Domingo has been around for quite some time and the Hip-Hop producer has been a master at his craft for quite some time as well. Through the years, he’s produced for the likes of Big Pun (“Dream Shatterer”), KRS-One (“The MC”), Tony Yayo (“Homicide”) and others like Rakim, Fat Joe, The Boogie Monsters and Joell Ortiz. AllHipHop connected with the beat maestro to list the top producers that he has an affinity towards and the list does not disappoint.(Domingo)
Now, Domingo presents his Top 5 producers of all time.
5)
Sir Jinx – “Jinx was one of the West Coast’s prolific producers of the 90’s. Homie right here always had some kind of surprise in store on songs he produced. From Ice Cube to Kool G rap you knew that when his beats dropped it was a roller coaster ride of change ups and hard sounds.”
Audio example: Ice Cube “Endangered Species” from AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (1990)
4)
Large Professor – “Large Pro held it down behind the boards and on the mic, one of New York’s first to do that. He produced many, many Hip-Hop classics and was a beast on the Sp1200. Extra P has influenced many other producers including myself throughout the years.”
Audio example: Nas “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” from Illmatic (1994)
3)
Dr Dre – “Yeah of course Andre Young would be on my list and of course he is an obvious choice of many. But this man brought the G Funk sound to the forefront in the 90’s and has withstood time musically – consistent with the Midas touch. But with a platinum crown on just about everything he has produced. His signature one two drum patterns have kept many heads bopping and necks snapping over the years.”
Audio Example: Dr. Dre and Ice Cube “Natural Born Killaz” from Murder Was The Case soundtrack. (1995)
3a)
Just Blaze – “Ok, now I know this is a Top 5 but I could not leave out Just Blaze so I’m putting him right with Dr. Dre. Just has been hitting them out the park for the last few records he has produced. I gotta say he did one of the most incredible jobs of chopping up a record with Jay-Z Kingdom come. Even the late great Rick James would say, “Damn, that s**t was hot.” Just Blaze: The Man, The Beast on the beats.”
Audio Example: Jay-Z “Kingdom Come” from Kingdom Come (2006)
2)
Paul C McKasty – “Now this is someone who many people are going to say, “Who the f**k is that?” Well, I know Paul C’s contribution to late 80’s, early 90’s Hip-Hop was crucial to the New York sound. Paul C was a mentor to many and his production techniques got picked up by many New York producers including Large Pro, Ced Gee of the Ultra Magnetic MC’s and even myself. I had the honor to work with him a few times. If you don’t know who Paul C McKasty was, then do yourself a favor and google his name. Real Hip-Hop history right here.” (Editor’s note: Paul C was murdered in 1989 by a gunshot wound. The crime has never been solved.)
Audio Example: Super Lover Cee & Casanova Rud “Do The James” from Girls I Got Em Locked (1988)
1)
Marley Marl – “Simply one of the most innovative Hip-Hop producers ever. Marley is responsible for spawning the many careers of Hip-Hop’s legendary elite Juice crew (Editor’s note: The Juice Crew was Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, Kool G Rap, M.C. Shan, Masta Ace, Craig G, Roxanne Shante) and a lot more artists outside that crew. Everything Marley touched back in the 80’s and 90’s was classic material such as “The Symphony,” Hip-Hop’s greatest classic posse record. He was also the first producer to use the chopped drums from “Impeach the President.” A great deal of the New York sound wouldn’t have been what it was if Marley didn’t set the standards of production. Marley also helped launch my career and other producers such as K-Def who came from under the House of Hits and Marley’s mentorship. Also, we can never forget what he did for LL Cool J’s career on Mama Said Knock You Out. So without the greatest Hip-Hop producer Marley Marl there would not have been many legendary records coming out of New York City back then.”
Audio Example: Marley Marl and the Juice Crew “The Symphony” Marley Marl In Control Vol. 1 (1988)
Audio Example: LL Cool J “Mama Said Knock You Out” from Mama Said Knock You Out (1991)