11 Underrated Producers We Want To See Blow Up In 2014

December 19, 2013 - 8:48 pm by Max Weinstein

We all know Pharrell, DJ Mustard, Mike Will Made It, Kanye West and Timbaland were the superstars of rap and R&B production this year, but what about the underdogs?

Yeezus introduced the world to superb talent like Arca and Evian Christ while the Southern rap scene is churning out game-changing producers faster than hit rappers.

With the power of technology reaching an all-time high, kids are becoming production wizards with laptops in their own bedrooms. Even if you think the threshold for entry is lower than ever, it also means that newcomers are experimenting with more sounds than ever before, resulting in groundbreaking music.

We decided to shine a spotlight on some of the lesser-known heatmakers, from Washington to Atlanta to Los Angeles. Discover some of the most slept-on music of the year with our 11 Best Underrated Producers of 2013. ---Max Weinstein

Kaytranada Standout Songs: Azealia Banks – “ATM Jam (Remix),” Teedra Moses – “Be Your Girl (Kaytranada Edition),” Kaytranada – “Free Things In Life” Any guy who can make a dud like “ATM Jam” into an addictive dancefloor-killer deserves a spot on this list. Montreal is a hotbed for electronic talent right now, so you’d be foolish not to keep an eye on the Booty Bakery scene that’s been on fire this year. Kaytranada makes the kind of music that makes you grateful to be alive – it grabs your soul and catapults you into heaven. If you aren’t up on game, peep our quick rundown of his best remixes and come back for more on his Soundcloud page when you’ve healed your snapped neck. You’re welcome.

Dun Deal Standout Songs: Young Thug – “Stoner,” Rome Fortune – “Get The Guap,” August Alsina – “Inhale” Dun Deal is hitting on every cylinder, from R&B to rap to whatever Young Thug is doing these days. Everywhere the Atlanta producer pops up, it’s with genre-bending music that pushes the edge of modern production. He easily shuttles between infectious anthems like “Hannah Montana” and “Stoner” and more street sounds like “Every Little Thing I Do” and “Strokin” (shout out to steel drums). At this rate of success, Dun Deal is positioned to be one of the biggest breakout producers of 2014. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

DJ Burn One Standout Songs: Starlito – “Keep The Change,” Lecrae – “Finer Things,” Scotty ATL – “Food For Thought” DJ Burn One has built his brand on one trait: consistency. Whether it’s Gucci Mane, A$AP Rocky, or Freddie Gibbs, Burn One brings a live flavor with minimal vocal samples, narcotic loops and warm bass. His beats always stand out on any project he features on, and that recognition has allowed him to handle the majority of Scotty ATL’s latest project, Faith. His work with Starlito never fails to capture both artists at their peak, and it’s apparent on albums like Stepbrothers 2 and Fried Turkey. Now we just need a Renaissance Gangster 2.

Nez & Rio Standout Songs: Save Money – “Seppuku,” Schoolboy Q – “Man Of The Year,” Caleb James – “Ride With Me” Makers of the greatest TDE beat to date, Chicago producers Nez & Rio are a shining example of what more rap acts might benefit from: quality control. They’ve released few beats this year, but every single one is worth checking, including three songs on Caleb James’ The Jones and scattered work with Vic Spencer, Kembe X and Sulaiman. Bone-rattling bass and a clean mix goes a long way, and Nez & Rio have utilized those details to emphasize their “less is more” approach this year.

Crazy Mike Standout Songs: Wiz Khalifa – “Ridin’ Round,” Juicy J – “Wax,” Lil’ Wayne – “Trigger Finger” I noticed Crazy Mike’s talents last year, when Juicy J dropped a random video called, “Still Hustlin,” that hooked me with a soulful Marvin sample. This year, Crazy Mike got his due praise, dropping three beats on Lil Wayne’s I Am Not A Human Being II and five beats on Juicy J’s Stay Trippy. Together, Mike and J make a powerful production duo, so it’ll be interesting to see where Crazy Mike lands production next as his Memphis influence continues to stand out amongst Southern producers. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Izze The Producer Standout Songs: Young Dolph – “South Memphis,” Rich Homie Quan – “Blah Blah Blah,” DJ Scream Feat. Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka, & Project Pat – “MWZC” Young Dolph. Shy Glizzy. Rich Homie Quan. Young Scooter. Jose Guapo. God damn. If there’s one producer I’d recommend tracing to find the best new talent, it’s Izze The Producer. He was featured on projects from all of the above this year, so you could say he’s been instrumental (my bad) to their success, however varied that’s been for said rappers. He switched it up for Quan with a ballad for “I Fuck Wit You Girl” and kept it gritty for Young Dolph with cuts like “South Memphis” and “Scared Of Me.” Anywhere he goes, you’re wise to follow.

Felix Snow Standout Songs: SZA – “CASTLES,” Gallant – “Sirens,” OnCue – “Never Do Better” Felix Snow seems to have taken it upon himself to carve out the trademark sounds of artists like SZA, Gallant and Chippy Nonstop this year, producing hefty amounts of surreal music for the three artists, including a full EP by Chippy, four singles for Gallant, and four tracks for SZA. He covers TDE’s songstress with shivering, icy production while filling out Gallant’s ghostly R&B sound with strings, blips and other atmospheric touches. The L.A. producer has found a way to delicately meld trap with more downbeat, Weeknd-esque aesthetics, landing him in a highly desirable crossover zone that more artists are starting to catch on with. He’s worked with rappers like Bukkweat Bill and Deniro Farrar, but whoever harnesses his wintry sound will make an lasting impact in 2014.

Lee Bannon Standout Songs: Joey Bada$$ - “95 ‘Til Infinity,” Lee Bannon – “216,” Memnoch – “What If” Sacramento beatmaker Lee Bannon is one of the nicest out right now. You can tell when Bannon is responsible for the track– it usually has a misty, soulful feel to it – but he’s also expanding into genres beyond rap. His more recent solo tracks reach into ambient/dance territory, like his 20 minute EP “Place/Crusher.” The fearlessness demonstrated on that project is what informs every beat he places – for Bannon, it’s a necessity to stand out from the competition. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

FKi Standout Songs: Rich Homie Quan – “Get TF Out My Face,” Young Dro – “FDB (Fuck Dat Bitch),” Rome Fortune – “Grind” 1st Down and Raye Rich are right on time for Atlanta’s national takeover. Their style embodies the reason that ATL stays ahead of the competition. Never sounding the same, FKi switch styles from one song to the next and balance different tempos and regions to constantly produce fun results. They stretch from trapping in the abyss on “RED” to pure paradise on “Still Sippin” and their latest mixtape Transformers N The Hood 2 is a jam-packed collection of knocking beats from front to back. The colorful palette of sounds on that tape is what makes FKi one of the strongest production teams of the year – a wide range of styles and a deep sonic depth on each beat to match. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

Khris P Kream (Kream Team) Standout Songs: ILLFIGHTYOU – “DING,” Leon Swanks – “Wavy,” Khmer Tay – “Never” Washington producers Khris P, along with beat sidekick Lou Swang, are the Kream Team, a team that works with local rappers like TVespa and Leon Swanks. They produced the outstanding debut tape by ILLFIGHTYOU with sparse, head-splitting beats that sound like Odd Future if the Fairfax kids were better at music. The Kream Team have the uncanny ability to make potential crossover music (like ThLife’s “Trilla Boy”) and more unpolished production (like Jeanleon’s “Nightdress”). It’s cool that they stay close to home for their placements, but when you hear Vince Staples kill one of their beats, you can’t help but hope that they start branching out more.

Block Beattaz Standout Songs: Zilla – “Day by Day,” ST 2 Lettaz – “Crown,” Stalley – “Swangin” Truth be told, Block Beattaz have been some of the dopest producers in the game for years now. They started getting recognition back in ’08 with G-Side, the Huntsville rap group who disbanded and then got back together again this past year. Their biggest look so far has been handling almost half of Stalley’s latest project, “Honest Cowboy,” lending a more appropriate country sound that still slaps for the MMG rapper. CPZ and Mali Boi may have done their best work, however, on this year’s slept-on Book Of Trill EP by Zilla. They produced the entire six-track project, but songs like “Changes” and “Day by Day” showcase just how special their music can make you feel. Anything they produce is usually worth a rewind or two. [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]

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