Best Producer/Rapper...?

[a.mann]

In short, Dre is too big to fail (as they say).

He's more than just a mere hip hop artist. He's a very powerful executive of one of the most profitable hip hop music labels.

No artist will publicly speak ill of Dre or criticize his "unique" way of producing hip hop.

They will roll their eyes, then say what's safe and expected of them:

"Dr. Dre is the Greatest Hip Hop Producer Of All Time"

and the rest of the masses fall in line to that chorus

 

[D_Rap_Scholar]

Wow bruh, you really laid it down for me. Thanks.

By the way, being a GOAT producer/rapper is a singular title - meaning that it's preeminently a solo act. That kinda excludes niggas like RZA, Q-Tip, Pete Rock, and Havoc, whose claim to fame is being part of rap crews.

When we say producer/rapper, the people that really come to mind are niggas like Dr. Dre, DJ Quik, and Kanye - who have all had successful careers as solo artists. For sure, their work contains many guest features, but these dudes at least have definitive songs that just include verses by them.

See what I'm sayin?

q-tip can count he has 3 solo albums

Okay fair enough. I get it... RZA, Pete Rock, Q-Tip have released their own material (and doesn't Havoc have plans to drop a solo LP too?) But I still feel that their solo work just doesn't stand up to the legacy and acclaim of their group efforts. And I doubt that's ever gonna change. Whereas DJ Quik, Kayne, (and Dre? maybe?) are two producers who have already made solid breakthroughs as solo artists. I simply can't say the same for dem other dudes.

 

[Built 4 cuban linx]

idk Q-tips renaissance album is one of my favorite albums of the last decade. true it not better than tribes first 3 albums (which is hard enough to do) but it's pretty damn good and not to be slept on at all.

 

[D_Rap_Scholar]

idk Q-tips renaissance album is one of my favorite albums of the last decade. true it not better than tribes first 3 albums (which is hard enough to do) but it's pretty damn good and not to be slept on at all.

fo'real? Aight, Imma check it out. Thanks for the rec.

 

[D_Rap_Scholar]

Just finished listening to Renassiance. Great work by Q-Tip! It def gonna stay in my rotation for a while!

@Built 4 cuban linx, thanks for the connect fam. I can't believe that shit got nominated for a Grammy! I'm glad Q-Tip is finally getting his shine as a solo artist, and I hope he can record some more gems on his next joint.

 

[Disciplined InSight]

Dj Quik was the first person I thought of when I saw this thread title. We don't have to discuss how great his production is, but his storytelling ability is underrated:

Pretty much closes this.

Quik has never been a slouch on the mic and writes his own shit, so I don't know why he doesn't get his recognition on that besides the production whereas Kanye smashes on the production tip, but is a hit and miss with the verbals.

 

[Disciplined InSight]

RZA could be so much better if he rapped normally. dude always sounds off, like he's trying to make his voice part of the instrumental or some shit

True. RZA's speech impediment is his stumbling block.

 

[ohhhla]

DJ Quik ain't better than Kanye.

FOH.

 

[twelveinches.com]

Best producer and MC around is definitely 20syl (of Hocus Pocus), who is also 4x world champ DJ in the supergroup C2C. Nothing that can beat this dude!


Then other cats that deserve to be mentioned:

Black Milk

Oddisee

9th Wonder / 9thmatic

Pete Rock