50 Years of Hip-Hop: For The Love of Beats

2023 marks 50 years since the birth of hip-hop. Considered to have been created in the Bronx by DJ Kool Herc, the genre experienced unprecedented growth thanks to the work of artists including Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash. These trailblazers inspired several other DJs and producers to add their own sounds to the genre, allowing it to evolve and flourish. Of course, hip-hop wouldn’t be hip-hop without an excellent beat to perform to. In celebration, we’re taking a look at some of the artists that have put their unique stamp on the genre with their exceptional producing skills. Join SiriusXM as we look at some of the most iconic hip-hop producers going.

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Dr. Dre 

The inimitable Dr. Dre spent the late ’80s as a member of the acclaimed hip-hop group N.W.A, producing several albums including the legendary Straight Outta Compton. Dr. Dre went on to create solo albums throughout the ’90s, such as The Chronic and 2001. He’s also collaborated with several world-class acts including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige. He’s a true pioneer, famously using live musicians to replay old melodies rather than sample them. Dr. Dre has solidified himself as one of music’s best producers, and one whose sound is constantly evolving. It would be impossible to talk about the legacy of hip-hop without acknowledging Dre. 

To hear Dr. Dre’s throwback hits, head to SiriusXM FLY (Ch. 47).

RZA

RZA first rose to fame with the esteemed hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, having produced the majority of their albums. His production style is heavily inspired by soul music, and the genre often features in his beats. He’s additionally produced music for The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and Talib Kweli, to name a few. Famously, RZA is a fan of cinema, particularly kung fu movies, sampling lines from several films in his work. You can also see his talents in Hollywood. Not only has he acted and directed, but he also scored the music for volume 1 and volume 2 of Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, as well as Blade: Trinity and Soul Plane.

Watch RZA and DJ Scratch’s performance of “Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater” on Shade 45 (Ch. 45):

Timbaland

The thing about a Timbaland beat is that you can instantly tell that it’s a Timbaland beat. His eclectic style fuses hip-hop with other genres, including pop, R&B, and electronica. His trademark sound includes guttural vocal ad-libs and infectious melodies. Since the ’90s, Timbaland has had tremendous success as both a solo artist and producer. True to his diverse style, he’s worked with acts across a number of different genres, including Chris Cornell, Brad Paisley, Justin Timberlake, Ginuwine, and Missy Elliot.

Listen to songs produced by Timbaland on the Hip-Hop Top 500 (Ch. 556).

DJ Premier

DJ Premier’s career has spanned an impressive three decades. Initially one-half of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr alongside the late rapper Guru, DJ Premier has produced tracks for numerous iconic artists such as Nas, KRS-One, Common, and Drake. Known for his signature boom-bap style and chopping samples, his beats ooze authenticity. Preemo’s dedication to catchy, high-quality tracks has solidified his position as one of the world’s greatest hip-hop producers.

Check out LL Cool J, Greg Nice, and Z-Trip praising DJ Premier’s talents on “Salute the Sample.” And, for more of DJ Premier’s classic hip-hop beats, listen to LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio (Ch. 43).

Kanye West

Kanye West is one of modern hip-hop’s most famous figures, having had a stellar career as a rapper and producer. He’s enjoyed remarkable success, having sold over 160 million records. He has received a total of 74 GRAMMY nominations, with 24 wins to his name. As a producer, Kanye blends different genres, samples, and instruments to create bold and multi-dimensional sounds. Kanye has produced music for a multitude of artists, including Rihanna, 2 Chainz, and Tyler, The Creator.

Hear some of Kanye’s greatest hits on Hip-Hop Nation (Ch. 44).

Just Blaze

Just Blaze came to prominence as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the early 2000s. He was one of the pioneers of the immensely popular “Chipmunk Soul” genre, which features sped-up vocal samples and slick, soulful production. Just Blaze has an impressive portfolio of work, producing beats for artists including Jay-Z, Diddy, and Rick Ross. Just Blaze has 8 GRAMMY nominations and has produced albums such as Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and Beyoncé’s Lemonade.

To hear just how big an impact he has had on the industry, listen to Eminem discussing Just Blaze’s genius during the production of the 2010 album, Recovery.