So who's your top 10 and why?
Emphasis on YOUR because this is a completely subjective topic.
Your list also doesn't have to be strictly hip-hop focused. (Although mine will
1. Pete Rock - Best drums in hip hop ever. One of the most influential producers of all time
2. Premo - Classic NY sound. Minimalism done right
3. Marley Marl - The FIRST superproducer. The FIRST to sample drums from diff records. Responsible for some of the best artist to come out the 80s. Even his later stuff is crazy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nabJTO3NRgQ)
4. Madlib/Dilla - I put both these dudes here because it's really hard for me to pick which I like more. Their production style is very similar. I placed Lib over Dee though because he's the only cat on this list who producer a live jazz album to my knowledge.
5. Alchemist - Al would probably be number 1 on this list if I were talking about the last 5-10 years. He has had the underground on lock working with artist like Earl, Boldy James, the Griselda crew, Action Bronson, etc.
His ability to fit the pocket of almost any rapper is unmatched- a million different styles. His older work is dope too.
6. RZA - Wu Tang. nuff' said
7. Ye - I look at Kanye like a conductor for a hip hop orchestra. He knows who to get in the room to make the best material be the driving force behind that.
8. Neptunes - I encourage you to listen to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9899coNG-0o If you were born in 97'-03', then these dudes were part of the soundtrack of your life.
9. Knx - I highly credit knxwledge to pioneering this new generation of """"lofi boom bap""""
10. Fly-Lo - I will admit I haven't listened to much of Fly-Lo since You're Dead!. But I just love his wonky, psychedelic like grooves and rhythms.
This is all I could think of this morning I'm stoned to the bone