The hottest hip-hop producers to look out for in 2019

Every form of art has an umbrella and it contains imaginations, expression, and ideas. In music, producers provide artists with an umbrella for their ad libs, hums, auto-tune gargles and lyrical expressions.

While it is important to applaud artists for their lyrical and vocal dexterity, it is also necessary to give exceptional producers the credit they deserve for transforming records with their magical touch.

In 2018, hip-hop songs took over the charts with 70% of the top songs attributed to hit-makers like Drake, Travis Scott, Childish Gambino, and Cardi B. In spite of this, the real masterminds behind those hits were the producers who crafted the beats that acted as the foundation for such tunes.

From Tay Keith’s mind-blowing touch on ‘SICKO MODE’, to Turbo’s influence on top hits by Gunna and Lil Baby, many beat makers matched the energy of the MCs to create unending vibes for hip-hop fans year.

With anticipated projects from rappers like Kanye West, ScHoolboy Q, Childish Gambino, Cardi B, and EarthGang in 2019, many hip-hop producers are bound to take the world by storm as they whip up enchanting beats in the studio.

While there’s an endless list of record producers to look out for this year, the producers listed in this article deserve to be praised for their contributions to hip-hop through certain songs in 2018.

Due to their outstanding performance last year, one can’t help but wait patiently to listen to the sounds they produce this year.

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To begin, here’s a list of honourable mentions who shaped outstanding rap songs last year, and are set to do the same this year: DY Crazy, Cubeatz, Earl The Pearl, DJ Durel, Zaytoven, Honorable C.N.O.T.E, Murda Beatz, Nick Mira, Quay Global, Southside, TrapMoneyBenn,y and !llmind.

In no order, here are the hip-hop producers to look out for in 2019.

Mike Dean

In hip-hop production, Mike Dean is like a god amongst angels. The legendary producer has worked with generations of great rappers.

Right now, Dean is arguably the most consistent behind-the-scenes hero in hip-hop. Last year, he played a major role in producing 5 albums in 5 weeks for GOOD Music.

As a result, Pusha T’s Daytona was one of the best hip-hop albums of the year while ye, Kids See Ghosts, NASIR, and K.T.S.E. were filled with many prominent sounds that were well-received by critics.

At this point, Mike Dean’s super power is no secret to artists and he’s sure to always be on demand for something major.

Notable production: Pusha T – ‘Santeria’

Check out Pusha T’s ‘Santeria’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2wExTBpPAI

Tay Keith

Last year, Tay Keith was arguably the most sought-after producer. For every time the tag, “Tay Keith, fuck these niggas up!” came up, wigs were snatched.

2018 has been the biggest year of his career so far, but with that foundation and his talent, he might just top his previous achievements with more accolades in 2019.

Notable production: Travis Scott – ‘SICKO MODE’

Check out Travis Scott’s ‘SICKO MODE’:

Turbo

Atlanta producer, Turbo is responsible for many of Gunna’s biggest records. His signature sound—which is a blend of strings, percussion and brass instruments—has made it easy for rappers melodic flows to create groovy tunes out of.

Last year, artists like Lil Baby, Shy Glizzy, and Nav tapped into the vibe he sets with his beats and were left with hit songs. Although we don’t know when Yung Gunna is set to release his debut album (hopefully this year), his right-hand man in production, Turbo ,will be there to create unforgettable sounds.

Notable production: Lil Baby x Gunna – ‘Drip Too Hard’

Check out Lil Baby x Gunna’s ‘Drip Too Hard’:

Wheezy

Having produced many of the best songs in Thugger’s discography, it’s safe to say Wheezy is one of the rapper’s personal favourites. Wheezy is the kind of beat maker you assign an entire project to and get multiple bangers as a reward.

Lil Baby’s ‘Yes Indeed’ is the song that introduced the rapper to more people, and it was produced by none other than Wheezy.

He is also responsible for tunes like Young Thug’s ‘Chanel (Go Get It)’, Meek Mill’s ‘Going Bad’, and many songs on the collaborative album between Future and Juice WRLD, WRLD On Drugs.

Notable production: Quavo – ‘Flip The Switch’

Check out Quavo’s ‘Flip The Switch’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL-t3MLskMY

Kanye West

Kanye West isn’t just known as a legendary rapper, but also a legendary producer. Ye knows how to make head’s bob and capture the soul of rap fans with special samples.

Last year, he produced many hits for artists signed to GOOD Music. He also released his albums in the midst of so many controversies, yet found a way to hypnotise everyone who declared him “cancelled” with jaw-dropping beats.

He is expected to release his upcoming album, Yandhi, sometime this year (depending on his mood), but one thing we all know about this album is the beats and samples are going to hit hard.

Notable production: Pusha T – ‘If You Know You Know’

Check out Pusha T’s ‘If You Know You Know’:

Metro Boomin

At a point in 2017, Metro Boomin was responsible for ten percent of the songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Although he wasn’t as busy in 2018, crafting beats and constructing new sounds are things Young Metro does effortlessly.

Seven songs from his debut album, Not All Heroes Wear Capes, debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, proving that Metro Boomin will always be the King of the charts.

Notable production: Metro Boomin (with 21 Savage) – ’10 Freaky Girls’

Check out Metro Boomin’s ’10 Freaky Girls’:

Pharrell

Pharrell is a prolific producer whose impact has been felt in many genres. When he isn’t working with pop stars or R&B singers, he’s helping hip-hop artists create extraordinary sounds.

Pharrell doesn’t do basic! ‘Stir Fry’, ‘APESHIT’, and Travis Scott’s ‘SKELETONS’, are amongst the few rap songs handled by the production guru in the past year, and they all caught the attention of the world. Pharrell continues to create magical tunes year after year.

Notable Song: The Carters – ‘APESHIT’

Check out The Carters’ ‘APESHIT’:

WondaGurl

Ebony Oshunrinde aka WondaGurl is one of the few producers who has worked with Travis Scott on every studio album he has released. The Canadian producer is the mastermind behind Rich The Kid’s ‘Too Gone’, Travis Scott’s ‘CAN’T SAY’, and the club banger, ‘NO BYSTANDERS’.

Beginning the year on a high note, she received an invite to J. Cole’s Revenge Of The Dreamers III session as a producer, and we know she didn’t leave Atlanta without creating a striking beat.

Notable production: Travis Scott – ‘NO BYSTANDERS’

Check out Travis Scott’s ‘NO BYSTANDERS’:

TRAKGIRL

Shakari Boles (popularly known as TRAKGIRL) is one notable producer to look out for this year. TRAKGIRL is like a potter. She carefully moulds her beats until she creates a masterpiece. After two years, XO rapper Belly hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart thanks to her touch on ‘Maintain’ in 2018.

Although she doesn’t have a lot of credits in her discography, every time she puts her hands on a record, it turns into gold.

Notable production: Belly – ‘Maintain’

Check out Belly’s ‘Maintain’:

Boi-1da

In-house producer for Drake’s OVO Sound is an OG in the world of beat makers. The Canadian producer has produced for hip-hop artists such as: Nicki Minaj, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and Cardi B.

Drake’s ‘God’s Plan’ was released early last year, but the impact of his co-production is one of the reasons why the single is a timeless classic. Boi-1da is everywhere. He might be with Future today, Jay-Z tomorrow, and Rihanna the next day; everyone wants a piece of his beats.

Notable production: Drake – ‘God’s Plan’

Check out Drake’s ‘God’s Plan’:

Cardo

When you hear “Cardo got wings”, or “Shout out to Cardo” on a song, you know it’s about to be lit.

Cardo is the primary producer behind Drake’s ‘God’s Plan’. He’s also the mastermind behind Migos’ ‘Open It Up’ and the Black Panther soundtrack’s ‘Big Shot’, which were released during the same year. Cardo isn’t one to be slept on.

Notable Production: Migos – ‘Open It Up’

Check out Migos’ ‘Open It Up’:

Buddah Bless

Buddah Bless might be one of the fresh names in the industry but his portfolio remains as solid as his beat making prowess.

In 2018, Buddah sprinkled his blessings over many Quality Control artists. Quavo’s ‘PASS OUT’, Lil Yachty’s ‘Love Me Forever’, and Takeoff’s ‘Insomnia’ wouldn’t Sound the same without his influence. Buddah Bless creates unforgettable beats that echo in the head for days.

Notable production: Quavo – ‘BUBBLE GUM’

Check out Quavo’s ‘BUBBLE GUM’:

RandomBlackDude

RandomBlackDude is the producer alter-ego of eclectic rapper, Earl Sweatshirt. After a three- year break from music, Thebe Kgositsile added another strong entry to his discography with his third album, Some Rap Songs which was released in 2018.

Earl produced ten of the 15 tracks on the album, and the beats and samples were the best creative elements on the project. Earl’s beats are like his personality—weird and beautiful.

Some Rap Songs is a short album – kind of like a filler – that will leave his fans asking for another record soon. Hopefully, Earl the creative genius gifts the world another classic in 2019.

Notable production: Earl Sweatshirt – ‘Shattered Dreams’