June is the celebration of black music.
Black Music Month was originally founded by music moguls Kenny Gamble and Ed Wright in 1978, and with the help of President Jimmy Carter on June 7, 1979, the month of June was officially declared Black Music Month.
The influence that black artists and black music have on American culture and cultures around the globe is undisputable.
From visual influence to sonic influence, generations of African-American recording artists and musicians have inspired some of the most influential artists of all time.
With hearing being one of the most importance senses an individual can possess, GlobalGrind decided to round up the 22 most influential black music producers over the past 10 years.
The sounds these producers have created over the years transcends the importance of visual impressions.
From creating the sound, to developing the creative direction, and often mixing and mastering their music, the importance of a good producer is irrefutable.
So check out the 22 producers who have created the sound of the past decade down under.
1. Kanye West
Notable Production Credits: Jay-Z, Foxy Brown, Jermaine Dupri, Mase, Beyonce, Himself, DMX, Alicia Keys, Cam’ron, Janet Jackson, Jadakiss, Brandy, John Legend, Mariah Carey, Lil Kim, Common, Dead Prez, Beanie Sigel.
2. RZA
Notable Production Credits: Wu-Tang Clan, Kanye West, Cypress Hill, Big Pun, The Lox.
3. Dr. Dre
Notable Production Credits: N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Tupac, Nas, Nine Inch Nails, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Game, DMX.
4. DJ Toomp
Notable Production Credits: T.I., Ludacris, Pitbull, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Rick Ross,Nas, Game, Young Jeezy, 8Ball & MJG, Wale, DJ Khaled
5. Zaytoven
Notable Production Credits: Nicki Minaj, Gucci Mane, Usher, Yo Gotti, Soulja Boy, Future, Rocko, Plies, OJ Da Juiceman
6. Timbaland
Notable Production Credits: Aaliyah, Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, Jodeci, Eminem, Nas, Jay-Z, Xscape, Total, 702, Keri Hilson, Alicia Keys, Jazmine Sullivan, Jennifer Lopez, The Black Eye Peas, Madonna, Ashlee Simpson, Mariah Carey, Kanye West
7. Pharrell
Notable Production Credits: Lindsay Lohan, Maroon 5, Pitbull, Game, Jay-Z, Frank Ocean, Robin Thicke, Leah Labelle, Chris Brown, Mac Miller, Miley Cyrus
8. Mannie Fresh
Notable Production Credits: Lil Wayne, Juvenile, T.I., Young Jeezy, Kanye West, Rick Ross, T-Pain, Gucci Mane
9. Hit-Boy
Notable Production Credits: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil Wayn, Mary J. Blige, A$AP Rocky, DJ Khaled, Kid Cudi, Kelly Rowland, Will.i.am., Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, 50 Cent, Keyshia Cole, The Dream
10. 9th Wonder
Notable Production Credits: Jay-Z, Little Brother, De La Soul, Destiny’s Child, Memphis Bleek, Mary J. Blige
11. Salaam Remi
Notable Production Credits: Nas, Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Miguel, Nelly Furtado, Melanie Fiona, Fugees, Ciara, Jazmine Sullivan, Ne-Yo, Joss Stone, Whitney Houston
12. T-Minus
Notable Production Credits: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Diggy Simmons, Lil Wayne, Birdman, Slaughterhouse, LeToya Luckett
13. Boi-1da
Notable Production Credits: Drake, Eminem, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Mindless Behavior, Iggy Azalea, Chris Brown, Nas, DJ Khaled, Waka Flocka, JoJo, Nicole Scherzinger, Nicki Minaj, Kelly Rowland
14. Dot Da Genius
Notable Production Credits: Kid Cudi, Jhene Aiko, D-Why, Rockie Fresh
15. Bangladesh
Notable Production Credits: Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Ciara, Rihanna, Beyonce, Kelis, M.I.A. Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj, Brandy, Far East Movement, R.Kelly
16. No I.D.
Notable Production Credits: Jay-Z, J. Cole, Kanye West, Jhene Aiko, Common, Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson, Rick Ross, Kid Cudi, Drake, Nas, Big Sean, Eminem, Melanie Fiona, Janet Jackson
17. DJ Mustard
Notable Production Credits: Diplo, Young Jeezy, French Montana, Tyga, YG
18. Polow Da Don
Notable Production Credits: Chris Brown, Keri Hilson, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Nelly, Usher, Limp Bizkit, T.I., Kelis, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Pussycat Dolls, Robin Thicke, Ciara, Diddy, Gucci Mane
19. Lex Luger
Notable Production Credits: Rick Ross, Fabolous, Kanye West, Game, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Tyga, French Montana, 2 Chainz
20. Swizz Beatz
Notable Production Credits: DMX, Jay-Z, Eve, Ruff Ryders, Ludacris, Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, JoJo, Lil Wayne, T.I., Maroon , Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys
21. Just Blaze
Notable Production Credits: Jay-Z, Mase, Beanie Sigel, Big Pun , Fabolous, Lenny Kravitz, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Janet Jackson, Lil Wayne, Nas
22. Mike Will
Notable Production Credits: Rihanna, Juicy J, Waka Flocka, Miley Cyrus, Meek Mill, Young Jeezy, Future, Ciara, Britney Spears, Kelly Rowland, Lil Wayne.
BLACK MUSIC MONTH: The 22 Most Influential Black Music Producers Of The DecadeĀ was originally published on globalgrind.com