Woody Black's Favorite Producers of 2011

This one's in no particular order (unlike my usual Top 10 approach) as we salute to the beatsmiths who kept our heads ringin' for the '11.




Kanye West/Mike Dean/Q-Tip/Pharrell/Swizz Beatz/Sak Pase/88 Keys/whoever else produced on "Watch the Throne"

"Watch the Throne" may have not been put up to 'classic' standards, but it's definitely memorable. If it weren't the ballerific and swagged-out lyrics, then it was definitely the beats that keep heads noddin' throughout the EPIC record (no label-o). The team of many producers that I'm sure Jay & 'Ye probably paid through their own "how-much-you-love-yo'-lady" money blessed them with many musical dopeness. Even the snarkiest critic would ask for a "WTT" instrumental thanks to these guys. Those ishes were cray!



Lex Luger

Some may consider Lex Luger a one-trick pony that if you play many of his instrumentals consecutively, they'll sound like one huge song. I, however, think that this producer with the same name as the former WWF Total Package wrestler brings a bangin' soundtrack to the streets. You can not say they're NOT hard, boomin', and make someone slap their own momma for no reason (not that I condone slappin' mommas where, if yours is like mine, you should sign your last wills and testaments if you do so). Gucci and Waka Flocka songs would've never worked if it was accapella, but thankfully Luger gave them edge that probably wouldn't work as well, otherwise.




Focus...

The music of Focus... always proves that music should be taken advantage as an expressive art form and not just something to get rich to. Whether he goes for soul, ballad, or some hardcore boom-bap, Focus... brings it all to give listeners whatever they'll need. Music for the Misinterpreted shows Focus... in his true form and should be copped whether or not you've heard how focused (pun intended, sue me) he is when it comes to making music.



Khrysis

Khrysis got down with the underground and the most respected emcees alike. From Rapsody to Talib Kweli to Phonte to De La Soul, Khrysis still be on the boards with the heat! He even reunited with Sean Boog to drop a long-awaited Away Team record in its own right. I read the liner notes of Evidence's Cats & Dogs and I found out Khrysis played bass and organs on "I Don't Need Love." Ain't that bananas?



DJ Premier

Well, I'm a justifiable Preemo stan ('cause he makes the best beats, duh!), so he might be on my list every year. But this year, in particular, Preemo really held it down. From creating bangers with Apathy, Royce Da 5'9", Game, Mac Miller, Evidence, and a whole numerous of others, Premier shows that he still got the golden touch he had over 20 years ago with Gang Starr (R.I.P. Guru) when it comes to making beats.



Pete Rock

I'm also a Pete Rock stan, so he might be on my list every year, too. But one can't count out his full album work with Smif-N-Wessun as garbage, when it's incredibly far from it. Pete Rock also gave hip-hop listeners a happy ending to Jay & 'Ye's "Watch the Throne" when he produced the album's finale, "The Joy." P-R, like Preemo, isn't out of touch when it comes to creating hip-hop music. In fact, like fine wine, his beats gets better with time. Pete Rock bang your head, break the drumsticks!



Just Blaze

Just Blaze could form an entire orchestra or he can just stick to using a drum machine. Either way, Just Blaze creates beats thsat truly lives to his name. Many of Blaze's highlights includes producing Saigon's Greatest Story Never Told record, Marsha Ambrosius's slow ballad "Far Away," and Drake's "Lord Knows," which the latter is voted as one of the best beats of the year from the masses. Just Blaze continues to be in his apex when it comes to making music.



9th Wonder

2011 truly is The Wonder Year. Not just refering to his long-awaited album that's been released to many acclaim, but the fact that he's been the go-to guy when it comes to hip-hop and soulful beats. THose who have been complaining that his drums are the same as Frooty Loops should've noticed that his beats evolved long ago. 9th Wonder gives people reason to love hip-hop again, as he reunited with his former friend-turned-rival Phonte to give the masses what they need: real music.



Statik Selektah

Freddie Gibbs, Bumpy Knuckles, Freeway, Action Bronson, and Reks were blessed with having Selektah producing the majority or full album. Selecktah lives for hip-hop with no gimmicks as he works to earn respect more than hype and fame with his beats. Selektah is the guy you can always count on to bring you the raw and uncut hip-hop joints for this year and many years to come.