There are a lot more variables involved in making this list than there were with the album lists, so I'm still questioning my order (there are even more variables with emcees, so it's going to be even more complicated if I make that list). I could pick almost any two random producers from this list and make arguments why either one is better than the other. As a result, I wouldn't say there's a definitive G.O.A.T., but that doesn't mean I'm not going to pick one. Every producer in my top 11 has a solid argument for the top spot.
- Prince Paul: Diversity
- RZA: Most albums in my top 100
- Madlib: Depth
- J Dilla: Balance
- DJ Premier: Consistency
- El-P: Complexity
- Marley Marl: Influence
- Pete Rock: Remixes
- The Bomb Squad: Innovation
- Fat Jon: Instrumental albums
- Dr. Dre: Impact
They all also have reasons why they don't deserve to be #1. I'm sure I forgot a few worthy producers, but I don't think I left out anyone who deserves a really high ranking. Also, this is a producer list, not a DJ list (which I may eventually do), so guys like Grandmaster Flash and DJ Jazzy Jeff who mistakenly get credit for songs they didn't produce aren't on the list. Eric B. may deserve to be on this list, but I don't really know how much involvement he had in the production of Eric B. & Rakim's albums, and the majority of the songs I do know he produced aren't that good, so I left him off. I know a lot of complaints are going to be based primarily on styles rather than skill and technique, so I'm going to preemptively crack an egg of knowledge to dispute those complaints: You might love fast food and hate Japanese cuisine, but a kid on the frialator at Burger King isn't a better cook than a Benihana chef. If you don't like a particular production style, you don't have to have any producers who use that style on your own list, but that doesn't mean they all suck. Let the great experiment begin!
- Prince Paul
- RZA
- Madlib
- J Dilla
- DJ Premier
- El-P
- Marley Marl
- Pete Rock
- The Bomb Squad
- Fat Jon the Ample Soul Physician
- Dr. Dre
- Kurtis Mantronik
- Jneiro Jarel
- Organized Noize
- Boots Riley
- Erick Sermon
- Factor
- The Beatnuts
- Blockhead
- Jel
- J-Zone
- RJD2
- Ski
- Dälek
- Da Beatminerz
- Diamond D
- Showbiz
- Edan
- Hitman Howie Tee
- Large Professor
- MF Doom
- 4th Disciple
- Q-Tip
- Willie Evans Jr.
- Clutchy Hopkins
- Samon Kawamura
- Kno
- Nujabes
- Ant
- Kanye West
- High Priest
- Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind
- Shock G
- Count Bass D
- K-Def
- Mike Ladd
- Exile
- Alchemist
- Lord Finesse
- DJ Shadow
- The Egyptian Lover
- Waajeed
- No I.D.
- Buckwild
- Evidence
- KRS-One
- Maker
- J. Rawls
- Easy Mo Bee
- Rick Rubin
- DJ Hi-Tek
- Blue Sky Black Death
- Necro
- Insight
- DJ Muggs
- Thavius Beck
- Mannie Fresh
- Chief Xcel
- The Molemen
- Rob Swift
- King Britt
- Beats By the Pound
- Capital D
- Danny!
- Reanimator
- Mumbles
- will.i.am
- Oh No
- Blueprint
- Black Milk
- Freddie Joachim
- Danger Mouse
- Sir Jinx
- Oddisee
- 9th Wonder
- Kutmasta Kurt
- Cut Chemist
- Lushlife
- Rashid Hadee
- Nicolay
- Beans
- DJ Krush
- Flying Lotus
- Dan the Automator
- DJ Magic Mike
- Havoc
- Ali Shaheed Muhammad
- DJ Mark the 45 King
- The Nonce
- Hurby Luv Bug
