the different LPs he produces from Lootpack's "Da Antidote", to the Quas albums, to "Madvillainy", and of course his own solos. Undoubtedly better at producing than rapping, but definetly decent at rhyming.
8. Kanye West
One of the most popular artists in music today, he doesn't have the legendary status of some others but has definetly made his fair share of qaulity music. "The College Dropout" is a classic feel good album and the beats are wonderfully layered. "Late Registration" isn't as good but still a great album. Also he's took part in of two exceptional Common albums and the a large portion of Jay Z's classic "The Blueprint". Kanye can be suspect sometimes in the lyrical department but the majority of the time his lyrics are entertianing.
9. Large Professor
Large Pro is mostly known for three tracks on "Illmatic" but is underrated by most hip hop heads. He produced the now out of print classic "Breaking Atoms" by Main Source and two of his onw solo LPs. Not just a good beat maker, he's also an intelligent MC with nice rhymes.
10. Diamond D
Diamond, another member of Diggin In The Crates self produced most of his albums, the best of the lot is his debut "Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop" which is a great example of New York hardcore hip hop at its best. "Sally Got A One Track Mind" is one of the best hip hop songs ever made. His rhyming style is great and his flow, one of the best aspects of his raps.
Thoughts?
1. RZA
There's not much I need to say about RZA except for a few things, one being that he's one of the greatest, most innovative hip hop proudcers of all time. Without him nobody would be talking about Wu Tang today, we wouldn't have classics like 36 Chambers, Tical, Liquid Swords, Only Built, Return to the 36 Chambers etc. He is renowned for his work on the boards, but infact he's skilled on the mic too as some may know. His solo LPs weren't as exceptional as some of the other Wu releases but still remarkable nonetheless.
2. Daniel Dumile
Some say Dumile is acquired taste, however I think you need to listen to all his albums, several times to truly appreciate his music and realize that it is quality. He's a quirky character who's both excellent on the microphone and in the beat-making department. His rhymes are enclosed in wit, his off beat flow is unique, and his husky voice is recognizable. The masterpiece he self produced "Operation: Doomsday" has some of his best beats while he's made numerous Instrumental LPs, and more than a few great beats for Ghostface.
3. Lord Finesse
Lord Finesse from Diggin' In the Crates was one of the most skilled MCs in the 90s and just as good at making beats. Arguably the first ever rapper to use punchlines which would influence Big L, but he is more versatile and his smooth flow sound great over his own funky beats. "Funky Technician" is an undeniable classic, and even though it had none of his own beats, he spit some of his best rhymes on that album. He produced a portion of L's debut classic and his third album "The Awakening".
4. Nerco
Necro is definetly somebody that is acquired taste, and the reason being some people just can't look past his narrow subject matter of sex and death, and realize that his rhymes are just as complex as some of the MCs many people praise. His multies are incredible. He's not worth listening to if you are a "concious hip hop only head" because his music is too hardcore and brutal for those type of people. Most people that don't like his raps know how good he is on the boards, his beats are amazing.
5. Havoc
Havoc is a legend beat creator, everyone knows it. He has produced some of greatest hardcore, head nodding hip hop beats of all time, and had a part to play in making three classic LPs. He's in the shadows of Prodigy when it comes to rapping mainly because he was more concentrated on producing, but he was better than average on the mic. Apart from the recent selling out, he stayed consistent over the years and still to this day makes some decent beats.
6. Erick Sermon
Sermon is an innovator, originator and trendsetter at the highest tier when it comes to beats. Influenced many producers today, was a member of the legendary duo EPMD, and is immense at sampling. He produced many classics, my favourite being "Muddy Waters" , and more importantly introduced heads to Redman. On the mic piece he is better than average too, his voice and flow are immediately recognizable.
7. Madlib
My favourite producer at the moment has so many great works it's unbelievable and he's still got a lot of years ahead of himself. A master at sampling and an excellent musician as he plays more than a few instruments. He's creative all of the time, always new ideas on the different LPs he produces from Lootpack's "Da Antidote", to the Quas albums, to "Madvillainy", and of course his own solos. Undoubtedly better at producing than rapping, but definetly decent at rhyming.
8. Kanye West
One of the most popular artists in music today, he doesn't have the legendary status of some others but has definetly made his fair share of qaulity music. "The College Dropout" is a classic feel good album and the beats are wonderfully layered. "Late Registration" isn't as good but still a great album. Also he's took part in of two exceptional Common albums and the a large portion of Jay Z's classic "The Blueprint". Kanye can be suspect sometimes in the lyrical department but the majority of the time his lyrics are entertianing.
9. Large Professor
Large Pro is mostly known for three tracks on "Illmatic" but is underrated by most hip hop heads. He produced the now out of print classic "Breaking Atoms" by Main Source and two of his onw solo LPs. Not just a good beat maker, he's also an intelligent MC with nice rhymes.
10. Diamond D
Diamond, another member of Diggin In The Crates self produced most of his albums, the best of the lot is his debut "Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop" which is a great example of New York hardcore hip hop at its best. "Sally Got A One Track Mind" is one of the best hip hop songs ever made. His rhyming style is great and his flow, one of the best aspects of his raps.
Thoughts?