Early this evening, I tweeted famed hip-hop producer Just Blaze, above, with a simple question:
For the record, here’s the list, from the magazine, about which I was speaking:
10. Scott Storch
9. Wyclef Jean
8. The RZA
7. Swizz Beatz
6. Jermaine Dupri
5. The Neptunes
4.Timbaland
3. Kanye West
2. Sean “Puffy” Combs
1. Dr. Dre
Now, though I know or have met almost all 10 of these, the talented names on XXL magazine’s list of knob-twiddlers, I don’t know Just Blaze. I do know of his reputation. However, I haven’t met him, and didn’t even really expect him to reply.
So, I was a bit suprised when, fewer than ten minutes later, I got this tweet:
Help me out, here: Is Just Blaze pissed? In other words, by the fact that he’s not on the list?
And should he be on it?
Like I said, I don’t know him, so I can’t say if he’s pissed. Maybe he’s just resigned. You know: Kinda, “Ah, well. Maybe next year.”
Or maybe not. I mean, musicians play cool about it, typically, but they tend to be very conscious, aware, and even covetous of industry status, some even legendarily so. (Kanye West, right—who I also don’t know and haven’t met—springs to mind, here, like a pubescent gazelle.)
Furthermore, this void can’t come at a good time for Blaze, with the Twittersphere quasi-trending about the complete absence, on Jay-Z’s upcoming The Blueprint III, of a single track produced by him. Note this comment by XXL Superproducer #7:
The XXL list was compiled by Matt Barone, Carl Chery, Jesse Gissen, Clover Hope, John Kennedy and Rob Markman.
The criteria was simple, and each of these gentleman needed to meet the majority of the proceeding demands—The producer must be a star himself, must have a long string of hit records, must have crossed the boundaries of either region or genre, must have had a substantial and tangible impact and must be consistently sought after.
As the 135 comment responses below the piece indicate, this discussion draws strong feelings. But as those voices also prove, hip-hop is too important to be left to hip-hop magazines.
So, what do you think? Given the criteria, should Just Blaze be on this list? If so, why? If not, why not?
Given XXL’s stated standards, above, are there producers ranked in this top 10 that should not be? Should someone be taken off the list, as Just Blaze replaces him? Or, should there be different ways of measuring excellence in the area of producing for hip-hop and, if so, what are they, and why? Explain your responses. Let’s keep it bumpin’.
12 comments ↓
Who cares? It’s just a stupid list.
Oh man, that’s just an epic fail on the part of the XXL writers. I mean, c’mon. From those early formative beats on Blueprint and beyond, to the pop of T.I.’s Live Your Life, Jay-Z is definitely a top 10 super-producer. Wyclef? Jermaine Dupri? And Just Blaze has been way more consistent and productive and influential than Scott Storch. Weird…
I meant, “From those early formative beats with Jay-Z on Blueprint and beyond, to the pop of T.I.’s Live Your Life, Just Blaze is definitely a top 10 super-producer.”
a totally jiggified list… any respectable hip hop stan knows that this list is missing tons of producers and is financially and commercially-driven, not that theres anything wrong w/ that… im just sayin tho, lists suck… all a matter of opinion when it comes to music, art, food, ass, etc.
pubescent gazelle????that could actually be conceived as a compliment….pubescent …yes….stumbling clod…yes…gazelle …NAH!!!!!but I wont discount his skillz…he is talented….gazelle????again….NAHHHHH.
The two criteria of the XXL Super list that Just Blaze might be said to fail to fulfill are 1) being a STAR in his own right–though he WAS in Fade To Black and he HAS blogged a little–and 2) crossing the boundaries of genre. The thing about his career that makes him a super-producer at the pinnacle of hip hop is the fact that he seems to provide tailor-made songwriting assistance to rappers, not just made-to-measure beats.
(EDITED VERSION OF MY PREVIOUS COMMENT):
The two criteria of the XXL Super-Producer list that Just Blaze might be said to fail to fulfill are 1) being a STAR in his own right–though he WAS in Fade To Black and he HAS blogged a little–and 2) crossing the boundaries of genre.
The thing about his career that makes him a super-producer at the pinnacle of HIP HOP is the fact that he seems to provide tailor-made songwriting assistance to rappers, not just made-to-measure beats.
It appears that XXL was trying to list hip hop producers who have (HAD in the case of Scott Storch) well and truly crossed over, like Berry Gordy, to that Los Angeles of the mind and soul.
This list fails on a few levels…
I can understand the comments about it being commercially diven…what ISN’T nowadays in hip hop? LOL
However, if that’s the case, why not list J Dilla? He was arguably one of the best producers ever, and was somewhat commercially successful. He was responsible for most of the hottest joints of the 90s, and got tons of airplay during that era…
And Swizz Beats? Marginal, @ best. He’s either hit or miss IMHO…either he’s putting out solid bangers (e.g., Jigga My Ni–a) or epic failures from a sonic standpoint (whatever that trash that he put on the new Blueprint album), w/no inbetween.
Anyway, the list is @ least a great discussion jump-off point.
…Seems to be more of a popularity list than anything else. How can you neglete Marley Marl, Pete Rock or even Larry Smith (you young cats do your homework…) No offense but, Puff rated higher than the RZA?!
that is an epic failure by XXL. P. Diddy is #2 and he didn’t do anything loop the Isley Brothers. Just Blaze took production out of the MPC and put it into the studio, bringing in incredible drummers, bass players, etc to fill out his beats with the highest level of musicianship. Also, he has contributed the hottest beats to Jay’s albums since BP1. Also, omitted and the largest failure of XXL: where’s DJ Premier? Seriously, Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic, Gang Starr, Ready to Die, and every great album from the 90s and Premier isn’t on that list when he should be # 1.
also, based on their own criteria, Dr. Dre should be way lower on that list cause he only produces rap while Timbaland does Nelly Fertado and Jay.
In life, everything is relative. What may be SUPER to one may not be SUPER to another. If being in the eyes of the camera, flamboyancy, bling blinging, being seen at posh parties, creates/makes a SUPER star, that is certainly acceptable (for some).
However, for others, what makes one SUPER is one that is consistent, benevolent, respectable, creative, modest, and humble in terms of sharing one’s talents with others. I am over 50 and have met many of the individuals on the list: including Just Blaze. Each individual is talented and justified in their own right and I applaud each one!
What impresses me about Just Blaze is he has not forgotten his roots and what is important in life. His spoken language transcends the visible industry. No one, regardless of age, is offended when he shares his knowledge with others. He is known to, anonymously, give clothing and gifts to others. When called, at the eleventh hour, he has traveled to speak to young adults about the industry and how they must make education first in their lives.
Such benevolence and modesty in an individual qualifies them for a list that we shall never see in a magazine…It is a list that is found within the hearts of those whose lives have been touched by his musical genius, his humble spirit, coupled with his genuine benevolent persona!!
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