The second week of May means the summer months are creeping closer, and we all know nice weather usually brings about some quality rap records (at least a few). As such, Hip-Hop Wired’s “Beatmakers“ series is back with a new round of names behind the music that you should know.
Diversity is ultimate game plan so for the May edition, Beatmakers ventured beyond rap and into the new musical sub-genre that doesn’t exactly fit into the traditional R&B box.
Featured right alongside one of Gucci Mane’s producers is the instrumentalists behind some of SZA’s soothing sounds. And since the business of betaking isn’t just about snatching the big names (although we have some of them on the list too). There’s something to be said for the producers who help an up-and-coming artist build a sound, and the true multi-talents who write, produce, and perform their own music.
Featured among our round up are a sprinkling of different people, including an NYU graduate, a budding rap star from the Bay Area, and the duo behind Jhené Aiko “The Worst.”
Take a look at five producers you should know in the gallery below.
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Swiff D
With the likes of Pac Div, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, ScHoolBoy, 50 Cents, Snoop Dogg, David Banner, Jadakiss, and 2 Chainz under his belt, Southern California-born producer Swiff D doesn’t have much to prove in this game. Nonethless, he’s still as humble as ever. The son of a pastor, Swiff fashioned his talent for instrumentals into a lasting music career in the beat industry.
Logic’s gratitude-filled track “While You Wait” is among his latest productions.
London on Da Track
Trap music hasn’t been the same since London on Da Track entered the beats game. The Atlanta-bred producer has been has worked with Gucci Mane, Wake Flocka, and teen rap duo Rich Kidz. He also produced the new Young Thug track “Chicken.”
Felix Snow
Felix Snow is making his way in the production arena, with mellow instrumentals, seemingly perfect for female vocalist. The Connecticut native is the main beatmaker behind a good portion of SZA’s records including “Julia.”
Snow is a graduate of NYU, and currently resides in the City of Angels.
Fisticuffs
Congratulations are in order for this Grammy-award winning production duo know for their “pretty chords, grimy sounds, and 808s.” The Fisticuffs produced “The Worst” which topped the Urban Radio charts.
Besides music for the Los Angeles songstress, the Fisticuffs have worked on Miguel’s All I Want Is You debut (“Quickie,” “Girls Like You” “Vixen” and “Pay Me”) and Kaleidoscope Dream (“Arch & Point”).
Iamsu!
Heartbreak Gang member Sudan “Iamsu!” Williams gets special mention for his talents on both sides of the booth. Born in Richmond, Calif. the 24-year-old is both a rapper and producer, who started making music at the age of 14.
Su belongs to the The Invasion production crew, and co-wrote and produced the 2012 single “Up!” by Love Rance (featuring 50 Cent). Since then he’s jumped on records with E-40, 2 Chainz, YG, Problem, Wiz Khalifa and more.
He credits Kanye West, The Neptunes and Cam’Ron among his influences. His solo debut Sincerely Yours drops May 13.
