These Are The Most Influential Producers In The Music Industry
When it comes to music, rarely do producers get public attention. The stars always take lead, regardless of how good the song is. Many producers with tons of credit to their name often prefer to take a back seat and be content that the music is speaking for itself. Once in a while, producers opt to transition to artistry as Kanye West did, and when that happens, it often certifies them as multi-talented acts who can produce, sing/rap, or write songs.
The music industry has its fair share of producers, many who put in the work behind the scenes, and a few whose craft has grown beyond borders and earned them worldwide recognition. Some of these producers have gone on to become music executives and establish multi-million-dollar companies and ventures. They are the powerhouses behind some of our favorite hits. These are the most influential players in the music business.
10 Kanye West
Kanye West’s career as a producer dates all the way back to the ‘90s, almost a decade before the release of his debut album, The College Dropout. He’s credited to have made contributions to albums by Jermaine Dupri, Lil’ Kim, Da Brat, and Jay-Z. He is a rapper, and a songwriter in his own right, and arguably a threat in the music industry due to his combination of skills. That, in addition to his star power, makes him the most influential producer-turned-artist.
9 Quincy Jones
Growing up in Chicago, Quincy Jones’ love for music was inspired by his mother and his next-door neighbor, Ms. Lucy Jackson, who said she couldn’t keep him off her piano. That passion would grow and make him one of the biggest moguls in the music industry, with 28 Grammys to his name. As a producer, Jones has worked with who’s who in the music business, including the late legend Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Chaka Khan.
8 Linda Perry
Linda Perry rose to prominence as the lead singer and songwriter for the music group 4 Non Blondes. She is a genius producer who’s responsible for songs like ‘Get the Party Started’ by P!nk, and has made contributions to albums by A-list artists like Adele and Alicia Keys. In 2015, the producer was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has a total of four Grammy nominations, including one for Song of the Year.
7 Diplo
Although he’s a third of Major Lazer, and part of LSD alongside Sia and Labrinth, Thomas Wesley Pentz, best known as Diplo, is a force in the music industry. As a record producer, his career dates back to the early 2000s, and includes singles such as ‘Hold Up’, off of Beyonce’s 2016 album, Lemonade, and Usher’s ‘Climax’. Diplo has worked with a number of artists, including The Weekend, Madonna, and Nicki Minaj.
6 Pharrell Williams
For many years, Pharrell was ‘the man behind the man’. He was discovered by producer Ted Riley, as part of The Neptunes. In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, The Neptunes produced music for various artists including Jay-Z, Pusha T, Nelly, and Babyface. The Neptunes also produced Snoop Dogg’s 2004 hit ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’, which featured Williams. His big break came in 2013 when he released the worldwide hit ‘Happy’.
5 Dr. Dre
Born Andre Romelle Young, Dr. Dre began his career as part of World Class Wreckin’ Cru, and later became part of N.W.A. Besides founding the now popular Beats by Dr. Dre, which’s affiliated with Apple, he is credited with the recognition of West Coast G-funk. Dr. Dre has worked with many acts in the music industry, including Eminem, The Game, and Kendrick Lamar.
4 Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin is well-known as the brains behind Def Jam records, alongside Russell Simmons. In 2007, he was referred to by MTV as the ‘most important producer of the last 20 years’, and has appeared on Times 100 list of the most influential people in the world. He’s been described by fellow producer Dr. Dre as ‘the dopest producer ever that anyone would want to be, ever.’
3 Swizz Beatz
Born Kasseem Daoud Dean, Swizz Beatz gained milestones early in his career by working closely with DMX. His is an expertise that covers many-a-sound, including hip-hop, RnB, soul, and rock. He’s worked with many artists across vast genres including Eve, Faith Evans, Diddy, Birdman, Cassidy, and Remy Ma. He's is credited for churning out award-winning singles. He holds a record as the very first ‘Producer in Residence’ at the New York University.
2 Timbaland
Born Timothy Zachery Mosley, Timbaland has established his footing as a big-time producer, having been credited by Entertainment Weekly as' the man behind every current pop trend'. While he is a rapper and singer in his own right, as a producer he’s responsible for some songs by Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child, Jay-Z, Ginuwine, and Missy Elliott to name a few. He, alongside Swizz Beatz, founded the now popular Verzuz.
1 Danny Elfman
While Danny Elfman began his career and grew in popularity as part of the band Oingo Bingo, he quickly found his footing in music production. As a composer, he is credited for making more than 100 film scores, some of which have earned him two Emmys and a Grammy. He’s closely worked with Tim Burton, Sam Raimi, and Gus Van Sant. In 2015, he was awarded the Disney Legend Award.
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