Producer to Performer: Producers Who Became Rappers

July 18th, 2011

DJ Khaled’s fifth studio album, ‘We The Best Forever,’ comes out tomorrow, July 19^th. This got us thinking about other producers who made the jump to being the actual recording artist. DJ Khaled has so much energy and love for hip hop that you hear it in his music. I’ll never forget DJ Khaled giving Kanye an in house performance of “I’m Grindin’”. That’s 4 minutes of dedication.

DJ Khaled: Maybe I haven’t heard enough of Khaled’s music beyond his “anthems” or singles (I have) but I don’t think I’ve ever heard him rap. So even though he inspired this list, he doesn’t really qualify. Maybe we’ll do another list for greatest hype men or greatest facilitators.

Watch “I’m On One”

P.Diddy: Puff Daddy has had great success with his own rap career after an equally successful producing career. Diddy recently said that he will be stepping back from the main stage to return to producing. Some of P.Diddy’s more notable production credits are Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, and Mariah Carey.

Watch “I’ll Be Missing You”

Dr.Dre: Dre has produced for artists like N.W.A., Eminem, D12, Xzibit, The Game, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg. In 1992 he released ‘The Chronic’ which reached number 3 on the Billboard charts and his second album effort, ‘2001’, which was actually released in 1999 peaked at the 2^nd spot on the Billboard charts. Dre’s shining moment as lead artist was back in 1993 on “Nuthin’ but a “G’ Thang” and recently on “I Need A Doctor” off his much anticipated album ‘The Detox.”

Watch “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang”

Kanye West: Kanye has produced for some of the best in the game like, Dead Prez, Lil Kim, Jay-Z, Beanie Sigel, Nas, Foxy Brown, Talib Kweli, Freeway, T.I., Alicia Keys, Royce da 5’9”, and more. That was just before he started releasing his own studio albums making him a bigger name in the game than almost every artist he’s ever worked with. Mr. West still produces and is in greater demand.

Watch “Gold Digger”

Pharrell: Before N.E.R.D. was making albums of their own they were producing for the likes of BLACKstreet, Mase, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Kelis, Clipse and Jay-Z. Unfortunately, N.E.R.D. or Pharell’s solo album didn’t produce huge hits like the ones they’ve produced for others. They have a loyal fans rather than the biggest commercial success. Which doesn’t always matter when you produce songs like Usher’s, “U Don’t Have to Call”, Britney Spears “I’m A Slave 4 U”, Justine Timberlake’s “Like I Love You,” or N’Sync’s “Girlfriend”? Ya, Pharrell produced those little tunes, and that was just in one year – impressive.

Watch “Frontin’”

-E. McKay

Tags: DJ Khaled, Dr. Dre, Kanye West, P. Diddy, pharrell